Giving Back
Learn how YOU are helping disadvantaged children have the holiday of their lifetime.

In 2003, my best mate Ravi and I spent a week at a crumbling chateau in the Dordogne with a group of our closest friends. It was one of those holidays you never forget. The chateau was stunning, the wine was flowing and the weather was pretty much perfect. Best of all, we had the whole place to ourselves. As it turns out, that holiday was the start of something pretty special. Before we’d even got back to England, Ravi and I had come up with the basic idea for our first business, Simply Chateau: a website where people could find and book exclusive, luxury chateaux without having to shell out a fortune.
We’ve grown a bit since then. We’ve now got a team of people who love travelling just as much as we do. Between us, we’ve hand-picked every one of the properties you’ll find on the site. Our emphasis is still on quirky, lavish, one-of-a-kind places to stay, but we now offer villas, castles, stately homes, beach huts and cottages, as well as chateaux – not just in France, but all over the world. You may have noticed we’ve changed our name too. Ravi took a bit of persuading, but in the end we agreed on Oliver’s Travels!
So whether you want to treat the family, get together with friends or spend a romantic weekend somewhere special, why do ordinary… when you can have exceptional?
If you are looking for a bit of inspiration, why not take a look at our latest recommendations, where you’ll find a list of our own favourite places to stay? The Inspiration page is also a good place to start your search. And if you still haven’t even decided on where to go, head to Oliver’s Journal – our pretty awesome blog!
Happy travelling,
PS. Love holidays? You need to follow us!
Learn how YOU are helping disadvantaged children have the holiday of their lifetime.
OT Team on London Eye!
Oliver and Ravi!
Big OT Meeting!
Oliver’s Travels in the office!
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Try ‘UPS-ing’ your luggage – It works out cheaper than charges the budget airlines levy and means you waltz through the airport sans luggage!
Splurge a bit! Holidays are so important and it’s always fun to go slightly over budget occasionally.
Don’t waste a magic moment to take a photo for social media. Just enjoy it alone or with your travel companions. Eat and drink local as much as you can!
Pack versatile clothing to adapt to changing weather and activities effortlessly!
Always ask the locals where they would recommend you eat!
As well as the local food or wine, try a local beer – branching out has brought me some of my favourite tipples!
If your partner tells you to stop packing so many things into your bag, discretely sneak it into theirs.
Do some research before going to your destination, but also allow time for some spontaneity!
If it’s hot, then early starts and afternoon siestas can help make the most of the day!
Learn a joke in the local language to break the ice and make new friends!
Take free walking tours, they are really informative and fun!
Banana is a favourite pizza topping in Sweden!
Pack light, travel smart, and remember: the less you carry, the more room there is for memories (and snacks)!
Treat yourself at least once – whether it’s a full body massage at a luxury Turkish spa, or a taster menu at an iconic Michelin star restaurant, you deserve it!
One of the best ways to really get to know a destination is to explore as many parts of it as you can, especially the ones which are less commercial and touristic. Don’t be afraid to get lost. Google maps is always there to save you anyways!
Research your destination’s transport options. You can get a good deal and save some monies for some more shopping or your next holiday!
Save space in your luggage by rolling up your clothes. Remember – if you aren’t sure about bringing an item, you probably don’t need it!
Don’t be afraid to get lost! It usually leads you to the best place.
Save the clear bags they give you at the airport to store your liquids. Next time you go on holiday, pack your liquids into the clear bag while you’re at home. Makes it easier to get through security without fiddling through your carry-on!
Make a copy of all your important documents. Store them on your phone and have a hard copy or two just in case.
Carry a small notebook to jot down quirky local signs or conversations that make you smile—it’s a fun way to capture memories!
Wake up early to avoid the crowds, you will see the most beautiful sunrises!
Bring an empty tote bag for souvenirs—your suitcase will thank you later. Plus, it gives you an excuse to shop!
What’s the best way to a sense of humour fail? Get lost. Keep it old school and take a paper map!
Make sure your hire car GPS has an English option – unless your French is good it can be tricky finding rural chateaux otherwise!
Step out of your comfort zone, life is to be enjoyed!
Always pack snacks—because airplane food is a gamble, and you don’t want to lose. Plus, emergency chocolate never hurts!
If you are travelling to a new country and you can’t speak the local language try to learn some basic words and phrases and you will have lots of fun making new friends. The language helps you learn about the culture, and the culture helps you learn about the language.
When traveling, always try to learn a few words in the local language. ‘Where’s the bathroom?’ is universal, but ‘Do you have Wi-Fi?’ will make you a local hero.
When booking a table, always say it’s your birthday. You’ll get the best table in the house!
Give yourself time to take in your surroundings. What you are looking at now will be different in the next minute. Take it in.
Practice walking before going on holidays to prepare your legs, feet and walking shoes. No one wants blisters on day one!
Rise before sunrise (at least once) during your trip to enjoy tranquillity away from busy attractions.
Why not give each family member a disposable camera? Most won’t remember what they photographed and it’s a great way to extend your holiday once back home.
Plan some private time – travelling with family can be tiring and planning some you time will enable you and everyone else to have a much better holiday!
Always try to learn a little bit of the local language when you are travelling somewhere!
