As a historic trial of a four-day working week nears its end, Original Travel brings its collection of Big Short Breaks out of retirement 

A UK-wide, four-day working week pilot programme ends in November, with the mid-point results already predicting a pivotal change in work/life balance with three-day weekends likely to become far more commonplace. As such, Original Travel is bringing its portfolio of Big Short Breaks out of retirement, having mothballed them during the pandemic when enquiries for weekend trips dropped to zero.   

Over 70 employers and 3,300 employees are taking part in the 4 Day Week Global scheme - which has also been rolled out in Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - with the vast majority of participants choosing to take Mondays or Fridays off to create a three-day weekend. 

Proven to enhance productivity and improve work/life balance, a four-day week could be the next step change in the working week, not seen since the typical working week switched from six days to five more than 100 years ago.  

Tom Barber, Co-founder of Original Travel, says: 'Of course, long weekend breaks are not a new concept, but they wax and wane in popularity and for a time it looked like they would be a permanent casualty of the pandemic.  

'The ongoing uncertainty around travel, plus the rigmarole of quarantines and testing, meant we received close to zero enquiries for short trips in 2021 and as such, we mothballed our collection of Big Short Breaks. It's immensely satisfying to be bringing them back again, not least because  we launched 20 years ago with the concept of the Big Short Break – enjoying maximum experience in minimum time – and they're something we do incredibly well. The trips make every minute count and offer something more original than a bog-standard city tour. Even better, because we have so many rail-only options now it's easy for people to hop on a train after work and be enjoying tapas or moules frites that evening. Now, that's work/life balance.' 

Here are a few of Original Travel's favourite Big Short Breaks: 

Big Short Break to Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti Islands  

Experience the best Croatia has to offer with everything from sea kayaking and oyster-eating to UNESCO tours and ancient towns on this Big Short Break to Dubrovnik. Sip white wine at sundown, learn about silk making and paddle through crystal waters. 

Original Travel's (020 3582 4990; www.originaltravel.co.uk) Dubrovnik Big Short Break is 5 days from £1,970pp which includes flights, accommodation and transfers. 

San Sebastian 

We don't call San Sebastian the food capital of the Europe lightly; after all the city is home to 17 Michelin stars. This three-day itinerary, however, bypasses the stiff white table clothes in favour of the food the locals love to eat on a daily basis, with a pintxos tour of the best tapas places in the city and a cookery class learning the secrets of traditional Basque cuisine. 

Prices from £1410pp, based on two sharing and including return flights and transfers, three nights' B&B accommodation and guided tours. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk. 

West Sweden 

Take a new four-day tour of West Sweden's Bohuslän archipelago onboard Granit, a boat that runs exclusively on fossil free fuel. Departing from Gothenburg, the private boat service for max six passengers opens up this beautiful region - characterised by rocky bluffs, craggy cliffs and islands peppered with striking Falun red boathouses - that was previously only accessible either by road, or by a limited public ferry service. The itinerary focuses on the region's incredible seafood and takes in some of its best restaurants, villages and hotels with three overnight stops: Firstly, you will disembark in Marstrand, a long-time favourite among Sweden's elite and unexpected outpost of contemporary art and boutique shops; next, you will visit Klädesholmen, the island that lives, breathes and loves herring and where you'll stay at a floating – yes, floating – hotel; your final overnight stop is at Käringön, one of the archipelago's most westerly points. Wild, barren and traffic-free, Käringön is well revered for its fresh sea air and relaxed atmosphere, which had the island declared a health resort in the 19th century.  

A private charter costs from £3,095pp. There are also set departure dates (leaving daily from June 18 – 29 and August 19-25 2023) which cost from £2,135pp based on two sharing. All prices include three nights' full board hotel accommodation, all boat transfers and activities daily. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk. 

-Ends- 

Follow us on instagram @originaltravel for more travel inspiration and for more information contact: press@originaltravel.co.uk; 020 3582 4990  

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Notes to Editors: 

Original Travel curates tailor-made 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”. 

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. 

Three of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Travel Specialists list, including Co-founder Tom Barber as family specialist, Jacqui Brooks as Indonesia specialist and Oliver Rodwell as Mexico specialist, giving an excellent snapshot of our expertise. 

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 also upgrade options 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 absorb the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and transfers, 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 £1.5 million 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.