A new pattern of travel planning is emerging. Gone are the days of the traditional two-to-three-month lead time – jet setters are now falling either side of the spontaneity spectrum. While last-minute bookings are booming, so are future trips as far away as 2030 (to catch the solar eclipse in Namibia, if you’re curious). We’ve dubbed this phenomenon the Concertina Effect, reflecting both the new stretched and squeezed booking windows.
18th August 2025 - Travel Trends
Last week, we were delighted to learn that we have been nominated for the ‘Best Luxury Tour Operators’ category in The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025. While we’re honoured to have been nominated for the fourth year on the trot, it would be fantastic to come out on top this year: so, if we’ve had the pleasure of crafting an unforgettable holiday for you, we’d love it if you would vote for us.
5th August 2025 - Travel Trends
Calling all night owls – the late shift just got a whole lot more interesting. Dubbed ‘Noctourism’, this new nocturnal travel trend is all about exploring destinations beyond their cocktail bars and casinos. From stargazing in Spain to night hikes in the Costa Rican jungle, there’s a whole world to discover after the lights go out. Torches at the ready? Let’s hope you’re not afraid of the dark... Stargazing in Spain Jungle hiking in Costa Rica Night safari in Botswana Bioluminescence in Cambodia Petra by candlelight Stargazing in Spain Thanks to light pollution in urban areas,
5th June 2025 - Travel Trends
With the myriad pressures of the modern world, it’s no wonder that people are increasingly looking to switch off when they travel. From remote yoga retreats to digital detoxes, wellness-focused holidays are on the rise. And yet, you might be left wondering: what is all the fuss about? One of our India holiday specialists, Frances, wanted to find out for herself, so she booked a five-night stay at Six Senses Vana in Dehradun, India.
25th February 2025 - India Travel Trends
Sometimes films feature such striking locations that we can’t resist the urge to visit. It’s a concept known as set-jetting, and with this year’s Oscars showcasing sensational corners of the planet, who wouldn’t want to sprinkle a little movie magic on their travels? From the sweeping Namibian deserts in Dune: Part Two to hidden corners of Anora’s New York, read on for some of our favourite set-jetting destinations.
20th February 2025 - Travel Trends
We’ve always tried to be one step ahead of travel trends, and 2025 is no different. When it comes to deciphering what’s ‘in’, what’s ‘out’ and what’s worth paying attention to, the Original Travel team have their fingers firmly on the pulse. If you’re hoping to stay ahead of the curve, then read on to find out what’s hot, and what’s not, in travel right now. What’s hot? Michelin Eurostars We’re loco about Eurostar’s new premium dining menu.
29th January 2025 - Travel Trends
We like to stay ahead of the curve – we are Original Travel, after all. Our team is always looking to the future and using their combined expertise to predict which trends will be rocking the travel industry in the year to come. From K-culture in South Korea and exciting new properties in Nepal to Summer Sabbaticals and holidays centred around simple pleasures, read on for the lowdown on the 2025 travel trends.
10th December 2024 - Travel Trends
Travel hotspots are all too familiar with the price of popularity. Overtourism has seen Venice turn from cobbled to clogged, its once quaint waterways now reminiscent of rush-hour traffic jams. Luckily, the world is wide, and destination dupes are here to take the pressure off popular locations (and provide you with an equally as gorgeous getaway). How about swapping Bali’s bustling beaches for Lombok’s laid-back landscapes?
10th July 2024 - Travel Trends
Fun? Too obvious. It’s all about Type II Fun now, where the actual doing might not feel like fun (like climbing a mountain or going white-water rafting), but the feeling after is pure exhilaration and an overwhelming sense of achievement. They’re the experiences that challenge you in the moment but are fun to reminisce about afterwards and often make the best travel tales. Read on for a selection of our favourite destinations around the world for some Type II Fun – Original Travel style.
30th April 2024 - Travel Trends
If not now, when? Whether you like the phrase or not, everyone has some sort of notional bucket list. It might be scribbled in a notebook, pinned on a map or simply floating free-form in the back of your mind, but there are some things we’d all love to experience. The problem? Many of those experiences don’t have a deadline attached, so it’s tempting to put them off. But no longer. In 2024 some of the world’s most amazing experiences are, as the French say, à point.
1st February 2024 - Travel Trends
While there are plenty of strange places in the world created by humans over the years, there is something about Mother Nature’s weird and wonderful creations that is mind-boggling and almost unfathomable to our human brains. Whether it’s a Jurassic-esque escarpment of spire-shaped rocky outcrops, lava so blue that surely only aliens could create it or a salt plain so wide and expansive that you are the only human being to be seen for miles.
16th September 2022 - Travel Trends
In an era of infinite flight paths and overtourism, there’s an increasing awareness of how travel is impacting our planet and a growing desire to travel better (a trend we wholeheartedly champion with our ‘Travel Less, Travel Better’ philosophy). No-fly holidays involve swapping planes for trains and wings for wheels, allowing you to explore a new country and culture, while also minimising your impact on the environment.
17th June 2022 - Travel Trends
Just as dopamine dressing is about using bright coloured clothing to boost your wellbeing, ‘Dopamine Travel’ is about choosing colourful destinations with vibrant sights, smells and sounds to enhance your happy hormones and increase feelings of euphoria. As travel picks up post-pandemic, travellers are seeking a holiday of a lifetime, something to remember and an experience to share with friends and loved ones.
3rd May 2022 - Travel Trends
With the extra admin involved with travel these days (what we like to call ‘travmin’), it’s no wonder that there’s a growing trend to opt to explore one destination in depth, rather than packing multiple countries into one holiday. This allows for a deeper and richer experience, in keeping with our Travel Less, Travel Better ethos, meaning you’ll come back feeling well-travelled, even with just a single stamp in your passport.
25th February 2022 - Travel Trends
Travellers are always looking for new ways to explore their favourite destinations. Trust us, we get it. Thanks to our expert team of travel specialists and network of clued-up Concierges who have the inside track of their country, we can help craft truly original trips to classic hotspots like Italy, the USA, or - our personal favourite - Egypt. Rather than a short break to Venice, consider a wildlife spotting trip in Italy’s hinterland, or swap a classic Californian road trip for an exploration of the Deep South.
18th February 2022 - Travel Trends
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 fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