Always take sensible walking shoes! And enjoy a picnic made up of local delicacies in an idyllic setting of your choice.
FREE WATER FOR ALL! Pack an empty water bottle if you want to save on the expense, there are usually water fountains after security! Magic!
Packing is everything. Will you wear everything you are taking? Probably not! Get rid of a third of the clothes packed, so you can bring more back!
Bring a travel journal. Ask everyone in your group / family to contribute something in it at the end of each day. Years from now, you will look back and memories will come flooding back!
You can learn so much about an area by the food, visit a market and see the raw ingredients and try things that are new to you.
The best travel snack is a banana, they are nutritious, yummy and easy to pack – and will keep you going for hours!
Dress your kids in very bright colours. If they go for a run whilst you are trying to repack the bag they just unpacked for fun, you will still be able to see them in a packed airport.
Get some coconut water in you. It will help with the extreme heat, or even better, your hangover!
Spend a day mimicking the locals – from their walk to their hand gestures. It’s a surefire way to break the ice and get invited to unexpected local events. Just remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!
Roll your clothes, not your socks—unless you want to start a sock rebellion in your suitcase!
Be active! Don’t think twice and jump off the cliff, you will surprise yourself!
Never be afraid to go off the beaten track, you may find the best local bars and restaurants that way!
You can always pack lighter. Remember that when doing a backpacker trip!
Travelling between the islands is so easy with regular daily boats leaving between Mallorca – Menorca – Ibiza – Formentera. Make the most of your holiday and visit the other islands for the day.
Spain has some amazing all year round fiestas not to be missed, don’t forget to request a list of all the local fiestas in the area you are travelling to so you can plan ahead.
Check museum websites before visiting for any free entry times!
Holidays are the perfect opportunity for a digital detox. Unplug, disconnect and enjoy!
Get out of the big cities and explore the lesser known places as they are normally so beautiful!
For overseas purchases, always use credit cards with a 0% exchange rate & NO loading fees – it could save you £££s!
Always have snacks for your kids! This will avoid arguments and small disasters. And have a snack or two for the parents. Adults can get as hangry as kids!
Visit supermarkets in a new country! They are full of amazingness and food you may not know. Buy a couple of unknown things and try them back at your villa!
Book early! This will save you a little which you can then spend on your holidays!
Let your bank know where you are off too! It will avoid the late calls to your bank to let them know it is you trying to buy a hat.
More of a fun fact – it is the same time at both ends of China!
Go for a walk! Use those beautiful legs and walk everywhere!
Ever heard of a jacket with 14 pockets? Pack your socks, snacks, and maybe even a small pet. Stay hands-free and impress fellow travelers with your portable storage fashion sense!
Create a bingo card with unique experiences (like getting lost and finding a hidden gem). Cross them off as you go. Achieve a bingo, and you’re officially a travel maverick!
If you ever get lost in a foreign city, just pretend you’re looking for the “hidden gems” and you’ll sound like a local instead of a tourist.
Don’t forget the suncream if you don’t want to end up mistaken for a boiled lobster!
Photobomb every tourist’s picture with your best duck face and see if you can steal the spotlight. It’s like playing Where’s Waldo, but with more ego!
Try and buy a postcard from everywhere you visit and write your holiday highlights on the back. It’s lovely looking back through them!
Forget Ibiza! Comporta- incredible seafood, golden beaches, picturesque buildings & warm, welcoming culture. Make it your next villa holiday!
Hire quad bikes when you’re on the Greek islands…Awesome way to explore and discover the less-packed beaches!
Don’t try to cram too much into your trip. You can’t do everything and some of the best times happen when you don’t plan anything at all!
Embrace the local food scene—trying new dishes is one of the best ways to experience a culture!
Always pack a smile and a spare charger; one keeps you powered up for adventure, and the other keeps your phone charged.
Be patient, things don’t always go to plan and that is okay. Enjoy the adventure and the unexpected! Life is too short!
You don’t need to wait one hour after eating to swim and vice versa. It’s a myth!
Wake up early! You’ll be able to pack a lot more in, see beautiful sunrises and enjoy fewer crowds at popular attractions.
Pack a harmonica, even if you can’t play it. It’ll make you look mysterious and cultured. Plus, if you encounter a bear, you can either charm it with your ‘music’ or throw it at the bear and run while it’s confused !
Download offline maps before you go; you never know when you’ll find yourself in a Wi-Fi black hole!
Buy travel insurance. You probably won’t need it, but the day you do, you will be delighted to have it.
Involve your kids in the holiday planning, let them pick an activity or two. Keep everyone excited all the way!
Before getting to your destination, why not read up on its history. This will give you great facts for your group, help you understand certain quirks of said place, and just great knowledge to have!
Get in touch with the villa owner before getting there, they will have great recommendations for your holiday!
Download offline maps before you go—because getting lost is only fun in movies!
Traveling can be dehydrating. Carry a reusable water bottle and make a habit of staying hydrated throughout your journey.
Bring a reusable water bottle—you’ll stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste while making a new friend at every refill station!
Invest in a portable charger and a universal adapter. This duo ensures your devices stay powered up, and you can charge them anywhere in the world, eliminating the stress of finding compatible outlets during your travels.
Learn a few key phrases in the local language—it’s the easiest way to make new friends and show respect!
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