For a long time, the average holiday in Portugal centred around the sun-soaked beaches and manicured golf courses of the Algarve. But today, Portugal can confidently challenge Spain and Italy as the host of some of Europe’s best city breaks. The warm Mediterranean climate, rich history and culture and delicious cuisine attract millions of visitors each year, with the country enjoying record-breaking tourism revenue in 2024.
4th December 2024 - Portugal Big Short Breaks
A city of redbrick and revolution, tea parties and trails, Boston is where America’s history was made and saved. So, naturally, it’s one of the country’s favourite cities (and a top destination for US holidays). Brimming with character and cobblestones, as well as a food scene that puts seafood centre stage, Boston truly feels like a home away from home. So, whether you're a history buff, foodie, sports fan or just a traveller wanting to be surprised, Beantown has you covered.
10th November 2023 - USA Big Short Breaks
A weekend away is calling your name. But where to go? If unique character, captivating culture and delicious cuisine are on your wish list, either Rome or Barcelona could be the one. So, will you be adventuring around the ancient sites with a belly full of pasta? Or gallivanting with Gaudí from tapas bar to beach? Let’s see who takes the crown in this contest of Continental favourites. Character Culture Cuisine Live like a Local Character The centre of the Roman Empire and the capital of modern-day Italy, Rome is a captivating clash of the classical and the contemporary.
13th September 2023 - Big Short Breaks
The Ancient Romans called it the ‘Eternal City’, believing the relentless power of their Empire meant Rome would go on forever. And although the Roman Empire might be a thing of the past, they were certainly onto something, as the capital of Italy remains as captivating as ever. Like all eternally enticing destinations, Rome receives millions of visitors each year (2.78 million at the last count in 2022).
8th August 2023 - Italy Big Short Breaks
Everyone thinks they know New York. They know its coffee shops thanks to Friends, its skyline and seasons thanks to Nora Ephron and its hardy locals thanks to films like West Side Story and Saturday Night Fever. But New York is far more than its movie star status. It is magnificent museums, secret gardens and rooftop parks, historic lighthouses and English-inspired villages. So, when you’re ready for your next bite of the Big Apple on a USA trip, forget the Empire State Building, Times Square and Brooklyn Bridge and head to these hidden gems in New York instead.
3rd August 2023 - USA Big Short Breaks
For Spaniards, the Madrid vs Barcelona debate is one that’s been going around in circles for generations. Any good madrileño or barceloniano will be sure to fight tooth and nail for the last word to confirm that their city – yes, theirs – wins at everything from football and food to culture and nightlife. And to be honest, we’d have a hard time crowning a champion out of the two – as they both do what they do best extremely well.
5th June 2023 - Big Short Breaks
Built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges over Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is like Venice’s sleek and chic Scandi sister. This quietly confident capital is blessed with beauty (some of it man-made, the rest courtesy of Mother Nature) and overflowing with places where you can shop, eat and dance until you drop, or simply pause and watch the world go by. Why visit Stockholm? Simply put, this sublime city has it all, and more.
28th March 2023 - Sweden Big Short Breaks
For many of us, five-day workweeks are the norm (and have been for more than 100 years). But thanks to a UK-wide programme that’s just finished piloting a four-day week, it may all be about to change. Of the 70 companies and 3,300 employees that signed up to the scheme, 86% of them have decided it should stay, citing enhanced productivity and a better work/life balance as the main reasons. This is music to the ears of our Big Short Breaks, who revel in pocket adventures.
4th November 2022 - Big Short Breaks
The city break comes into its own in autumn. Crowds thin and prices fall yet the season’s backdrop of warm blush colours make everything look like it’s been baked in gold. True, the days are short. But with a line-up of cities that boast some of the best bistros and boutiques in the world, you won’t have time to complain. Swap beaches for bars in Lisbon, bikinis for blankets in Copenhagen and sun loungers for strolls along the Seine in Paris.
