It’s March, the days are getting longer and our hearts are lighter knowing winter is finally drawing to a close. There’s something about the promise of spring that invites fresh starts and new possibilities like reconnecting with nature, exploring a new place, or simply taking the time to see the world from a different perspective. This month, we’re highlighting three very different journeys with one important thing in common: they’re all chock full of possibility and adventure!
If culture and music speak to your soul, you’ll love our Austria 2-Centre tour. We spend 6 nights each in the charming towns of Bregenz and Gra, exploring magnificent architecture, lush vineyards, fascinating museums, and more. Need a little inspiration? Keep reading for a musical playlist with selections from everything from classical composers to The Sound of Music soundtrack!
Or how do coastal walks, sparkling blue water, and leisurely moments over limoncello sound? For sunshine, scenery, and amazing Italian culture at an easygoing pace, our Amalfi Coast tour is pure bliss, with a spring departure just around the corner and more options for fall.
Looking for something completely different? Join our Himalayan Adventure to experience Nepal’s majestic mountains, and immerse yourself in peaceful Bhutan to find why it’s known as the "Kingdom of Happiness".
With spring just around the corner and so many inspiring places to explore, this is the perfect time to start thinking about where your next journey will take you. Let those travel plans bloom!
Happy travels!
Danny Shay, President
Senior Discovery Tours
The Charming Towns of the Amalfi Coast
On the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find a string of picture-perfect, cliff-hugging towns, each with its own rhythm. Experience glamorous islands and enjoy sleepy seaside villages: exploring this area town by town is the best way to immerse yourself in this famously beautiful place.
Sorrento. Considered the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, pretty Sorrento is set high above the Bay of Naples. It’s known for lemon groves, elegant piazzas, and views that stretch all the way to Mount Vesuvius. Plus, it’s easy to explore on foot and full of cafés perfect for lingering.
- Don’t miss: A sunset stroll along Villa Comunale, followed by a limoncello made with local lemons.
Maiori. This picturesque town has the longest stretch of beach in the area, and a more relaxed, local feel than some of its neighbours. The town’s wide promenade and laid-back pace make it a favourite for those who want seaside time without the crowds.
- Don’t miss: Delizia al Limone, a sponge cake soaked in limoncello and filled with lemon cream.
Vietri sul Mare. Less touristy than other towns, bright, cheerful Vietri sul Mare is the area’s artistic soul. It’s known for the hand-painted ceramics gracing everything from church domes to shopfronts.
- Don’t miss: Picking up a traditional hand-painted piece at a local ceramics workshop.
Ravello. Perched high above the sea, Ravello is a quiet, romantic spot – and the perfect place to really experience the magic of this beautiful region.
- Don’t miss: The view from Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity – it’s one of the most breathtaking in all of Italy.
Amalfi. The town of Amalfi is a gracious blend of history and coastal beauty. Admire the dramatic cathedral, wander narrow streets, and wile away a perfect afternoon exploring local shops and cafés along the lovely harbour.
- Don’t miss: Climbing the steps of the Duomo di Amalfi and exploring the Cloister of Paradise.
Positano. This ridiculously picturesque town tumbles down the cliff in a cascade of pastel houses, chic boutiques, and bougainvillea-lined staircases. It’s glamorous, photogenic, and undeniably romantic, with a fashion-forward vibe and excellent people-watching.
- Don’t miss: Taking a boat ride to see Positano from the water.
Capri. Head to the stylish island of Capri for turquoise waters, upscale shopping, and jaw-dropping scenery.
- Don’t miss: A visit to the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra). This small sea cave, renowned for its glowing blue water, is one of Italy’s most famous attractions.
Explore one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines with us on our 15-day Amalfi Coast tour. Multiple departures available in April and October 2026 – times when the area is warm and inviting, without the summer crowds.
