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About us

We’re the original globe trotters, 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 put everywhere on your to-do 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.

  • iceland lava eruption at fimmvorduhals eyjafjallajokull volcano 2010 astk
  • north iceland husavik humpback whale breaching ns
  • admiring aurora borealis display istk
  • icehotel entrance swedish lapland rth
  • canada british columbia native totem istk
  • woman-forming-heart-shape-with-hands-sunlight-istk
  • switzerland-gornergrat-railway-zermatt-st

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1998 – Seeing the light

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 2006 – #Iceflight to Icehotel

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

  • 2009 – Introducing North America

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 2019 – British Travel Awards

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 2024 – Resplendent in Green

    We launch our brand new collection of Costa Rica holidays adding a vibrant burst of colour to our portfolio. Self drives and tailor-made adventures showcase the landscapes, culture and wildlife of this varied destination.

  • 2024 – Silver in Wanderlust Travel Awards

    We end the year by winning the Silver Award for Favourite Tour Operator Nature and Wildlife in the annual Wanderlust Magazine Readers Awards.

  • 2025 – Silver in Wanderlust Magazine Reader Awards

    For the second year running, we take home the Silver Award for Favourite Tour Operator Nature and Wildlife as voted by readers of the UK’s leading travel magazine annual awards. A recognition of the passion for wildlife and nature that shapes what we do.

  • 2026 – Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award

    For the sixth 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.

Award-winning travel

We’re thrilled to have won the Silver Award for Favourite Tour Operator Nature and Wildlife in the annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards for the second year running.

Our founder, Clive Stacey’s love of nature and wildlife sparked the beginnings of Discover the World back in 1984. Over four decades later, Clive and our team remain passionate about helping our clients experience the natural world. As a small, specialist tour operator, knowing that our travellers continue to support us so strongly is something we’re incredibly proud of.

We were also placed in the Top 10 for Favourite Adventure Tour Operator.

Positive footprints

Everywhere we go we endeavour to make a really good impact – whether that’s educating our travellers, transforming a local economy, utilising sustainable transport or protecting native species.

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Meet our experts

Enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate about travel, our team of Travel Specialists know their destinations inside-out. There’s nothing like personal experience from someone who’s been to elevate your holiday out of the ordinary.

Meet The Team

The world’s great. Pass it on

Inspiring. Confidence-building. Life-changing. We often hear these words from teachers and students returning from an overseas study trip with our award-winning Education division. That’s why we’re delighted to be launching a new initiative in 2024 – our 40th anniversary year – to help even more school children experience the wonders of Iceland, Italy, the Azores and beyond.

A percentage of revenue from every holiday you book with Discover the World will go into our new Education Bursary Fund to pay, in full, for 30 disadvantaged students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to travel to join one of our school trips abroad. Run in partnership with the Geographical Association, this is your opportunity to support the next generation. School trips are one of the major highlights of any child’s education. Let’s help as many students as possible join one.

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Our guarantee to you

Quite simply, our unique 100% guarantee means that we promise to protect you, your family, your holiday and your finances.

  • Our Flexibility Promise has been designed to provide a cushion around uncertainty, giving you the reassurance to book.
  • Our Travel Disruption team is on hand 24/7 should you need us
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Authentic experiences for passionate travellers

At Discover the World, we champion the fight against the bland and predictable. We know that our clients are passionate and discerning travellers looking for authentic, exciting and meaningful experiences on holiday.

When we travel in a meaningful way, we gain a greater perspective on the world, develop greater empathy for people outside of our immediate circle and are left fuelled with a curiosity to understand more about cultures we have not yet experienced.

Inspiration, insight and innovation spearhead our approach to creating unique itineraries for all of our clients.

Discover experiences to make you smile

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Average Customer Score
Based On 1362 Reviews