1. European Rail Collection – The Wonders of the Baltic States

A year after launching, the popularity of going slow and flight free means the European Rail Collection continues to increase in popularity. In line with slowing down and savouring holiday time, the collection offers 10–14 night itineraries with flight and car free exploration for those who are looking for more immersive slow travel to destinations including Italy, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and the Baltics. The Wonders of the Baltic States is the new 16 day trip which explores Scandinavia, Finland and the Baltic States by rail and ferry following the ancient trading route of the when merchants traded herring, timber, flax and fur between the ports of the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages. Swapping trains for ships and criss-crossing the Baltic, the itinerary includes the beautiful Finnish cities of Turku and Tampere, as well as the capital, Helsinki and time in the Estonian capital of Tallinn.

2. What's new in Iceland

Ski touring and snow mobiling in the Central Highlands

Just opening this month, Highland Base is located deep in Iceland's central highlands, Kerlingarfjöll, a remote paradise of steaming geothermal valleys, glacial rivers, and perennial snow fields. Reachable only by Superjeep in the winter makes a stay here a proper adventure. Activity bookings include snow mobiling and ski touring and a short new break, Reykjavik Lights and Highland Highlights,  with 2 nights in Reykjavik and 2 nights at Highland Base has just launched priced from £1,008 per person on at B&B basis. There's also the new Northern Lights and Highlands Adventure a self drive holiday including 2 nights at Hotel Ranga, 2 nights at Highland Base and 1 night at Northern Light Inn from £1246 per person.

New thermal bathing trail

Discover the World has also launched a new thermal bathing trail of Iceland, a recommended trail for exploring the whole country sampling all of the very best and newest geothermal baths, hot springs as well as cold plunges and dips – a water therapy trip of a lifetime including: Canyon Baths, Krauma, Forest Lagoon, Vok Baths, Sky Lagoon, Bath Lagoon, Secret Lagoon.

Iceland by electric

Most of Discover the World's self drive trips in Iceland can now be experienced by electric car. With a choice of 20 self-drive holidays in Iceland, there is a range of cars, including the VW ID.3 and Tesla Model 3. Charging stations are widespread making it possible to drive an EV 'full circle' around Iceland's Ring Road.

New North Iceland Winter Adventure thanks to new direct flights to Akureyri North Iceland is opening up to deeper exploration this winter with the new easyJet direct flight to Akureyri from London Gatwick, starting on 31 October 2023. Flying on Tuesdays and Saturdays this long-awaited route has a flight time of just 2 hours and 25 minutes, making a long weekend possible with to 3- or 4-night breaks.

Discover the World has introduced new winter adventure holidays to explore the north's rugged coastlines, fjords, volcanic formations, captivating legends of elves and trolls plus the chance to witness the northern lights.

For example the four night Adventure in North Iceland includes two nights in a hotel overlooking Lake Myvatn (often frozen in winter) and a thrilling Superjeep waterfall tour, scenic drives and two nights in Hotel Siglo in Siglufjordur, a picture-postcard village, which is tucked into a spectacular fjord and hemmed in by mountains.  

Or, for a small city break with ultimate winter activities the Arctic City Break is a new three night city break at Berjaya Akureyri Hotel. Included is transport and entry to Forest Lagoon Geothermal Baths one evening. Optional winter excursions include dog sledding, meet the huskies and whale watching.

More new Iceland Hotels

Perfect for the new Akureyri flight in 2024 is the new country hotel, Soti Lodge in Siglufjordur can be included in most summer itineraries that visit the North located in the heart of the Troll Peninsula.

Also in the North is the historic Hotel Blonduos – located in Blönduós which has just undergone a full refurbishment as well as Blabjorg Resort in the East Fjord town of Borgarfjörður Eystri, a new brewery, bar and wellness hotel which is the perfect stop on the Fly Drive and Hike holiday, a circular exploration of the whole country including spending time for independent hikes on route.

3. Santa Collection expanded in Finnish and Swedish Lapland

Discover the World is further expanding its departures for Santa trips this coming winter offering ten departures in the run up to Christmas and during the festive period.

The popularity for carefully curated private Santa experiences continues with families encouraged book soon for the forthcoming season and choose from a snowy base at Nellim Wilderness Hotel in Finnish Lapland or the Grand Arctic Resort in Swedish Lapland and lap up all the traditions of Santa plus the winter wonderland landscape with activities including snowmobiling and the chance to see the northern lights. All the departures for the Santa pre-Christmas, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Holidays can be viewed here: https://www.discover-the-world.com/experiences/santa-holidays/

4. New Winter Norwegian Adventures

New Northern Norway - Arctic Fjords & Northern Lights cruise

With the first departures in February 2024, Discover the World is introducing a new small ship expedition voyage to Northern Norway as the solar cycle reaches its peak and spectacular aurora forecasted.

