17th May 2021
RIP THE MINI BREAK – LONG LIVE THE BIG SLOW BREAK
With bookings for mini breaks down to 0%, Original Travel is mothballing its Big Short Break concept and replacing it with a new collection of Big Slow Breaks
Mini breaks accounted for 8% of Original Travel’s business in 2019; that has dropped to 0% in 2021, leading the luxury tour operator to mothball its Big Short Break concept - with which it launched 18 years ago - in favour of a new set of Big Slow Breaks.
The ongoing uncertainty around travelling, plus the rigmarole of quarantines and testing, has put paid to the idea of a mini break for the foreseeable future; if you’re going to jump through all those hoops, it’s only worthwhile for a longer trip away. As such, Original Travel has created a new collection of Big Slow Break itineraries, each of which are a minimum of seven days in duration and combine two or more popular weekend break destinations such as Florence and Rome, Copenhagen and Oslo or Bilbao and San Sebastian. The cities are connected by a slow meander overland by road or rail, offering a chance to explore more of the country on a longer, more in-depth trip.
Tom Barber, Founder of Original Travel, says: ‘Of all the bookings and enquiries we have had since the pandemic began, none have been for a city mini break. Plus, our own survey* showed us that only 15% of our clients are planning on taking city breaks, even when travel frees up. As much as this pains us – Original Travel launched with the concept of the Big Short Break, after all – we have to be realistic, so have turned our hand to Big Slow Breaks instead.
‘The collection also aligns with another key finding from our survey: that 81% of respondents wanted to make a concerted effort to get to know a destination better when they can get back to travelling.’
The full collection can be seen on the website here: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/collections/big-slow-breaks
Sample itineraries include:
Central Italy Train Holiday
Combine three classic European cities with some slower time exploring Italy’s smaller towns and countryside over a two-week trip. Stop off at the capital of the French Riviera, Nice, to enjoy a brilliant blend of vibrant culture and gorgeous coast. Explore Florence, the capital of Italy's Tuscany region and visit Italy's beautiful capital, Rome. Weave the city breaks with a slower pace, paying a visit to the five villages in the Cinque Terre coastal area and to Umbria to experience the laidback lifestyle and wonderful vineyards.
Original Travel’s 14-day Central Italy Train Holiday itinerary costs from £3,640pp, based on two sharing. The price includes train travel, all transfers, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/central-italy-train-holiday
Exploring the Scandinavian Capitals
Explore the Scandinavian capitals on this epic 11-day trip across three countries. Visit Copenhagen, one of the foodie capitals of Europe, and experience this first-hand on a mouth-watering food tour of the city. Onto the fascinating city of Oslo - a real hub of world-class modern architecture, beautiful museums, a diverse restaurant scene and excellent shopping. Explore Bergen - Norway's second largest city, and one packed with fairy-tale charm and, finally, venture to Sweden's cosmopolitan capital, Stockholm.
Original Travel’s 11-day Scandinavian Capitals itinerary costs from £3,465pp, based on two sharing. The price includes flights, ferries, train travel, all transfers, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/scandinavian-capitals
Luxury Florence and Venice by Train
Spend eight days in two of Italy's great arty cities: Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and Venice. Enjoy the best of earthy Tuscan cuisine and Venice's Silk Road-inspired seafood, and with plenty of time to spend exploring the cities, you are able to get under the skin of both destinations with expert guides in art and food. Whilst in Venice team up with a photographer who is an expert in taking photos with whichever camera you use - we even have iPhone photography experts - and who knows Venice like the back of their hand.
Original Travel’s eight-day luxury Florence and Venice by train itinerary costs from £4,850pp, based on two sharing. The price includes train travel, all transfers, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/florence-venice-train
Northern Spain Road Trip
Enjoy a luxury road trip around the wonderful Basque Country, combining two of the best cultural cities with time inland exploring the vineyards. Amble the streets of Bilbao with an expert guide and discover how Bilbao became a thriving art and cultural hotspot. Tour the vineyards of Rioja with an expert oenophile guide and take a private cookery class in the coastal city of San Sebastian.
