04 Mar 2019
HIT THE ROAD WITH ORIGINAL TRAVEL
Original Travel launches a new portfolio of Road Trips, in response to a spike in bookings
Bespoke travel company, Original Travel has launched a new portfolio of Road Trips in response to a huge boom in bookings, which includes: a 41% year-on-year increase to the Americas in 2018; and 2019 bookings already surpassing those of 2018 for both Australasia and Africa, by 225% and 5% respectively.
Original Travel's online collection of Road Trips will feature new itineraries to the likes of Costa Rica and Oman, whilst its first Road Trip brochure - hitting doormats today, 4 March - will showcase nine journeys (iconic and lesser-known) around the world. These include: the biggest-selling destination, the US; the two fastest-growing destinations, Australia and South Africa; new ways to explore ever-popular road trip territory of Spain, Italy and Iceland; and unexpected self-drive destinations, such as the Andes, Namibia and Laos.
'There are several drivers (no pun intended) behind the rise in road trips,' explains Nick Newbury, Co-Founder and Director of Original Travel. 'Firstly, they capture a need for freedom and spontaneity that can be lacking in everyday life - particularly amongst our clients, the majority of which are juggling demanding jobs with families. Secondly, it's the type of holiday that people who wouldn't always use a tour operator are happy to outsource: they take a lot of time-consuming planning and research, which is where we excel.'
Those who book a road trip through Original Travel will have access to its 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. They can also rest easy that the carbon footprint of their entire trip will be offset: Original Travel pledged in 2017 to off-set not only the carbon footprint generated by the flights of each holiday taken by its clients, but – in an industry-first - car-hire too.
Here's just a handful of some of the new itineraries now available:
Colorado:
The US is synonymous with road trips, but not many Brits venture to Colorado: a shame when the State has some of the nation's most scenic driving and plenty of wide open space to stretch those legs. Original Travel's 12-day road trip takes you from Denver to Aspen, a 3.5 hour drive through Glenwood Springs, famous for its - you guessed it - hot springs, perfect for travel-weary bones. Having explored Aspen's numerous hiking trails and snapped Maroon Bells, one of the most photographed places in the county (amongst stiff competition), head onwards through the stunning Rocky Mountain terrain to Telluride, an outdoor playground, renowned for its high wire course. Next, head out on the Highway 550, otherwise known as the Million Dollar Highway and one of the country's most spectacular drives to Durango (home to Cascade Canyon) and Buena Vista, regarded as the US capital of rafting.
This 12-day trip with Original Travel (020 3582 4990/www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/summer-colorado) costs from £1,830 pp, including return flights, car-hire and 11-nights' accommodation.
South East Sicily:
Spend 10 days getting under the skin of Sicily, the ball to Italy's boot, on a luxury road trip around the south-eastern coast. Take in ancient history, traditional cuisine and the island's spectacular nature in the company of expert guides, and enjoy some glorious Sicilian sunshine. Highlights include the Valley of the Temples and a hike to rim of Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano
This 10-day trip with Original Travel (020 3582 4990/www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/south-east-sicily-road-trip) costs from £4,030 pp, including return flights, car-hire and 9-nights' accommodation
Namibia:
Namibia's open, empty roads and dramatic landscapes make this one of our all-time favourite road trip destinations. On this 14-day itinerary, you will travel from Windhoek into the heart of the Namibian desert, Sossusvlei, where you'll find the iconic dunes. Other highlights include Namibia's adrenalin capital, the charming city of Swakopmund and big-game spotting in Damaraland and Etosha National Park. This is an adventurous and thrilling trip, and one you will be fully-prepped for: before you set off, you will be met by one of our local partners who will sit down and run through your trip in detail, with a map and full, detailed driving instructions. You will also be supplied with a local phone and sim card, loaded with all the contact details you could need.
This 14-day trip with Original Travel (020 3582 4990/www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/namibia-road-trip) costs from £4,760 pp, including return flights, car-hire and 13-nights' accommodation
Tasmania:
As a continent-sized country Australia is a daunting driving destination, but the pint-sized (relatively) island of Tasmania is much more manageable road trip territory. On this two-week trip discover all the highlights of 'the land under down under', including Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, MONA and its fantastic wineries (driver guides will take you for tastings, so you can leave the hire car behind).
This 14-day trip with Original Travel (020 3582 4990/www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/touring-tasmania-itinerary) costs from £4,605 pp including return flights, car-hire and 12-nights' accommodation
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For more information contact Clare Jackson:
020 3582 4990
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Notes to Editors:
Original Travel specialises in bespoke, tailor-made holidays, 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”.
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 1 dive instructor, 5 dive masters 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.
Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they wouldn't 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. A great way to start the holiday sooner
- 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
