16 Apr 2020
We might be physically and metaphorically grounded at the moment, but that doesn't stop us visiting new and favourite places in our mind. Reread your travel journals, dig out your photo albums, get back in touch with your old backpacking buddies, and take a gander at these suggestions of playlists, books, TV shows, movies and more, that all come with an Original Travel guarantee to conjure up far-flung destinations around the world, all without leaving your living room.
The Playlist: Original Travel's own
We pride ourselves on our additional services, one of which is providing regionally specific playlists for all clients when they book a trip to listen to on the holiday and as a reminder when they're back home. These playlists are an eclectic mix that include pop, as well as tribal and traditional music. They have been evolving over the years because there are some true music fanatics in the Original Travel team who are constantly on the listen out for the best artists from around the world while on their research trips and holidays. With additional recommendations from our network of clued-up local Concierges around the world, the playlists are the ever-evolving end product of this collaboration. Normally we only share a link to the relevant of the seven playlists (North America, Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Africa & the Middle East, Asia and Australasia) on Spotify and/or Deezer when clients book a trip, but during the lockdown we're making these playlists public for anyone to enjoy. We're also taking recommendations, so share away!
Spotify links (Deezer links available on request)
The Book: The Great Railway Bazaar, by Paul Theroux
Original Travel also supplies a suggested destination-specific reading list for every trip booked, so best travelogue is a hotly-contested topic at our offices and we have just published a blog on the very subject:https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/blog/best-travel-writing. However, as big fans of rail travel ourselves (we have recently launched a new collection of rail-only itineraries), if pushed we would plump for The Great Railway Bazaar. The premise itself is beautiful in its simplicity: 'it was my intention to board every train that chugged into view from Victoria Station in London to Tokyo Central, and to come back again via the Trans-Siberian Express', and Theroux's love of trains chimes with our own Original Travel belief that this is the most civilized of all forms of travel. We couldn't put it quite as eloquently as American-born Theroux, though, in one of the finest of all opening sentences. 'Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it.' But as so often in travel writing, it's the people and not the places that shine. As Theroux again puts so well. 'I sought trains. I found passengers.'
Start plotting your own train journey, with Original Travel's rail collection: www.originaltravel.co.uk/collections/travel-europe-train
The Film: Lost in Translation (2003)
Tokyo's most colourful and vibrant districts, Shinjuku and Shibuya, provide the backdrop for the cult classic, Lost in Translation. The film's locations were vital metaphors in the story, representing the characters' different personalities, with the calm ambience of the Park Hyatt contrasting with the energetic and vibrant streets below. It's totally absorbing and stands up to multiple viewings, so if you need to escape into a foreign world for a while, this is our top recommendation. For more film ideas, visit: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/blog/film-and-tv-locations-around-the-world. Lost in Translation is currently available on Netflix.
Original Travel's 12-day Highlights of Japan adventure is perfect for film buffs and other culture vultures. It takes in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Miyajima. Prices from £4,130 per person, including flights, transfers, accommodation and tours as per the itinerary. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/highlights-japan
The Boxset: The Trip (Greece)
Series four of The Trip, takes Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon's bickering and one-upmanship to Greece on a discovery of the country's great philosophers and of course, cuisine. Their visits to ancient temples and local meals in stunning seaside settings are a feast for the eyes and an ode to what is a favourite holiday destination for many of us Brits. The Trip is currently available on Sky Boxsets.
When you are able to, you can follow in their footsteps on Original Travel's new six-night food and philosophy tour. The tour of mainland Greece and Hydra takes in two of the filming locations on a six-night trip which costs from £1,810 per person, based on two sharing and including six nights' accommodation, return flights, transfers, car-hire and all guided activities with Original Travel (020 3582 4990/www.originaltravel.co.uk).
The Documentary: Blue Planet
In all fairness, we could have chosen any Attenborough series for this, but as such fans of the underwater world, we had to give our vote to Blue Planet. Original Diving, the only luxury dive operator in the UK, joined forces with the Assistant Producer of Blue Planet II when it launched, to bring the series to life and talk about ways to visit some of the filming locations and meet some of the on-screen stars. It remains one of the most successful client events to date and you can read all about our favourite dive locations featured in the series here: https://www.originaldiving.com/blog/blue-planet. Blue Planet (I and II) is currently available on Netflix.
The Wine: A cheeky Beaujolais
The senses of sight and sound are well taken care of above, but we haven't forgotten about taste and smell, perhaps the most evocative of the senses. Lots of virtual wine tastings are springing up on zoom, including some by top restauranteurs and their resident sommeliers, so how better to spend an evening in lockdown than learning about some fine French wine, a cheeky Beaujolais perhaps? It's the perfect way to gen up before you're able to visit France's vineyards again, ideally on Original Travel's Gastrainomic rail tour. The seven-night round trip combines several of the finest culinary destinations in Europe including Bordeaux for wine tasting, Madrid, Seville to sample tapas in the city that invented and perfected the concept, Barcelona to sample pica-pica, the Catalan equivalent of tapas and Lyon, the culinary capital of France (which is saying something) for serious cuisine and wine tasting in underrated Beaujolais. From Lyon whizz to Paris in time for one last classic bistro lunch before the Eurostar back to London. D
This gastrainomic trip starts from £3,655 per person with Original Travel (020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk). The price is based on two sharing and includes all train tickets, one night in Bordeaux, one in Madrid, three in Seville, one in Barcelona and a final night in Lyon.
