- Ice Cave, secret lagoons, midnight tours and stylish new hotels - 

Discover the World has announced the launch of its new Iceland holiday collection for 2015, adding a host of exciting new tours, self drives, activities and accommodation. Visitors can expect to visit underground ice caves, explore Iceland by midnight sun and choose from an array of stylish new accommodation and luxury escorted tours with the new programme. With the continued volcanic eruptions at Bárðarbunga, 2015 is set to be another strong year for Iceland coupled with the highly anticipated opening of the Ice Cave experience. To view the programme in full, visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk/iceland.

New Ways of Exploring

iPad Touring - iDiscover Phase II

Experience the newest concept for self-drive holidays, iPad touring. Introduced in 2014, iPads are loaned to all guests when they collect their rental vehicle and are pre-loaded with a route guidance system, customised hidden gem itineraries and free WiFi/3G, plus a range of apps to assist with every day matters such as how to pronounce Icelandic, checking local road conditions and finding out 7-day weather forecasts. There is even a children's area named Mission:Explore, which is packed full of fun activities.

iDiscover Phase II sees the introduction of a number of new features including tailor made routes, a Holiday Planner enabling clients to add and remove optional places to visit on any part of their itinerary, and point to point route information including distances and average duration of the journey.  The user journey will also be enhanced with a refreshing new design, easier navigation and filtered 'places to visit' categories such as museums, swimming, walks and restaurants.

This ground breaking personalised experience is offered exclusively to Discover the World clients pioneering a whole new way to experience self-drive holidays in Iceland. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/idiscover

Southern Highlights

This new 7-night self drive holiday is ideally suited to families, couples or groups of friends looking for a single base from where they can explore the Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls and lava fields of the Westman Islands.  Opt for a luxury self-catering apartment at Hotel Grimsborgir located next to the beautiful River Sog, or for something a little more laid back, chill out in a summerhouse chalet complete with veranda, hot tub and BBQ. Prices from £519pp based on 2 sharing including accommodation and car rental. http://www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/southern-highlights

New Escorted Tours

Best of the Midnight Sun

Make the most of the glorious evening light and explore iconic Icelandic sights without the crowds on this one-off departure, coinciding with the height of the midnight sun. Extended daylight in summer allows visitors the perfect opportunity to maximise time spent enjoying Iceland's sites and activities, and with the majority of sightseeing taking place from late afternoon until the early hours, guests will have the countryside practically to themselves - viewing magnificent Mýatn, Askja and the eruption site at Holuhraun, as well as a late evening visit to thundering Dettifoss after most visitors have left.

7 night tour (departing 20 June 2015 only) is available from £2,190pp based on 2 sharing on a half-board basis, including the services of a driver/guide plus activities. Flights not included. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/best-of-the-midnight-sun

Luxury Escorted Tours

Travel in gloriously padded comfort in a specially adapted 4WD Mercedes Benz Sprinter (otherwise known as a 'Super Truck') carrying up to 17 people.  With 42” tyres and raised suspension, this latest luxury touring option is the ultimate way to explore Iceland's rugged terrain negotiating rivers, snow, glaciers and rough ground.

Southern Countryside & Highlands

Explore the scenic highlights of the south west from coast to highlands on this 6 day guided tour. Explore natural wonders from the Golden Circle's erupting geysers, thundering waterfalls, plate-tectonics and ancient history to the spectacular highlands with their rugged mountains, hot springs and dramatic coastal scenery of black sand beaches and sea stacks.

5 night tour (departing 03 June 2015 only) is available from £1,404pp based on 2 sharing on a full-board basis, including services of a driver/guide plus activities. Flights are not included. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/southern-countryside-and-highlands

Northern Countryside & Highlands

Discover the impressive Highlands region, with its dramatic scenery and stark, plateau-like landscape that dominates a large percentage of the country - which most visitors do not get to see. This week-long guided tour offers the chance to visit the area where NASA astronauts trained before the moon landing, as well as the opportunity to bathe in natural hot springs. Plus, visitors can experience the striking volcanic north east which offers everything from steaming vents and lunar like terrain to one of the world's best bird watching lakes.

