Dear Traveller,
The tiny Eiffel Tower that sits on your bookshelf. The scent that takes you back to that market in Hanoi. The silly selfie you took together after a perfect day of hiking in the Alps.
There’s a reason certain travel memories stay with us. Remembering those positive experiences can lift our mood, reconnect us to people and moments, and bring greater happiness into our lives. So even though the trip inevitably ends, the benefits remain.
Where will you make your next memories?
Snapping the perfect pic at the lush edge of a volcanic crater on our Azores 2-island stay?
Picking up a special ornament at a Christmas market on our Swiss Wonderland holiday tour?
Remembering the complete relaxation of soaking in thermal waters on our Budapest Spa & Wellness tour?
Each journey offers something a little different, but they all have one thing in common: they stay with you long after you’ve come home.
Whatever memories you’re dreaming of making next, we’re here to make your travel moments remarkable and unforgettable.
Happy travels!
Danny Shay, President
Senior Discovery Tours
P.S. With Mother’s Day around the corner, let’s celebrate the women who taught us how to explore, appreciate, and savour life’s best moments. Scroll down for some thoughtful gift ideas for travel-loving moms. Happy Mother’s Day to all the loving women in our lives!
A Scenic Adventure in the The Azores
The Azores are a photographer’s dream, this archipelago wows with truly breathtaking natural landscapes. One of the most famous spots on the islands is Sete Cidades, where twin lakes join up in the crater of an extinct volcano.
Lagoa Azul looks blue, Lagoa Verde green. Legend has it that a beautiful princess with sky-blue eyes fell in love with a humble green-eyed shepherd. But when the king forbade the match, they had to say goodbye, and their tears formed lakes the colours of their eyes.
You can see the famous lakes from a number of viewpoints (called miradouros in Portuguese):
- Miradouro da Vista do Rei is the most famous. Called “the king’s viewpoint,” it is a view fit for a royal.
- Boca do Inferno offers a dramatic ridge-top view with a sweeping angle over both lakes – a great place to capture the perfect photo.
- Cerrado das Freiras is a quieter, more intimate overlook with a lovely view of the village and Lagoa Azul.
- Lagoa de Santiago Viewpoint offers a great perspective of the deep green Lagoa framed by dense forest.
- Miradouro da Cumeeira is a panoramic ridge trail with multiple natural miradouros along the rim.
- Miradouro do Escalvado is a west-facing viewpoint that’s known for incredible sunsets.
A village inside a volcano
When you’ve gotten your fill of scenic photos, make your way to Sete Cidades village, located on the shores of the two pretty lakes. Because it sits within the crater, the village has its own micro‑climate and a gentle, sheltered atmosphere.
Explore narrow lanes lined with whitewashed houses, pick up lunch at a local cafe, watch the fishermen casting lines from the low stone walls along the lake.
Visit Sete Cidades and other incredible landscapes on our 2-island stay in the Azores.
Spend 16 glorious days exploring volcanic peaks, hot springs, crater lakes, lush green landscapes and more on these beautiful Portuguese islands.
Lucerne: A Swiss Christmas Wonderland
Always wanted to visit a traditional European Christmas market? Switzerland doesn’t disappoint! Lucerne is just one of the markets we visit on our 12-day Swiss Wonderland tour – we’ll also enjoy the festivities in Montreux, Basel, Rheinfelden, and Colmar, then head to Strasbourg in France.
Lucerne’s Christmas market is truly picturesque, with lights reflected in the shimmering waters of Lake Lucerne. The city’s old town transforms into a storybook: cobblestone lanes glow with lights, wooden chalets cluster beneath snow‑tipped roofs, and the atmospheric medieval buildings offer the perfect backdrop. It’s intimate and quietly magical.
Gifts to buy
- Hand‑painted glass ornaments: delicate baubles, crafted by local artisans and inspired by Swiss alpine motifs.
- Swiss woodcarvings: small carved animals, nativity figures, and cuckoo clock miniatures.
- Linen and wool goods: finely woven scarves, mittens, and table linens from regional workshops.
- Artisanal chocolate and pralines: single‑origin and spiced varieties from Lucerne chocolatiers are packaged in festive boxes.
