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The satisfying pop of a cork, the glorious glug of a bottle, the reassuring rattle of a cocktail shaker - whether it's a Virgin Mary, a classic G&T or a Bubble Bath Martini (lychee, poppy-seed, lavender, rose air and a rubber duck, obvs), a good drink at the end of a day spent by the…
We may have just enjoyed one of the most glorious summers in recent memory but come November we'll all be digging out the woolly jumpers, lining up our winter box-sets and - not to be too dramatic about it - wondering if we'll ever feel the warmth of the sun on our faces again. But fear not,…
Dynamic duos: think gin and tonic, French and Saunders, pineapple and pizza… okay, maybe not that last one, but the fact remains that some things are just better together - greater than the sum of their parts and thus elevated to legendary status (definitely not that last one, then). The…
After such a beautiful summer (/seriously sweaty heatwave), it's proving quite tricky to get our heads around the fact that it's actually over **sigh**. And how is it nearly time for Christmas again? The very idea of 2019 being just around the corner feels totally alien and yet here we are,…
For all the oenophiles out there, there is surely nothing greater than sitting back and sipping a glass of vino (or three) while also drinking in (sorry) a seriously stunning view. Well, luckily for us Brits, we don't have to travel far for our vino-with-a-view hit; Europe is home to some of…
Japan is one of our hottest destinations at the moment and, with a rather large rugby tournament fast approaching in 2019, it's only going to become more popular. Fortunately, we're on hand to make sure you very much catch the worm early doors and our experts can recommend the very best…
Kaixo (hello in Basque) and welcome to San Sebastian, or Donostia as it's known locally. The city is the capital of Spain's brilliant and ever so slightly batty Basque region. Here's all you need to know about this peaceful and beautiful city, with its miniature Rio de Janeiro vibe, complete…
Are you in need of a digital detox? Tell-tale signs that you are include checking your emails before you've even got out of bed in the morning, only looking up if it's to take a photo for Instagram and using 'just one more episode' as a maxim for life. If that sounds familiar then step this…
Let's face it, we Brits are obsessed with the weather; from constantly checking precipitation patterns to initiating temperature-related conversations at least thrice per day. So we hate to break it to you with the latest forecast but it's looking decidedly British. Wave goodbye to the…
Sometimes we need to take a step back and just remember we have no greater right to be here than any other animal - David Attenborough. No truer words, David. No truer words. And while the whole planet could benefit from subscribing to that school of thought, Africa particularly springs to…
We love a city that's recovered its mojo, and Bordeaux has most certainly done so. The grand 18th-century boulevards and buildings - paid for by the proceeds of the wine industry - spent decades down at heel until a recent sense of urban renewal lured young entrepreneurs back. Now, with the…
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…
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…
Here at Original Travel, we are always looking ahead with wanderlust and planning for our next worldwide adventure. We're pleased to say that we've sat down and looked deep into our crystal ball (the office globe) and are excited to share with you our hottest destinations to visit in 2018 -…
"It's not the destination, it's the journey" - said every cheesy, road to redemption reality show presenter ever. But they might just be on to something, you know. When the journey involves switch-back turns through epic mountains, cruising along sweeping coastlines or trundling through…
We all like to think of ourselves as free spirits, booking with glorious last-minute abandon and able to act on the spur of the spontaneous moment (that's not just us, right?). Well, sorry for being the fun police on this one but when it comes to travel, the impromptu you is missing out. You…
When it comes to original travel, we have quite literally put our name on it. From UFO-shaped treehouses hovering in the canopy of the Swedish wilderness to decadent tented camps above the clouds in the Canadian mountains, our band of intrepid Destination Experts have sought out the weird,…
Few things peak at the grand old age of 99, I certainly will not. Even fewer things pack a punch at 99. Finnish Lapland however is looking pretty marvellous and with temperatures of -20 over the winter it is only for the punchy.
