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Dear Traveller,
June marks the beginning of summer – a wonderful time to explore, spend time with family, and celebrate our travel-loving dads on Father’s Day. Relaxed, sunny days also offer an ideal opportunity to plan your travels for the remainder of the year.
We’ve got countless ideas for your next trip, from cruises and stay-put holidays, walking & hiking tours and off-the-beaten path adventures. This month, we’re highlighting three wonderful fall and winter itineraries.
Fall in love with Greece on our Greece Stay-Put Holiday in October! Bask in the sun, hike the local countryside, raise a glass in a local taverna, and experience the country’s spectacular history. We’ll explore Athens, cruise through the Greek islands, and visit Delphi, the ancient “centre of the world.” Read more about the highlights of Delphi below.
Nature lovers: get ready to experience paradise. With two fall departures, our Costa Rica Rainforests & Volcanoes tour is all about vivid landscapes, active volcanoes, relaxing hot springs, remarkable wildlife, and more. Learn more about one of the destinations on the tour – the incredible Poás Volcano National Park – see below.
Looking to celebrate your holidays a little differently this year? Join us for our Holiday Season in Victoria BC tour! Enjoy the twinkling lights of the historic downtown, with roaming carollers, trolley rides, and special holiday meals, all in a lovely coastal destination that boasts Canada’s mildest winters.
With Senior Discovery Tours, there’s something for everyone – and you can always count on completely carefree travel, guaranteed prices in Canadian dollars, next-level service, and an unforgettable experience, every time. Plus, you’ll be travelling with a 100% Canadian company – so no matter where you go in the world, you’ll be supporting a local business!
Happy travels!
Danny Shay, President
Senior Discovery Tours
Costa Rica’s Fiery Jewel:
Exploring Poás Volcano National Park
The verdant heart of Costa Rica’s Central Valley beats with a fiery pulse. Poás Volcano National Park has one of the country’s most active volcanoes – a showcase of the powerful geothermal forces that shaped this part of the world.
The volcano’s main crater, Laguna Caliente (literally “hot lagoon”), is highly acidic, which makes it an otherworldly green. The hot, bubbling water is surrounded by steaming fumaroles (natural heat vents), with dramatic geysers shooting water up to 250 feet into the air.
A diverse landscape
The volcano is only one of the features of this fascinating park: this 6,800 hectare (16,800 acre) expanse is filled with geological wonders and captivating biodiversity. Barren volcanic landscapes give way to lush cloud forests, with orchids and mosses growing near pagoda-shaped escallonia trees, thriving in the wet heat.
Will you spot a quetzal?
Over 80 bird species make the park their home, so watch out for colourful quetzals and toucans, tanagers and hummingbirds. Coatis, squirrels, and wildcats are also known to make an appearance.
Nature-lovers and adventurers can experience Poás Volcano National Park on our Costa Rica Rainforests & Volcanoes tour – which includes San José, Tortuguero, Sarapiqui, Arenal, and Guanacaste. Join us in paradise!
Delphi: Highlights & History
According to myth, Zeus released two eagles from opposite ends of the earth, and they met at Delphi, marking it as the centre of the world. Home to the famous Oracle of Apollo, it was an important religious and cultural hub for centuries.
The site dates back to the Mycenaean period (around the 14th century BCE), but it rose to prominence during the 8th century BCE, when the sanctuary of Apollo was built. People from near and far travelled there to consult the Pythia, a priestess who delivered prophecies inspired by Apollo. The Delphic Oracle wielded enormous influence over personal decisions, political strategies, even the founding of colonies.
The site also hosted the Pythian Games, held in honour of Apollo, which celebrated athletic and artistic excellence.
Architectural Highlights
A visit to Delphi is a dive into ancient history, with millennia-old marvels including:
The Temple of Apollo: This is the heart of the sanctuary that was once home to the Oracle of Delphi. It now stands in ruins, but it’s easy to imagine its long-ago grandeur…with majestic columns, the scent of burning incense in the air, and pilgrims gathering to hear the cryptic prophecies whispered from inside its sacred chamber.
