A whole new world: National Seniors Signature Tours

TOUR LENGTH: 8 - 12 nights
LOCATIONS: India, South Africa, Japan
DEPARTURE DATE: From March 2025
MEMBERS PRICING: Varied from $2,744 per person, single—save $500 when you book before 31 July
LEARN MORE AT: bit.ly/Signature-tours

Diverse, vibrant, and full of intrigue, India is a feast for the senses. To make the most of every minute, it’s also a country best visited with a guide. Designed specifically for solo travellers, this nine-day fully escorted tour takes in the big three cities of the Golden Triangle, in addition to two nights surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. 

Starting in Delhi, home to more than 30 million people, you’ll explore icons of both New and Old Delhi, such as India Gate, a grand sandstone arch paying homage to Indian soldiers, Raj Ghat, the sleek, black marble memorial honouring Mahatma Gandhi, and UNESCO World Heritage Site Humayun’s Tomb—a beautiful example of early Mughal architecture. 

As one of the most recognised and loved buildings on the planet, time at the Taj Mahal in Agra will be etched in your mind forever, as will wandering through Jaipur, renowned for its labyrinth of streets lined with rose-coloured buildings. 

In contrast to the hustle and bustle of the cities, cocooned in the luxurious Tiger Den Resort in Ranthambore National Park, you’ll be treated to morning and afternoon safaris keeping an eye out for wildlife including the majestic Bengal tiger, leopards, deer, and sloth bears. 

Completing the journey, enjoy travelling the Indian way, taking in the countryside on a train ride back to Delhi.

Like a patchwork quilt, South Africa is a land steeped in history and culture where wild creatures roam through jaw-dropping scenery. For 10 glorious days, this exclusive fully guided itinerary, designed for female travellers, will have you oohing and aahing in amazement, while the country captivates your soul

From an overnighter in Standon, the tour takes the breathtaking Panorama Route to Kruger National Park. Once at Mdluli Safari Lodge, in the heart of Kruger, the next three nights will be measured in spotting the ‘Big Five’— rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, and lion—not to mention numerous other animals and the myriad of birdlife. Dawn and dusk are when African animals are the most active, and you’ll be right amongst it on game drives with expert guides. 

A short flight will then whisk you to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) for a change in scenery. Traversing through rolling hills fringed with pristine beaches, the revered Garden Route surprises and delights at every bend. 

Commonly known as ‘the jewel of the Garden Route, Knysna is home for the next two nights. Set on a beautiful lagoon, where the river meets the sea, there’s plenty to explore, including a ferry trip to Featherbed Nature Reserve, known for its coastal forest and ancient sea caves. 

After crossing the Outeniqua Mountains, the tour ends with two nights to experience the vibrant rhythm of Cape Town with its fairy tale harbour set beneath the spectacular Table Mountain.

Tradition meets modern on this exclusive, fully escorted 13-day journey across the land of the rising sun. Starting and finishing in Tokyo, you’ll have plenty of time to fall under the spell of this electrifying city. Throughout the tour, you’ll be treated to not one but three bullet train rides, criss-crossing the country at high speed in complete comfort, maximising precious sightseeing time. 

Whether it’s gazing at majestic Mt Fuji, to wandering through the grounds of the grand castle of Matsumoto, soaking up the atmosphere of the pretty traditional villages such as Takayama and Kanazawa, and Nara—Japan’s original capital, home of 8th-century Todaiji temple—experiencing a traditional tea ceremony, learning to cook Okonomiyaki or sipping sake, each snippet of Japanese culture will leave you craving more. 

A walking tour of Hiroshima is not only a chance to reflect on the terrible moment in world history when the city was largely destroyed by the detonation of the atomic bomb in World War II but how the city has since rejuvenated into a peaceful, harmonious cosmopolitan hub. 

And then there are the wonders of Kyoto— the Golden Pavilion with two floors wrapped in pure gold leaf, the beautiful rock garden of Ryoanji Temple, otherworldly Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the famed geisha district in Gion. Before returning to Tokyo, one last thrill is in store, a cruise on Lake Ashi in Hakone followed by a cable car ride into the crater of Mount Hakone.

National Seniors Signature Tours are run exclusively for National Seniors members, so you can discover the world alongside other like-minded members, while being escorted by a National Seniors Travel expert. 

As a trusted provider of unique travel experiences, National Seniors Travel tours are not just trips, they are journeys of discovery, escorted exclusively by expert guides to ensure a seamless and enriching travel experience. 

Embrace the opportunity to explore vibrant destinations with the added benefit of a special early booking discount—reserve your spot before 31 July 2024, and enjoy an additional $500 off.

This article is featured in National Seniors Australia’s quarterly member magazine, Our Generation. 

Become a member today and receive a yearly subscription to Our Generation digital magazine as part of your membership, along with exclusive discounts, competitions, branch access and more! 

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