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We’re the original globe totters, creating nature-rich trips to far-flung destinations since 1984.

We get what you’re looking for – because we’re travellers too – so we understand what takes something from ‘holiday to trip’. It’s a tough job, but we’ve been far and wide to make sure we can give you real first hand travel advice. Like what sights are worth the extra trek, what not to pack and where to find ridiculously good food.

Travel is what you make it and we make sure it is a super enriching experience that’s positive in every way.

Just think of us as your personal planning service, on hand with local knowledge, fascinating ideas and attention to detail so it all goes swimmingly. Every destination and itinerary you see here can be adapted to suit you – so reach for that bucket list and start imagining your next adventure here.

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Our Heritage

We are not a small, inexperienced tour operator. Nor are we too big and impersonal. We are a dedicated Travel Specialist, who puts our heart and soul into creating an unforgettable holiday for you and have been doing so for four decades.

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  • clive stacey in iceland
    1984 – Arctic Experience founded

    Originally known as Arctic Experience, we’re the first operator to focus on promoting the Nordic region as a winter destination for anything other than skiing or city breaks.

  • iceland volcanic lava eyjafjallajokull rth
    1986 – the volcano hotline

    We establish the first-ever trips to view Iceland’s volcanic eruptions. Through our Volcano Hotline we continue to inform clients of potential trips to view the latest eruptions.

  • Whale watching from Brier Island
    1988 – Nature’s thrill rides

    We launch wildlife holidays around the world, under the name Discover the World. Adventures include bear watching, Polar cruises and pioneering whale watch tours in Iceland.

  • iceland students awe and wonder rth
    1988 – Education matters

    The Living Planet education programme is launched taking education into the world’s greatest outdoor classroom with the first commercial group geography trips to Iceland for UK schools.

  • admiring aurora borealis display istk
    1998 – Seeing the light

    We operate the first northern lights holidays in the Nordic region – way before aurora hunting came into the limelight.

  • new zealand rotorua maori girl whakarewarewa village tnz
    2001 – Pole to Pole & New Zealand

    We introduce dedicated new programmes for tailor made travel to New Zealand and a comprehensive collection of voyages to the Polar regions.

  • iceland arctic tern istk
    2002 – Rebranding Discover the World

    Arctic Experience becomes Discover the World to reflect our expanding portfolio of destinations. We retain the Arctic tern in our new logo, a unique bird that undertakes a 50,000 mile migration each year.

  • icehotel direct flight from uk
    2006 – #Iceflight to Icehotel

    We launch exclusive charter flights direct from Heathrow to Kiruna offering a quick, comfortable way to reach the Icehotel.

  • canada british columbia native totem istk
    2009 – Introducing North America

    Canada and Alaska are added to our portfolio, offering tailor made holidays and wildlife encounters.

  • iceland eyjafjallajokull volcano
    2010 – Total peace of mind

    Following the Eyjafjallajokull eruption, we launched a unique 100% Guarantee, becoming the first operator to offer a travel disruption charter.

  • iceland idiscover travel guide ipad rth
    2014 – iDiscover app launched

    We launch a digital app for our clients in Iceland, making our years of expertise and knowledge available on demand. This is now available for all of our destinations.

  • British Travel Awards 2012-2019
    2019 – British Travel Awards

    We win the Silver award for Best Specialist Interest Holiday Company, taking our total to 16 British Travel Awards won since 2012. 5 Gold, 4 Silver and 7 Bronze.

  • Platinum Trusted Service Award 2021
    2021 – Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award

    For the second year in a row, we’re delighted to be awarded Feefo’s independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, rated by real customers, following two previous Gold Trusted Awards.

  • switzerland bernina express scenic rail journey jacques bopp on unsplash
    2021 - On Track for Adventure

    In autumn 2021, we launched our new collection of rail holidays through Europe offering flight and car free adventures across the Mediterranean, the Alps, and Scandinavia into the Arctic.

  • Platinum Trusted Service Award 2023
    2023 - Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award

    In January, we once again won this award for our customer service! The ultimate accolade for customer service, it recognises brands that continue to deliver exceptional customer service, year after year.

  • Iceland Students Geysir Group
    2024 - Education Bursary Fund

    In our 40th year, we're delighted to launch a new initiative to help even more school children experience the wonders of Iceland, Italy, the Azores and beyond with a percentage of revenue from every holiday booked with us going into the fund.

  • platinum-trusted-service-award-2024-sm
    2024 - Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award

    We start the year by winning another Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.