Our different travel brands

The brands at a glance

The story of Nordic Collection starts with Norway, when CEO Maarten Raes takes over the niche company ‘Norway Info’. Soon the offer expands to Scandinavia and far beyond: with the different brands that are part of Nordic Collection you discover all 7 continents in a unique, authentic way. Travel to the most pristine areas of the world with our 11 brands. At the moment, you can only travel with our brands Galtic, Canada Travel Designers, Wild Alaska, Atacama, MyHimalaya, FLY and BiKE and Beyond Borders from Belgium. The brand Nordic operates for all markets.

11 travel companies, 7 continents, over 150 travel designers and thousands of memories.

Europe’s last wilderness

Nordic

The story of building Nordic Collection goes back to 1980, when Harry Van Lint offered Norwegian log cabins with his small company ‘Norway Info’. More than 20 years later, in 2004, he met Maarten Raes for the first time. Maarten was impressed by his story and his way of working. When Harry’s company came up for sale in 2008, Maarten did not hesitate for a second: he took the plunge, bought the company and named it ‘Nordic Info’.

Throughout the years, Nordic Info has grown enormously: thanks to take-overs and mergers, Nordic Info has become the reference point when it comes to travelling to Scandinavia. The sea trips along the Norwegian coast are a great success and with Explore by Nordic, the polar regions join the list of destinations. The growth story does not stop, even in times of a global pandemic: in 2021 we entered the Dutch and later in 2022 the German market and our new sister brand, Galtic, sees the light of day.

What started as an improvised agency in the living room of CEO and founder Maarten Raes, has grown into an impressive company: with more than 100 employees we provide our travellers with unique, authentic and tailor-made trips to the High North and far beyond.

Want to discover the High North?

A different world close to home

Galtic

The brands in our offer are characterised by the fact that they all put unspoilt nature first. That is why Ireland and Scotland could not be left out from this range, as these destinations with their infinite landscapes and thousands of kilometres of hiking trails know how to charm all nature lovers.

In February 2021, Nordic founded its sister brand Galtic: the Travel Designers from the trusted Nordic house will take you on a unique journey to the Anglo-Celtic islands with their years of experience. Both destinations are close to home, but with rolling landscapes of lakes and mountains, thousands of lighthouses and ancient castles, you will feel like you’re in another world.

Spend the night in a luxurious castle or a typical cottage, spot wildlife or drive along some of the most beautiful routes in the world… Scotland and Ireland have something in store for every type of traveller. Our passionate Travel Designers will be happy to help you put together a programme that contains all the ingredients for your dream trip. Culture, nature or a combination? Galtic will provide you with a tailor-made route.

Want to discover Ireland and Scotland?

Desolate and almost inaccessible: the mythical state of Alaska

Wild Alaska

In 2018, Nordic broadened its offer to North America with the Wild Alaska and Canada Travel Designers brands. The mythical Alaska is an area that is unknown territory for most people: the largest of the American states seems almost inaccessible. Nothing could be further from the truth: with Wild Alaska you will discover the desolate state, with its pristine nature and enormous variety of wildlife.

Wild Alaska was created in 2016 as a brand by adventurers, for adventurers. You choose how to discover this region: a road trip by car, by luxury train or by bush plane, with a cruise through the Inside Passage and the fjords or by hiking… Wild Alaska translates your wishes into a tailor-made travel proposal.

The Travel Designers provide you with a unique travel experience with respect for the local population, nature and wildlife. Thanks to years of knowledge of the terrain, we do not only provide you with an itinerary, but also with nice addresses, unforgettable excursions and a lot of tips for spotting animals.

Want to discover Alaska?

Canada from East to West: diversity is key!

Canada Travel Designers

The second largest country, Canada has a lot to offer. With the longest coastline in the world, 39 beautiful national parks, the imposing Rocky Mountains that look different every day and plenty of wildlife opportunities, variety is key here.

When you think of Canada, the clear blue lakes and endless forests of Banff and Jasper National Parks immediately spring to mind. But there is so much more to experience: exploring the coastline of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, spotting bears and orcas in their natural habitat, … These are just some of the possibilities.

The Canada Travel Designers return annually to ‘their’ Canada to further expand their knowledge about the destination. So, you can expect a tailor-made service, based on years of personal experience. The extensive travel package, complete with route book and personalised travel information, ensures that you are fully prepared and can set off on your journey without any worries. Winter fun in the deep snow or hiking and kayaking in the Canadian summer? Travelling by camper van, train or car? Either way, Canada is enchanting.

Want to discover West Canada?

Continent of extremes: from desert to rainforest

Atacama

With Atacama, South America also joins the list of continents in the offer of Nordic Collection. This niche travel specialist introduces you to the Andean region and Patagonia, where the incredible variety of culture and nature surprises even seasoned travellers. With Atacama you will discover Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Colombia.

Helen founded her own brand in 2016, after years of experience as a South America expert: Atacama. She is very keen to share her love for South America and the Andean region with potential travellers, together with colleague Laura. A small team, but do not be mistaken: the passion for the destinations oozes out of them. Every year, the team returns to the Andes to look for undiscovered pearls. The travel designers convert those years of knowledge into a tailor-made proposal and an excellent service.

