After the post-Christmas wind-down weeks and the January blues, many families look forward to a trip away for February half term to re-energise and reset. February half term 2021 may look a little different, but while we may not be able to enjoy an actual escape from the British winter this…
Every year, the World Happiness Report is released, revealing the list of the happiest countries in the world. These are destinations where people feel safe and secure, there is a strong community spirit, and work and life are actually in balance. This year, the Nordic countries have…
With coronavirus spiking and the government rushing to roll out a vaccination programme, it's difficult to think too far ahead at the moment. That said, there will be a time soon - perhaps as early as spring - when we can travel again, and Europe is likely to be an extremely popular…
Travel is an activity that activates all the senses - especially the taste buds. Whether it's just-caught lobster in Nova Scotia, a rich and creamy pasta dish in Italy, or a little bit of everything in foodie haven, Melbourne, feasting on local delicacies is a great way to sink your teeth…
These days it seems like there's a podcast for everything, and anyone who's anyone seems to have launched their own podcast during lockdown. So to save you wading through the sea that is the podcast library, here are our top picks for the best travel podcasts for when you need a dose of escapism...
With lockdown ending, vaccines coming along like London buses and quarantine restrictions slashed, things are finally looking up. They're also moving fast, which tends to throw up more questions than answers. Enter the cavalry (that's us). Granted, we can't untangle the complications of…
One of the best things about travel is the full spectrum of experiences on offer. There are city tours and cooking classes for those who crave culture; riding safaris and kayaking excursions for the adrenaline junkies; and then there are the wildlife experiences which can include everything…
Sick of endless Black Friday emails, ads and pop-ups? Ticked off as to why the UK has even picked up this Thanksgiving-specific consumer culture from our American friends in the first place? Us too. That's why we're boycotting Black Friday and celebrating Green Friday instead. In short,…
It's no secret that North America does autumn well, and we have previously written about our favourite spots across the continent to admire the 'fall' colours. This time around, we are going to look into the best autumn destinations in Europe that are perfect for a spot of leaf-peeping...
The winter months ahead may look a little bleak, but with news of a potential vaccine, it feels like there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel. We know how to make that light a little brighter still. We've always been interested in the psychology of travel, and in particular the…
Feeling overwhelmed trying to plan the perfect day in New York? Big Apple enthusiast and Original Travel Content Manager, Susie Thorne, tells us exactly what to do with 24 hours in New York to get the best out of this vibrant and culture-filled city.
New parents: welcome to the exciting world of family travel. You may have to make a few (temporary) compromises to your travel habits, but we're here to help with the transition. What you're ideally looking for at this nascent stage is child-friendly hotels that are also wonderfully parent…
New parents: welcome to the exciting world of family travel. You may have to make a few (temporary) compromises to your travel habits, but we're here to help with the transition. What you're ideally looking for at this nascent stage is child-friendly hotels that are also wonderfully parent…
I'm no Professor Brian Cox, and I'm not about to start banging on about antimatter, circumstellar discs and magellanic clouds (although they all sound marvellous), but there are few greater feelings than the sense of wonderment that comes with tipping your head back and gazing up at the…
As the world opens up again for travel, we're willing to bet that road trips are going to be the big summer trend. If you're planning a driving holiday in Europe there's a lot to consider, from destinations to driving routes and from packing essentials to memorable activities along the way.…
With the world on lockdown and fun family get-togethers a thing of the past, we're willing to bet that the moment the restrictions are lifted, families far and wide will be desperate for a foreign holiday, bringing together the whole clan for a sunny escape. While we may not be able to go…
Venue - check. Rings - check. Cake - check… What's missing? The honeymoon! Let's be honest (although we may be slightly biased), it's one of the most important parts of the whole wedding process. If you're seeking inspiration for that perfect post-wedding getaway, why not look a little…
Responsible travel, sustainable travel, eco-travel - call the concept what you will, but these buzzwords are making waves, and with good reason. We all want to safeguard our beloved planet, but we don't want to (and shouldn't) give up travel altogether, so how can we create the conditions…
[fil-an-too-ri-sem] noun. A mash-up of philanthropy and tourism. The act of choosing a holiday or experience in order to support a destination in need of tourism.
