The May issue of our digital magazine features hiking holidays, northern lights travel suggestions and an interview with one of our top guides as well as an exclusive photo competition.

1. 1 Talk to the experts ✆ 01737 218 812
cloud9Inspiration for unforgettable holidays | May 2013
ICELAND • POLAR • AUSTRALIA • SWEDEN • NEW ZEALAND • CANADA • FINLAND • ALASKA • NORWAY
new-look, interactive digital edition
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towards your next holiday
with Discover the World
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2. Click here
for William’s
trip report
2 Talk to the experts ✆ 01737 218 812
inside
3 WINDOW SEAT
Happiness on holiday is...
Vote for what makes you
smile when you’re away
4 AURORA ENCORE
Could it be a double peak?
NASA say the northern
lights could be shining on
right through to 2015
6 POLES APART
Here’s a juicy dilemma:
Arctic or Antarctica? Read
our guide to help you pick
the pole that’s right for you
8 ICELAND ESCORTED
Find out why escorted
holidays in Iceland with
Discover the World are
different, and explore some
great options for both
winter and summer
10 TAKE A HIKE
Step forward for nine great
reasons to get footloose
and fancy-free, from classic
treks in New Zealand and
wilderness hikes in the
Arctic to tracking elves and
climbing peaks in Iceland
interactive
How to get the most
from this digital
edition of Cloud 9
Seeing red? Give it a
click or a tap to explore
more. Throughout Cloud
9 you’ll find links to our
website, pop-up image
galleries and further info
panels, video clips and
opportunities to
enter competitions
and share with
family and friends.
William Gray,
Editor
In March I was lucky enough to join one of Discover the
World’s Killer Whales & Northern Lights trips in Iceland – a
fantastic double-whammy of natural wonders, made all the
more memorable by dazzling weather, superb whale watching and
an outstanding guide and tour leader. You can read my trip report by
following the link above, while on page 8 of this issue of Cloud 9, our
guiding star, Cathy Harlow, explains what makes a Discover the World
escorted holiday so special. Some of my all-time favourite trips have
been elevated above the ordinary by great guides. They have a knack
for not only making things run smoothly on holiday, but
also for communicating with a genuine passion for the
countries they work in. Click the laptop to read more...
COVER:ORCAINGRUNDARFJORDUR,ICELANDBYWILLIAMGRAY

3. Icelandair launches its
new flights to Alaska
on 15 May, making this
spectacular state more
accessible than ever.
Discover the World’s
new Alaska programme
features a wonderful
selection of self-drive and
escorted holidays and
there’s still time to book
for travel this summer.
See your photo on
Cloud 9. We are looking
for your top travel shots
to grace the cover of our
digital magazine.
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Two of our favourite
places – Iceland and
New Zealand – have
been voted the world’s
friendliest holiday destinations
window seat
The World Economic Forum surveyed 140 countries from
2011 to 2012, basing its ‘friendly factor’ on how welcome
foreign visitors are. It’s no surprise to us that Iceland and
New Zealand came out on top.
There’s still time to book a holiday to the Land of Fire,
Ice & Smiles this spring and summer, but don’t leave it to
the last minute as there is only limited accommodation in
Iceland’s most popular areas. With its year round appeal,
New Zealand is also guaranteed to put a smile on your
face – its winter months promise snow-dusted scenery,
fun activities, few visitors, beautiful light and great value!
Find out how to enter
your photo in our
cover competition
win!
a £500 voucher
towards your next holiday
with Discover the World
Click here to enter
Smile!
You’re in
Iceland
ALASKA:
Click and go
Find out about
our holidays to
New Zealand
Find out about
our holidays
to Iceland

4. aurora
www.visitfinland.com
2013–2014
shine on
A
ccording to NASA scientists the future
is bright for aurora hunters. The peak of
the 11-year sunspot cycle – catalyst of the
northern lights – was meant to be in 2013,
but it no longer seems so straightforward. “We may
be seeing what happens when you predict a single
amplitude and the sun responds with a double peak,”
says solar physicist Dean Pesnell.
Pesnell points out similarities between Solar
Cycle 24, underway now, and Solar Cycle 14, which
had a double-peak during the early 20th century. If
our current cycle follows the same pattern, “it would
mean one peak in late 2013 and another in 2015.”
No one – not even NASA – knows for certain what
the sun will do next, but it does seem likely that the
end of 2013 could be even livelier than the beginning.
What is certain is that demand for northern lights
holidays will be high this year. Be sure to book early
for a chance to witness this incredible phenomenon.
4 Talk to the experts ✆ 01737 218 812
here to find out more
about our northern
lights holidays
Click
With NASA predicting that displays of the
aurora borealis will peak again this winter,
now is the time to start planning your
Discover the World northern lights holiday

5. Killer Whales &
Northern Lights
Tromso, Abisko &
Icehotel
Visit website
NEW three-night self-drive to Iceland’s mystical
Snaefellsnes Peninsula, staying in Grundafjordur
and including an orca-watching boat trip.
Action-packed,
four-night break in
Whitehorse, Canada’s
aurora capital.
NEW wilderness
bolthole deep in the
taiga forest of eastern
Finland, perfect for
seeking out the aurora
borealis and trying
snowmobiling and
other activities 300km
above the Arctic Circle.
A week combining the rugged beauty of the
Land of Ice & Fire with city style in both
Reykjavik and Stockholm and three nights
at the ICEHOTEL.
13 nights in search of
wildlife, icebergs and
the aurora.
Seven-night coastal
odyssey in Norway.
Three nights in the best
of Swedish Lapland.
Seven nights in some of
the best aurora locations.
NEW three-night
escorted tour.
Four-night break with
two orca boat trips.
Click here
for details of
WhaleFest 2014
Prime time for auroras too!
GREENLAND:ANDRESCHOENHERR
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Killer Whales & Northern Lights Weekend In Pursuit
of the Aurora
Muotka
Wilderness Lodge
Northern Lights at
Abisko &Icehotel
Killer Whales &
Golden Circle
Greenland Northern
Lights Voyage
Iceland & Icehotel
Yukon Winter
Dream
Visit website
Visit website
Visit website
Visit website Visit website
Visit website
Visit websiteVisit website
Visit website

