Certainly, an escorted luxury tour is an easy-peasy way to travel, with an expert tour director guiding and facilitating all the touring action. But to “up” the vacation pampering with a more intimate touring approach, consider “small-group” escorted luxury tours with fewer guests. Abercrombie & Kent has many enticing options.
Thus, The Meandering Traveler is eager to unveil our anecdotal picks for the “Best Five A&K Small-Group Luxury Escorted Tours That We’d Love to Take!”
(An aerial view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House is shown above. Photo copyrighted 2015 Abercrombie & Kent)
Small-Group Touring: A&K Luxury Tours
“Travelers should definitely look at A&K’s Luxury Small-Group Journeys, which are led by an A&K Resident Tour Director,” says Shelby Steudle, president of Pavlus Travel. “These accommodate a maximum of 18 guests and feature A&K’s exclusive insider-access moments.”
Steudle also says that “guests will stay in the finest luxury hotels and enjoy a host of luxury amenities.” Alternatively, for those with a sense of adventure, A&K’s Marco Polo Journeys are limited-edition vacations with a maximum group size of 18 guests.
“The Marco Polo Journeys will take travelers to exclusive events and festivals across the globe, as well as give them a chance to explore more off-the-beaten-path destinations,” says Pavlus’ Steudle.
A totally separate option is A&K’s Wings Over the World vacations. They’re small-group journeys but with the added perk of private charter flights between destinations. These luxury tours are even more intimate — typically limited to between 11 and 17 guests, varying by itinerary.
What’s a big perk? A&K’s guests will skirt the airport crowds, and often depart and arrive at separate terminals from the commercial flights. Departures and arrivals are timed to work with the specific itinerary. The private charter flights are designed to make small-group travel a breeze.
1. Small-Group Journey: Ireland
If you’re thinking of a luxurious Ireland tour in 2024, we’d recommend A&K’s nine-day “Ireland: Splendors of the Emerald Isle” tour. While this Small-Group Journey is more than a week, it’s not super long. Thus, it’s appealing for consumers still working full-time or those with limited vacation time.
Guests arrive in Dublin, where they’re met by A&K and transferred to Anantara The Marker-Dublin Hotel, for a two-night stay and welcome dinner. On the next day, they’ll enjoy a privately led exploration of Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Tour goers will see the famous medieval Book of Kells, before more city touring.
County Kilkenny
Heading south to County Kilkenny, guests will stay two nights at the country resort of Castlemartyr. Among the “immersive” touring highlights, travelers will visit a family-owned country pub to meet the owner and his family.
They’ll also receive a hands-on introduction to “hurling.” You might ask, “What’s that?” Well, it’s considered a national sport in Ireland, and it’s rooted in ancient Gaelic origin.
Also, tour guests will listen to tales and music from a “seanchai” or traditional storyteller, before enjoying a hearty lunch and classic pub experience.
Design Your Day
The next day, also in County Kilkenny, guests have flexibility. They can choose one of A&K’s “Design Your Day” activities, based on their own personal interests.
Later, the small tour group will dine together at Ballymaloe House for a savory Chef’s Table experience.
Here are those “Design Your Day” options:
- Sample classic Irish Whiskeys on a premium tour and tasting at Jameson’s Old Midleton Distillery.
- Play a round of golf or relax with a spa experience at the hotel.
- Visit the Cobh Heritage Center to learn about the lives of those who headed to America, and visit the English Market in Cork.
West Cork
As A&K’s guests continue traveling through rugged West Cork, they’ll meet a sixth-generation Irish storyteller “host.” He’ll accompany them on a ferry ride to Whiddy Island and then narrate the group’s around-island tour. In addition, the tour will stop at a traditional Irish pub for lunch and a pint.
Back on the mainland, the tour will continue to Kenmare and on to Sheen Falls Lodge for a two-night stay. One scenic highlight is the drive through Killarney National Park en route to Killarney town. Guests will “ride like a local” in a traditional jaunting car for a close-up look at the park.
