An emerging trend in post-pandemic travel is a desire to seek out peace and quiet, so Original Travel has launched a new collection of itineraries so tranquil you could hear a pin drop 

Original Travel's new 'Pindrop Travel' collection is a series of quiet holidays where you can slow right down and escape from the almost ever-present noise of modern life. From a six-day road trip of Norway's remote Lofoten Islands to remote camping in Australia's Kakadu National Park, forest-bathing in Japan and joining sunrise prayers with Buddhist monks in Ladakh, these itineraries celebrate serenity. 

In a recent Original Travel client survey*, 63% of respondents said peace and quiet was an important element of a holiday, with 31% saying they valued it even more since the pandemic started. With the rise in popularity of meditative apps, such as Calm and Headspace meeting this need at home, Original Travel is keen to be the first tour operator to meet the need in travel. The luxury tour operator is going one step further than the likes of Tree.FM, an online radio station which streams the sounds of forests from around the world and Quiet Parks International, a movement committed to preserving quiet spaces, in much the same way that the International Dark Sky Association protect areas from light pollution, by creating itineraries centred around silence. 

Tom Barber, Founder of Original Travel says: 'While we love the thrill that comes with visiting vibrant cities, there is a lot to be said for quiet holidays where you can slow right down and escape from the almost ever-present noise of modern life. From television and telephones to traffic and typing, the prevalence of auditory stimulation means the situation is so bad that one recent study suggested that a whopping 90% of children in the USA will never experience natural silence. 

'The good news is that with Original Travel you can visit and appreciate these places where you can hear a pin drop; whether that's reconnecting with untouched nature while indulging in shinrin-yoku ('forest bathing') in Japan; meditating with monks in Bhutan; hiking in India's lunar Ladakh region; stargazing in the Namibian desert or enjoying New Zealand's wide open spaces; or simply just escaping to a quiet coastal town in Europe, there's a quiet holiday to suit.' 

You can view the full collection here: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/collections/pin-drop-travel, but sample itineraries include: 

Road trip of Norway's Remote Lofoten Islands 

Spend six days touring Norway's remote Lofoten Islands, an archipelago joined by a ribbon of roads and bridges. You'll explore tiny fishing villages, hike the hills, kayak the coastline and stay in rorbuers - converted fishing huts on stilts over the water.  

Prices from £1,565 pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, car hire and five nights' accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk. 

A 20-day Madagascar Wildlife Adventure 

Wonderful wildlife and natural wonders are the focus of this 20-day adventure through Madagascar that takes you from the colourful capital of Antananarivo to remote island archipelagos. Spend your time trekking through rainforests, snorkelling in mirror-clear seas and searching for exotic endemic species, enjoying the perfect balance of exploring and unwinding. 

Prices from £6,930 pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all transfers and overland transport and 18 nights' accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk. 

Exploring Rural Ladakh 

This twelve day trip into the very north of India lets you experience traditional rural life here first hand, away from the crowds and instead surrounded by stunning mountainous scenery and authentic Tibetan 

Buddhist communities. Highlights include a three-day trek and sharing sunrise prayers with the Buddhist monks of Thiksey monastery. 

Prices from £5,650 pp, based on four sharing and including return flights, all transfers and overland transport and 11 nights' accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk. 

-Ends-  

For more information contact:   

press@originaltravel.co.uk  

020 3582 4990  

     _________________________________________________________________________ 

Notes to Editors: 

*The survey was completed by 210 respondents in February 2021. The survey was sent in an email newsletter to all clients and also shared on Original Travel social channels. Please refer to attached PDF for full results. 

Original Travel curates customised itineraries, crafted by destination experts to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. Since its launch in 2003, it has created 50,000 itineraries, each unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”. 

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Original Travel launched a flexible pledge that allows clients to change their dates or destination up to 30 days prior to departure. For new bookings made between now and 31st July 2021, and for departures at any time, while clients still need to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking, the final balance is not due until 30 days before travel (this is usually 60 days). We also offer clients the full flexibility to change the trip up to 30 days prior to departure. Clients can, for any reason, change their destination to any other, and to any date up until the end of 2021, and there will be no charge. For all bookings where we cannot fulfil the trip due to changes in travel restrictions, we will postpone the trip - again at no charge - to any departure date until the end of 2021, or offer credit against any future departure, or refund all monies paid.  

Original Travel is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd, who are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and who offer a brand new travel insurance policy that includes cover for cancellation or curtailment of a trip due to contracting coronavirus, or through being quarantined or refused permission to travel due to infection or suspected infection. This insurance policy is only valid for travel to countries where there is no FCDO advice against all but essential travel. Full details can be found on a new section on Original Travel's website, entitled 'Coronavirus Confidence'. 

Original Travel also has its own specialist dive division. Original Diving is the world's only luxury dive travel outfit and is staffed by a team that includes a dive instructor, a dive master and a marine biologist. Having completed more than 3,000 dives in over 50 countries, equating to over 100 years' collective diving experience, the team pride themselves on their unparalleled expertise and knowledge of the best dive destinations across the globe. 

Five of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2021 Travel Specialists list, giving an excellent snapshot of our expertise. Co-founder, Tom Barber, is named as a family specialist, Jacqui Brooks as an Indonesia specialist, Oliver Rodwell as a Mexico specialist, Louisa Fisher as a diving specialist and Matt Shock as a safari specialist.  

Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they would not find with any other UK tour operator, including: 

• Access to a network of 70-plus Concierges who live locally, know their destinations inside and out and are extremely well-connected. They lend fantastic ground support, offering insider recommendations, facilitating any last-minute changes and troubleshooting.
• A brace of additional services designed to make departure easier than ever. Every Original Travel client, regardless of whether they're off on a long weekend to Seville, or a multi-destination sabbatical, will enjoy UK airport meet and greet, fast track UK check-in, fast track UK security*, lounge access and pre-booked flight seats. There are alsoupgradeoptions to include: a luggage transfer service from your home to the airport; fast track check-in and security and lounge access on your flight home; fast track through immigration on your return to the UK. 
• The knowledge that not only will Original Travel offset the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and other flights (even if booked independently).
• The knowledge that they are contributing to Our Foundation, which supports nearly 100 humanitarian projects in 30 developing countries. To date, nearly £800,000 has been invested to support five key areas: child protection, vocational training, economic development assistance, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and safeguarding the lifestyles of indigenous peoples.