Your Austrian Travel Soundtrack
From grand concert halls to cozy alpine villages, music is woven into Austrian life. Here’s a playlist to inspire your trip:
Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, and his iconic music is light, joyful and elegant, much like the city itself. Listen
Strauss’s Blue Danube: Vienna moves to its own rhythm – specifically, a waltz. Strauss’s graceful music captures the city’s old-world glamour, from imperial ballrooms to candlelit cafés, this piece in particular is designed for dancing. Listen
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, II. Allegretto: Beethoven spent much of his life in Vienna, and his music mirrors Austria’s dramatic contrasts, soaring peaks, deep valleys, moments of calm followed by bursts of intensity. This dramatic music is perfect for a train ride through alpine scenery. Listen
Schubert’s Ave Maria: Vienna may be grand, but it’s a city that’s also full of quiet spaces and personal moments. Schubert’s music feels like a conversation in a candlelit room, perfect for evenings in Austrian wine taverns (heuriger) or slow walks along the Danube at dusk. Listen
Alpine folk music: Embrace the joy and energy of yodelling, accordions, and lively folk tunes that reflect mountain life. It’s cheerful, communal, and perfect after a day of hiking, with fresh air and a glass of local beer. Listen
Parov Stelar: Austria’s music scene may have a rich history, but it definitely isn’t stuck in the past. In Vienna, it’s easy to find music with classical roots modernized by electronic, jazz, and indie sounds. Listen
The Sound of Music soundtrack. This beloved musical is set in and around Salzburg, and its famous songs conjure up plenty of nostalgia and the area’s storybook scenery. Head to the hills like Maria von Trapp did – we bet you’ll be inspired to spin around and sing “The hills are alive…” at the top of your lungs. Listen
Listen to inspire your next trip or as a soundtrack to exploring this lovely country in our 16-day Austria 2-Centre tour. The beautiful sounds and the glorious scenery are a perfect match! Departures in September and October.
Bhutan: Exploring the World’s Happiest Place
Bhutan is often called the "Kingdom of Happiness” and that’s not a marketing slogan from their tourist board: it’s a way of life. Tucked into the eastern Himalayas between India and China, this small Buddhist nation measures success not by GDP, but by Gross National Happiness. It’s a philosophy that prioritizes well-being, community, culture and environmental balance over pure economic growth. For visitors, it’s a mindset that’s quietly transformative.
Happiness as a national value
Bhutan’s approach to happiness is intentional. Government policies are designed to protect mental health, cultural heritage, and the natural environment. There’s a strong emphasis on balance: work and rest, progress and preservation, spirituality and daily life.As a traveller, you’ll notice it in the absence of billboards, the way traditional dress is worn with pride, and the genuine warmth of interactions. Life here moves at a human pace.
Nature that recalibrates you
Over 70% of Bhutan is forested, and sustainability is woven into daily life. Hiking through pine forests, crossing prayer-flag-draped mountain passes, or looking out over fertile valleys has a grounding effect. The air is clean, the landscapes are vast, and the noise of modern life fades fast. It’s hard not to slow down and that slower place is where happiness sneaks in.
Mindfulness is built in
Buddhism shapes everyday life in Bhutan. Monasteries perched on cliffs, spinning prayer wheels, and moments of quiet reflection are part of the rhythm of each day. Visitors often find themselves more present without trying to be. There’s less pressure to do more, see more, capture more, and more permission to simply be.
Connection over consumption
Bhutan limits tourism intentionally, favouring meaningful experiences over mass travel. That means fewer crowds and deeper cultural exchanges. Meals shared with locals, conversations with guides, and glimpses into Bhutanese life are what travellers remember.
People leave Bhutan feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected than when they arrived. The country’s happiness isn’t contagious because it’s flashy, it’s infectious because it’s sincere.
Experience the Kingdom of Happiness for yourself! Join us on our 16-day Himalayan Adventure to Bhutan and neighbouring Nepal. You’ll see the world’s highest mountains, experience rich cultures and come home happier, guaranteed. Departing October 31, 2026.
Why Travel With Us? Reason #3
Most meals are covered: No need to worry about hunting down a good place for each meal and we’ve taken care of all the legwork for you, so you can just show up and enjoy.
Sample the best of local cuisine in the company of like-minded travel companions. Plus, on our European tours, wine is included with every dinner!
A Taste of Amalfi: Limoncello Spritz
Bright, refreshing, and unmistakably Italian, limoncello is the Amalfi Coast in a glass. Made from the region’s famously fragrant lemons, this elegant spritz is the perfect aperitivo, best enjoyed slowly with a sea view and nowhere else to be.You’ll need:
- 2 oz limoncello (chilled)
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 oz soda water
- Lemon to garnish
Fill a wine glass with ice. Pour in the limoncello, top with Prosecco, and finish with a splash of soda. Give it a gentle stir, garnish with a slice of lemon and enjoy!
