17 May 2021
From the Isle of Wight to Scotland, more schools than ever before are offering a two-week half-term - rather than the traditional one week - in October, enabling plenty of families to still enjoy a big overseas holiday, despite the disappointing list of Green List destinations recently announced by the government.
With so many question marks over international travel for the summer, a two-week October half-term offers a great alternative for this year's main family holiday. Even better, October is a great time to visit some destinations which are either too hot, too busy or out of season in the British summer.
Original Travel has pulled together its favourite family-friendly itineraries in destinations that are perfect for visiting in October, based on recommendations from its Founder, Tom Barber. Tom is Conde Nast Traveller's Top Family Travel Specialist for 2021 and a father of four. His top recommendations are: Morocco, Oman, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Sri Lanka.
Barber says: 'Having four kids helps me “road test” trips and destinations and they also provide very useful feedback from a child's perspective on things I almost certainly wouldn't have considered (flavours of ice cream missing from the restaurant menu, for example!). We call them the “Guinea Kids”, and with this sort of insight, I'm confident that these trips are the best of the best for an unforgettable family holiday. For what it's worth, we're planning a road trip in Oman. I can't wait!
'Happily, we also know from our recent survey* that many people (37% of respondents) have holiday allowance carried over from 2020, 40% of whom have more than eight extra days. This allows for a longer-than-usual October half term break, even for those who have booked a UK staycation for the summer.'
With its bustling markets, golden beaches and snake charmers, Morocco is the most exotic destinations within easy reach of the UK, and so the perfect adventure for all the family. On a ten-night trip combine the vibrant city of Marrakech with a trek through the Atlas Mountains on a family friendly walking adventure (with donkeys carrying your clobber) and camel rides along the beach in Essaouira.
Prices from £1,345pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all overland transport and 10 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3582 4990).
On this fantastic family adventure in Oman the family will enjoy exciting 4x4 rides through rugged mountain terrains and swimming in sinkholes. You'll visit souqs, forts and fishing ports, go on a dolphin search cruise, ride a camel through the desert and stay overnight in a Bedouin-style camp.
Prices from £3,560pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all overland transport and 10 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3582 4990).
Experience the best of southern Spain on this road trip around Andalucia. Learn to dance the flamenco, spot wildlife on a hike through Donana National Park, and sample sherry (parents only, obviously) at a family-run vineyard.
Prices from £2,350pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, car hire and 8 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3582 4990).
Exploring Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia and Bodrum
Explore Turkey in all its glory on this amazing 12-day trip. From Istanbul, a treat for all senses, to the dramatic mountainous landscape of the Cappadocia region, home to surreal 'fairy chimney' rock formations, troglodyte rock-hewn houses and ghost towns, the whole family will be ready for five days of downtime in beautiful Bodrum at the end of the trip. Plenty of time to enjoy its sandy beaches and the gorgeous, blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
Prices from £3,835pp, 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).
If your kids haven't already studied the Egyptians at school, they soon will, especially with 2022 being the 100th anniversary of the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb. Get ahead of the curve with this nine-day Egyptian Adventure, filled with stories of mummies and treasure, taking in the temples, pyramids and monuments of Cairo and Aswan. Sail on the Nile and drive into the desert for adventures you will never forget.
Prices from £1,760pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, all overland transport, guided tours and activities and 8 nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3582 4990).
Enrol the children on the Young Rangers course at Wilpattu National Park, go on game drives and bush walks and watch the children learn to surf while you sunbathe on the south coast's beautiful beaches. This 13-day family friendly itinerary to Sri Lanka has been designed to keep the kids entertained and busy, giving parents a chance to kick back and relax.
Prices from £3,105pp, 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).
All holidays include Original Travel's exclusive additional services, which come as standard on every trip. Brilliant at the best of times, these services are completely indispensable when travelling with children. Check-in assistance, fast track security and lounge access (even if you're flying economy) at UK airports, and access to our network of clued-up local Concierges in each destination to recommend toddler-friendly restaurants or where to take teens on those rainy days, all help make the trip as smooth as possible.
We also work closely with much-loved children's party people Sharky & George who tailor-make our travel packs of games and goodies for children aged 3-10, and with Oppidan Education, a mentoring firm with whom we have created a series of travel-themed online learning modules based around the destinations above. Running in September as live workshops via Zoom, they will help a child learn about the country before they visit.
We also provide a dedicated Help Our Holiday (HOH) emergency service. If the children are getting restless at any time on the holiday, text or email and we'll suggest additional tips for great games and activities.
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For more information contact:
020 3582 4990
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Notes to Editors:
*The survey was completed by 210 respondents in February 2021. The survey was sent in an email newsletter to all clients and also shared on Original Travel social channels.
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 between now and 31st July 2021, and 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 and is staffed by a team that includes a dive instructor, a dive master and a marine biologist. Having completed more than 3,000 dives in over 50 countries, equating to over 100 years' collective diving experience, the team pride themselves on their unparalleled expertise and knowledge of the best dive destinations across the globe.
Five of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2021 Travel Specialists list, giving an excellent snapshot of our expertise. Co-founder, Tom Barber, is named as a family specialist, Jacqui Brooks as an Indonesia specialist, Oliver Rodwell as a Mexico specialist, Louisa Fisher as a diving specialist and Matt Shock as a safari specialist.
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-minutechangesand 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.
