We travel for lots of different reasons: to relax, to learn, to take on a challenge, to eat well; the list goes on, but there's now another fast-growing reason to roam - Heritage Travel. If you were to drill down to the essence of why foreign travel is so important, it's because seeing other places, and other ways of life, helps you broaden your horizons and gain an understanding of how others think and feel. With the emergence of family history studies and DNA tests we are ever more able to find out who we are and where we're from. Visiting somewhere your heritage investigations say you hail from is the perfect way to put yourself into context in the wider world. Done properly (which of course it would be with us) this sort of tailor-made trip can be a profoundly moving experience.

Heritage Travel Ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

  • One Country USA – Washington DC

    A Big Short Break in Washington DC - Discovering America’s Political Capital

    Wander Washington D.C. on this six-day adventure in America’s iconic political capital

    6 days, from £1450 to £2350

  • One Country Italy – Florence

    A Cultural Break in Florence - Art and Architecture on the Banks of the Arno

    Immerse yourself in Florence’s culture on this four-day break, discovering Renaissance architecture and timeless art along the Arno

    4 days, from £1800 to £2350

  • One Country Turkey – Cappadocia – Istanbul

    Cappadocia and Istanbul - From Cave Churches to the Blue Mosque

    Spend one week exploring two sides of Turkey, from Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes to Istanbul’s vibrant city life

    7 days, from £2300 to £3000

  • One Country Italy – Tuscany – Florence – Siena – San Gimignano – Lucca – Pisa

    The Treasures of Tuscany - Exploring Historic Cities & Hilltop Towns

    Spend eight days soaking up classic Tuscany, blending art, landscapes and authentic Italian flavours

    8 days, from £2700 to £4300

  • One Country Canada – Nova Scotia – Cape Breton Island – Lobster Bay

    Colonial Towns and Coastal Fun - The Grand Tour of Nova Scotia

    Hop from bay to bay on the serene shores of Nova Scotia, enjoying coastal adventures and cultural insights along the way

    16 days, from £3300 to £4300

  • One Country Italy – Emilia Romagna – Parma – Ravenna – Bologna

    A Roman Road Trip - Emilia-Romagna via Via Emilia

    Spend five indulgent days in Emilia-Romagna, discovering Italy’s rich history and unforgettable local flavours

    7 days, from £3350 to £4350

  • One Country Colombia – Bogota – Villa de Leyva – Barichara – Medellin – Mompox – Cartagena

    Colonial Architecture, Urban Art and Coastal Bliss - History and Culture in Colombia

    From charming colonial towns to mesmerising urban art, discover Colombia’s rich heritage and culture on this two-week adventure

    15 days, from £3700 to £5100

  • One Country Albania – Greece – Tirana – Berat – Gjirokaster – Sarande – Corfu

    Ottoman Cities and Ionian Coast - A Journey from Albania to Greece

    Set off on an 11-day Mediterranean adventure, dipping between the pretty plains of Albania and gorgeous Greece

    11 days, from £3950 to £5100

  • One Country Bhutan - Thimphu - Punakha - Paro

    Essential Bhutan - From Thimphu to the Tiger's Nest

    Journey through Bhutan’s western valleys, from Thimphu to Punakha and Paro, exploring dzongs, mountain passes and monastery-dotted landscapes

    10 days, from £4400 to £6000

Heritage Travel by country

DNA Travel
The development of quick, easy and cheap DNA test kits is - in our humble opinion - one of the great scientific breakthroughs of recent years. Spit in a test tube (or swab your cheek), post it off to the lab and within a few weeks you should have an accurate idea of your DNA lineage. It's pretty remarkable technology, and hopefully you'll discover some excitingly exotic genealogical connection to a part of the world you had no idea you were linked to. In order to provide our clients with the best DNA holiday experience, we've partnered with one of the finest DNA testing companies in the world, the UK's very own Living DNA. Founder Hannah Nicholson says 'we are excited about DNA Travel and our partnership with Original Travel. When people see their personal ancestry results, and how many places of the world they come from - it can spark a curiosity and interest that can lead to us seeing just how connected we all are. Bringing this information to life through a tailor-made trip to visit where your ancestors come from helps put your results into context and provides an incredible purpose to seeing and exploring the world. We are so excited to further support people to understand more about themselves.'

Genealogical Travel
While DNA testing is a great way to discover some unrealised connection to interesting and intriguing places around the world, DNA results tend to offer quite top-level information, such as telling you you're 17% Scandinavian (which, as a Brit, is a sure sign of Viking ancestors). If you get the ancestry bug big time - like millions around the world - you might want to drill a little deeper into your family tree to unearth more details from birth certificates, death records etc. You can then visit the actual places your ancestors lived. We work with a number of expert 'genies' (genealogists) who can help you put the pieces of your genealogical jigsaw together, which we can then use to tailor-make a journey of discovery. There's something particularly poignant about visiting the street where an ancestor grew up or tracing the graveyard where they might be buried.

Grandma Memory Travel
Less scientific than the above, but also often a gold mine of information (and a good excuse to go visit) is speaking to any ageing relatives to find out if there are any interesting international connections. Grandma's throw away remark about when great-grandfather Reginald lived in Madurai in India might turn into an epic voyage of discovery, and with our unparalleled network of contacts around the globe we can always help unveil information and help tailor a trip around your ancestral history.