It doesn’t seem that long since I packed up my trunk and hopped aboard the luxury steamship that inspired Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, and while I was at it, discovered Original Travel, the holiday company that ‘gets’ me and my unusual travel tastes.

Now if I feel restless, I’ll head to their site for inspiration. After one such recent visit, I have good news to share: Original Travel has just released a genius collection of travel itineraries, called the Secret Series. Each shines a light on lesser-visited regions of the world’s classic destinations which receive a fraction of the tourism traffic. It’s music to our ears here at Ellie & Co.

It still amazes me people book their trips on the back of a ‘top 10 hotspots’ list. Why visit the same places as everyone else, when heading off the beaten path offers rich rewards, like feeling good for travelling more sustainably and spreading the wealth among smaller local communities.

You often end up with more interesting stories to tell, too. Like the time I found this p*nis-themed café-bar in Sicily and this abandoned Hollywood movie set in the Moroccan desert, took the ‘worst’ guided tour of Porto, and explored England’s abandoned cave cottages.

penis bar castelmola sicily near taormina

If you’re not familiar with Original Travel, they specialise in curating authentic tailor-made holidays for those who like to dig deeper into a place. Although I’m a self-confessed holiday-planning obsessive and love creating off-beat travel itineraries, I wouldn’t hesitate to hand them the reigns, which says a lot about how great I think they are.

Their new Secret Series collection features 40 itineraries so far and counting.  Needless to say, I couldn’t resist picking out some of the itineraries I was drawn to, from Europe to the USA. Here’s a flavour of Original Travel’s Secret Series of travel itineraries to get us in the mood:

a Road Trip Through France’s Secret Centre

The medieval village of La Roque Gageac on the Dordogne river

Itinerary highlights:

  • From Périgord to the Massif Central, discover the natural wonders of south-central France.
  • Stay in luxurious accommodations surrounded by nature.
  • Enjoy memorable experiences in every destination: a private boat trip on the Dordogne, entrance tickets to Lascaux IV and hiking in the Mounts of Cantal.

Starting from £ 2,175 to £ 2,605 per person for 8 days, depending on season of travel, accommodation and activities. Read more, here and here.

 

Rome and Beyond: OFF-BEAT Urban AND RURAL Escapades

© flowerz/Fotolia

Itinerary highlights:

  • Experience the many facets of Italy with stays in two locations; one in the heart of Rome and the other deep in the Abruzzo countryside.
  • Discover Rome with a local guide and make the most of priority pass tickets to top attractions.
  • Indulge in delicious food and good wine in the hilltop-perched villages of Abruzzo.
  • Tour the village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio and learn to make traditional bread.

Starting from £ 1,480 to £ 2,125 per person for 6 days, depending on season of travel, accommodation and activities. Read more, here.

 

On the Shores of Lake Michigan: ALTERNATIVE Chicago

Sister Bay, Wisconsin © Jon/Stock.Adobe

Itinerary highlights:

  • Experience two sides of Chicago: its iconic sites followed by its burgeoning music and food scene.
  • Swap hip and trendy Chicago for some lakeside leisure in tranquil Saugatuck.
  • Sail down the Kalamazoo River on a vintage boat to admire the town’s glamorous waterfront houses.

Starting from £ 2,780 to £ 3,475 per person for 9 days. Read more, here.

 

Sea, Springs and Volcanoes in Southern Japan: Kyushu and the secret Goto Islands

© Pauline Chardin

Itinerary highlights:

  • Journey through the heart of Kyushu, the ‘Land of Water and Fire’ discovering secret islands, traditional hot springs and ancient volcanoes.
  • Stay in a range of accommodations from inns to B&Bs that celebrate the art of Japanese living.
  • Enjoy memorable experiences everywhere you go: walking tours of Fukuoka and Nagasaki and a bike ride in Fukue.

Starting from £ 4,520 to £ 5,650 per person for 13 days. Read more, here.

 

Ashrams and Ancient Cities: A Journey Through little-known Gujarat, India

© Riverside Palace

Itinerary highlights:

  • Discover the little-known and untouched northwestern region of Gujarat with a private driver-guide.
  • Learn about the region’s long and fascinating history, from the ruins of ancient cities of the Indus Civilisation to ashrams and museums dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Swap the history and culture of the cities with the nature and wildlife of Gir National Park.

Starting from £ 3,910 to £ 4,605 per person for 12 days, depending on the season of travel, accommodation and activities. Read more, here.

 

Call of the Wild: AN ADVENTURE INTO THE Yukon, CANADA

Miles Canyon © Jacob/Stock.Adobe

 Itinerary highlights:

  • Eat your way around foodie Vancouver.
  • Paddle along the Yukon River.
  • Explore the history of Whitehorse and Dawson City.
  • Pan for gold in the great Klondike River, following the footsteps of frontier men.
  • Spot grizzly bears.
  • Hike in the golden-hued mountains of Tombstone Territorial Park.
  • Soar over Kluane National Park’s glaciers, on a flightseeing trip.
  • Marvel at the dancing Northern Lights.

Starting from £ 2,635 to £ 3,790 per person for 12 days. Read more, here.

 

Discovering Brazil’s overlooked Gold Route

Tiradentes in Minas Gerais, Brazil © willbrasil21/Stock.Adobe

Itinerary highlights:

  • Explore Rio de Janeiro with an in-the-know private guide.
  • Stay in a traditional farmhouse surrounded by 10,000 acres of private reserve.
  • Visit Inhotim’s indoor/outdoor art collection in beautifully cultivated landscape.

Starting from £ 4,455 to £ 6,405 per person for 12 days. Read more, here.

Lose yourself in the world of Original Travel here and its Secret Series, here

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