04 Jan 2022
A NEW TWIST ON THE OLD FAVOURITES
Make 2022 the year you experience your favourite holiday destinations in an entirely different way, with Original Travel
Original Travel has seen increased demand from clients wanting to return to perennially popular destinations - which are familiar in an increasingly unfamiliar world - but wanting to experience them in an entirely new way.
From Italy to the US and Original Travel's top-selling destination of Egypt, bookings and enquiries to Brits' most favoured destinations remain high: But rather than short breaks to Venice or Rome, the tour operator is booking wildlife spotting trips in Italy's hinterland; rather than Californian road trips, we're seeing interest for the US Deep South; and whilst a Nile cruise is its most-booked holiday, there is growing interest in the smaller dahabieh, which yes, visit the world-famous sites, but also take in the small villages that cling to the riverbanks.
Co-Founder of Original Travel, Tom Barber, says: 'Original Travel has long championed “undertourism” and getting people away from the masses, so we are well-positioned to feed this growing appetite to enjoy those established destinations in an entirely new and surprising way. Plus, this trend fits nicely into our Travel Less, Travel Better campaign, designed to encourage clients to take fewer trips in favour of ones that are longer, better-planned and more meaningful. We also have a network of in-destination Concierges who can give insider tips of where the locals like to visit and where to find undiscovered areas which haven't been instagrammed to death.'
Here are some deeper cut itineraries to get off the beaten track of those most popular destinations:
A Musical Journey through the Deep South: from Chicago to New Orleans
Bob Dylan first sang about legendary U.S. Highway 61 back in 1965 and now you can cruise along this famous road that runs through the raw, urban American heartland. Soak up the cities that gave birth to America's famous music scene: blues, jazz, zydeco, country, gospel, soul, R&B and rock 'n' roll... These powerful rhythms, whether live or recorded, will have you tapping your foot in no time. The adventure begins with the Chicago blues, followed by country in Nashville, rock in Memphis, the blues again in Clarksdale, and finally, jazz in the clubs of the New Orleans French Quarter.
Prices from £4,500 pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, transfers, car hire, some meals, guided tours and activities and 13 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3582 4990).
Everyone has heard of Bora Bora, but only a few are familiar with Fakarava and Rangiroa where people can experience exceptional dives, especially for shark lovers. Spend three weeks island-hopping with the chance to snorkel amongst humpback whales in Moorea for two days, followed by three days in Tikehau where there is the highest concentration of fish life of any lagoon in French Polynesia, with huge schools of paddle-snapper, barracuda and grey reef sharks. Next is Bird Island, where you'll learn about the abundance of flying creatures and onwards to the diving paradise of Rangiroa, where you can swim with resident bottlenose dolphins and do one of the most famous dives in the world; The Tiputa Pass. Lastly end at the most remote island Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Prices from £7,015 pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, transfers, all overland travel, guided tours and activities, meals and 19 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Diving (originaldiving.com, 020 7978 0505).
After three days in Bangkok, where you'll enjoy a private guided tour of the city's temples and a private boat trip to Don Wai, one of the oldest floating markets in Thailand, you'll escape the bustle for island life. Both islands Koh Samet and Koh Kood offer incredible beaches and crystal-clear waters – ideal for snorkelling and paddle boarding – but without the crowds you might find on the likes of Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan. Here, the emphasis is on good food, local culture, traditional villages and of course, R&R – the hotels have been chosen based on the privacy and peace and quiet they offer.
Prices from £4,500 pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all overland transport, guided tours and activities and 11 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3582 4990).
La Flaneuse du Nil
La Flaneuse du Nil is a perfect replica of the dahabiehs which date from the time of the pharaohs. The slender, flat-bottomed boat has recently moved from Lake Nasser on to the Nile, where it will not only visit the popular sights, but also takes in small villages and islands which other vessels are too big to access. These visits give a fascinating and exclusive insight into life on the Nile which very few visitors have the privilege to see. The boat has just seven cabins, including a suite with a private balcony at the stern. La Flaneuse du Nil has also just undergone a dramatic overhaul, with the installation of 48 solar panels on the sun deck meaning that she will run almost entirely without a generator from now on.
Prices from £4,800 pp, including flights, transfers and nine nights' accommodation, including a five-night all-inclusive cruise on La Flaneuse, one night's B&B in Luxor at the Winter Palace and three nights' B&B in Aswan at the Old Cataract. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Hilltop Hikes and Wildlife Watching in Italy's Hinterland
Italy is a country renowned for renaissance art and roman ruins, but few Brits explore its national parks and wildlife and they're missing out. Explore Abruzzo National Park, home to approximately 60 mammal species and 300 different bird species, with a local guide. You will have the chance to spot everything from deer and wolves to bears and wild boar. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to learn about the rewilding efforts in the area and the close connection between the local communities and the natural surroundings. Enjoy an overnight stay in a remote mountain refuge. This is a real highlight with the chance to be at one with nature as you cosy up in the simple yet comfortable lodge, tuck into a delicious dinner with local produce and fall asleep to the sound of howling wolves.
Original Travel's 8-day Wildlife Watching in Italy's Hinterland itinerary costs from £2,500pp, based on two sharing. The price includes all flights, transfers, some meals, guided activities and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.
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For more information contact:
020 3582 4990
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Notes to Editors:
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 by 31st March 2022 for departures until 31st December 2022, while you still need to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking, your final balance is now not due until 30 days before travel (this is usually 60 days). We will also offer you the full flexibility to change the trip up to 30 days prior to departure. You can, for any reason, change your destination to any other, and to any date up until the end of 2022, and there will be no charge. For all bookings where we cannot fulfil the trip due to changes in travel restrictions, we will postpone your trip - again at no charge - to any departure date until the end of 2022, 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.
Five of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2021 Travel Specialists list, including 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 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.