Tastes to try
- Feuerzangenbowle: This local holiday punch is hot spiced red wine with an extra kick. A cone‑shaped sugar loaf called a Zuckerhut is soaked with high‑proof rum and ignited. The sugar caramelizes and drips into the wine, deepening the flavour while the flames create the show.
- Raclette and fondue: crusty bread or potatoes dipped in melted cheese are the ultimate Alpine comfort food.
- Bratwurst and rösti: fragrant grilled sausages with crisp potatoes are the perfect street‑food snack.
- Lebkuchen and Zimtsterne: don’t miss the traditional gingerbread and cinnamon stars from local bakers.
Experiences to remember
- Stroll across Kapellbrücke at dusk: the bridge lights reflect romantically on the water for a photo-op that’s not to be missed.
- Boat ride on Lake Lucerne: take a short evening cruise to get a cinematic view of the holiday lights and surrounding peaks.
- Themed market squares: each plaza has its own character, from family‑friendly crafts to gourmet food stalls and designer pop‑ups.
- Workshops and demonstrations: watch glassblowers, woodcarvers, and chocolatiers at work or or try a fun ornament or cookie‑decorating session.
Love all things Christmas? Our Swiss Wonderland tour is for you! Join us this winter to explore the best of the holidays across Switzerland and France.
Living Budapest’s Spa(ah) Culture
With over 120 thermal springs feeding its bathhouses, it’s no surprise Budapest is known as the City of Spas. Going to the spa is a local tradition that goes back thousands of years, and for travellers, it’s a perfect way to combine culture, wellness, and relaxation.A long history of “taking the waters”The Romans built the first bathhouses here over two thousand years ago, and Turkish-style hammams came in with the Ottoman occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries. Then the Austro‑Hungarian Empire made thermal baths a grand experience with ornate bathing palaces like Széchenyi, establishing a rich spa culture that continues to this day.On our 13-day Budapest Spa & Wellness tour, we stay at the luxurious Ensana Thermal Maritsziget, with visits to the famous historic Széchenyi and Rudas spas.Ensana Thermal Maritsziget: This refined spa hotel combines natural thermal waters with professional therapeutic care. You can book treatments to support mobility, reduce pain, and promote deep relaxation. They offer everything from massages to mineral-rich mud therapy...the spa is your oyster!Széchenyi Thermal Bath: One of Europe’s most famous spa complexes, Széchenyi boasts grand Neo‑Baroque courtyards, steaming outdoor pools, and iconic poolside chess games. Visitors move through a maze of indoor pools and saunas before stepping into vast outdoor basins surrounded by yellow palace walls. The atmosphere is lively and social, with locals and travellers soaking amicably side by side.Rudas Baths: This is one of the few remaining functioning Turkish baths from the 16th century. Its octagonal pool sits beneath a domed ceiling punctured by star-shaped skylights, a direct architectural link to Ottoman bathing culture. It’s a quieter, more atmospheric experience that’s not to be missed.Tips for a great spa holiday
- Pack smart: Pack flip‑flops, a quick‑dry swimsuit, a light robe, and a waterproof pouch for valuables.
- Drink lots of water: Thermal waters and saunas can dehydrate you, so bring a refillable bottle.
- Follow spa etiquette: Rinse off before entering pools, move calmly between areas, and respect quiet zones.
Join us on a journey through centuries of bathing culture. With Ensana as your base and the city’s legendary baths at your doorstep, Budapest Spa & Wellness tour is a restorative, culturally rich experience you won’t forget.
Why Travel With Us? Reason #5
Roundtrip transport from your doorstep: We get you from your home to the airport and safely back again (in most Canadian cities). So you can just sit back, relax, and focus on the adventures ahead and the memories behind... it’s all included.
Gift Ideas for Moms Who Love to Travel
Looking for a great gift for Mother’s Day? Make travel even more fun and inspiring with these ideas:
- A lightweight, packable scarf for flights, breezy evenings, or adding a pop of colour to travel photos.
- A pretty travel journal to capture moments, memories, and little details.
- A compact power bank to keep her phone charged through long travel days.
- Noise‑reducing earbuds for quieter flights, trains, and hotel stays.
- A scratch‑off world map to celebrate the places she’s explored (and dream about the ones still to come).
- A travel‑themed novel like Far and Away by Amy Poeppel, a smart, funny house‑swap story in which a Dallas family and a Berlin family trade homes for the summer.
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