6. &Go to the Arctic for:
• Polar bears, walrus, beluga whales & seabird colonies
• Spectacular landscapes of Svalbard & Greenland
• Deep-rooted human presence and fascinating culture
• Easy access to the High Arctic via Spitsbergen
• Activities such as hiking and sea kayaking
• Legends of famous polar explorers, like Amundsen
• Iconic voyage to the North Pole
NORTH
HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN
POLES APART
Click here to
set sail for
the Arctic
6 Talk to the experts ✆ 01737 218 812
here for our top
pick for a first-time
visit to the Arctic
Click

7. Click here to
set sail for
Antarctica
&Go to Antarctica for:
• Penguin colonies, leopard seals & humpback whales
• Epic scenery of South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula
• Historical interest of the Falkland Islands
• Easy access on a Peninsula Fly-In Voyage
• Activities such as sea kayaking and camping
• Following in the wake of explorers, like Shackleton
• Iconic journeys to the South Pole and Ross Sea
& SOUTH
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Click here
for photo
gallery
here for our top
pick for a first-time
visit to Antarctica
Click

8. WILLIAMGRAY
8 Talk to the experts ✆ 01737 218 812
Click here to see
all of our Iceland
Escorted Holidays
QWhat’s the key
ingredient for a
successful escorted trip?
AIt’s getting the
basics right: the
right traveller on the right
holiday, so you get a like-
minded group who are
going to gel.
QHow are Discover
the World escorted
holidays different?
AWe keep group
sizes small, stay in
accommodation that’s
near to places of interest
and we never rush day to
day itineraries. Our staff
also go the extra mile and
have the all-important
insider knowledge that
goes into planning a
successful trip.
QHow do you
approach each
holiday as a guide?
AIt’s important to
find out what your
group expect from the
trip and iron out any
potential hitches. I always
try to see the positive
side of things and aim to
include experiences that
fall outside the standard
tourist itinerary.
QYou must love
Iceland and the
other places you guide?
AIt’s great to share
your enthusiasm
for the countries with
your groups. You have
it in you to make their
holiday extra special by
being available, helpful
and knowledgeable and
putting your clients’
needs before your own.
What makes a Discover the World escorted holiday special? We
asked Cathy Harlow – shortlisted in the Wanderlust Guide Awards
Guiding

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SummerIceland Jigsaw Tours
& Classic Iceland
A perfect fit for your
summer holiday plans,
whether you have five
nights to spare or a
month, Discover the
World’s Iceland Jigsaw
Tours consist of four
itineraries that can either
be combined or taken
individually. Each small-
group, expert-led, full-
board tour explores the
best of the country, delving
into the north, south, east
or west. If you want to go
full-circle, the nine-night
Classic Iceland escorted
holiday rounds up a superb
range of highlights on a
well-paced itinerary that
includes plenty of time for
short walks and getting off
the beaten track.
Find out more:
Iceland Jigsaw Tours
Find out more:
Classic Iceland
WinterVolcanoes
& Northern Lights
Two of Iceland’s natural
wonders are the focus of
this four-night escorted
holiday, based at Hotel
Hekla and featuring the
Golden Circle, south
coast and a visit to the
Eyjafjallajokull eruption site
– all in the company of an
expert guide.
Click for Volcanoes
& Northern Lights
Click play button
above to watch
our Iceland film

10. 10 Talk to the experts ✆ 01737 218 812
walk
9 great reasons to
lace up your boots
and explore the
world on foot
win!a £500 voucher
towards your next holiday
with Discover the World
Click here to enter

11. 8 discover-cloud9.co.uk 11Subscribe to Cloud 9 and our e-newsZ
1 Norway
The tourist board
has identified no less
than 21 great hikes in
spectacular Sognefjord.
2 Iceland
Create your ideal
tailor-made walking
holiday using our unique
Pick your Peak.
3 New Zealand
Explore with your
own 4x4 vehicle and hike
some of New Zealand’s
best backcountry trails.
4 Alaska
Hike in the wilds of
Denali, trek to the foot
of mighty glaciers and
explore ancient forests.
5 East Greenland
From a base in
Ammassalik, take day
walks in the wild grandeur
of mountains and fjords.
6 Canada
Hike through the
Canadian wilderness of
Ontario’s Georgian Bay
and Bruce Peninsula.
7 Iceland
Follow in the
Footsteps of the Elves
on a new walking tour in
Borgarfjordur, East Fjords.
8 Australia
Witness the iconic
Twelve Apostles on foot
by hiking the invigorating
Great Ocean Walk.
9 Spitsbergen
Stay in a remote,
comfortable camp in
Ekmanfjorden and enjoy
hikes and other activities.
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3:GARETHEYRES;5:SOERELVE

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Arctic House, 8 Bolters Lane, Banstead, Surrey SM7 2AR
www.discover-the-world.co.uk Email travel@discover-the-world.co.uk
Fax +44 (0) 1737 362 341 Twitter @DTW_Holidays
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cloud9In the next issue:
Iceland self-catering
Gourmet Experiences
Special occasions
Great autumn breaks
Writing & design William Gray | www.william-gray.co.uk
win!
a £500 voucher
towards your next holiday
with Discover the World
Click here to enter