Next, they’ll set out on the famed Ring of Kerry for a breathtaking coastal drive. This is definitely the spot for “oohing” and “aahing” at many rugged vistas and gorgeous bays. A stop will then be made for guests to browse local handicrafts at the Gap of Dunloe, a gorgeous valley between two mountain ranges.
Newmarket-on-Fergus
At Newmarket-on-Fergus, tour guests will be treated to an A&K exclusive experience. First, they’ll visit a traditional family dairy farm. Second, they’ll learn about rural life from family members. And third, they’ll join the family for a home-cooked farm lunch.
Moving on, the A&K tour will then visit the charmingly beautiful village of Adare. Afterward, guests will check into Dromoland Castle for a two-night stay. Next up is a visit to bustling Galway, gateway to western Ireland and ancient sites.
At small, coastal Clarinbridge, A&K plans a special tasting. Get your taste buds ready for a Guinness stout with fresh Galway Bay oysters. Following lunch, the tour continues along the coast of County Clare.
Another trip highlight for many guests will be standing atop the soaring Cliffs of Moher as waves crash into rocks at their base.
A&K Luxury Tours: For More Information
To learn more about this itinerary and its many inclusions, check out A&K’s “Ireland: The Splendors of the Emerald Isle“ page.At press time, A&K was showing availability on many departures between June 2024 and October 2024. Pricing started from $8,649 per person, double occupancy.
“For any questions, be sure to talk with your expert personal travel planner and also inquire about any special promotions, added discounts or perks available,” emphasizes Pavlus’ Steudle.
2. Small-Group Luxury Journey: Spain and Portugal
The Iberian Peninsula’s sun-kissed coastlines and landscapes await guests taking A&K’s 14-day ‘Spain and Portugal: A Journey Across Iberia” itinerary. This is a Luxury Small-Group Journey.
Beginning in Lisbon, Portugal, and ending in Barcelona, Spain, it’s appealing for those who love European culture and heritage and desire a vacation longer than a week.
Since this is a highly robust itinerary, just click on this A&K link for complete itinerary details. That said, here are a few top highlights of this A&K Luxury Small-Group Journey.
Luxury Tours: Top Iberia Highlights
Among the many tour highlights:
- Guests will experience two Gehry-designed architectural masterpieces; they’ll explore the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Portugal and stay for two nights at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal.
- In Seville, Spain, they’ll enjoy an A&K-exclusive private dinner and a flamenco performance at a palace.
- In Granada, Spain, they’ll tour the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its historic Moorish architecture.
- Travelers will roam the medieval streets of Cordoba’s Jewish Quarter and admire the interior of the Spanish city’s Grand Mosque.
- They’ll also head out on a Madrid tapas adventure, a true culinary treat.
- A&K’s guests will learn secrets for baking a Portuguese dessert specialty and sample their creation during a private, hands-on pastry-making workshop in Lisbon.
Pricing and Porto Extension
A&K offers many 2024 departures for its 14-day ‘Spain and Portugal: A Journey Across Iberia” itinerary. Guests can travel between late May and October. At press time, pricing began at $13,795 per person, double occupancy.
If guests desire an even longer vacation, A&K also offers a four-day Porto, Portugal, pre-tour extension. At press time, pricing for that extension started at $3,795 per person, double occupancy.
3. Marco Polo Journey: Namibia
Seeking an escorted travel experience with a strong adventure bent? Definitely, we’d suggest checking out one A&K Marco Polo Journey, entitled “Namibia: Dunes & Desert Safari.” On this small-group journey operating roundtrip from Windhoek, Namibia, a maximum of 12 guests are accepted.
From the outset, guests will see this isn’t your typical tour. After arrival, guests will be transferred to a luxury permanent camp set on a private wildlife reserve outside of Windhoek. They’ll enjoy a sunset safari drive followed by a Scenic Sundowner cocktail and welcome dinner.
Onguma Game Reserve, Etosha National Park
On Day 2, tour goers will board a private aircraft for a flight to the 84,000-acre Onguma Private Game Reserve. Upon arrival, they’ll settle into their luxury lodge accommodations, and then set out on an afternoon game drive around the private reserve.
