TURN A LAYOVER INTO A STAYOVER WITH ORIGINAL TRAVEL'S NEW 'ITWINERARIES' 

Make the most of an indirect flight with Original Travel's new 'itwineraries', which pair those hard-to-reach places with a break in the connecting city 

Original Travel's commitment to sustainable travel means they always recommend direct over connecting flights to keep carbon emissions to a minimum, and absorb all those emissions in reforestation projects. That said, there are some very special destinations that can only be reached indirectly, so Original Travel has launched five new 'itwineraries' to make sure those indirect flights are put to good use. Rather than just loaf around at the airport for a few hours, build the connection into your trip and enjoy a city break before you reach your final destination. 

These dream combos - which offer a cool city break followed by some down time somewhere exotic - include: LA and French Polynesia; Istanbul and Bali; Lisbon and Brazil; Paris and Anguilla; and LA and Hawaii. Even better, some of the connecting cities can be reached by train from the UK, meaning you can mitigate more of the trip's carbon emissions. 

Tom Barber, Co-founder of Original Travel, says: 'As well as making the whole experience of an indirect flight far more enjoyable, these 'itwineraries' also play a role in making travel count.   

'Indirect flights are the worst air travel offenders, as they involve twice as many take-offs and landings which are when most carbon emissions are generated. Although Original Travel absorbs 100% of all carbon emissions through our charitable foundation and its reforestation programme, we also steer clients to more eco-friendly alternatives wherever possible. These new 'itwineraries' make an indirect flight count for something more and offer travellers two holidays in one, supporting our belief that if you are travelling long haul, plan mindfully, go for longer and do more with it. Where we can get clients to the connecting city by train and reduce the trip's carbon footprint, so much the better.'  

City Buzz & Island Calm: Los Angeles and French Polynesia Combo: 

Enjoy three days in LA – exploring the beaches, shopping up a storm or visiting movie studios – before continuing on to the island idylls of French Polynesia. You'll have eight days to explore the magical islands of Tahiti, Mo'orea and Teti'aroa, enjoying its sparkling waters and pristine sands and discovering the green mountains, pearl farms, vanilla plantations and underwater wildlife. During your stay, you'll visit a sea turtle care centre, snorkel in shallow water lagoons, join local cooking classes and stay in a hotel powered by coconut oil (produced on the island and supplemented by solar panels).  
From £8,605pp, based on two sharing and including all flights, transfers, activities and 12 nights' hotel accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Palaces, Temples and Rice Terraces: Discover Bali via Istanbul: 

This 24-day itinerary starts with four nights in one of Europe's oldest and most fascinating cities: Istanbul. Expect a whirl of ancient mosque visits, shopping experiences at the Grand Bazaar, a baklava tasting experience in the funky Karakoy district and a night of barhopping around trendy neighbourhoods. You'll sleep soundly on your onwards overnight flight to Bali, where you'll really get under the skin of the destination. Travelling from Tabanan to Ubud, you will experience activities every step of the way, with your itinerary including a cookery class in the rice fields near Pura Puseh Butuan Temple, Balinese massage treatments, a diving expedition to a World War II shipwreck in Tulamben and a private ride through Bali Barat National Park.  
From £5,500pp, based on two sharing and including all flights, transfers, tours and 21 nights' hotel and luxury retreat accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Cobblestones, Culture and Coacabana: Brazil via Lisbon  

This 13-day trip combines a seductive city break in Lisbon with an exotic Brazilian getaway. Twinning these destinations means Lisbon can be experienced as more than simply a layover, with time to get blissfully lost in its maze of cobblestones streets and colourful boutiques. Afterwards, carry on to Brazil, where white sand beaches, bustling markets and iconic landmarks await under the tropical sun. You'll start in Salvador, where its confectionery-coloured buildings in Pelourinho are a treat for the eyes and the neighbourhoods full of Afro-Brazilian boutiques and buzzing squares are a feast for the senses. The next three days will be all about living the boho life in Transcoso, where you will ride along the tranquil beaches or take a boat ride to one of the hidden nearby beaches. The trip ends on a high with three nights in Rio de Janeiro, where our Concierge will show you the best rooftop bars, local-approved secret spots and all the must-see attractions. 
From £3,300pp based on two sharing and including flights, transfers, tours and 12 nights' hotel accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

From Fromageries in France to Caribbean Beach Shacks: A Foodie Combo of Paris and Anguilla  

Anguilla is famed for the finest food in the Caribbean, and with the best flight connections just happening to go via Paris, it seemed a shame not to combine these two delectable destinations into one culinary itinerary. The first step of your journey is the city of gastronomy and gourmands: Paris. Here you will venture on a walking tour of Saint Germain with a chef guide to explore local boulangeries, fromageries and restaurants only locals would know. Your time in Paris might whizz by but fear not, as your next spot is the island of Anguilla, home to 33 of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. This sandy white terrain is home to beach shack restaurants, offering zingy flavours, world-class barbecue and rum concoctions which pack the proverbial punch. Spend the daylight hours paddle boarding or kayaking through remote bays (you've got to work up some appetite, after all); come the evening, a table will be reserved for you at some of the finest restaurants on the island.  

From £2,955pp based on two sharing and including all flights, transfers, tours, ferry-travel and eight nights' hotel accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

City Action and Island Chill: Family Fun in Los Angeles and Hawaii 

A family holiday that is both fun and relaxing? You'd better believe it. Hawaii's location makes it a convenient spot to dovetail beautifully with California along the way. Start your family adventure in Los Angeles for three days filled with beach action, museums and galleries and maybe some celeb spotting before saying 'aloha' to Honolulu. Surf fans should head to the Waikiki district for perfect waves all year round, and for a slice of culture, head to the Iolani Palace. After living up the Honolulu lifestyle for a couple of days, you'll hit the road and drive to Kaanapali, Maui. This sublime spot full of hippy surf towns and Hawaiian cowboys, will be your home for the next four days and we will organise fun family surf lessons while you are here. On your way home stop off at the 'Surf City' of California, Huntington Beach, for three nights' stay and a day at Disneyland Parks. A 'triple-destination' whammy, shall we say!  

From £3,800pp based on a family of four sharing and including all flights, transfers, car-hire, surf-lessons, entrance tickets to Universal Studios, Disneyland and Warner Studios and 14 nights' hotel accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

-Ends-  

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. Celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, the company has created over 50,000 itineraries since its launch in 2003, each one unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”.  

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

11 of our consultants are recognised as Conde Nast Traveler's 2024 Travel Specialists, including repeat inclusions for Co-founder Tom Barber (family specialist), Jacqui Brooks (Indonesia specialist) and Oliver Rodwell (Mexico specialist).  

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 city break, 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.