London, May 2023
What’s New at A&K Travel Group
Exciting new launches from Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, and Cox & Kings
From charting a course to the North Pole to the first sailings of the newly refurbished Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, A&K Travel Group has a lot to shout about. The global lifestyle and travel company shares its latest news.
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Abercrombie & Kent
New voyages to remote destinations
A&K has added three new Luxury Expedition CruisesSM to its portfolio for 2024, including a spectacular voyage to the North Pole. On the inaugural departure of North Pole Expedition Cruise: The Ultimate Frontier, A&K will exclusively charter the innovative luxury icebreaker ‘Le Commandant Charcot’, with A&K’s award-winning Expedition Team leading the way to the northernmost point on the planet.
NEW: North Pole Expedition Cruise: The Ultimate Frontier (Jul 12-29, 2024) | 17 nights from £42,760pp
Embark on the ultimate expedition to an Arctic frontier like no other. On this, our inaugural expedition to the North Pole, explore in comfort aboard the innovative new luxury icebreaker, ‘Le Commandant Charcot’, as A&K’s award-winning expedition team leads the way.
NEW: Cruising Greece, Turkey & Saudi Arabia (Oct 16-30, 2024)
Explore a crossroads of cultures spanning the ancient and contemporary worlds as you cruise iconic ports of call in Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and venture down the Suez Canal.
NEW: South Pacific Cruise: Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands (Oct 17-30, 2024)
Venture to a spectacular wilderness resplendent with dramatic islands and colorful reefs, astonishing wildlife and indigenous culture.
New trips in 2023
NEW: The Secrets of Morocco’s Memory Road | 7 nights from £9,180pp
Discover the richness and intensity of southern Morocco with a flexible journey along Memory Road, accompanied by your driver and butler. An expedition derived from the owner of Dar Ahlam, experience the foothills of sand dunes, traditional villages, authentic cuisine, and dramatic landscapes on a private trip specialised to you – where you can choose how long you wish the trip to be. Eat lunch in the heart of the argan tree valley, savour a stunning sunset aperitif on the tip of a dune, or enjoy a delicious dinner by the fire surrounded by the breath-taking Atlas Mountains.
NEW: Wings over Europe’s Iconic Capitals | 11 nights from £40,640pp
Discover Europe’s iconic capital cities on this escorted tour by chartered private plane. Take in London’s most iconic spots, from the daily changing of the Mounted Guard to a visit of majestic Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of England’s royal family. Discover Paris – the City of Light – from the Eiffel Tower, with an exclusive private breakfast at the Jules Verne restaurant. Experience the vine cultivation techniques and winemaking methods of the organic produce made in the rolling hills of Champagne. Enter the secret passage that connects the castle with the Vatican itself before joining a guide to explore Rome’s most beautiful sites. What better place than Rome for a pasta-making class to satisfy your well-earned appetite. Head to Vouliagmeni in the Athenian Riviera, a gorgeous natural lake known for warm waters alleged to have therapeutic properties.
NEW: Grand Egyptian Journey | 8 nights from £5,780pp
Be one of the first to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, overlooking the pyramids of Giza, housing the complete collection of treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun. Cruise the Nile in luxury on board the elegant Sanctuary Sun Boat IV. Follow the flow of the mighty Nile as you fly to Abu Simbel and view the magnificent temple of Ramses II. Follow in the footsteps of Howard Carter and explore the Valley of the Kings entering the tomb of Tutankhamun through an enhance access and view the beautiful tomb of Seti I. Join your Egyptologist in the Valley of the Queens to view the colourful tomb of Nefertari, known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Ancient Egypt’. Enjoy a birds-eye-view of the sun rising over the spectacular temples of Luxor during a hot-air balloon flight.
NEW: Legendary Yellowstone and Wonders of Utah | 15 nights from £22,750pp
See America’s geological and ecological standouts like never before. Discover the wonders of Utah’s red tinged rock formations, from the petrified sand dunes and ancient lava flows of Snow Canyon State Park to the desert ridges and twisting canyons of Moab, taken in on horseback. Immerse yourself in Yellowstone’s impressive ecosystem, with the chance to see simmering springs and gushing geysers. Look out for wolves, bison, bears, elk, and moose in what has long been North America’s greatest wilderness for its concentration of wildlife, all while accompanied by the indispensable knowledge of expert guides. What’s more, sleep soundly knowing you’re staying in some of the best lodges around.
NEW: Explore Utah’s Final Frontier | 9 nights from £11,930pp
Discover the geological wonders of Utah in all their red-hued glory. Witness incredible feats of nature and unique rock formations as you trek through its top national parks with expert guides, from Zion to Capitol Reef. Don’t just experience this beauty on foot – wake up your inner adventurer with river rafting down the Colorado, horseback riding through Moab’s canyons, and off-road driving trails surrounded by the region’s iconic sandstone – knowing you can rest and recuperate each night with a stay in the best five-star lodges around.