Simply put, this reserve is “wildlife central.” So, guests might spot hundreds of species of birds and a variety of exotic animals including lions, black and white rhinos, elephants and giraffes. The next day’s highlight is Etosha National Park for more wildlife viewing.
Guests will return to the lodge for lunch and free time — perhaps a relaxing afternoon at the infinity swimming pool. That’s before a sunset drive, with opportunities once again to spot cheetah, gemsbok or a flock of flamingos.
The Puros Conservancy
Next, tour goers will take a private charter flight to their next destination — a luxury lodge in the Puros Conservancy. Often described as one of the last truly wild areas in the northwest of Namibia, the conservancy is home to desert-dwelling elephants.
The Okahirongo Elephant Lodge sits atop the banks of the Hoarusib Riverbed, providing an incredible base for the wildlife adventures. Game drives provide views of the distinctive plant life, strange rock formations and, of course, the elephants.
One A&K highlight is for guests to meet members of Namibia’s last nomadic tribe, the Himba. They’ll learn about customs and traditions and mingle with tribal members sporting ochre-red braided hair and costumes of hides and beads.
Skeleton Coast National Park
Next, luxury tour guests will board a private charter flight to Skeleton Coast National Park, a fascinating dunescape dotted with the bones of beached whales, seals and shipwrecks. Guests will stay at the Shipwreck Lodge, which provides views of Damaraland’s dunes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Then, travelers will marvel at the phenomenon of “singing sand” at the Roaring Dunes, before returning to the lodge for dinner.
One of the tour’s top highlights for many guests is likely to be an ATV adventure through the dunes of the Skeleton Coast. In addition, guests can try their hand at duneboarding. Others may desire to explore the Hoarusib River and the Clay Castles, a striking geological formation.
Luxury Tours: Swakopmund
A&K will then take guests on a scenic coastal drive before they board a private charter flight to the city of Swakopmund. A former German colonial enclave, it’s known for its seaside promenades, half-timbered homes and windswept beaches.
Upon landing, guests will transfer to the Strand Hotel Swakopmund, enjoy lunch and embark on a city tour. Among the interesting sights are a historic lighthouse and railway station.
The following morning, travelers will set out on a private cruise of Walvis Bay, home to pelicans, seals, dolphins and whales. Afterward, guests will enjoy A&K’s private Chef’s Table experience, a traditional barbecue on the sands of a local beach.
Sossusvlei
Another private charter flight will take guests to Sossusvlei for a bird’s-eye view of the dune sea, a landscape dotted with shipwrecks and salt pans. Then, the tour continues to the luxurious camp nestled on a private concession of the NamibRand Nature Reserve.
During their time in Sossusvlei, guests will have an opportunity to climb “Big Daddy” — the tallest of the dunes. On the next day, they can choose a guided walk, ATV trail ride or scenic drive to the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Then the group returns by light aircraft to Windhoek, where guests will connect to their departing flights.
4. A&K Luxury Tours: Indochina and Angkor Wat
Another Small-Group Luxury Tour that we like for its exotic bent is the 13-day “Images of Indochina and Angkor Wat 2024.” Exploring Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, it’s limited to just 18 guests. At press time, pricing started at $9,795 per person double.
The Meandering Traveler was privileged to venture to many of these spots in the past. Simply put, we’d love to return. Among our top spots from multiple trips to Southeast Asia (which happen to be highlights of this A&K trip) are these:
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
A&K guests will spend two days in Siem Reap, Cambodia. That will allow for intensive exploration of Angkor’s temples including Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm Temple. Let’s just say that most travelers — The Meandering Traveler included — will never forget seeing the ancient ruins and temples rising out of the Cambodian jungle.
For instance, the 12th century Angkor Wat is a magnificent, humongous Khmer temple. One of the most unique sites anywhere is Ta Prohm where banyan trees eerily envelop the site — twisting in and around the temple.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
This bay with limestone islands east of Hanoi is stunningly gorgeous. In fact, Ha Long Bay is so hauntingly beautiful in a rugged way that it’s hard to actually describe.
