About Us

Our story

The beginning

Original Travel’s launch in 2003 was a classic ‘three friends in a spare bedroom’ situation. The initial concept was simple - there was a niche for top quality holidays requiring little or no time off work, so as three fanatical travellers we came up with a portfolio of action-packed long weekends to original destinations, and The Big Short Break was born. Both the concept and the trips were favourably received and our appetite for innovation has since seen Original Travel launch a successful long-haul portfolio; a range of original family holidays and even two books; The Big Short Break and Dive in Style.

Developments

In early 2009 we acquired Tim Best Travel - luxury travel experts with a big reputation for knowing wonderful destinations off the beaten track in Africa, Latin America, Australia and India. Tim Best Travel started in 1994 at Tim’s dining room table (much smarter than a spare bedroom) and ever since clients have come to them for the high level of service, knowledge and attention to detail.

The tie-up brings together two market-leading tour operators who take great pride in the quality of their experience-led travel knowledge. A repeat and referral rate of nearly 80% is testament to our exceptional levels of customer service.