If you want to take the worry out of travel – an escorted group tour with Senior Discovery Tours is the way to go. They pick you up from home. Your Tour Manager is there with you at the airport as you leave. You won’t have to worry about things like baggage, tips for maids, drivers or guides. You won’t have to check in or check out of hotels or keep track of admission tickets or booking meals. You won’t have to worry about what time you should arrive or leave or about finding your way in unknown places. You can just relax, enjoy the company of your fellow group travelers, and discover the world.
Founded in 1975, Senior Discovery Tours is Canada's largest operator of escorted tours for people aged 55 plus who love to travel. They offer more than 100 different international tours and cruises across six continents to choose from.
Senior Discovery Tours are well known for combining outstanding service and value and they include many excursions for which you would have to pay extra when travelling with other tour companies. Flights, hotels, meals, baggage handling, meals, pre-arranged sightseeing and entertainment, all taxes, travel insurance and tipping are all taken care of. The price is guaranteed in Canadian dollars, and there are never any hidden or unexpected surcharges.
Most meals are pre-arranged so you never have to worry about finding a restaurant in a strange place. On most tours, daily breakfast, dinner and sometimes even lunches are included in the price. In most Canadian cities, they will even pick you up and drop you off at home.
For many travelers the chance to share the experience with like-minded companions is one of the highlights of the trip. With Senior Discovery Tours everyone usually starts the journey together from a single departure point. And friends made on the trip are likely to be fellow Canadians who may not live too far away from you.
Since many of their clients are retired, Senior Discovery Tours tend to run tours in the shoulder season. They do not offer tours to Europe during the summer months when everyone is travelling with their families. A big part of their program is cruising – they offer Cruise itineraries including both Ocean Cruises and River Cruises. Itineraries range from Alaska to Europe to the Southern Caribbean. For Ocean Cruises they work with mainly Princess Cruises and for River Cruises they work with high end leaders in their field including Amadeus Cruises and AMAWaterways.
Ocean cruises, river cruises, city stays, tours, stay-put holidays, cycling and walking tours – Senior Discovery Tours have it all in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, South America and North and South America.
Travellers always rave about the Tour Managers at Senior Discovery Tours. They attend to every detail, ensuring your trip runs smoothly. Their energetic approach to travel enlivens every tour, and their experience prepares them to gracefully and expertly handle unexpected situations. Their Tour Managers are also expert at creating a positive group dynamic so that everyone enjoys a great sense of camaraderie.
Most of their tours offer a limited number of single accommodations so a single traveller can book a single room and pay a single supplement. If you prefer not to travel alone they can put you on their “Partner List” - but they do not arbitrarily match travellers up as room-mates. Potential partners are provide with each other’s phone number so they can contact each other and decide if they would like to share accommodations.
To find out more, or to book a tour, you should contact Senior Discovery Tours directly. By not going through a 3rd party travel agent or tour operator they believe it enables them to offer the best price possible. Friendly, experienced Tour Consultants are available to help you with all aspects of your booking and to help you choose the tour that’s right for you.
This is an invitation to join Chris on a fabulous “Hill Top Towns of Italy Plus Rome and Venice” with Senior Discovery Tours. The Tour runs October 4 -20, 2018 and Chris will bring his boundless passion for travel that is also part of his weekly broadcasts on Zoomer and CJAD 800. Share in his enthusiasm on this amazing voyage of discovery in Italy.
There are many wonderful highlights on this tour, starting with the Renaissance town of Perugia. As well as touring in this well known artistic centre, we will also visit the nearby rose coloured medieval town of Assisi – birthplace of St. Francis. Rimini is a premier resort on the Adriatic and excursions from here include the smallest and oldest independent republic in the world – San Marino, and Ravenna – which boasts some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world.
The small town of Mestre is close to the historic centre of Venice and we will cross the lagoon into Venice by private boat and make our triumphant entry into this magical city in order to explore its treasures. Next is Tuscany, a favourite region of Italy for visitors. Our touring here will take in Pisa with its leaning tower, and Florence – “Cradle of the Renaissance” – one of Europe’s most magnificent cities.
We continue to the elegant spa town of Chianciano Terme. This resort area is famous for its healing waters that for centuries have provided its visitors with cures for all sorts of aliments. Situated about 550 meters above sea level, Chianciano Terme boasts an ideal climate and is surrounded by hills of forests rich with oak, beach wood and chestnut. The greenery and dramatic landscape, unlike anywhere else in Italy, make this unspoiled region a pleasure for all the senses. During our stay here our excursions will include medieval Cortona – built on the dramatic slopes once enclosed by vast Etruscan walls, and Montepulciano – one of the region’s loveliest villages.
