Who is Discover Travel?


Experience.  The Difference.

Discover Travel is more than just a travel agency. Let us take you on a journey through our story that began in 1999 as Adventure Travel, then known for overland trips and specialising in adventurous destinations like Africa and South America. We’ve since evolved to specialise in creating tailor-made journeys to all mid and long-haul destinations, particularly Europe. In 2008 Ian became a co-owner, in 2013 we rebranded our business as Discover Travel to better reflect the evolving needs of our clients and two years later Peter joined Ian as co-owner.

 At the heart of Discover Travel is our team of six, and between us, we believe we have explored almost every destination that’s worthwhile visiting (and a few that aren’t!). From our base in Christchurch, we’re dedicated to creating a community for discerning Kiwi travellers and believe that every journey should be as unique as the person taking it. That’s why we take our time to fully understand each client’s interests, aspirations, and travel preferences. By taking this approach, we ensure each journey; whether it’s joining a small group tour, small ship cruise or embarking on independent travel, is created with care and precision. Our mission is to offer clients personalised experiences that go far beyond standard ‘packaged’ holidays. 

The travel industry is constantly evolving, and we are here to help you navigate these changes. Many travellers are now looking to explore during shoulder seasons to avoid crowds, discover lesser-known destinations, and enjoy more immersive experiences. We recognise the challenges posed by over tourism in some popular destinations. With our depth of experience, we will offer suggestions of destinations and ways to travel that you may not have considered and so create memories that you will be sharing for many years to come.

In today’s digital age, we understand the importance of technology in enhancing our clients’ travel experience, and the efficiencies that this brings. From smartphone apps to online platforms, there are endless ways to access local experiences and activities. However, we also know that not everyone is tech-savvy; that’s why we are here to provide the assistance and guidance needed to navigate these digital tools, ensuring everyone can make the most of their journey.

We understand that travel is more than just visiting new places for many people, it’s also about taking a part of your ‘at home’ lifestyle with you. If you are a hiker, cyclist, yachtie or foodie at home, you’ll probably want to enjoy those interests somewhere more exotic. So join us on a journey. We don’t just want you to explore the world; we want you to experience it in a way that will feel personal and meaningful. Let us create a travel experience tailored just for you and together, we will help you discover the world, one unforgettable trip at a time.