At Discover the World we’re big advocates of the journey being part of the holiday. Places you visit and experiences you have typically take centre stage, as they should, but how you get around is important too. It can account for a large portion of your time away, particularly on a touring adventure, so it should be easy, fun, enriching and, if possible, environmentally friendly.
In recognition of UN designated World Sustainable Transport Day on 26 November, we’ve looked at holiday transport options that are more sustainable as well as forming an intrinsic part of your experience.
The ever-changing view by rail
There is something truly mesmerising about travelling through the heart of a country by train with ever-changing views outside your window. The journey becomes the trip just as much as the locations you visit.
Rail travel is also a great way to lower your carbon footprint versus air travel, particularly if you set off from the UK. Europe boasts over 240,000 km of rail lines connecting iconic cities with historic towns and countryside villages. That offers a wealth of options for even the most voracious travellers. You can discover off-the-beaten-track gems and world-famous cities, without hopping on a plane.
From Switzerland’s famously scenic alpine train routes to exploring Italy’s classic cities by rail and riding the tracks into the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia, we’ll plan the logistics ensuring connections are smooth and accommodation is comfortable and convenient. You just have to soak up the views.
Rail holidays offer a wonderful way to connect destinations and cover long distances in a feasible timeframe. As an example, our incredible three-week Arctic Rail Odyssey from London takes in three Scandinavian capitals and much more on a journey into the Arctic Circle. Striking scenery, iconic accommodation (think Icehotel) and the chance to experience either the midnight sun or the northern lights, blend together in one epic trip. World-class train journeys such as the Dovre, Rauma and Nordland add rail highlights. Discover the majestic beauty of Lofoten Islands and the Norwegian Fjords, dive into Viking heritage in Trondheim, experience “hygge” in Copenhagen and take in the grandeur of Stockholm.
Highly-charged self-drives
Free-spirited road trips are at the heart of our touring itineraries. Pulsating journeys along open roads through breathtaking scenery that combine classic highlights and hidden wonders. In Iceland getting from A to B and C to D really is an adventure. When cresting the road greets you with views of a shimmering icecap and rounding a bend reveals a cascading waterfall, it’s a pleasure to get behind the wheel.
Planning a trip around Iceland’s Ring Road by electric vehicle is an environmentally conscious choice. With a good range of EV rental options and hundreds of EV charging stations around the country – many of them supercharging points – ‘going electric’ in Iceland is more than viable, it’s easy.
Our bestselling, Around Iceland itinerary is the perfect choice for an electrifying road trip. Highlights include Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, Lake Myvatn, the thundering waterfalls of Dettifoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, black sand beaches and Europe’s whale watching capital, Husavik.
We tasked Icelandic local and long-time friend of Discover the World, Asbjorn Bjorgvinsson, to put the EV option to the test on an abridged 7-day road trip around Iceland’s Route 1. Read about how his journey unfolded driving Iceland’s Ring Road in an Electric Car >
Responsible small-ship voyages
Sustainability is at the heart of our small ship cruise collection in the Polar regions. Offering the right balance between minimising impact on the environment while not losing the ability of travel to open minds through new experiences, awareness and interaction with different cultures.
Our Polar partners are focused on offering sustainable operations and the vessels are built with sustainability in mind. New, purpose-built ships, such as those using Ulstein X-BOW® design, reduce fuel consumption, make use of virtual anchoring and reduce omissions.
AE Expeditions are changing how they act on climate. With three X-BOW® ships in operation – The Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson – the modern fleet is only the start of their decarbonisation journey. Having started to test biofuel, they continue to explore alternative fuels, improve operational efficiency and share updates transparently as they go. They also “aim to be at the forefront of new technologies, building partnerships with companies developing solutions with real environmental benefits”. Together with responsible decision-making and investing in conservation and science projects, they are committed to creating a lasting impact.
Whether you choose the prolific wildlife, breathtaking scenery and midnight sun of the Arctic, or penguins on parade and huge icebergs in the Great White Continent that is Antarctica, you can be sure you’re travelling responsibly.
Hybrid coastal cruising
In Norway, Havila are reshaping classic coastal cruising with their fleet of hybrid vessels. Fuelled by liquid nitrogen gas, which reduces CO2 emissions around 25%, these modern, 400-passenger ships are capable of up to four hours of battery-powered cruising. As well as having a positive environmental benefit, the chance to cruise some of the world’s most spectacular fjords in near silence, is golden.
You could combine scenic rail travel with coastal cruising and experience two of Norway’s icons in one holiday as per our Oslo to the Arctic. Our team would be happy to tailor your journey so you set off by rail from the UK.
Planning your trip
Whatever your preferred way to travel, get in touch with our team of Travel Specialists on 01737 214 250 or send an enquiry. They will carefully craft an itinerary using transport to suit your trip.