Original Travel Leads 'Bonding Holiday' Travel Trend With Relaunched Collection

Bonding Holidays are one-on-one trips for just two family members - and they're on the rise. The increase in bookings from either parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, grown children and their elderly parents - and a manner of other combinations - has led Original Travel to relaunch its Bonding Holidays Collection, featuring itineraries designed to make the most of the precious one-on-one time.

The trend can be attributed to promises that were made in lockdown and are now coming to fruition ('when this is all over, we'll go to...'), making up for time lost to the pandemic or missing the time spent together during lockdown, now normality has resumed. Connecting over a shared interest or having a joint learning experience and discovering something new together are two common factors in these types of trips, as ways to facilitate a treasured bonding moment, away from the distractions of everyday life.

Tom Barber, Co-Founder of Original Travel says, 'Every bonding holiday is different, but we know what questions to ask, what solutions will work, and how to weave everything together into one terrific, entirely tailor-made, and unforgettable whole. We also know that children of different ages require radically different holidays; small children are naturally curious, they're keen to meet others, swap ideas and come back with horizons broadened. However, capturing the imagination of teenagers can be a challenge and requires an original approach, with each element carefully considered; so activities are fun, but out of the ordinary, and there's a balance between time alone to just hang out, and family time.'

Europe

Creating that perfect bonding experience is often about igniting your child's imagination and experiencing something completely new; such as an awe-inspiring husky-led expedition through the winter paradise of Lapland, under a sky blanketed by the Northern lights. Maybe for those older children that take a bit more convincing that family time can be fun, consider Barcelona by bike - a destination rich with Catalan culinary culture. Head out of the centre and cycle through the medieval towns, vineyards and olive oil groves of the Emporda; electrify your child's senses and form memories that can be revisited through their new favourite foods when you get back home.

Sample Package: Original Travel's six-day trip to Barcelona on Bikes prices from £3,030pp including return flights, transfers, five nights B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk

Asia

Asia is where geology meets dreams of adventure and allows your family to become explorers in remarkable landscapes. What better ways to bond than crab fishing in Vietnam's Halong Bay, daring each other to eat a meal of grilled locusts, or sleeping in the trees of Khao Sok National Park in Thailand. Children's imaginations will come to life as sail through archipelagos, meander through mangroves and swim in lagoons full of reef fish, creating emotive experiences that come straight out of a story book.

Sample itinerary: Original Travel's twelve-day trip to Thailand for Family Winter Sun prices from £3,700pp including return flights, transfers, eleven nights B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk

Africa

If your little one loves The Lion King, a safari in the Eastern Cape of South Africa will make all of their dreams come true. Couple that with some beach fun and a little bit of bush adventure you've got a bonding experience that is enlightening, exhilarating and enormous fun. Or head to Kenya and join the long-necked residents at Giraffe Manor for an unforgettable afternoon tea, and if you are lucky even get a quick kiss off one, a holiday memory you certainly will both cherish.

Sample package: Original Travel's nine-day trip to The Eastern Cape prices from £2,490pp including return flights, transfers, eight nights B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,  www.originaltravel.co.uk

Americas

Plunging your child into uncharted territories and guiding them through the unabashed beauty of Ecuador's Amazon and prehistoric landscapes teaches life lessons that could never be replicated at school, and bonds you through a shared learning experience. Overcoming challenges together that may arise in an adventure through the Galapagos archipelago will reward you with unforgettable stories that you will revisit for life. Or adopt an alternative way of living as cowboys and cowgirls in an American ranch, with bonding activities such as horseback riding, kayaking and zip-wiring that require teamwork and encourage confidence.

Sample Package: Original Travel's fourteen-day trip Family Ranching in the American West prices from £6,280pp including return flights, transfers, thirteen nights B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk

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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.

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.