When most people think of travelling to Italy, they picture the rolling hills of Tuscany, the waterways of Venice and the historic sites of Rome. Few would immediately think of Puglia, on the heel of Italy's boot, and yet it too has its fair share of lovely boutique hotels, beautiful…
Two things have become apparent over the course of this Great British Summer. Number one: the aforementioned "summer" has been deeply underwhelming; one minute we're baking in glorious sunshine and the next we're ducking for cover from torrential rain. Number two: Team GB has had an absolute…
India: A cacophony of moments all played in fast forward, with overlaying sounds; loud and jarring. Yes, the beauty lies in the impossible grandeur and elegance of the palaces and forts, but turn to the million rooftops they overlook, with a story beneath each one; each detail that gives…
The prospect of travelling to Slovenia was no small feat for a 4ft 11 solo traveller such as myself… what could I eat there (the most important question in any given scenario)? Do they even have proper shops? Will they understand me? Will I be safe? My dad isn't Liam Neeson, after all. What…
Indonesia is a destination that generally conjures images of beautiful Balinese beaches and eating, praying and loving à la Julia Roberts. And don't get me wrong that all sounds pretty fantastic but with over 17,000 islands spread across 3,000 miles, there's a fair bit more to explore in the…
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and a mere 250 miles off the coast of mainland Africa but it still remains a largely undiscovered corner of the continent. I've just returned and can really only describe it as the most fascinating and beautiful country I've ever been to.…
Asia expert Rachel Bailey went island hopping in Indonesia to uncover the best bits the country has to offer, and discovered that the 18,000-island-strong archipelago really does have something for everyone. Read on to find out what makes Indonesia an ideal luxury holiday destination...
Most popular during the summer (and quite rightly so), city breaks to the Swedish capital of Stockholm are the perfect mix of culture, restaurants, nightlife, and the beautiful surrounding nature. But the city is just as charming in winter.
Lydia Gard is a freelance writer specialising in luxury family travel, since having two boys she is determined to find truly luxurious places that celebrate rather than simply tolerate young families. In her first of 6 blogs Lydia talks us through the her top 5 toddler holidays...
First introduced by President Ulysses S. Grant, the US National Parks system began with Yellowstone National Park, an Original Travel favourite, and now includes 58 parks which protect approximately 52.2million acres of mountains, forests, and wilderness, not to mention the countless…
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.
Once the unsavoury dining choice of the broke backpacker or hippe local-wannabe, street food has come a long way in recent years. With several street food stalls around the world now being recognised with Michelin stars the concept of eating out of a paper carton on the side of the road has…
Family holidays in 2018 are an entirely different ball game to what they once were 'back in my day'. For starters, you've got everything from kids clubs offering football training from Chelsea FC and the opportunity to zip-line through the trees in the tropical paradise that is the…
The late Sir Roger Moore asked of a companion in the 1979 classic, Moonraker "How do you kill five hours in Rio if you don't Samba?", followed by suggestive pause and arching of eyebrow, naturally.
At the end of every year we love to take a look back at some of the amazing trips we've planned for our clients, and this year there have been some absolute stonkers. We're talking intrepid honeymoons, adventurous sabbaticals, secret beach breaks, fun-filled family getaways, cultural…
For some, mention the words 'Indonesia' or 'Bali' and images of barely clad Australians sprawling over Kuta beach, surfing by day and partying by night pop to mind. This may be the truth of some few areas yes, but there is so much more to Indonesia; an archipelago made up of over 17,000 islands...
Colombia - an absolute whopper of a country both geographically speaking (although it's no Brazil) and in terms of its diversity. It may forever remain synonymous with one particular resident (thanks, Narcos), however, on my trip to this colourful (in more ways than one) country I discovered…
Poised at the crossroads between the East African savannah and the Central African rainforest, Uganda has gone from being the 'pearl of Africa' (or so said a certain Winston Churchill), to something of a diamond in the rough (so said… us) as a result of a politically turbulent few decades…
Why do I love India so much? From the rich historic culture to the huge geographical diversity - they have it all from the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains to the deserts in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It doesn't matter how many times you visit India, there is always something new to discover;…
Scandinavia is a hugely popular holiday destination right now, and with good reason. We ourselves absolutely love the Nordic region (admittedly, a loose term in this blog including Iceland) and have developed self-diagnosed Scandimania: a love of all things Nordic. In this blog post we are…
Who else was totally enthralled by Joanna Lumley in India and Wild Alaska Live? Both gave fascinating insights into some of the most beautiful corners of our planet, and made us want to immediately grab our passports and head off in search of adventure. But what should we watch on the telly…
