MAKE YOUR MONEY TRAVEL FURTHER WITH ORIGINAL TRAVEL  

In response to the cost-of-living crisis, Original Travel has launched an initiative to showcase ways of making money travel further on holiday  

With the cost of living increasing and Brits feeling the pinch more than ever, Original Travel is adding a new section to its website, outlining tips and hacks to make holidays more affordable and ways to make spending money travel further. Sitting front and centre on the homepage of the website, suggestions include destinations with the most favourable exchange rates; when and where you can travel off-season, without sacrificing the experience; more affordable alternatives to sought-after (and pricier) locations; rail travel as a more economical way to get from A to B; and how tailor-made packages can help save the pennies.   

Tom Barber, Co-Founder of Original Travel comments: 'Since the pandemic, wanderlust is stronger than ever, and after years of lockdowns, quarantines and rules, we all deserve the freedom to roam again, but we can't ignore the impact that the cost-of-living crunch is having on travel plans. To help make travel possible, we are translating our industry know-how into tangible ways of making travel more affordable and sharing our tips on how to save pennies without cutting corners.'   

Tailormade travel  

The beauty of tailor-made travel is that you can mix and match. Splurge on a five-star hotel one day and then opt for a more basic (but charming) accommodation for the rest of the trip. We work with thousands of hotels and lodges around the world from glitzy grande dames to mountain refuges with dormitory accommodation and everything in between and can book modes of transport from boats to bicycles so you can build a trip to fit your exact budget. There's sometimes a misconception that booking with a tailor-made tour operator can be expensive. Yes, we've organised more than our fair share of multi-continent hopping, multi-months long sabbaticals, but we also regularly book wondrous weekend breaks in Europe, too. Your trip, your budget, and we always aim to create an itinerary to match.   

Off-season travel 

Falling after peak season but just before 'off' season, the money-saving sweet spot of shoulder season still comes with all the trimmings. In Sri Lanka, for example, while the 'high season' for most of the country is December to April, the weather in July and August is particularly good in the Cultural Triangle, the east coast beaches, and one of our favourite national parks, Gal Oya. It also coincides with a mass gathering of elephants in the Minneriya National Park. Shoulder season in Indonesia means May, June and September, all beautiful months to travel, with fewer visitors, great weather and lower prices compared to July and August; visit Swedish Lapland in February/March, rather than over Christmas, you'll enjoy all the same activities in better conditions – the sun shines brighter, and the landscape is even more frozen – but you'll spend up to 20% less; or enjoy a city break in Rome, Paris, or Florence in August – you might need to seek the shade at midday, but as most residents are out of town, visitors can benefit from great prices.   

Sample package: Original Travel's Summer in Sri Lanka prices from £3,240pp based on two sharing. This price includes, return flights, activities and 16 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.  www.originaltravel.co.uk.   

Original Destinations 

The clue's in our name. We have, and always will, seek out and savour the original, be that entirely new and below-the-radar destinations; or the secret spots in the old classics that have somehow avoided the crowds and concurrent price hikes. Our top suggestions include opting for Guatemala over Mexico for all the ruins, colonial history and wildlife for less money; choosing the Pacific Northwest for a classic US road trip, with more bang for your buck; and swapping the likes of Mykonos or Santorini for the Cyclades – they may be harder work to get there but infinitely better value in terms of authenticity and cost.   

Sample package: Original Travel's Secrets of the Cyclades prices from £3,100pp. This price includes, return flights, activities and 11 nights B&B accommodation.  Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.   

Cashing in on currencies 

With rising inflation draining our pockets, a smart move is to look at destinations with more favourable exchange rates. For example, Albania offers far greater value than more established European tourism destinations, with the pound going further against the Albanian LEK than the Euro. Likewise, Indian hotels are usually priced in Indian Rupees which makes them much better value when converted into GBP then a lot of other places. Original Travel can advise on real-time suggestions like these for clients who are happy to be flexible on destinations. 

Sample package: Original Travel's 10-day tour of Albania costs from £2,410pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, private transfers, guided tours throughout and nine nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.   

Rail Travel   

Many European destinations are investing heavily in rail travel, with Germany and Austria offering highly subsidised transport passes and the likes of Spain and Estonia making some public transport free entirely. This makes travelling by train in destination, rather than taking internal flights, not only a more scenic and eco-friendly way of getting from A to B, but an incredibly affordable way too. Original Travel was a pioneer in launching rail-only itineraries throughout Europe and continues to adapt them to makes the most of the improving infrastructure, faster routes and the re-introduction of night services. 

Sample Package: Original Travel's 7 day Tour for Foodies through Europe Prices from £3,655 per person based on two sharing and including all train tickets and six nights' accommodation. 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      _________________________________________________________________________  

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. Also in 2022, Original Travel was named as one of world's Best Tour Operator's in Conde Nast Traveler's annual Reader's Choice Awards.    

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.