04 Feb 2014
Tailor made Iceland specialist, Discover the World, is introducing a new concept this summer designed to assist travellers on self-drive holidays - iPad Touring. Available from May 2014, the iDiscover concept is a fully integrated information system, embedded into an iPad, which is loaned to the traveller when they collect their rental vehicle. The iPad will be pre-loaded with one of fifteen detailed itineraries including seven new tours for 2014, each of which will reveal a wealth of hidden gems to the holiday maker as they tour Iceland. The price for a week's self-drive this summer starts from £684pp (two sharing) including rental vehicle and 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast.
The iDiscover iPad has free WiFi and cellular connectivity (available throughout most of Iceland) and comes with a guidance system to aid navigation. A range of Apps and weblinks will assist with every day matters such as how to translate and pronounce Icelandic, checking local road conditions and finding out seven day weather forecasts.
There is also a children's area called Mission:Explore, which is packed full of activities to bring alive the unique geography and culture of the destination (ideally suited to ages 7+). From time to time, Discover the World will push messages to travellers with information about local activities, festivals, weather alerts and special offers from local businesses. Visitors are free to check their emails and surf the internet as well as keep in contact through social media.*
iDiscover has been specially designed by Discover the World to give travellers all the information and tools they need to maximise the freedom of a self-drive holiday in one easy to understand, portable format. It effectively tackles the problem of trying to balance an assortment of individual travel aids (guide books, maps, apps, satellite navigation and even advice from fellow travellers) leaving travellers with more time to enjoy the destination. This is the first time such a comprehensive and intuitive travel aid has been offered to self-drive clients by a UK operator anywhere in the world, and Discover the World plan to launch it to other destinations in the future.
iDiscover also allows for more in-depth itinerary recommendations and Discover the World's 2014 self-drive holidays are packed full of insider tips and off the beaten track options. Written by Iceland experts, typically there will now be a choice of up to ten different places to visit, or experiences to enjoy, every day. These range from outstanding hikes to scenic drives, hot volcano baths and remote beaches, and include hidden gems. History and folklore feature throughout as well as places only a local might know about such as a breath-taking gorge with cascading waterfalls; a hidden walk between two tectonic plates; a mysterious ravine where you may encounter the spirits of the mountain and a colourful sea cliff formed in a highly explosive volcanic eruption.
Clients can decide on their final itinerary from a series of fifteen suggested themes (seven of which are new for 2014). New in 2014, the shorter 4-night Volcanic Explorer (from £509pp) provides a glimpse of the fiery side of Iceland, whilst the 16-night Iceland Odyssey (from £2,099pp) is a comprehensive introduction to Iceland's breathtaking volcanic landscapes incorporating fjords, glaciers and icebergs as well as the island's most beautiful waterfalls. Prices include accommodation (based on two sharing) with breakfast and car hire. Fly with Icelandair from London, Manchester or Glasgow from £252pp. Flights with low cost carrier WOW Air are also offered.
Family Fun
Mission:Explore is a children's activity area offering fun activities accompanied by colourful and imaginative illustrations by Tom Morgan Jones. The missions have been designed to test the creativity, curiosity and exploration skills of younger travellers. Many tasks are suitable for the whole family to join in such as holding a tectonic parliamentary session to create a new law that everyone must abide by for the rest of the trip, or judging the "W" factor and awarding prizes to the waterfall that is: wettest, tallest, friendliest or fastest.
For information and bookings go to www.discover-the-world.co.uk/idiscover or call 01737 214 291
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Notes to Editors
If customers do not wish to be digitally connected through iDiscover, Discover the World will print all itinerary information and provide a Road Atlas.
Discover the World is an authority on travel to Iceland. In 1993 it operated the very first whale watching trip there and was the first tour operator in the world to offer river rafting, snowmobile and super jeep trips. The company has seen Iceland's popularity boom in recent years, however, with most visitors touring only a handful of well-known places within easy reach of Reykjavik, Discover the World actively encourages clients to take the road less travelled.
2014 marks the tour operator's 30th anniversary, as well as the 40th anniversary of the completion of the country's 832 mile-long ring road bringing remoter parts of the country within easier reach.
The company's portfolio of destinations includes Iceland, Scandinavia, the Polar Regions (Greenland, Spitsbergen, The North Pole, Canadian Arctic & Antarctic), Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Alaska. As well as offering a full tailor-made service, Discover the World specialises in independent touring holidays, self-drives, small group tours and expedition cruises. Their specialist holidays range from northern lights, volcano hiking, whale watching and horse riding to honeymoons, family holidays and wine tours.
For media enquiries:
Lizzie Bourke at Discover the World
Tel: 01737 214249
Email: lizzie@discover-the-world.co.uk
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