Two hundred years ago, the world’s first passenger train chugged into motion. To celebrate that milestone, we’ve put together The Right Track – our latest brochure, celebrating the world’s finest rail journeys. Train travel has a way of opening a window into a country’s soul, and our latest stories capture that magic. And now, after centuries of evolution, train travel is experiencing a remarkable resurgence.
24th September 2025 - Slow Travel
Keen for a road trip abroad, but don’t want to drive on the other side of the road? You’re not alone. Luckily, around 30% of countries in the world drive on the left, so there’s plenty of open road for us Brits to discover. While not every left-handed country is suited to self-driving (we’re looking at you, India), it’s undeniable that some are best explored via their roads. From the epic alpine scenery of New Zealand to Namibia’s desert delights, read on for the best road trips in countries that drive on the left… 1.
11th September 2025 - Slow Travel
Here at Original Travel, we're big believers in the benefits of slow travel. We define this as travelling by modes of transport other than plane or car - such as train, horse, walking, biking, boating and more; or simply taking your time with your travels, whatever form they come in. As well as giving you a chance to appreciate and connect with your surroundings - which you simply can't do when flying or driving - slow travel is better for the environment, meaning you can enjoy your getaways guilt-free.
6th June 2025 - Slow Travel
There’s no better way to witness Japan’s postcard-perfect landscapes than through the frame of a train window. Zip through Tokyo’s neon lights on a Shinkansen (bullet train), journey to the foot of Mount Koya or admire cherry blossoms from the Sagano Scenic Railway (don’t forget your camera). In Japan, spotless stations, timely trains and quiet carriages aren’t exceptions – they’re the norm (practically unheard of in the UK, we know).
3rd March 2025 - Japan Slow Travel
Whether you’re mad about locomotives, a lover of luxury trains, or simply appreciate the slow beauty of gliding along the tracks at your leisure, train travel is having a major moment right now. Sustainability and responsible travel are very important to us, so this laidback, eco-conscious alternative to driving or flying is the perfect way to enjoy your holiday while doing your bit for the planet. Not sure where to start?
27th February 2025 - Slow Travel
Norway is already famous for some of the most scenic railway routes in the world, and this new five-night, six-day sleeper service, slated for launch in late 2025 or 2026, will weave together many of the best bits into one luxurious whole. Starting in beautiful Bergen on the west coast, the Norient Express will cross the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, the largest national park in Norway, to reach Oslo.
31st January 2025 - Norway Slow Travel
There are certain types of trips that belong in the pantheon of travel experiences. An African safari would be one, the annual ski holiday another, the Rome city break, the family beach holiday... and I would add, without question, a Nile cruise. In fact I’d go one detail deeper: a Nile cruise aboard the sublime Steam Ship Sudan. The stretch of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan is home to some of the most remarkable sites in antiquity, from the Valleys of the Kings and Queens to the vast temples of Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
27th November 2024 - Egypt Slow Travel
Tracing the length of Sweden from the culture-rich Mora to the sparse Lapland in the far north, the legendary Inlandsbanan railway line cuts through some of the country’s most wild and rugged landscapes. The 800-mile journey culminates in Gällivare, a dinky town perched about 60 miles above the Arctic Circle. If you’re craving a slower style of travel, the Inlandsbanan is Sweden’s answer to the frenetic pace of modern life.
17th October 2024 - Sweden Slow Travel
A road trip to Europe is one thing (and a pretty epic thing at that), but taking the whole family – your favourite four-legged friends included – is a recipe for an unforgettable European adventure. The bonus? You won't have to organise a pet sitter for while you’re away. With dog-friendly destinations covering the continent and easy pet travel between European countries, it's no wonder so many people take their beloved pooches on holiday.
22nd August 2024 - Slow Travel
While USA holidays are synonymous with epic road trips, it’s easy to overlook the nation’s equally epic capacity for train travel. Forget extortionate gas prices and wrong turns and embrace a different (and more romantic) form of slow travel. From trundling through the Alaskan wilderness to whizzing up California’s Pacific coast, train travel is gaining trac(k)tion as an alternative means of getting from A to B.
8th July 2024 - USA Slow Travel
Now thirty years old, the Eurotunnel has spent three decades proving itself as a tried and tested mode of travelling to the Continent. And it succeeded. Linking southern England and northern France, this futuristic train (big enough to hold a full-sized lorry as well as a full fleet of family-filled cars) can whizz you from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes. Sounds impossible, right? Well with this comprehensive guide to travelling on the Eurotunnel, you’ll see that it’s as easy as pie – or tarte tartin.
16th April 2024 - Slow Travel
Ever dreamed of falling asleep and waking up in a different city? Well, thanks to an abundance of sleeper train networks in Europe, your dream has never been easier (or more comfortable) to realise. From the harsh landscapes of Norway’s north to the rocky Romanian mountains and sun-drenched cities of Italy, there’s a sleeper journey for every traveller. Forget liquid limits and baggage restrictions as you opt out of planes and hop onto trains.
4th March 2024 - Slow Travel
If you really want to get to know a country, lace up your walking boots and hit its trails. Immerse yourself in the landscape and local lifestyle, take stock and relish in the fact you’re seeing more than you ever could from a car window. And while you might think of the Alps or the Andes when you think of epic hiking holidays, Jordan is by far one of the world’s most underrated hiking spots. From dream-like deserts and colossal canyons to wildflower-filled woodlands, the best hikes in Jordan take in some of the country’s most legendary landscapes.