6 night tour (departing 31 July 2015 only) is available from £1,709pp based on 2 sharing on a full-board basis, including services of a driver and activities outlined in itinerary. Flights are not included.www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/northern-countryside-highlands

New Activities

Explore an Underground Ice Cave

Opening in June 2015, take a unique trip by 8WD truck to an incredible man-made ice cave which spans 200-300m into Europe's second largest ice cap, Langjökull and 30m below its surface. Head inside to the heart of the glacier, where dramatic lighting reveals five grand chambers and the beautiful blue ice at its heart. Tours are available from June through to October 2015 and are priced from £100pp. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/ice-cave-langjokull-glacier

Aurora Floating… in a Secret Lagoon

Geysers, mud pools and lagoons are abundant in Iceland, and with hot geothermal water so close to the Earth's surface, many are perfect for outdoor bathing. Recently launched, this unique excursion allows guests to float in the warm waters of the secret lagoon in Fludir, relax to the sound of underwater music and marvel at the night sky. Depart from Reykjavik in the evening and it is possible to enjoy the Midnight Sun (June-July) or even the northern lights (September-April). Prices start from £150pp, including English speaking guide, floating cap and support for legs, entry ticket to Secret Lagoon and free pickup & drop off in Reykjavik.

New Accommodation

Icelandair Hotel Vik

Recently completely refurbished, Hotel Vik is now made almost entirely from glass and features floor to ceiling windows that make the most of the sweeping views across the coast, Reynisdrangar Pillars and the magnificent cliffs to the North. Take a stroll around the tranquil village of Vik and visit beaches close by, where birdlife is abundant, before returning to stylish rooms, a first-rate restaurant and a cosy log fire. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/hotel-vik

Alda Hotel - Reykjavik

Located on the main shopping street of Laugavegurin the vibrant heart of Reykjavik, Alda Hotel opened in Summer 2014. All rooms combine contemporary design with Scandinavian touches, and some even offer sweeping views across the city and sea. After exploring Iceland and its buzzing nearby capital, return to the Alda where you can warm up in the sauna and outside hot tub, have a nightcap in the stylish bar with open fire, or simply relax on the rooftop terrace - taking in panoramic views of the city. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/alda-hotel-reykjavik

Fosshotel Vatnajokull

Newly renovated, the Fosshotel Vatnajokull now offers light, modern rooms and panoramic views of its namesake glacier. Set within remarkably peaceful and scenic surroundings, this is the perfect place to relax – dine out in the restaurant, offering traditional Icelandic food or unwind in stylish rooms. Plus cast and crew of Tomb Raider and Die Another Day have stayed here! www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/hotel-vatnajokull

And Finally...

Experience the Bárðarbunga Eruption

Witness the ongoing LIVE volcanic eruption from the 2km long fissure at Bárðarbunga. Choose from a variety of eruption itineraries that let you experience the magnitude of this natural wonder, including a 5-night Volcanic Explorer self-drive holiday from £519pp (two sharing) including B&B accommodation and car rental. Choose from a variety of optional excursions including a guided Superjeep tour from Hotel Ranga for £174pp (8-12 hours) or a sightseeing flight from Reykjavik - in which you spend 20 minutes over the eruption site - for £540pp (2.5 hours). All excursions are dependent on weather and eruption conditions and minimum numbers may apply. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/iceland-holidays/volcanic-explorer-bardarbunga-eruption-special

Discover the World offers all airline options flying to Iceland from 8 different airports located across the UK. Airfares start from around £212pp return (including tax) with WOW Air from London Gatwick.

For more information, call leading Iceland specialist Discover the World on 01737 214 291 or visit www.discover-the-world.co.uk.

- ENDS-

For further information please contact

Fiona Reece or Sophie Clements at Fiona Reece PR,

01242 806804 / 07702 684 682

fiona@fionareece.com / sophie@fionareece.com

Notes to Editors

Discover the World has been creating inspirational, tailor made holidays for thirty years.  The company is one of the UK's leading tailor made destination specialists and the world's largest tour operator into Iceland.  Its portfolio of destinations includes Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Polar Regions (Greenland, Spitsbergen, The North Pole, Canadian Arctic & Antarctic), Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific and St Helena.  Discover the World is the world's principal tour operator to ICEHOTEL in Swedish Lapland designing exclusive breaks in conjunction with their direct flight to Icehotel – the only one from the UK.  They are an authority on Northern Lights holidays and deliver the most comprehensive range of tailor made itineraries to some of the best aurora locations in the northern hemisphere.  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 wildlife watching, active adventures, volcano tours, family holidays and wine tours.