A&K¹s 2015 India, Orient & Europe Brochure.

Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, has just released its 2015 India, Orient & Europe brochure The new compendium contains over 70 itineraries and extensions for the private independent traveller seeking to explore these regions in luxury, with their own private guides at each stop and signature A&K service throughout.

A&K Managing Director Sujata Raman comments, “A&K’s business to India and the sub-continent continues from strength to strength, with a 20% increase in sales year on year. The big news is Sri Lanka, and since the opening of our office there sales are up by over 200%. In response to this reaction from the market we’ve expanded our product range there, offering new extensions to the beaches of the EastCoast and to the country’s most widely known national park, Yala, which has some of the best leopard viewing in the world. In the Orient, Myanmar is our top selling destination, which will be boosted even further by the launch of our ship Sanctuary Ananda commencing operation in November and with strong bookings already in place.

“The trend for multi-country itineraries continues with a number released this year. In south east Asia we’re combining Cambodia and Laos with a focus on the World Heritage sites in Siem Reap and Luang Prabang. Covered in just a week incredible attractions are paired with beautiful boutique accommodations. In Europe, a new 10-day private itinerary showcases the fairytale castles and picture postcard landscapes of southern Germany as well as Austria’s two most cultural cities. Spain and Portugal are also a logical combination offering up the best the Iberian Peninsula has to offer in a delightful two week private journey.”

Engaging with nature

New in wilderness experiences is a 4-day extension in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s second largest, but home to the world’s highest concentration of leopard. A luxury camping safari with regular game drives works perfectly for guests who’ve visited the Tea Country and are en route to the south coast.
A&K’s 4-day ‘Yala National Park’ extension is priced from $1,695.

Beach stays

Also new is a short stay on Sri Lanka’s east coast where the vibrant seaside city of Trincomalee boasts palm-fringed golden beaches, coral reefs and amazing marine life – blue whales, dolphins and turtles are all found in the waters offshore. Accommodation is at the spectacularly situated Jungle Beach Resort where the experience is that of a luxury tree house.

A&K’s 4-day ‘East Coast Beach’ extension is priced from $1,300.

New Orient experiences

New to the Mekong is a striking vessel from the crew at Aqua Expeditions. Aqua Mekong embodies all the aesthetics of a sophisticated 5 Star hotel but afloat. Sustainable materials are used in the cutting edge design and artisanal touches add local flavour. She carries 40 guests on journeys between Vietnam and Cambodia taking in temples, forests, stilted villages and monasteries along the way.
A&K’s 10-day ‘Journey on the Mekong’ itinerary is priced from $8,780.

Launching in November2014, the luxurious all suite Sanctuary Ananda will cruise along the majestic Ayeyarwady River between Bhamo and Yangon visiting temples, pagodas, palaces and monasteries along the way. Other journeys are scheduled on its tributary the Chindwin, which will reveal places rarely seen before – the jungles of the north, forgotten villages and ancient towns. The ship carries no more than 48 guests with cruises of 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11 nights.

A&K’s 11-day ‘Myanmar in Style’ itinerary is priced from $6,695.

A new food-focused journey has been introduced in Vietnam. It is an introduction to local chefs, their methods, the colourful local markets with hands-on cooking experiences. Guests stay in some of Vietnam’s finest hotels and explore the attractions of Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An as well.

A&K’s 8-day ‘Tastes of Vietnam’ journey is priced from $3,350.

An exciting new addition to the Orient portfolio is a visit to Naoshima Island in southern Japan. The place is famous for its remarkable art installations and cutting edge architecture, showcasing the best up-and-coming Japanese artists as well asinternational talent. Guests stay in a unique boutique hotel, which is located within a contemporary art museum.

A&K’s 4 day ‘Naoshima Island’ extension is priced from $4,215.

By road, by rail, by sea – what’s new in Europe?

For fairy tale castles and picture postcard landscapes, A&K has introduced a delightful journey combining southern Germany and Austria. Travelling with a private car and driver through Bavaria, along the Romantic Road and into beautiful Salzburg and Vienna there are walking tours through medieval villages, vibrant city stays, incredible monuments and breath-taking scenery.

A&K’s 10-day ‘Highlights of Southern Germany & Austria’ journey from $11,885.

An exciting development awaits cruise guests travelling to Russia. The Volga Dream II is scheduled to launch in March 2015. This state-of-the-art craft will be the first deluxe passenger ship built from scratch in Russia and introduced to the Russian waterways since 1990. With a capacity for 160 passengers, she will travel between Moscow and St Petersburg with touring to include the 10th century architectural treasures of Uglich, the churches of Yaroslavl, the White Lake, Goritsy and the 14th century Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, tiny Kizhy Island, Europe’s largest freshwater lake and quaint wooden villages.

A&K’s 12 day ‘Waterways of the Czars’ itinerary from $9,855.

Joining the Golden Eagle train in Russia and central Asia is the Golden Eagle Danube Express which offers a range of fascinating rail journeys through eastern Europe taking passengers into the heart of vibrant cities like Budapest, Venice, Istanbul, Krakow and Prague. Comfort and style are paramount with sleeping cars the finest on the European rail network.

A&K’s 8-day ‘The Transylvanian: Istanbul to Budapest’ journey from US$4,995.

To book your A&K itinerary today or to enquire further please contact Abercrombie & Kent on 1300 590 317 or visit www.abercrombiekent.com.au