December 2025:🎄‘Tis the Season to Plan Your Next Adventure! ✈️

Dear Travellers,

Experiences make the very best gifts whether you’re treating yourself or someone you love. Travel is, of course, the ultimate experience, with memories that just keep on giving.

For the architecture enthusiast: Get to know Gaudí on our Costa Brava and Barcelona tour. From the soaring spires of the Sagrada Família to the whimsical mosaics of Park Güell, Gaudí’s imagination transforms the city into a living artwork.

For the “off-the-beaten-path” aficionado: Albania isn’t on most travellers’ radars...yet. But with one of the fastest growing tourism industries in Europe, now’s the time to experience Albania and Montenegro on our Balkan Discovery tour. Explore its stunning landscapes, charming towns, and rich history, making memories and uncovering stories in places few others have seen.

For the river cruise fan: Set sail on the Canadian Empress on our latest “explore your own backyard” experience: The St. Lawrence River Cruise. Starting in Québec City and ending in Kingston, it’s a wonderful way to visit charming, historic towns and see one of our country’s most scenic waterways.

No matter what your travel style, Senior Discovery Tours has the perfect itinerary to make 2026 unforgettable. Explore, dream and make memories that last a lifetime.

Got questions? Our travel experts are standing by!

Merry travels!

Danny Shay, President
Senior Discovery Tours

Getting to Know Gaudí in Barcelona

Few names are as synonymous with Barcelona as Antoni Gaudí. Born in 1852 in Catalonia, Gaudí was an architect whose visionary approach transformed the cityscape, blending nature and imagination into stunning, unusual structures. It’s impossible not to notice his impact on Barcelona.

The iconic Sagrada Família is his magnum opus, stunning visitors with its soaring spires and intricate facades. This remarkable church has been under construction since 1882! It’s projected to be completed in 2026 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.

The equally famous Casa Batlló, also known as “The House of Bones,” is a landmark of Catalan modernism and a celebration of colour and creativity. It has an imaginative facade with a dragon-like roof, balconies resembling skulls and bones, and colourful mosaic tiles. What you see today is a complete renovation of an existing 1877 building. After businessman Josep Batlló i Casanovas purchased it in 1903, he gave Gaudí complete artistic freedom to renovate.

Then, there’s Park Güell, a whimsical place filled with mosaic-covered structures, sinuous benches, and panoramic views of the city. The park is an embodiment of Gaudí’s belief that architecture should be joyful and in harmony with nature.

Every detail of Gaudí’s work, from the twisted ironwork on building balconies to vividly-coloured roof tiles, tells a story, inviting visitors to see the world through his imaginative eyes.See that imagination on display on our Costa Brava and Barcelona tour and feast your eyes on the wonders of Park Güell and the towering spires of Sagrada Família for yourself.

5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Albania

Albania has long been one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, but that’s changing fast. This captivating Balkan destination is becoming more and more popular with travellers eager to explore its unique charms. Here are a few reasons why:

Jaw-dropping beauty
Albania’s coastline along the Ionian and Adriatic Seas is breathtaking, but still relatively undiscovered. Crystal-clear waters, hidden coves, and sleepy seaside villages make it a perfect alternative to crowded Mediterranean hotspots.

Authentic, unspoiled charm
For decades, Albania remained largely untouched by mass tourism. But today, travellers are welcomed with open arms with a unique chance to explore the country’s quaint towns, ancient ruins, and rugged landscapes…before the crowds start showing up.

An Ottoman past
Berat is a beautiful city of white Ottoman houses and iconic hilltop castles. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known as the “City of a Thousand Windows” thanks to the countless windows of the terraced homes that cascade down the hillside.

Haunting Cold War history
The Bunk’Art museums in Tirana, located in former nuclear bunkers, detail the country’s difficult communist history. Spaç, which housed a secret communist labour camp, is now a moving museum and memorial to those who endured the hardships of the country's totalitarian past.  

Tribal traditions
Fortified homes called kulla are scattered across Northern Albania. Built hundreds of years ago to protect families during tribal conflicts, a few of these castle-like stone structures have been restored as museums and guesthouses, giving travellers a glimpse into traditional Albanian life.

The best way to get to know more about Albania is on an expert-led trip. Our upcoming Balkan Discovery tour combines Albania and Montenegro. It’s your chance to experience historical sites, stunning scenery, and the rich culture that makes this region so unique.

Sailing the St. Lawrence: A Journey Through Canada’s History

Did you know you can take a river cruise right here in Canada? That’s right, a trip along the St. Lawrence is a wonderful way to discover our own backyard.

Join us on our upcoming St. Lawrence River Cruise on the Canadian Empress for a unique adventure with unforgettable stops including:

Québec City: Charming old town streets, historic fortifications, and vibrant French-Canadian culture. This little taste of Europe in Canada has a wonderful food and wine culture reminiscent of France, but with a Canadian identity all its own.

Trois-Rivières: One of Canada’s oldest cities, Trois-Rivières is known for its cobblestone streets, old-world architecture, and the Boréalis Museum, which offers a look at the region’s pulp and paper industry.

Montréal: From Old Montréal’s historic alleyways to Mount Royal’s panoramic views, the city blends history with contemporary flair. It’s home to the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of History and Archaeology, which showcases an underground archaeological site where Montréal’s story began.

The St. Lawrence Seaway: Navigate locks and channels and glide past lush riverbanks and pretty towns. Just past Cornwall, we’ll see the mighty Saunders Dam, a landmark of 1950s engineering that powered homes and businesses all along the river.

Brockville: “The Gateway to the 1,000 Islands” is home to Millionaires’ Row, a stretch of river lined with grand Gilded Age estates once owned by wealthy industrialists. Fulford Mansion in Brockville is one of the most magnificent of these estates – it was built in 1901 for Senator George T. Fulford, who made his fortune marketing “Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People.”

1,000 Islands: There are more than 1,800 islands scattered through this stretch of the St. Lawrence. It’s one of Canada’s most scenic waterways, with a wonderful new view to discover around every bend.

Kingston: Stroll the lively harbour, explore local markets and museums, or simply enjoy the blend of heritage and small-city warmth that makes this popular spot a fitting finale to a St. Lawrence River cruise.

Ready for your 100% Canadian river cruise? Contact us today to book!

Why Travel With Us? Reason #10

Sharing the joy of travel can be very rewarding! When you refer a friend to Senior Discovery Tours, you both win! They get the experience of a lifetime and you get more rewards through our BlueSky Referrals program and save on future tours!

Québec-Style Poutine

Warm up this winter with a classic Québecois comfort food! Inspired by the embarkation point of our upcoming St. Lawrence River Cruise, this easy poutine combines crispy fries, melty cheese curds, and rich gravy for the ultimate cozy treat.Ingredients:

• 4 cups frozen or homemade French fries
• 1½ cups cheese curds
• 2 cups beef gravy (store-bought or homemade)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bake or fry the fries until golden and crispy.
2. Place fries on a plate and sprinkle cheese curds evenly on top.
3. Pour hot gravy over fries and cheese, letting the curds soften slightly.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.

A simple, hearty dish that tastes like a trip to Québec, no passport needed!