Original Travel is launching a series of ways to create 'travel bubbles' to protect British travellers when they start holidaying again, starting with a new collection of road trips departing from the UK.   

The collection launches with a portfolio of self-drive itineraries from the UK to France, using Eurotunnel and covering, among others, Brittany and Normandy in the north, the French Riviera in the South and Provence and Bordeaux in between. The trips enable travellers to avoid busy airports and crowded planes and will make the most of Original Travel's favourite small, boutique hotels and its network of local, knowledgeable and connected Concierges who can advise on quiet times to visit popular places and arrange exclusive, out-of-hours access and private, guided tours of museums and galleries (should they be open).  

Tom Barber, Co-Founder of Original Travel, says: 'Given that – at least in the short-term – long-haul travel looks unlikely, and airports will be difficult places to navigate, we predict that for the first time in a generation European road trips from the UK are going to be the hottest ticket in town this summer. Having fond childhood memories of these kinds of holidays myself, I'm thrilled to introduce UK to France self-drive trips for the first time in Original Travel history.' 

'These are just one of the ways that we are creating 'bubbles' of protection around our clients when they can start travelling again. Others include: Fast-track security and check-in and lounge access for clients who are happy to fly but want to minimise contact as much as possible; supplementing our existing rail-only itineraries to include private rail carriages, such as the new private suites onboard the Belmond and the new MAX 4 couchette onboard Germany's Urlaubs Express; and boosting our selection of stand-alone properties to include separate cottages within hotel grounds, nomadic glampsites and pop-up private camps. We're also looking into supplying fast-track security on arrival, as well as a luggage delivery service from your home to hotel to avoid waiting at the luggage drop or carousel. Our aim is to alleviate any concerns our clients have about travelling and allow them to simply enjoy their new-found freedom.' 

Secret French Riviera 

Explore the hidden corners and well-kept secrets of the French Riviera on this 11-day self-drive itinerary, which takes you to Old Port of Marseille, the charming streets of Cassis and the medieval village of Ramatuelle. Spend time relaxing at your hotels' private beaches, explore the markets before the crowds arrive and take your own boat and skipper out for the day to explore the waters of the Calanques National Park.  

Prices from £5,300 pp based on two sharing and including return travel on Eurotunnel, 10 nights' B&B accommodation, plus guided tours and experiences throughout. The itinerary includes stops in Troyes on the outward journey and Reims on the way home. Original Travel (020 3582 4990; www.originaltravel.co.uk) 

Private Provence 

Enjoy Gallic life at its best on a nine-day meander through Provence. After an overnight stop in Reims, you will have three nights in your own Provencal farmhouse in Baux-de-Provence, a perfect base for exploring the medieval city of Avignon, the perfectly preserved ancient town of Glanum, the incredible Roman ruins of St Remy and the dramatic clifftop Chateau des Baux. Next, you will spend three nights in another French farmhouse one hour further south where you will taste local wines and explore the mysterious Camargue region, home to salt flats, marshlands, saltwater lakes and the native Camargue horse, one of which will be your steed for a morning's ride.   

Prices from £2,200 pp based on two sharing and including return travel on Eurotunnel, guided tours and experiences throughout and six nights' self-catering accommodation, plus two nights' B&B in Reims. Original Travel (020 3582 4990; www.originaltravel.co.uk) 

Bordeaux and the Basque Country 

Discover the best that Bordeaux and the Basque Country has to offer on this eight-day self-drive tour of the region. After an overnight stop in Chambord (post-drive French Martini obligatory), continue on to Biarritz, where you'll have a private surfing lesson in Europe's birthplace of the sport. After two nights here, you'll spend two nights in the small seaside resort of Vielle-Saint-Girons, just 1 hour from the city of Bayonnne, known for its narrow medieval streets. You'll be staying in your own colonial-style house at the entrance to Le Landes Natural Park, which you'll explore by private cruise and/or a seaplane tour, spotting as many of its 320 bird species as you can. Next, travel via Cap Ferret to Bordeaux, where you can park the car for a couple of nights and fully dedicate yourself to the region's most famous export: wine. 

Prices from £2,700 pp based on two sharing and including return travel on Eurotunnel, guided tours and experiences throughout and five nights' B&B accommodation and two nights' self-catering. Original Travel (020 3582 4990; www.originaltravel.co.uk) 

Normandy and Brittany 

Discover the beautiful beaches and charming seaside towns of Northern France on this nine-day tailor-made Normandy and Brittany road trip. Beginning in Honfleur and Le Havre, both popular spots among the Impressionist painters into which you'll get a fascinating insight with private tours of the local – but world-leading - galleries, the trip takes you along the beautiful Cotentin Peninsula to Brittany. Here, you'll enjoy a private culinary cruise in the beautiful bay of Mont Saint-Michel, as well as a guided tour of the island's iconic village and historic abbey and monastery.  

Prices from £2,500 pp based on two sharing and including return travel on Eurotunnel, guided tours and experiences throughout and seven nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel (020 3582 4990; www.originaltravel.co.uk) 

https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/collections/road-trips-to-europe-from-uk 

-Ends-  

For more information contact Rebecca Lowe:   

press@originaltravel.co.uk  

020 3582 4990  

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Notes to Editors: 

Original Travel curates customised 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 also has its own specialist dive division. Original Diving is the world's only luxury dive travel outfit and is staffed by a team that includes 1 dive instructor, 5 dive masters and a marine biologist. Having completed more than 3,000 dives in over 50 countries, equating to over 100 years' collective diving experience, the team pride themselves on their unparalleled expertise and knowledge of the best dive destinations across the globe.  

Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they wouldn't 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. A great way to start the holiday sooner  
• The knowledge that not only will Original Travel offset the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire 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 £800,000 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