Senior Discovery Tours Hilltop Tour of Italy Itinerary
Day 1: Depart
We depart for Rome.
Walk down any given street in the historical center of Rome and you’ll experience a unique sort of time travel as you pass by visible remnants from every era: Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque, and the Fascist period. The history of Western Civilization is conveniently displayed for your strolling pleasure.
Day 2: Rome / Perugia
We arrive in Rome and proceed to Perugia, the Umbrian capital. After some time to rest we enjoy an afternoon city tour that takes us along the bustling Corso Vannucci. We visit the Duomo and the National Gallery with its 33 rooms of Umbrian art, including paintings by Perugino.
Day 3: Assisi / Perugia
Our excursion to Assisi will include a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis. A short walk away is the 13th century church of Santa Chiara. There will be some free time for shopping (ceramics are a good buy!) before returning to our hotel in Perugia.
Day 4: Gubbio / Rimini
We travel to the atmospheric town of Gubbio, one of Italy's hidden gems. Gubbio clings to the side of Monte Ingino and its buildings just fit on the narrow terraces that step up the mountain side. We will visit the Ducal Palace to see the interesting architecture, then continue to the resort town of Rimini.
Day 5: San Marino / Rimini
We tour the tiny, independent republic of San Marino. This hilltop town is the oldest and smallest republic in Europe. After our visit we return to Rimini for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 6: Ravenna / Venice (Mestre)
Following the Adriatic coast we travel to Ravenna and tour this unique city. Dante (father of the Italian language) is buried here. We will visit the tomb of Galla Placidia with its fine Byzantine mosaics. Later we arrive at Mestre on the Venetian Riviera.
Day 7: Venice (Mestre)
We cross the Venetian Lagoon by private boat for a full day in this magical city. We see St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace and more, followed by time at leisure.
Day 8: Padua / Venice (Mestre)
We visit the university city of Padua where Dante and Galileo attended school. The walled city centre has tiny one-way streets and many piazzas and arcaded walkways. We see many Gothic buildings and the enormous and incredibly elaborate Basilica Del Santo. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 9: Lucca / Montecatini
We enter Tuscany and stop at Lucca, a charming town which looks like a movie set for a medieval epic. Most of Lucca is traffic free and therefore a pleasant place to stroll through the streets and see magnificent churches, squares and statues. Our guide will point out major sites of interest. We continue to the charming spa town of Montecatini for a 4-night stay.
Day 10: Pisa / Montecatini
We take an excursion to Pisa, and yes indeed the famous Tower is still leaning. We will spend our time here at the Campo dei Miracoli, which includes the Tower, the Duomo and the Baptistry. This evening we dine at a lovely local farm where we will tour the gardens and wine cellar before enjoying the local specialties.
Day 11: Florence / Montecatini
Today we visit Florence, “Cradle of the Renaissance”. Our first stop will be to see Michelangelo’s David, and then our walking tour includes the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio dating from 1280 and Church of the Holy Cross. Afternoon at leisure - perhaps take an optional tour to Santa Croce.
Day 12: Siena / Montecatini
This morning we enjoy a tour of medieval Siena, where we will see the fan-shaped Palazza Pubblico, Gothic Town Hall and the Piazza del Campo - site of the legendary annual Palio horse race. Those who wish may climb the Terre del Mangia - a 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown.
Day 13: Cortona / Chianciano
We proceed to the scenic spa town of Chianciano, in the region of Tuscany and en route visit medieval Cortona, made popular by the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Cortona has an unforgettable position sitting on the slopes once enclosed by vast Etruscan walls.
Day 14: Montepulciano / Chianciano
With a blend of renaissance, medieval and baroque architecture, Montepulciano is one of the loveliest hill towns and best preserved historic centres in the area. There are churches, palaces and great views of the valley below. Lunch today is at a farm and we will sample the "nobile wine" first mentioned in the 8th century.
Day 15: Rome
We travel to Rome, and our touring this afternoon will take in the Coliseum, Circus Maximus, Roman Forum and more. After our tour we transfer to our hotel.
Day 16: Rome
This morning we visit the impressive St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City. Afternoon at leisure to explore Rome at your own pace. Our Farewell Dinner is tonight.
Day 17: Home
We fly back to Canada