20th October 2022 - Big Short Breaks
Known as the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, Florence can be forgiven for resting on its laurels. A city of enchanting, cobbled streets and utterly irresistible architecture that hold equally mesmerising masterpieces from the likes of Botticelli and Bronzino, Florence is where high culture and hopeless romanticism met and married. A long-lasting marriage it was to be, too, when UNESCO decided to wrap up the city in World Heritage status in 1982.
29th September 2022 - Italy Big Short Breaks
Brussels - the birthplace of the European Parliament, Jean-Claude van Damme and the Marmite of Christmas side dishes, the mighty sprout. Although this petite Belgian city is often overlooked as yet another boring administrative government centre, in reality Brussels is full to the brim with character, history and excellent food. Plus, with regular Eurostar trains running from London right to the heart of the city, it makes an excellent European weekend break by train.
28th June 2021 - Belgium Big Short Breaks
Let me take you back to where it all began for Original Travel, not with the US phenomenon of a week of wild partying during 'Spring Break' (although I can neither confirm nor deny that kind of behaviour), but with the Big Short Break. Adventures for those who are short on time but in search of a big experience - and with two Bank Holidays in May, now is the best time to plan a Big Short Break. How convenient.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
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 giving you a whistle-stop tour of our Scandi-highlights country by country, to help you decide which gem should be your next travel-pick.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
Lebanese not only talk the talk, they walk the walk... We arrived in Beirut... After an extremely sociable flight (they love a natter, those Lebanese) that left London after lunch, and arrived in Beirut a mere four hours later, and just in time for an evening cocktail. On arrival we were met and whisked off, Sex in the City style, in a fleet of BMW's to the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel. And what a hotel it is.
28th June 2021 - Lebanon Big Short Breaks
Four twenty-somethings with wanderlust in search of sun, fun, culture and gastronomy. One long weekend... Seville was the perfect choice for a Bank Holiday city break. Awe-Inspiring Architecture Seville is a city with something of a split-personality. It's a giant mish-mash of moorish, baroque and gothic architecture with a dash of the ultra modern thrown in there for good measure. Simply put, it's stunning.
28th June 2021 - Spain Big Short Breaks
Iconic, sun-drenched, laidback - Sydney is the cosmopolitan capital of New South Wales and a much-loved destination among Original Travellers. This week the city plays host to our very own Duke and Duchess of Sussex (plus baby bump), which got us thinking about how best to enjoy a crown jewels experience of the city. Well, hold onto your hats as we race you through a whistle-stop tour of Sydney's most exclusive experiences.
28th June 2021 - Australia Big Short Breaks
Don't worry. This isn't a blog about the dry as dust subject of European equivalence that was a hot topic during the first round of Brexit negotiations. We're talking about something far, FAR more interesting: namely the fact that you don't need to fly to the ends of the Earth to appreciate some of the planet's finest natural phenomena, wildlife and cultural curiosities. It turns out that at almost every turn there are European equivalents that are, in most cases, every bit as jaw-dropping or fascinating.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
Here's the bottom line: we work hard, we're busy, and we want to spend our free time doing something meaningful. Long and leisurely holidays exploring a destination are all well and good, but there's a lot to be said about a bite-sized trip that's chock full of experiences from start to finish and makes the most of every single minute away. The solution? Microadventures (aka 'Big Short Breaks'). All about packing maximum experience into minimum time, they're perfect for those of us looking for big adventures but who have precious little time.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
A wonderful new adventure... A troubled past I have recently returned from a research trip to the city of Plodiv and the Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria. Prior to the trip, my knowledge was slim to say the least, so off I set with no expectations and an open mind. Bulgaria's past has been tough: ruled by the Romans and the Byzantines for the most part of the first 10 centuries AD, subjugated to the Ottoman Turks from the mid 1300'sto the late 19th century, and then engulfed by the Soviet Union from the end of the Second World War until independence in 1989.
28th June 2021 - Bulgaria Big Short Breaks
I am a big fan of cities and Istanbul is now one of my favorites... Authentic and decadent I am a big fan of cities, and after a wonderful weekend in Istanbul I wonder why I've never been before. It's hectic like Cairo, fancy like Paris, authentic like Marrakech and decadent like Beirut. While many choose to stay in Sultanahmet - the old part of town, we picked upscale Nisantasi which is their equivalent of Chelsea.
