LET'S GO BOOTIQUING   

NEW boutique hotels offering 'walk-in/walk-out' access have created a demand for luxury walking holidays, which Original Travel has dubbed 'bootiquing'  

A swathe of new and refurbished boutique hotels beside walking trails and offering keen hikers 'walk-in/walk-out' access to national parks has created a new trend in 'bootiquing'.  

Walking enthusiasts who want to kick off their walking boots at the end of a long day on the trail can now do so at boutique hotels, offering a step up from the more basic accommodation that has historically catered for this market.  

In the last year, Original Travel has welcomed to its portfolio the likes of: Trailborn, a new US brand building stylish properties in national parks, along coastlines, atop mountains and on the beach, with two properties open so far (in the Rocky Mountains) and four more in the pipeline, including Mendocino and the Grand Canyon; Wildflower Farm in New York's Hudson Valley, offering miles of scenic walking trails and 300 climbing routes on the storied crags of Shawangunk Ridge; and Ambiente Sedona which has amazing trailhead access to some of the premier hiking and mountain biking in Sedona. This side of the pond, we have Oasyhotel in Tuscany's San Marcello Piteglio nature reserve; Hotel de Len in the Dolomites National Park; and  Union Oye, which reopened in the Fjords last year after a huge refurb and is the staging post for many of the most iconic mountain hikes and trails in Norway. 

Co-founder of Original Travel, Tom Barber, says: 'Our client base tend to be adventurous types who like to pick out their own path on their travels, so these kind of properties have proven particularly popular. Guests can roll out of bed and immediately be surrounded by nature that they can almost always enjoy in solitude. The next step was to build point-to-point itineraries where people can walk between these kinds of luxe properties and enjoy a genuine journey of adventure.'   

Sri Lanka   

Original Travel's 11-night bootiquing package to Sri Lanka is a 40-mile trail through tea plantations and forest adjacent to the Knuckles Forest Reserve, north of Kandy. Created by some of the same team behind the Pekoe Trail and with three days walking broken up by two nights in each property en-route, this is a leisurely way to enjoy the Sri Lankan scenery and hospitality. After two nights at the Ashburnham Estate, where you can flex your walking muscles with a day trek to its own waterfall in the grounds, you will set off on the trail, walking first to Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge, where you'll find just 19 rooms and suites and one of the country's best spas; then to Santani, with an incredible setting and another fantastic spa and finally, Rangala House, a converted tea-planters bungalow. You'll be covering about 14 miles a day, with packed lunches and luggage porterage all included.  

Prices from £3,990pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, transfers, 11 nights' accommodation (nine nights' B&B and two nights' full-board), packed lunches on the three walking days and luggage porterage between hotels. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.      

Peru  

The seven-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu not only takes you on a path less travelled to the iconic site, but breaks the journey up at four mountain lodges, each boasting contemporary design, gourmet food and outdoor hot tubs – no tents in sight. Day one is an easy start of a three-hour gentle trek via the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site to the first lodge, built on the flatlands of the Rio Blanco river valley, with a stunning, unobstructed view of the majestic Salkantay mountain peak. You'll stay here 2 nights, allowing for a full day to enjoy the turquoise water of Lake Humantay, before heading on a challenging seven-hour trek through the Salkantay River Valley, beginning your climb to the Salkantay Pass. You'll be glad of the sight of Wayra Lodge, a cosy mountain refuge and the most remote place you'll stay. Day four takes you on a four-hour descent into the Cloud Forest to Colpa Lodge, situated on a promontory at the confluence of three rivers, where you'll spend the night before the six-hour hike along the Santa Teresa River. Your last lodge before you reach the ancient civilisation of Machu Picchu and actual civilisation of Aguas Calientes, is the charming Lucma Lodge. A contemporary treehouse set in a lush avocado orchard at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, it's a special place to rest your legs ready for the final five-hour stretch to the Llactapata Pass for a seldom-seen view of the world's most famous Inca site.  

Prices from £4,895 pp, based on two sharing and including return international and domestic flights, transfers, three nights' accommodation off the trail (two in Cusco) and six nights' accommodation, most meals, a guide on the trail and luggage porterage. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.      

Italy  

When you think of the Dolomites, you probably think more of majestic mountains and spectacular scenery than art galleries, Michelin-starred restaurants and spas – but on this NEW bootiquing trip, you can have both! This four-night hike takes you from Val di Fassa, home to Locanda degli Artisti - part hotel and part art gallery – and a starting point for one of the most spectacular footpaths in the Dolomites, the 'Viel del Pan' (Way of the Bread), which has incomparable views of the majestic Marmolada. From there, it's a seven mile walk to your second stop and the only refugio of the trip, albeit a refugio with a difference; it has a wine cellar, housing more than 700 wines, many local. From here, you'll hike on before being transferred by car to Hotel Gardena, a Relais & Chateaux hotel with spa and Michelin-star restaurant. From there, it's a 10-mile hike to Alta Badia to stay at Ciasa Salares, the only luxury gourmet hotel in the heart of the Dolomites, with its own cheese room and chocolate room (you'll have more than earned both!)   

Prices from £4,975pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, transfers, four nights' half-board accommodation, five days' guided walking and luggage porterage. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk.      

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Follow us on instagram @originaltravel for more travel inspiration and for more information contact: press@originaltravel.co.uk; 020 3582 4990 

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Notes to Editors:  

Original Travel curates tailor-made itineraries, crafted by destination experts, to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. Since its launch in 2003, it has created 50,000 itineraries, each unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”.  

Original Travel is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd, who are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and who offer a brand new travel insurance policy that includes cover for cancellation or curtailment of a trip due to contracting coronavirus, or through being quarantined or refused permission to travel due to infection or suspected infection. This insurance policy is only valid for travel to countries where there is no FCDO advice against all but essential travel. Full details can be found on a new section on Original Travel's website, entitled 'Coronavirus Confidence'.  

Original Travel also has its own specialist dive division. Original Diving is the world's only luxury dive travel outfit.  

Three of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Travel Specialists list, including Co-founder Tom Barber as family specialist, Jacqui Brooks as Indonesia specialist and Oliver Rodwell as Mexico specialist, giving an excellent snapshot of our expertise. Also in 2022, Original Travel was named as one of world's Best Tour Operator's in Conde Nast Traveler's annual Reader's Choice Awards.    

Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they would not find with any other UK tour operator, including:  

• Access to a network of 70-plus Concierges who live locally, know their destinations inside and out and are extremely well-connected. They lend fantastic ground support, offering insider recommendations, facilitating any last-minute changes and troubleshooting. 
• A brace of additional services designed to make departure easier than ever. Every Original Travel client, regardless of whether they're off on a long weekend to Seville, or a multi-destination sabbatical, will enjoy UK airport meet and greet, fast track UK check-in, fast track UK security*, lounge access and pre-booked flight seats. There are also upgrade options to include: a luggage transfer service from your home to the airport; fast track check-in and security and lounge access on your flight home; fast track through immigration on your return to the UK. 
• The knowledge that not only will Original Travel absorb the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and transfers, and other flights (even if booked independently). 
• The knowledge that they are contributing to Our Foundation, which supports nearly 100 humanitarian projects in 30 developing countries. To date, nearly £1.5 million has been invested to support five key areas: child protection, vocational training, economic development assistance, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and safeguarding the lifestyles of indigenous peoples.