Dear Travellers,
Looking to travel a little more off the beaten path? How about a cruise to Antarctica? (That’s about as far off the path as you can get!) Or perhaps a tour through New Zealand to experience unbelievable landscapes, beautiful cities and wildlife you can’t see anywhere else in the world – like the country’s iconic Kiwi.
How about a trip to Mexico – but not necessarily the Mexico you know? There’s a lot more to this incredible country than margaritas and mariachi bands (although we’re definitely not knocking those). There’s incredible culture, unique excursions, and ancient history you won’t believe – which you can see on our tour to Mexico’s Magical Southeast!
Whatever your destination, Senior Discovery Tours offers travel experiences that consistently surprise and delight. Our tours will introduce you to places you’ve never seen and experiences you’ve never had – guaranteed.
You can check out these tours and dozens more in our latest brochure: 2025 Volume 1 Winter Tours and Cruises which will be hot off the press soon! If you are on our mailing list, you can expect to receive your copy in the mail shortly! In the meantime, you can view/download it here – and don’t forget to sign up for future brochures to be sent to your home.
Happy travels,
Danny Shay, President
Senior Discovery Tours
Cruising through Iceberg Alley
Sail through the glacial stillness of Antarctic Sound – the gateway to the planet’s most remote, extreme and enchanting wilderness.
Visiting Antarctica is a one-of-a-kind experience, no question. One of the highlights is undoubtedly Antarctic Sound – otherwise known as Iceberg Alley. Massive icebergs break off from ice shelves at the southern edges of the forbidding Weddell Sea, forming cathedrals of ice that can be miles long and tower hundreds of feet above the sea.
There’s nothing like sailing past one of these massive walls of ice to make you appreciate their sheer size – it can be like being at the foot of a floating skyscraper.
Ships navigate this ever-changing labyrinth of icebergs, sailing through the Sound’s monochromatic beauty. You can see penguins and elephant seals, be surprised by breaching whales, and witness endless, otherworldly landscapes that will have you glad you brushed up on your photography skills.
This is also the place to see the Adélie penguin, which can only be found in Antarctica. The Antarctic Sound is home to the world’s largest Adélie breeding colonies and you can spot thousands of penguins huddled on the rocks. You may also see emperor penguins, all-white snow petrels, brown and white Antarctic petrels, Weddell seals, leopard seals and other incredible wildlife.
The only way to see these incredible sights is by ship – like the Sapphire Princess, which will be our luxurious home for the cruise portion of an incredible 20-day tour. Join us January 19 through February 9, 2025 for a truly awe-inspiring travel experience.
Mexico’s Ancient Wonders
There are 3 remarkable sites to discover on our Mexico’s Magical Southeast tour. Mexico is a country with an incredible history and a rich culture going back millennia, where the Aztec and the Zapotec, the Mixtec, Maya and other advanced civilizations thrived long before European colonization.
Our tour of Southeast Mexico takes us to a range of unforgettable sites that open up our eyes and our senses to the magic and mystery of these fascinating cultures. Here’s a quick sampling:
Templo Mayor, Mexico City
In the heart of modern Mexico City lies its buried past: Templo Mayor was the main temple of Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire and the epicentre of Aztec life. Today, what were once temples dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, god of war, and Tlaloc, god of rain and agriculture, are a must-see treasure tucked away in the historic Centro neighbourhood.
When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century, they destroyed the temple and built a cathedral on top of the ruins. The temple was lost until 1978, when electricians discovered it while digging to install cables. Today, the complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an active archaeological site and a museum with sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and ritual objects that offer a glimpse into the religious practices, daily life, and artistry of the Aztecs. Archaeologists have even found remains of sacrificial victims at the site, shedding light on the role of human sacrifice in appeasing gods and ensuring agricultural fertility.
Monte Albán, Oaxaca
This former Zapotec metropolis was founded in 600 BCE. Monte Albán was Oaxaca’s capital and one of the earliest complex societies in the Americas. The monumental ruins that remain – a planned layout of terraces, pyramids, canals, a Great Plaza, a ball court and more – extend over six sprawling kilometres. The Zapotecs built things with great precision and in tremendous scale, with many buildings aligned with astronomical events, showing advanced knowledge in astronomy. The site is situated on a hilltop in the Oaxaca Valley, a strategic location ideal for defence and controlling trade routes. Today’s visitors can enjoy stunning views – and fascinating insights into an ancient civilization.
Toniná, Chiapas Highlands
This intriguing site is a wonderful destination for travellers interested in Mayaarchaeology and history. The site is scenic and the architecture is dramatic, with a multi-tiered acropolis towering 75 m (246 feet) over the area. The unique terraced design shows advanced engineering and urban planning capabilities. Toniná has many beautiful sculptures depicting rulers, deities, and scenes of warfare. Hieroglyphics give us detailed historical records, including dates, events, and the names of rulers. Archaeologists continue to discover more structures, tombs, and artifacts, expanding our understanding of the site's significance in the Maya civilization. You can see these incredible sites and more on our 15 - day tour of Mexico’s Magical Southeast tour departing February 15, 2025. Magic, mystery and margaritas await!
New Zealand's Extraordinary Wildlife
How much do you know about New Zealand’s unusual national bird?
New Zealand is home to incredible wildlife, including the Kiwi, an endangered bird that is the country’s national icon. The Kiwi is truly unique. Check out these cool Kiwi facts:
- It has nostrils at the end of its long beak – and an incredible sense of smell that it uses to find its way around at night. As it walks, it taps the ground with its bill, probing the soil and making loud sniffing sounds.
- It has tiny wings, but can’t fly – in fact, it shares more characteristics with mammals than other birds.
- It has loose feathers that are more like fur. Unlike other birds, Kiwi’s moult their feathers year-round.
- It has whiskers like a cat, and no tail feathers.
- It has one of the largest egg-to-body ratios of any bird: an egg is about 15% of the female’s body weight.
- Male Kiwis incubate the eggs.
Want to get to know these fascinating little guys a little better? Join us on our New Zealand Rail and Cruise tour on March 7, 2025 – we will visit Rainbow Springs Park on Lake Rotorua for an unforgettable “Kiwi encounter,” where we’ll learn about these remarkable birds, take a peek at newly hatched chicks, and see conservation efforts in action.
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Why travel with us?
Reason #4:Our exceptional Tour Managers
These travel superstars are the best-kept secret in the business, consistently going above and beyond to deliver exceptional service and ensure everyone has a fabulous time. Need a great reason to book your next SDT tour? How about 10? Every month, we’ll highlight one of the many benefits of travelling with us. To see the whole list, check out the first few pages of one of our brochures!
Oaxacan Tacos
Enjoy these traditional Mexican tacos with a classic margarita or cold cerveza.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
- 1⁄4 cup oil
- 18 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 fresh jalapenos, seeded and chopped
- 4 limes, cut into wedges
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- salt and pepper
Directions:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the steak strips until cooked to your desired doneness, season with salt and pepper, remove to a plate and keep warm.
- Heat the oil and quickly fry each tortilla on both sides until lightly browned and flexible. Set aside and keep warm.
- Top tortillas with steak strips, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro, with a squeeze of lime overtop. Then wrap it up, have a bite – and take your tastebuds on a little trip to Mexico.
