Big Short Breaks

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Original Travel's portfolio of Big Short Breaks, launched in 2003, contains luxury breaks to suit all requirements from city breaks to skiing, adventures and escapes, all chosen with accessibility in mind... minimum time and maximum experience.

While these trips are as much tailored to your specific requirements as our further flung holidays, they represent perfect nugget-sized long weekend trips. The team at Original Travel research hundreds of potential luxury break destinations, but only the very best make the grade in terms of accessibility, originality and value for money.

Those that do appear here might raise an eyebrow or two - can you really spend the weekend sampling sauvignon blancs in South Africa's winelands? Certainly you can, with the benefit of overnight flights and minimal time changes. Or seeing polar bears in the wild? Equally possible with a night in Oslo followed by two or three in Svalbard, the desolate Norwegian island chain deep in the Arctic Circle. These and more pocket adventures are a phone call away.

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Itinerary Ideas

Best for: Honeymoons and Families

Arctic Adrenaline in Swedish Lapland

A four day adventure in the Arctic, this carefully chosen itinerary has you staying in two very memorable lodgings, both deep in the Swedish...

Best for: Families

Family Break in Lapland

Swedish Lapland is a properly magical experience that will fuel kids' imaginations and give them memories of adventure and fun to last a lifetime. Itinerary...

Best for: Couples

Appreciating Art and Architecture: A City Break in Florence

Florence is known for being the birthplace of the Renaissance and is famous all over the world for housing masterpieces of art and architecture....

Best for: Couples

Classic Sites and Secret Spots: A Luxury City Break in Venice

Venice is one of Europe's (and indeed the world's) most beautiful cities, and a luxury city break here makes for a perfect romantic trip. Let...

Best for: Couples

Ancient Architecture and Cultural Hot Spots: A Luxury City Break to Rome

Such is the breadth and depth of history, art and culture in Rome that you could easily dedicate a Big Short Break to one of many themes. However,...

An aerial view of Central Park and Manhattan

Best for: Couples

A City Break to New York

An action packed adventure in New York, where you will see and experience famous attractions both on the land and from the air. Shopping, museums,...

Best for: Couples

A City Break to Miami

An adventure in the city of Miami, where you will experience art, culture and trendy hotspots, as well as the iconic South Beach.

Best for: Couples and Families

Seville City Break

Spend three days getting under the skin of one of Spain's most beautiful cities on this luxury city break. Itinerary at a Glance: Hunt out Seville's...

Best for: Couples, Families, Groups and Solo Travellers

Marrakech City Break

Enjoy a Big Short Break in the most exotic place within easy reach of the UK - Marrakech. Home to luxury riad accommodation, fabulous and fabled...

Best for: Couples

Walking Tours, Wine Tastings & River Cruises: A Big Short Break to Porto

Three days of the good life in Portugal's superb second city, enjoying its impeccable wines and fascinating heritage. Itinerary at a glance: Soak...

Best for: Couples

Lisbon Like a Local: A City Break Discovering Portugal's History, Culture and Food

The one-time centre of a great maritime empire, Lisbon has grown into relaxed and vibrant modern city, the perfect spot for a luxury city break. Itinerary...

Best for: Couples

Bordeaux Big Short Break

With a recently rediscovered mojo, grand 18th century boulevards and a foodie scene to complement the fabled vins, Bordeaux is the perfect spot...

Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers

A Long Weekend in Lyon

France's second city is its first for food, not to mention somewhere in the heart of excellent wine country and with fascinating culture, making...

Best for: Couples and Honeymoons

A Parisian Big Short Break

Get under the skin of the City of Light on this four-day itinerary, taking in some iconic spots and others which fly slightly under the radar. Itinerary...

Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers

Highlights of St Petersburg

This Russian short break makes perfect sense if you are short on time. Elegant St Petersburg feels more European than other Russian cities, scattered...

Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers

Moscow: Russia’s Cosmopolitan Capital

Cosmopolitan, lively Moscow has been Russia's capital for a century. Iconic St Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin face off on opposite sides of...

united states capitol with senate chamber

Best for: Couples and Solo Travellers

Washington DC Big Short Break

Spend five days getting under the skin of the city that is the beating heart of American politics. Walk along the National Mall and marvel at...

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Where to Go

Europe > Sweden > Swedish Lapland

Swedish Lapland

The Northern Lights, dog-sledding and ice-driving are just snippets of what is on offer in Swedish Lapland.

Europe > Croatia > Dalmatian Coast

Dalmatian Coast

Combine beautiful Mediterranean coastline with cosmopolitan and lively cities on your Dalmatian Coast holiday.

Europe > Italy > The Dolomites

The Dolomites

A well known winter ski destination, the northern Italian mountains are also beautiful in the summer. The Dolomites became a UNESCO World Heritage...

Middle East > Jordan

Jordan

For a small country, Jordan packs an impressive punch in terms of history, culture and scenery, and the proximity of its key sights makes a holiday...

Middle East > Oman > Muscat

Muscat

The Omani capital is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the Middle East.

Africa > South Africa > The Winelands and Cape

The Winelands and Cape

Sample the many delights accessible via scenic drives from Cape Town, from wine tasting to whale watching, and countryside retreats.

North America > USA > New York

New York

Does it need an introduction? Go shopping, go partying, stay in an uber cool urban hotel, and enjoy your bite out of the Big Apple.

Europe > Norway > The Fjords

The Fjords

Pining for the fjords? You should be.

Europe > Norway > Svalbard

Svalbard

Deep inside the Arctic Circle, this archipelago of Norwegian islands is remote, wild and completely beautiful.

Europe > Iceland

Iceland

The youngest country on earth, and one of the most fun.

Europe > Spain > Seville

Seville

Andalucia's largest city has enough attractions to last weeks; tapas, sunshine and delightful architecture and hotels.

Africa > Morocco

Morocco

Morocco is an immediate and exciting immersion in another world, where Arab and Berber blood, history and culture are inextricably bound.

Africa > Namibia > Skeleton Coast and the Kunene River

Skeleton Coast and the Kunene River

A flying safari along the Skeleton Coast takes in some of the most remote wilderness areas of Namibia, and this remains one of Original Travel’s...

Middle East > Oman > Nizwa, the Mountains & the Wahiba Sands

Nizwa, the Mountains & the Wahiba Sands

For the perfect adventure away from Muscat, explore the dramatic Hajar Mountains, the ancient city of Nizwa and the dunes of the Wahiba Sands.

Africa > Morocco > Fez

Fez

The ancient capital of Morocco is one of the most atmospheric cities in the world.

Europe > Turkey > Istanbul

Istanbul

Just three and a half hours from the UK, this atmospheric 'East meets West' city is a perfect destination for a long weekend.

Europe > Italy > Sardinia

Sardinia

Sardinia's north-eastern coast is impossibly glamorous and home to seriously luxurious hotels, whilst the rest of the Island is relatively untouched.

Europe > Portugal > Porto & the Douro Valley

Porto & the Douro Valley

The Brits have long had a penchant for port, but the vineyards where the fortified wine is created and the eponymous city of Porto are, in themselves,...