Published 28th Jun. 2021
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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 partial to something a little more... rousing. That is to say we love a good city. Oh yes, we rub our hands together in veritable glee at the prospect of bustling markets, burgeoning foodie scenes, street art, botanical gardens, booming nightlife and incredible architecture. And whether you're in need of a short sharp hit of culture with a classic weekend city break or are exploring as part of a longer trip, we've got the inside track (and a network of concierge contacts), to ensure the ultimate city adventure...
San Francisco, USA
Road trips are such stuff as bucket lists are made on, and driving along the west coast of the USA is a classic. San Francisco, with its mish-mash of peoples and cultures from hippies to tech gazillionaires, is the perfect pit stop. It's not short of a sight or two either with the iconic prison of Alcatraz, the original hippie commune of Haight-Ashbury and the sea lions at Pier 39.
Seville, Spain
Seville is a city with something of a split-personality; a giant jumble of Moorish, Baroque and Gothic architecture with a dash of the ultra modern thrown in for good measure, ripe for exploration over a long weekend. Think tapas on tap, secret flamenco shows and a buzzy nightlife. What's more, the weather stays warm right through to November.
Marrakech, Morocco
A holiday in Marrakech is essentially an exercise in sensory overload; head in to the medina and you'll encounter the city's intense heat, exotic aromas and bustling souq packed with shouty street vendors and haggling shoppers. Retreat to the calm, cool oasis of one of the many chic riads inside the walls of the medina, or in the greenery of the Palmeraie region.
Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia, having historically suffered from something of an image problem, is swiftly becoming one of Latin America's most vibrant destinations, thanks in no small part to the wonderfully colourful colonial city of Cartagena. The best way to soak up the city is to simply meander through its maze of cobbled streets, stopping off at some excellent bars and restaurants along the way.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is Japan in the classical sense, home to traditional wooden houses, cherry blossom trees, majestic palaces and zen gardens. It was Japan's capital for over a thousand years and so is endowed with a rich tapestry of history and cultural attractions, from the iconic Golden and Silver Pavilions to the geisha district of Gion.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town can lay claim to perhaps the most beautiful physical setting for a city anywhere on the planet (discuss) with Table Mountain right at its heart. Make like a Capetonian and hike up to Lion's Head, where you can gaze across the city's chic urban areas, public gardens, wilderness, forests and vineyards.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Train travel has come a long way in the last two centuries and remains one of the more positive expressions of humankind’s restless ingenuity. In Japan, developments are currently underway to cut journey times in half, thanks to the frictionless flair of Maglev (Magnetic Levitation). We’ll have to wait and see how that pans out. In the meantime, why not revel in the splendour of times gone by? Since it would be almost impossible (and ridiculously lengthy) to list all the rail innovations that have taken place over the years, we’ve decided to focus on some of the defining moments.
16th March 2026 - Travel Inspiration
Have you heard the news? This year, a remarkable 16 of our expert destination consultants have been included in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2026 list of the Top Travel Specialists, with six brand new faces added to the lineup. This highly prestigious little black book recognises the very best in the travel industry, and for the fourth year running, we have more experts included than any other travel company.
10th March 2026 - Travel Inspiration
They say April showers pave the way for spring blooms, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick around waiting for them. While much of Europe is still shaking off winter beneath stubborn grey skies, the south is already enjoying golden sunshine and pleasantly warm days. From the spice-scented streets of Istanbul and the ancient wonders of Athens to Sicily’s coastal charm and Andalucia’s cultural soul, April strikes the sweet spot for spring exploring.
9th March 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 fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