28th June 2021 - Turkey Big Short Breaks
Been considering jetting off on a luxury holiday to Croatia? Well, half of me wants to keep this secret to myself - while the other half is so chuffed to have made the discovery that it wants to show off. Picturesque fishing village.. I'm in a tricky situation. You see, I recently went on holiday to a picturesque fishing village on the coast with the clearest sea imaginable, where the people are friendly, local wine isn't just drinkable but actually good, and there isn't one single British accent to be heard.
28th June 2021 - Croatia Big Short Breaks
If it's time you lack and not travel spontaneity a city break can be a quick fix for all those 'fear of missing out' woes. Here are our top 10 hotels for just such a break. Riad El Fenn, Marrakech Every sun seeker's secret weapon, Marrakech is a real goodie for winter sun and even summer sun (if you can handle the heat). El Fenn is hot, literally red hot, with the colour prominent throughout the traditional riad.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
I am blown away with my charming discoveries... I would go back in a flash I have wanted to visit Valencia for years having explored much of the south of Spain with my family but I had never had a chance. I couldn't wait any longer so I bought myself a cheap easyjet flight and flew out in June combining it with a few days in Mallorca. I had heard about the fantastic Fallas festival in March, the Tomatina festival in August and the excitement around the Americas Cup all of which take place in and around Valencia but I wasn't sure what else I would find.
28th June 2021 - Spain Big Short Breaks
Following on from part one, Judy walks us through her experiences of the wonderful Moroccan markets and souqs and gives a few tips on how to haggle. Souq: a labyrinth of colour Suitably fortified from breakfast the next morning, we set off and plunged into the labyrinth of colour, noise and smell that is the souq, passing small stalls with pigs feet hanging up, sheep heads and feet on a table, miserable chickens in cages being dispatched amid much squawking, keeping an eye out for bicycles, donkey carts, hand carts and mopeds.
28th June 2021 - Morocco Big Short Breaks
With most European countries just a stone's throw away, it can feel like us Brits already know our neighbours like the back of our hand. Well, we are here to tell you otherwise. If you're in the mood to shake up your travel plans, read on for a round up of our alternative European city breaks. We've included alternative takes on some classic destinations, and some alternative destinations that really should be classics.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
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 favourite capital cities around the world... Mexico City, Mexico There is a lot to love about Mexico City but we would particularly recommend heading there to experience the Day of the Dead Parade celebrations at the beginning of November.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
Some of our favourite places are tainted by misconceptions, but if you scratch beneath the surface you can discover some wonderful holidays with a difference. So here we're taking a slightly different approach to four places with stigmas attached, that don't seem fair, if only you know where to go. Madeira - no longer 'God's Waiting Room' First up there's Madeira, in unenviable possession of a world class image problem.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
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 on your USA holiday... Morning There's a lot to fit into one day in New York, so rise early and get breakfast to go. We've got a couple of favourite delis across the city that we can recommend - order an everything bagel and coffee to look like a true New Yorker.
28th June 2021 - USA Big Short Breaks
If you're looking for a long weekend away (or a Big Short Break, as we like to call them), then look no further than Oman. Now, we know you may be thinking that there is no way you can cram all the highlights of this vast and varied country into a long weekend, but let us prove you wrong. Read on to discover how one of our team spent the perfect long weekend in Oman... First Stop - Muscat First stop - the capital city Muscat, where I stayed at the Al Bustan Palace.
28th June 2021 - Oman Big Short Breaks
Let me take you back to where it all began for Original Travel, with the Big Short Break; pocket adventures designed specifically for those who are short on time but in search of a big experience. From a three day trip of cultural immersion in Istanbul (and baklava eating, obvs) to a seven day safari in Botswana's Okavango Delta, there's a whole world of, well, world out there just waiting to be explored in easily digestible, bite-sized time slots.
28th June 2021 - Big Short Breaks
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