NEW: Evolve, the newest addition to Ecoventura’s fleet in the Galápagos
Cruise in style on board Evolve,the newest ship to circumnavigate the remarkable Galápagos Islands. Be one of the first to stay in the luxury cabins on this exceptional Relais & Châteaux vessel.Discover more about the unique wildlife of this Ecuadorian archipelago in expert hands, as there are two naturalists on board (looking after no more than 10 guests each).
Each of the 10 spacious cabins connect you to every port of call via panoramic views from every corner of the room. After a day exploring, enjoy catching up with fellow travellers and the captain, in the relaxing lounge. Evolve, named after the scientific works of naturalist Charles Darwin, has sustainable features to reduce fossil fuel consumption by more than 30 per cent.
NEW: A&K Exclusive Tented Camp, Kenya
Set to open in June 2023, A&K’s new, exclusive use tented camp can be set up in the wildlife-rich plains of the Masai Mara or in Ol Pejeta, home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth – promising immersion in some of Africa’s most magnificent landscapes.Conceived and designed by A&K’s unrivalled safari specialists, the mobile camp can be set up with two to 12 tents, accommodating an intimate group of four or up to 24 friends and family. There are two family tents, connected by a corridor between tents that allows adults and children to reach each other without having to leave their room – something never seen before in a mobile camp in East Africa.
Inside each of the locally made tents, bespoke furniture nods to Kenyan heritage, with Kitenge prints used throughout. Modern comforts include charging points by beds, 24-hour solar electricity, laundry service, and en-suite bathrooms featuring a modern flushing toilet, a tin basin sink with running water, and a large shower served with hot water. Once the safari finishes, the camp is packed up, leaving no trace.
NEW: Tented Villa at Sanctuary Tambarare, Kenya
Following the successful opening of Sanctuary Tambarare in Ol Pejeta Conservancy last year, Sanctuary Retreats has announced the opening of a brand-new, two-bedroom Tented Villa at this exceptional camp in July 2023. The sophisticated, free-flowing space has two private en-suite bedrooms, private lounge and dining area, bar and deck, offering ultimate privacy in the heart of the bush.
Crystal
Crystal: Exceptional at Sea
Under the guardianship of the A&K Travel Group, Crystal Cruises has officially relaunched under a reimagined name and vision: Crystal – Exceptional at Sea.
Crystal has also announced its 2023 and 2024 voyages aboard the newly refurbished Crystal Serenity, including the highly anticipated 2024 World Cruise, and Crystal Symphony. Both ships are currently undergoing extensive refurbishments in Trieste, Italy, and when they debut, enhancements will include larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes, cutting-edge onboard wellness as well as a revamped spa and gym. Guests will also find a new pickleball court along with refreshed entertainment and events. The first sailings will be a Mediterranean cruise of Crystal Serenity on 31 July 2023, from Marseille, and Crystal Symphony, scheduled to depart 1 September 2023, from Athens.
Preview the new Crystal experience and just announced voyages at crystalcruises.com.
Cox & Kings
NEW: Sardinian Sojourn | 8-night tailor-made tour from £1,895pp
Explore the length of the Mediterranean’s second-largest island on this gently paced, self-drive tour. Begin on Sardinia’s southern coast in Cagliari – home to swoon-worthy architecture, including a 13th-century Romanesque cathedral. Continue to the Roman town of Nora, then admire the limestone formations of the Zuddas caves. Journey north, discovering the archaeological sites of the Marmilla region, before arriving at Arzachena and the glittering Emerald Coast.
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About A&K Travel Group Ltd.
A&K Travel Group is a global lifestyle and travel company that sets the standard for refined and personalized travel experiences. These include Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal Cruises, and Cox & Kings, as well as investments in other travel companies such as Habitas.
About Abercrombie & Kent
Geoffrey Kent founded A&K in Africa in 1962 with little more than a refrigerated ex-Army truck, and the best tents money could buy. Then, the company went by the motto 'off-the-beaten-track safaris'. A lot has changed in the intervening years, but we still want to take clients down the road less travelled. We win awards for not only our bespoke luxury holidays and unparalleled escorted tours, but also our philanthropic efforts to protect and preserve the places we visit. Nearly six decades later, with Geoffrey Kent still at the helm, we extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents. A&K has more people in more places than any other travel company with more than 55 on-site offices in over 30 countries. Our long-standing networks allow us to uncover local secrets beyond the reach of most. Not much is truly impossible, and we ensure that your time away is the time of your life. www.abercrombiekent.co.uk
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About Crystal
Exceptional at Sea
For over three decades Crystal has been synonymous with exceptional, award-winning voyages. Last year, the A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and its two most beloved vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, ushering in a new era of Exceptional Suites, Exceptional Service, Exceptional Dining, and Exceptional Experiences. www.crystalcruises.com
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About Cox & Kings
Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company with a heritage dating back 260 years to 1758. As custodians of Cox & Kings' extraordinary legacy, the company continues to operate just as it always has done, offering the same award-winning service and attention to detail, with the additional patronage of an even wider network of expertise. Today, the company organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel around the globe. Cox & Kings joined the A&K Travel Group in 2019. www.coxandkings.co.uk