5th September 2023 - Jordan Slow Travel
In an era of direct flights and last-minute bookings, the 'getting there' part of your holiday can often feel like an inconvenient addition to an otherwise relaxing trip, rather than an exciting part of the adventure in its own right. However, if you're looking to slow things down (which, as connoisseurs of slow travel, we highly recommend), enjoy the journey as much as the destination and take the time to connect with local places and cultures, then train travel is the way to go.
28th June 2023 - Slow Travel
The frosted tips of towering mountains soar by as the train’s clickety-clack and rhythmic clatter lull you into a snooze like no other. When you wake, the peak-studded scenery has given way to great swathes of Swedish wilderness, laced with winding rivers and ochre-leafed forests, and decorated with a scattering of tiny villages. 'Det avlånga landet' (the elongated country), as it’s known by locals, is remote and savagely beautiful (torn straight from the pages of a fairy-tale kind of beauty), and enjoying it from the comfort of a chugging train is truly spectacular.
13th April 2023 - Sweden Slow Travel
The romantic spark of train travel has been reignited in the post-pandemic world, as travellers find themselves wanting to avoid flying and instead being drawn to the sleepy carriages of an overnight train, where the promise of cosy cabins, fine dining and panoramic views await. For those seeking luxury, without the airport admin of baggage allowances and security queues, the serene escapism of some of the best sleeper train journeys from across the globe might be just the ticket.
18th October 2022 - Slow Travel
It’s no secret that Italians have a need for speed. But if you thought Ferraris were fast, you’ve clearly never travelled on a Frecciarossa 1000. Connecting Milan, Venice, Rome and Naples at a casual 186mph, it seems that Italians have train travel down. Direct, economical and comfortable, you’ll be able to kick back and relax knowing that if or When in Rome, Florence is just an easy 90 minutes away, and Venice just three hours and 40 minutes.
11th July 2022 - Italy Slow Travel
If your overriding memory of travelling by train involves jam-packed stations and chaotic journeys during rush hour, allow us to alter these associations and paint a more peaceful image in your mind. Train travel removes the familiar stress of airport security and is a wonderfully unhurried way to get from A to B. It allows you to experience much more of a country in a down-to-earth manner, and watching the world go by out of the window imbues the journey with a sense of timelessness and romance.
6th July 2022 - Slow Travel
Pioneers of pasta, inventors of gelato and creators of cannoli, it is clear Italian’s know how to eat. They also know how to live. Eschewing modern day’s high-speed hustle for the simple pleasures of the slow lane, ‘Dolce Far Niente’ embraces the art of doing nothing. And we’re here for it. From gazing out of a train window as the countryside unfurls and watching waves endlessly lap your toes to stopping stock still on a wildlife adventure,
26th June 2022 - Slow Travel
Explore Sri Lanka, the one-time colony of Ceylon, in old-world style on the train from Colombo, the island's capital, to Kandy, its religious heart. The journey lasts three hours, travelling through natural landscapes of gardens, forests, coconut groves and lotus lakes. It's a truly magical Sri Lankan train journey. Forget about Colombo. Sri Lanka's capital, home to 800,000 of the country's 23 million inhabitants, is the obvious gateway to the start of your journey, but only deserves a visit as long as the time it takes to recover from your (minor) jet lag.
28th June 2021 - Sri Lanka Slow Travel
""It's not the destination, it's the journey"" - said every cheesy, road to redemption reality show presenter ever. But they might just be on to something, you know. When the journey involves switch-back turns through epic mountains, cruising along sweeping coastlines or trundling through rolling hills surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, it all sounds rather marvellous really. Then there's the accommodation; an Original Travel road trip will involve the very best luxury pit-stops available, from chic boutiques to opulent resorts, depending on your requirements.
28th June 2021 - Slow Travel
We're all about embracing a slower pace of life here at Original Travel, and what better way to do that than on a walking holiday. Venture into the great outdoors and spend your days ambling (or marching, depending on your chosen walking pace) through some of Europe's most beautiful scenery from wild national parks to craggy mountains and sparkling lakes. Then, come evening, put your feet up and enjoy a well-deserved dinner and glass (or more) of delicious local wine.
28th June 2021 - Slow Travel
We're partial to a travel daydream, and lately we've been particularly taken with the idea of a retro road trip through Europe, motoring through picture perfect countryside, delving into the nooks and crannies of culture-filled cities and sampling the continent's best food and wine as we go. The problem? We can't decide exactly which delightful destination we want to see first, so in the spirit of not compromising (and travel less, travel better) we've concocted the ultimate European road trip, taking in the best of France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Italy all in one epic journey.
28th June 2021 - Slow Travel
Here at Original Travel, we're big believers in the benefits of slow travel. We define this as travelling by modes of transport other than plane or car - such as train, horse, walking, biking, boating and more; or simply taking your time with your travels, whatever form they come in. As well as giving you the chance to appreciate and connect with your surroundings - which you simply can't do when flying or driving - slow travel is better for the environment, meaning you can enjoy your getaways guilt-free.
28th June 2021 - Slow Travel
Everyone knows the classics: California's Highway One, South Africa's Garden Route and New Zealand's South Island circuit. And they're all popular road trips for a reason. However, some of our favourites are those that slip under the radar, so read on for four of our favourite road trips which take the road less travelled... 1 A Mediterranean Marvel: Sicily, Italy Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is ideal road trip territory with more beautiful beaches, historical sites and picturesque towns than you can waft an arancini ball at.
28th June 2021 - Slow Travel
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