Athenian Treasury: This well-preserved Doric-style structure was built to house offerings from Athenians, commemorating their victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. The prominent location and elaborate design were meant to showcase Athenians' wealth and piety to visitors from across the Greek empire.
Theatre: Located above the Temple of Apollo, the 5000-seat theatre offers a dramatic view over the sanctuary and the valley of Phocis. It was used for musical contests, dramatic performances, and poetry readings, especially during the Pythian Games.
Tholos of Delphi: The purpose of this circular building is still unknown, but there are theories: it could be a tomb or memorial, a shrine to a hero, a symbolic representation of philosophical ideas, or it may have served a religious function tied to Athena Pronaia, the guardian of the sanctuary.
Stadium: Located high above the sanctuary, this is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek stadiums in the world. The Pythian Games were held here, hosting a variety of athletic, musical, and artistic competitions.
Delphi remained an important religious centre well into the Roman period, but gradually declined with the rise of Christianity and the suppression of pagan worship. By the end of the 4th century CE, the Oracle had fallen silent.
Today, Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to the cultural legacy of ancient Greece. You can visit this iconic spot as part of our Greece Stay-Put holiday, where a charming seaside hotel in Corinthos will be our home base for exploring this remarkable country.
Exploring Canada’s Oldest Chinatown
Victoria BC’s Chinatown is a fascinating neighbourhood with a long history. The oldest in Canada and the second-oldest in North America, its story is one of resilience, culture, and community.
It All Started with a Gold Rush
The area’s history goes back to the 1850s, with immigrants arriving during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. As more and more Chinese workers arrived (and many were later recruited to build the Canadian Pacific Railway), a vibrant Chinese enclave formed around Fisgard Street.
By the 1880s, Chinatown had become a bustling hub of theatres, restaurants, temples, and herbalist shops. The area was known for its dense layout, secret passageways, and stories of underground tunnels, which have become part of local lore.
Despite their contributions to BC’s growth; however, Chinese residents faced exclusionary taxes and immigration policies. They couldn’t vote and faced significant barriers to employment and education. Chinatown was their sanctuary – and a symbol of cultural resilience. After World War 2, many residents left the area for other parts of the city. Shops closed and buildings fell into disrepair, leaving behind only the shell of a once thriving community.
Rediscovering a Cultural Legacy
But in the 1980s, preservation efforts began to take shape and Victoria’s Chinatown was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995, preserving its heritage and fostering tourism.
Today, it’s a wonderful neighbourhood to explore, with landmarks like the Gate of Harmonious Interest, the Chinese Public School, and Fan Tan Alley, one of the narrowest streets in North America. Popular events like the Chinese New Year parade continue to celebrate the community’s legacy.
We’ll explore this cultural hub on our Holiday Season in Victoria tour. Join us as we wander its narrow streets with a local guide and enjoy dinner together at a traditional Chinese restaurant. Looking to celebrate the season in Canada’s warmest spot? Victoria is the perfect destination for the holidays!
Summer Giveway - Win a Luggage Set!
Ready for a Summer Giveaway?☀️ We're giving you the chance to win a 2-piece Monos luggage set, perfect for your next adventure!✈️
Find out how to enter here: here
Hurry! The contest ends June 15, and the two lucky winners will be contacted by email on June 16! *Terms & Conditions apply.
Why Travel With Us?
Reason #4: Exceptional Tour Managers
These seasoned travel pros go above and beyond to make sure your trip runs smoothly and your experience is consistently outstanding.
A Greek Father’s Day Treat: Loukoumades
We guarantee dad will love these golden, crispy honey puffs.
Ingredients:
For the dough:
1 cup flour
1 tsp instant yeast
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup warm water
Oil for deep frying
For the syrup:
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Gradually add warm water and stir until you get a smooth batter. Let it rest for 45-60 minutes, until doubled in size.
- While dough is rising, combine honey, sugar, water, and cinnamon in a small pot and simmer for 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a deep pot (about 2 inches deep).
- Dip a spoon in water, scoop a small amount of dough, and drop into hot oil. Fry until golden and puffed, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Drizzle your loukoumades with warm honey syrup and serve. You can also add crushed walnuts, cinnamon, sesame seeds, or powdered sugar.
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