Published 28th Jun. 2021
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Original Travel Turns 10!
Once upon a time... Our story began back in 2003; a classic 'three friends in a spare bedroom' scenario. The three co-founders Alastair Poulain, Nick Newbury and Tom Barber spotted a niche in the travel industry for high quality short breaks requiring minimal time off work but offering maximum experience. Using their knowledge and passion for travel, the three came up with a portfolio of action-packed long weekends to original destinations, and The Big Short Break was born.
What we've achieved
Hungry to grow, Original Travel went on to launch a successful long-haul portfolio; a range of original family holidays and has published even two books; The Big Short Break and Dive in Style. In addition we've joined forces with the wonderful Tim Best Travel and Simoon Travel teams, launched Original Diving and a home-grown UK travel arm and in the process won a number of highly regarded travel awards. Best of all, though, is that warm and fuzzy feeling we get from the knowledge that we have made a lot of people, from rockstars to royalty and everyone in between, very happy with their precious holidays.
Happy Birthday!
To celebrate our 10 year anniversary we've compiled ten blogs; each a '10 best...' or '10 most...' theme. Clever, no? The blogs will share with you some of the things we've enjoyed, done, learnt and experienced over the past ten years. We hope you enjoy them, and a big warm thank you to all of you have helped us get where we are today. First up? The 10 Best Big Short Breaks. We hope you enjoy them!
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Soaked in sunlight, suncream and ice-cream, August is brimming with holiday spirit, particularly for us in the Northern Hemisphere. The only problem? Figuring out how – and where – to savour it. From balmy breaks on the French Riviera to far-flung forays into Singapore’s concrete jungle, there’s no shortage of places to dial up the heat and bask in holiday bliss before autumn rolls around. So, to whet (or should we say warm?
18th May 2026 - Travel Inspiration
Tucked away in the shadow of Mallorca, Menorca is often overlooked in favour of its flashier neighbour. A shame because, for those willing to steer off the well-trodden track, there’s a medley of marvels to be found. This is exactly what our Co-Founder and Brand Director, Tom Barber, discovered on his trip to Menorca, which he spent tracing the deep history and quiet allure of this bashful Balearic island.
13th May 2026 - Spain Travel Inspiration
Like all continents, North America is vast and varied, but its countries share a key similarity: the sheer size of their landmass. From Canada’s rocky regions to America's plentiful plains and Mexico’s sun-soaked swathes – there’s no shortage of ground to cover. With an abundance of sprawling landscapes and beautiful vistas, the best way to soak it all in is by train travel. But which trips to choose?
7th May 2026 - Travel Inspiration
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