Fortunately, A&K’s visitors will see it the best way — via a relaxing overnight cruise, and thus, witness both a sunset and sunrise.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
During a visit to bustling Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, A&K will take guests on a cyclo ride through the city’s crowded streets — quite the outing as cyclos ring their “buzzers” and street traffic horns blare. It’s a cornucopia of Southeast Asian urban culture too. Guests will stop for coffee and enjoy “pho,” Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat.
Luang Prabang, Laos
If we could return anywhere across the globe, The Meandering Traveler would likely head back to lovely Luang Prabang for the amazing array of ancient temples and friendly locals too. As the royal capital of Laos until 1975, this city is nestled within a valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
Most notably, it’s brimming with temples — 33 in total with diverse Lao, Thai and Khmer architecture. On A&K’s tour, guests will join locals in their home for a baci ceremony and take part in an alms-giving tradition.
Vietnam War Historic Perspective
On this tour, guests will also dive into the complex history of Vietnam, north and south. Vietnam War history will emerge as guests view the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” or enter southern Vietnam’s Cu Chi Tunnels.
5. Luxury Tours: “Wings Over Australia”
For a truly bucket-list, small-group journey that’s super intimate and exclusive, we’d check out A&K’s 13-day “Wings Over Australia” itinerary. Australia is certainly trending “hot” with consumers this year, and this trip has that “once in a lifetime” cache.
Limited to just 11 guests, this Wings journey “down under” includes a unique itinerary made possible by private charter flights. Guests will fly in comfort between destinations aboard exclusively chartered Embraer Legacy 600 or comparable aircraft.
Among the destination highlights on this small-group tour? Here are several to whet your interest, but visit the A&K website page to check out the full day-to-day details.
Luxury Tours: Australia Experiences
In Tasmania, travelers will peruse offbeat art at MONA (The Museum of Old and New Art). They’ll also get “up close” to magnificent raptors on an A&K-exclusive experience and meet the endangered Tasmanian devil. We like that tour goers will also spend three nights at award-winning Saffire Freycinet, a sophisticated coastal sanctuary.
Along the Great Barrier Reef, tour guests will set out on a full-day private cruise. A perk is a visit to the renowned Whitehaven Beach. Separately, in the Australian Outback, guests will enjoy a luxurious two-night stay at Longitude 131° — a five-star tented eco-camp with views of Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock).
During their time in Sydney, guests will enjoy a private cruise of Sydney Harbour on a luxury yacht. That’s followed by a private behind-the-scenes visit to the Sydney Opera House.
Of course, no visit to Australia would be complete without a foray to the Yarra Valley’s wine country outside Melbourne, so that’s included on the itinerary.
Pricing and Additional Details
In addition to the private chartered flights with a dedicated crew for travel between Australian destinations, the escorted journey includes an English-speaking resident tour director and local guides; luxury accommodations; airport meet-and-greet with private transfers; Travelling Bell Boy luggage handling; breakfast in bed on select days; full breakfast daily, plus select lunches and dinners; the guest’s choice of an activity on “Design Your Day”; and Traveller’s Valet laundry service.
At press time, fares started from $46,995 per person, double occupancy, for this intimate, private charter tour. Pavlus Travel’s Steudle says that it’s a great way to check out the highlights of Australia, but in an exclusive, bit more intimate fashion than via a traditional tour. Again, this Wings small-group journey accommodates just 11 guests maximum.
More Small-Group Luxury Tours
A&K also offers plenty of other luxurious small-group luxury tours to Asia, Africa, South America, Europe and beyond. As for vacation quality, the tour operator has a stellar reputation for luxury — both on land and by sea.
Last year, A&K Group, the parent of the tour operator, bought the two classic ships that formerly sailed for Crystal Cruises. Well, Crystal is now back sailing the world’s oceans with the revitalized Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
“Whether you’re seeking a luxury tour or cruise, or for any additional questions about the five “profiled” tours above, definitely chat with one of our Pavlus Travel personal travel planners,” suggests Steudle. It’s a great time to plan that fabulous 2024 vacation!
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