My time in the beautifully glamorous Italian Lakes and Tuscany, detailed in Part One of My Italian Odyssey: The Lakes and Tuscany, had sadly come to an end and it was time to pull myself away and 'solidier' on through my Italian road trip on to the seriously under-rated Emilia Romagna…
When we say Africa, you dig out the binoculars and khaki trousers and begin practising your best David Attenborough voice, right? Wrong! While safaris might hog most of the African holiday limelight, there is so much more to this supremely diverse continent, from mind-blowing scenery to…
I arrived into Cairo in the blazing Ramadan heat - normally I wouldn't advise going to Egypt during Ramadan however if you are prepared for things to be a little 'out of kilter' it shouldn't otherwise deter you from going. Egypt needs our support. Tourism has virtually dropped off since the…
I have just returned from my second visit to Vietnam and have come back loving it even more than last time. The country is spectacular, with such a variety of places to visit and explore. From dramatic terraced rice paddies, to beautiful beaches, bustling cities and UNESCO World Heritage…
The Swahili word safari, meaning long journey, was first introduced into the English language in the nineteenth century. Fast forward to 2015 and the term has come to represent a whole raft of bucket list experiences, from walking safaris to canoeing, horse riding and even flying.…
In musical terms (stay with us), 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…
Quite literally picture perfect, the settings of our favourite Hollywood blockbusters might often seem too beautiful to be true. But rest assured, in a world of CGI and Photoshop, there are still some locations that are film-worthy all on their own. To celebrate this week's Oscar week in Los…
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…
Don't panic, but Christmas is just 305 short days away **alarm bells start ringing**. While that might sound rather dramatic, Christmas and New Year are two of the most popular dates in the travel calendar and if you'd rather swap Brussels sprouts for beach scenes or awkward gatherings with…
There is an almost overwhelming list of possibilities of what to do on a holiday to Italy (besides eating your body weight in pasta and gelato), but lucky for you we've narrowed it down to a list of our top five ultimate Italian experiences that will make your holiday even more memorable.…
January is finally over and, boy, was it a long one. But winter ain't over yet, people. We still have to survive February. Lucky for you the Original Travel Department for Life Enhancement (sounds dangerous) has come up with a few key tactics for seeing out a seemingly endless winter.…
Between Storm No Name threatening to blow Britain away and Trump's assertions of his 'stable genius' credentials, January isn't exactly turning out to be a classic is it? There's only one thing for it: ignore January entirely and look determinedly ahead. And in particular look ahead to all…
Namibia - home to the world's oldest desert, highest sand dunes, largest underground lake and the largest population of free roaming cheetahs and black rhinos. Namibia is also the second least densely populated country on earth (after Mongolia), with a population of 2.2 million and a size…
The advent of a new year often brings with it dreams of transforming oneself into a fitter, healthier, more cultured, better organised and generally super-charged version of the previous year's self: new year, new you and all that jazz. But now that the New Year hangover has worn off and the…
On my eight day self-drive around Portugal I discovered how welcoming and generous the Portuguese are all across this diverse country...
I've just returned from an epic road trip through the USA's Deep South, a place of charming cities, sweeping mountains and musical marvels. Rather than try and put it into words, the best way to describe this region is actually in numbers…
Winter is coming. No, we haven't temporarily taken leave of our senses and this isn't a belated April Fool's. You did, in fact, read that correctly - we said winter. While summer hasn't really even kicked off yet (and who knows whether it will even make an appearance) news has reached us…
Latin America is a region of many characters; football is practically a religion; the steak is the best in the world (and the only vegetarian item you're likely to find on the menu is a mojito) and the jeans are very, very tight. It's also a continent awash with colour - from bright woven…
Did you know that 87% of couples get married just to have an excuse to go on a honeymoon? If that statistic seems high, it's because I just made it up. But that doesn't take away from the fact that your first holiday as newlyweds will be the most important trip you plan together. We…
Mauritius has long been considered one of the best destinations in the world for beach getaways; tropical climate, undisturbed coastline, calm and clear waters, and some thoroughly spoiling hotels. And while this is all true, there is so much to this Indian Ocean gem beyond the (admittedly…
When asked to picture their perfect holiday, many people's minds immediately hit the beach; warm white sand between the toes, sparkling azure waters and someone rather good-looking fanning you with a large palm leaf. And who are we to deny such glories? But here at Original Travel we're also…
FOMO. Otherwise known as fear of missing out - a modern-day interpretation of keeping up with the Joneses, if you will. Yep, this is is how trends start, be that donning the latest fashion item, brunching at the newest hotspot or exploring the destination of the moment. And when it comes to…