Departing from Tromso the trip spends six days on board the Quest, a 53-berth ship, exploring Narvik and Lofoten Islands, watching the winter skies for northern lights and learning firsthand about Sami culture, Viking history, Arctic wildlife and witnessing amazing scenery. https://www.discover-the-world.com/holidays/arctic-fjords-and-northern-lights-expedition-cruise/

Northern Lights Promise for Havila Winter Voyages

Discover the World has also partnered with Havila Voyages to offer a new collection of environmentally friendly Norwegian coastal voyages year round. The trips offer low footprint, local community support excursions including a fascinating glass bottomed canoe paddle over an ancient fjord settlement. Each journey explores the coast between Bergen and Kirkenes on board their vessels which offer silent, zero emission cruising and incredible local food with a no buffet policy on board dramatically cutting food waste.

Looking ahead for winter departures from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024, Havila Voyages is introducing a promise to passengers which means that should they fail to witness the northern lights they will be able to apply for a complimentary return voyage.

New Winter Visions of the Fjords Tour

Discover the World is introducing yet another way to explore Northern Norway this winter with this semi-escorted tour exploring the area taking an unforgettable journey through the magical Norwegian fjords to enjoy its winter colours. Setting off from the cool city of Oslo where wintering is done so well with floating saunas, amazing museums and excellent food the journey includes travelling by boat and train as well as popping on some snowshoes for this weeklong winter adventure. https://www.discover-the-world.com/holidays/vision-of-the-fjords/

5. Finnish Lapland Winter Adventures with guaranteed flights

Discover the World will be offering a collection of trips this winter to the newest addition to Wilderness Hotels and Safaris, Juutua Wilderness Hotel located by the river Juutua close to Inari village offering a range of accommodation including arctic rooms and river suites.

This new three day adventure trip priced from £1475 per person is fully inclusive of meals and activities such as a snowmobile safari, reindeer farm visit, husky safari and visit to the aurora camp to optimise the probability of viewing the Northern Lights as well as return flights from Heathrow, via Helsinki to Inari thanks to Discover the World's new flight allocation.

6. Icehotel 34 in Swedish Lapland

This unique hotel which reincarnates itself each year will open for the 34th time in December 2023. Icehotel #34 will feature a range of designs from twenty-nine artists from around the world including two British design teams. Together with the production and construction crew, they will build a 3,000 m2 seasonal hotel consisting of 15 Art Suites and Icehotel is bringing back an iconic project in the Main Hall which an artist will design once again.

Discover the World offers a wide range of Icehotel trips combining stays with Abisko National Park, another hot spot for aurora sightings, as well as a city stopover in Stockholm. Prices start from £733 for a 3-night break. Return flights via Stockholm to Kiruna start from £330 per person for the winter season. https://www.discover-the-world.com/holidays/icehotel-break/

7. Polar

Ross Sea Voyage is a new trip with the first departure in January 2024 which explores the remotest areas of East Antarctica that were previously visited by legendary explorers Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott. Over 28 days voyagers will experience 24 hours daylight, visit an active volcano in Antarctica, see the Ross Ice shelf which is thirty miles high for two hundred miles and regularly see groups of Emperor Penguins and encounter Snares Penguins – found nowhere else on the planet! Islands on the way can be explored on foot with naturalists such as Endeby Island, which is home to Hooker Sealions, a great diversity of plants found nowhere else and huge Albatross colonies.

Discover the World will be announcing additional experiences and trips to New Zealand, Australia and Canada for 2023 / 24 travel in the next few months including :

8. New Zealand

The relaunch of the 22 day Hike & Drive New Zealand holiday which will include more guided hikes, as well as still having time for various optional independent hikes too - https://www.discover-the-world.com/holidays/hike-and-drive-nz/.

o   Full day guided Wilderness Adventure Walk, Coromandel Peninsula

o   Full Day guided Whirinaki Walk, Rotorua

o   Full Day Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guided Walk

o   Siberia Experience (Fly, Hike & Jetboat), Wanaka

o   Milford Sound Cruise and Walks, Te Anau

9. Australia – the return of an icon

The long anticipated re-opening of Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island is expected as the hotel is set to open on 6th December 2023 following a total rebuild due to the damage which occurred during the devastating bush fire three years ago. Widely acclaimed as Australia's Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is home to diverse wildlife each thriving in its domain and a swag of spectacular natural attractions.

 For more information on Discover the World, please

see www.discover-the-world.com or call 01737 214 250

- ENDS-

For further information please contact Fiona Reece at Travel Tonic:
fiona@traveltonic.co.uk / 01452 346116/ 07702 684 682

Discover the World offers the following flexibility promise on all bookings: https://www.discover-the-world.com/our-flexibility-promise/

About Discover the World

Discover the World has been creating inspirational, tailor made holidays for 40 years. The company is one of the UK's leading tailor-made destination specialists and the world's leading specialist operator into Iceland. Its portfolio of destinations includes Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, The Polar Regions (North Pole, Greenland, Arctic, Antarctica, Spitsbergen), Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, Australia the South Pacific and beyond.

Discover the World is also the world's principal tour operator to the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland. It is an authority on Northern Lights experiences and delivers the most comprehensive tailor-made itineraries to some of the best aurora locations in the northern hemisphere. As well as offering this full tailor-made service, Discover the World also specialises in independent touring, fly-drives, small group tours and expedition cruises. Its specialist holidays range from wildlife watching to volcano tours, active adventures and family.