From remote wildernesses to hectic metropolises, often one of the greatest experiences to have whilst travelling is to lose all sense of time and direction and get thoroughly caught up in your new surroundings. Enter one of our areas of expertise - unique holidays - and some of our absolute…
While some of us are bursting to escape the quiet and re-join the crowds again after being in some sort of lockdown for the past few months, many of us are dreaming of prolonging the relative solitude with a break away from the crowds in a remote little corner of the world. If you're in the…
He's only gone and done it again. In his documentary last night Extinction: The Facts, Sir David Attenborough focussed on the impact of climate change on animal extinction, and made a powerful plea for us all to do our bit to help support wildlife conservation. We've been having the…
They always say that you shouldn't meet your idols. In travel terms, Antarctica has been that idol for me; ever-present at the top of my bucket list. The question was - could it live up to my extremely high expectations?
The days of the Grand Tour may have passed, but 60 million people visited Italy in 2017, and you can bet that a significant chunk of them (according to a very scientific straw poll at Original Travel HQ) went to Florence or Rome, or both. Since both cities are prime Big Short Break territory…
Travelling around Norway from Oslo to Bergen is no mean feat; a landmass so speckled with mountains and fjords that everywhere you turn it's impossible not to be awed by the staggering and dramatic landscapes that surround you. And there are several modes of exploration available, from boats…
Cast aside any visions of fancy lodges and manicured camps, sometimes the best experiences come in more basic packages, which is exactly what I got when mobile camping in Botswana; just me, my tent, a long drop and a camp fire...
Vast deserts, towering mountains, infinite salt pans and endless game, who wouldn't want to drive around the world's second least populated country? Our resident ex-safari guide, Matt, explains why he thinks Namibia is the world's best destination for a self-drive safari.
Many people consider a cruise boat when contemplating a trip to Egypt… I can honestly say I've found the boat to do this: the one and only steam ship to ply the Nile, the SS Sudan is beyond compare and stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Baking bread, whittling wood, fermenting vegetables, sewing our own clothes, growing a herb garden… in our modern and convenience-focussed lives, there is something infinitely satisfying about getting back to basics and learning the skills that our ancestors used in their everyday lives.…
Does your ideal holiday involve spending your days weaving through winding streets, coiffing coffee and local eats at hidden restaurants and immersing yourself in a completely new city? Then you've come to the right place. Here is our definitive list, which took much refining, of our…
The beauty of an Italian road trip is that the relatively small size of the country means journey times are kept to manageable lengths (meaning the risk of map-related arguments is, critically, also kept to a minimum). The other beauty is, well, the beauty. Few countries offer such stunning…
Sweden brings far more to the table than just the delights of Ikea and Abba, with its culture, nature and cuisine all providing some unforgettable experiences, be it during winter in Lapland or summer in Stockholm. So, start working your way through our top five experiences in Sweden as an…
Sometimes the best way to really get to the heart of a place is by heading to a local market for a spot of shopping. Witnessing the various ways that locals try and bag themselves the best deals, with frantic arm waving and price haggling, is often something quite extraordinary. So, here are…
In musical terms (stay with me), the phrase "deep cuts" refers to the true gems that are found later in an album; these tracks offer the same musical style of a given artist but don't ever make their way into the public consciousness. The music of true music lovers, if you will. Well, the…
Greece has long been a favourite destination of ours, equally brilliant both for honeymooners looking for a tranquil escape, and for families avoiding the rain of the English summer. So, we have put together a list of our top five best experiences in Greece, ranging from monasteries on the…
Re-use, reduce, recycle. We all know the huge importance of conserving and protecting our beautiful planet, and we all try to do our bit to help the environment and to reduce both our energy use and waste (Kenya and Rwanda are away ahead of us by the way, banning the use of plastic bags…