Atacama puts quality and unique experiences first. You don’t follow well-trodden paths here, but discover the destinations and their authentic culture through the eyes of the local population. Whether you are looking for a luxury trip, a solo trip, a hiking holiday, a road trip or a family holiday… Everything is possible!

Want to discover the Andes and Patagonia?

Infinite mountain peaks on the roof of the world

MyHimalaya

MyHimalaya is one of the most recent additions to Nordic Collection, broadening our offer to the Asian continent as of October 2021. For many years they have specialised in travel to Asia with a focus on Bhutan, Nepal, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Whether you are an active hiker or a relaxed bon vivant, a sporty traveller or a culture lover… A trip to Asia has something to offer for everyone. Age is secondary to enthusiasm.

The inspiration and founder of MyHimalaya, Rik Van Belle, travelled through Nepal and Asia for the first time in the 90s. This was the start of a passion that never left him: every year he explores new routes, discovers unique accommodations and looks for new perspectives. On the basis of this experience in the field, he provides travellers with an unforgettable experience in the Himalayan region.

In addition to a limited number of group tours, MyHimalaya focuses mainly on tailor-made individual trips. Based on your interests and your wishes in terms of comfort, duration and budget, we provide a personalised travel programme.

Want to discover Asia and the Himalayas?

Exploring the whole world on two wheels

FLY and BiKE

The foundation for FLY and BiKE was laid 17 years ago in an overcrowded bush taxi in the beautiful heartland of Madagascar. After Ilse Michielsen had sat inside a far too small minibus for hours, a friendly local lady sat her daughter on Ilse’s lap due to lack of space. Shortly after the departure, the poor thing became sick and Ilse felt the girl’s half-digested breakfast sliding along her legs. This was more or less the trigger for her decision to explore the world by bike in future, rather than by the usually overcrowded local transport.

She then founded FLY and BiKE 15 years ago. What started as a modest one-woman business has now grown into a solid company and became part of Nordic Collection in 2022. With FLY and BiKE you can travel the world on two wheels and discover the most beautiful corners of the world.

Take your bike on a journey?

ADVENTURE TRAVEL YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE

Beyond Borders

As of 2023, Beyond Borders may also call itself one of Nordic Collection’s brands. Beyond Borders organizes and accompanies trips around the world that are just that tad different. As far as possible from mass tourism and always guided with the advice of destination experts. No ready-made trips, but top-notch adventure with a unique experience at its core.

Apart from adventurous group travel, Beyond Borders also lets you set off on your own with friends or family. Their travel experts help you book great accommodations, find the best-priced flights and organize exiting excursions, because that’s what this unique brand is all about: a glacier hike in Norway, meeting mountain gorillas in the jungle of Uganda, traveling through Sri Lanka by tuktuk, snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef or surviving like Robinson on a desert island.

All trips are worked out from A to Z by someone who knows the destination inside out. As a result, not only do you have the assurance that your trip is arranged down to the last detail, but you can also count on the most competitive rate, without compromising on quality.

Ready for boundless adventure?

NATURE THAT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS

Askja

All started with that one trip to Iceland, 35 years ago. In the summer of 1989, a group of adventurers headed to what was then a relatively undiscovered island. And from then love blossomed. It was not for nothing that Askja was named after the Icelandic volcano of the same name.

But Askja also know their way around other incredible destinations. The snowy wilderness of Lapland, the fjords of Norway and the lakes of Western Canada hold no secrets for the passionate travel experts. But the less easily accessible areas of the world, such as Spitsbergen, Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska are also part of the travel offer. At Askja, you will find tailor-made trips to the world’s most beautiful nature destinations. Since April 2024, Askja has become part of Nordic Collection.

Travel to the most beautiful nature destinations

THE ESSENCE OF THE EAST

VNC Asia Travel

VNC Asia Travel has joined Nordic Collection in April 2024. The history of this renowned travel brand goes back no less than 45 years. And that equates to a huge amount of experience of traveling through the world’s most hospitable and culture-rich continent. By now, VNC has become the Japan specialist in the Netherlands. The travel experts know every corner of this often unfathomable country full of culture and tradition.

Whether you want to discover the pearls of metropolitan Tokyo or hike part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, the team is waiting to help you with their advice. Always listening to your individual wishes, the specialists create your perfect tailor-made trip.

Discover fascinating Japan

Specialist since 1993

Nord Espaces

Founded in 1993 by a Franco-Norwegian, Asbjörn Angelsen, Nord Espaces is a tour operator that has specialised in boreal destinations since its creation and has kept the same premises in Paris since the start. Known on the French market as an expert in travel to the Nordic countries, Nord Espaces is a member of the ‘Cercle Norvégien et Suédois’ in Paris and a long-standing partner of the Michelin, Petit Futé, Paulsen and Borealia.

Nord Espaces offers French travellers a diverse and comprehensive range of products and services, as well as the support and advice of its stable and experienced French team, with an average length of service of over 15 years.

Nordic Collection, one of the leading tour operators in Belgium and the Netherlands, completed its acquisition of Nord Espaces in 2024, opening a new chapter in the life of a company that is already firmly rooted in the travel community.

Want to discover the Far North?