Each week at 101 Holidays we interview one of the people behind the UK’s finest travel companies. This week we meet Tom Barber of Original Travel.
Tom worked as a journalist for GQ Magazine and the London Evening Standard before founding the award-winning Original Travel in 2003 with City slicker friends Nick Newbury and Alastair Poulain.
They began by offering so-called Big Short Breaks, long weekends beyond the normal city and ski breaks available at the time. The concept proved so successful that the company went on to offer trips to their favourite long-haul destinations with the same high levels of service, originality and tailor-making.
• Where are you planning to go on holiday this year, and why?
I have been to Iran for a culture fix and to dispel any lasting suspicions that it’s not a safe place to travel. It was wonderful and every bit as interesting as Syria, which has proved hugely popular for us in the last couple of years.
Next up is Montenegro, which has incredibly scenery and is definitely the upcoming Mediterranean destination. Dubrovnik is within easy reach and this is the site of Europe’s first official Amanresort. Later in the year I am looking to go to a very relaxed little place in the Algarve called Monte Velho, which always seems to have good weather, and a fantastic surf beach where the waves are so friendly even I can stand up.
Finally (this seems like a lot of holidays, but most are short breaks, in keeping with our Big Short Break philosophy) an R&R/diving holiday with my wife, somewhere amazing like the Maldives, because for sheer luxury it’s hard to beat.
• What is your favourite bolthole in the UK, and why?
My wife and I just stayed at the excellent Seaham Hall in County Durham because while I was an indolent student at Durham University I naturally failed to see any of the local highlights. The City of Durham itself is a winner (I did at least manage to walk around that while at Uni), but we also went to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and walked the most picturesque section of Hadrian’s Wall. Both were incredibly beautiful. Otherwise, the North Norfolk Coast is hard to beat but I’m biased as I now live there.
• If you could spend a long weekend in any city abroad, which would you pick, and why?
Until very recently I was a complete urban warrior, having grown up in London, so I really appreciate a good metropolis. I’ve put a lot of thought into this question over the years, and for me the short haul option has to be Rome, which is eminently walkable, completely alive despite an extraordinary history and packed to the gunnels with things to see and delicious little restaurants. Further afield, it’s a close run thing between New York and Tokyo for unashamedly modern cities that offer everything from culture to food to shopping and incredible nightlife. NYC probably pips it because it’s easier to immerse yourself without too much insider knowledge.
• Please tell us three items that are always found in your luggage.
A digital SLR with a telephoto lens for snapping portraits without getting in people’s faces, an iPod for long journeys and the Original Travel dossier on what to do, restaurants, etc, for that destination so I know where we recommend and if we need to add anywhere new.
• What one thing would most improve people’s overall holiday experience?
Using a tour operator! I know I’m bound to say that, but it’s amazing how many people still don’t realise the benefits. It really shouldn’t cost any more than booking things direct because we negotiate excellent net rates, plus we’ve been to all our destinations so it’s like talking to the authors of a guidebook to that particular place. Then there’s the security of financial bonding, the fact that we are there to make changes to itineraries for you if you want, and generally taking the hassle out of the whole planning process. I could go on!
• What has been your worst holiday experience?
When I was about 6, I was staying with friends in the Republic of Ireland, and me and a friend had little British army uniforms we used to run around in. Someone delivered a letter to the house saying if we wore them again the IRA would blow up the house. My mother dragged me out of the uniform and I cried for the rest of the week because I didn’t understand what was going on.
• Tell us your favourite hotel: in the UK; in mainland Europe; in the rest of the world.
Seaham Hall is the only time I can remember staying in a top notch UK hotel in recent years. That’s not to imply others aren’t top notch, but I don’t tend to stay in UK hotels. In Europe, my new favourite city hotel is the Four Seasons in Budapest and non-city would be the immaculate JK Place on Capri Island. In the rest of world, city hotel would be Park Hyatt in Tokyo, and elsewhere would be Soneva Fushi in the Maldives.
• What is the most exciting project Original Travel is working on right now?
Our new website, which we hope will be the best in the luxury tour operator market. There are also a couple of top secret ones I can’t possibly reveal!
• Thank you, Tom.
Like this? Email a link or share it with your friends
Tags: Original Travel, Tom Barber