Original Travel’s 7-day Northern Spain Road Trip itinerary costs from £2,640pp, based on two sharing. The price includes flights, all transfers, hire car, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/northern-spain-road-trip
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With bookings for mini breaks down to 0%, Original Travel is mothballing its Big Short Break concept and replacing it with a new collection of Big Slow Breaks
Mini breaks accounted for 8% of Original Travel’s business in 2019; that has dropped to 0% in 2021, leading the luxury tour operator to mothball its Big Short Break concept - with which it launched 18 years ago - in favour of a new set of Big Slow Breaks.
The ongoing uncertainty around travelling, plus the rigmarole of quarantines and testing, has put paid to the idea of a mini break for the foreseeable future; if you’re going to jump through all those hoops, it’s only worthwhile for a longer trip away. As such, Original Travel has created a new collection of Big Slow Break itineraries, each of which are a minimum of seven days in duration and combine two or more popular weekend break destinations such as Florence and Rome, Copenhagen and Oslo or Bilbao and San Sebastian. The cities are connected by a slow meander overland by road or rail, offering a chance to explore more of the country on a longer, more in-depth trip.
Tom Barber, Founder of Original Travel, says: ‘Of all the bookings and enquiries we have had since the pandemic began, none have been for a city mini break. Plus, our own survey* showed us that only 15% of our clients are planning on taking city breaks, even when travel frees up. As much as this pains us – Original Travel launched with the concept of the Big Short Break, after all – we have to be realistic, so have turned our hand to Big Slow Breaks instead.
‘The collection also aligns with another key finding from our survey: that 81% of respondents wanted to make a concerted effort to get to know a destination better when they can get back to travelling.’
The full collection can be seen on the website here: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/collections/big-slow-breaks
Sample itineraries include:
Central Italy Train Holiday
Combine three classic European cities with some slower time exploring Italy’s smaller towns and countryside over a two-week trip. Stop off at the capital of the French Riviera, Nice, to enjoy a brilliant blend of vibrant culture and gorgeous coast. Explore Florence, the capital of Italy's Tuscany region and visit Italy's beautiful capital, Rome. Weave the city breaks with a slower pace, paying a visit to the five villages in the Cinque Terre coastal area and to Umbria to experience the laidback lifestyle and wonderful vineyards.
Original Travel’s 14-day Central Italy Train Holiday itinerary costs from £3,640pp, based on two sharing. The price includes train travel, all transfers, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/central-italy-train-holiday
Exploring the Scandinavian Capitals
Explore the Scandinavian capitals on this epic 11-day trip across three countries. Visit Copenhagen, one of the foodie capitals of Europe, and experience this first-hand on a mouth-watering food tour of the city. Onto the fascinating city of Oslo - a real hub of world-class modern architecture, beautiful museums, a diverse restaurant scene and excellent shopping. Explore Bergen - Norway's second largest city, and one packed with fairy-tale charm and, finally, venture to Sweden's cosmopolitan capital, Stockholm.
Original Travel’s 11-day Scandinavian Capitals itinerary costs from £3,465pp, based on two sharing. The price includes flights, ferries, train travel, all transfers, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/scandinavian-capitals
Luxury Florence and Venice by Train
Spend eight days in two of Italy's great arty cities: Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and Venice. Enjoy the best of earthy Tuscan cuisine and Venice's Silk Road-inspired seafood, and with plenty of time to spend exploring the cities, you are able to get under the skin of both destinations with expert guides in art and food. Whilst in Venice team up with a photographer who is an expert in taking photos with whichever camera you use - we even have iPhone photography experts - and who knows Venice like the back of their hand.
Original Travel’s eight-day luxury Florence and Venice by train itinerary costs from £4,850pp, based on two sharing. The price includes train travel, all transfers, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/florence-venice-train
Northern Spain Road Trip
Enjoy a luxury road trip around the wonderful Basque Country, combining two of the best cultural cities with time inland exploring the vineyards. Amble the streets of Bilbao with an expert guide and discover how Bilbao became a thriving art and cultural hotspot. Tour the vineyards of Rioja with an expert oenophile guide and take a private cookery class in the coastal city of San Sebastian.
Original Travel’s 7-day Northern Spain Road Trip itinerary costs from £2,640pp, based on two sharing. The price includes flights, all transfers, hire car, guided tours, and accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990,www.originaltravel.co.uk.
Full itinerary: https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itineraries/northern-spain-road-trip
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