Renewed Interest in Europe Drives 25 Percent Growth in Private Travel
March 14, 2017- With unbeatable airfares and favorable exchange rates, travellers are looking towards Europe and intriguing new ways to explore the region. Abercrombie & Kent has designed a new portfolio devoted to Luxury Tailor Made Travel in Europe, an insider’s guide to the world of customized travel, featuring iconic sites and places not on everyone’s radar, chosen by A&K’s local experts for their distinctive character.
“We’ve seen exceptional growth in Tailor Made travel to Europe – a 25 percent increase compared with last year,” says Abercrombie & Kent USA President Phil Otterson. “The dollar is the strongest it’s been in 15 years and there are very attractive airfares right now. That’s why we chose Europe to introduce the first of our new regional portfolios entirely devoted to Luxury Tailor Made Travel.”
Recommended itineraries highlight historic cities, can’t-miss sites — as well as hidden gems — and the finest hotels and restaurants. These day-by-day suggestions provide a starting point for an in-depth conversation about where the client wants to go and their travel interests. A&K has more than 11 Travel Consultants dedicated to Tailor Made travel in Europe, with an average of 16 years’ experience. Each is an expert who can offer personal recommendations because they have spent time in the region themselves.
The portfolio features examples from Abercrombie & Kent’s most-requested routings. Each can be fully customized to reflect guest interests, from adventure to culinary specialties, art and architecture, or traditional handcrafts.
Tailor Made Greece: Jewel of the Mediterranean (13 days from $10,795)
Enjoy whitewashed Mediterranean villages while exploring the ruins that mark the birth of Western civilization. On the sun-drenched islands of Santorini and Mykonos, sample local wines, visit an art gallery in a cave and absorb the beauty of the dramatic coastal setting.
Tailor Made Iceland: Summer in the Land of Fire & Ice (8 days from $12,995)
Walk through a stunning ice tunnel and travel by super-Jeep into the mountains where glaciers tumble into alpine lakes. Relax in one of the country’s many picturesque hot springs, while gaining insight into Iceland’s rich history at the site where the Vikings established the first parliament.
Tailor Made England: London to the Countryside (8 days from $6.395)
Explore the country’s rich literary history from London’s Globe Theater to Shakespeare’s birthplace, as well as the cottage of his wife, Anne Hathaway. Stroll through picturesque country villages, discover Bath’s Roman past; and take in the highlights of London.
Tailor Made Italy: Venice to the Vatican (10 days from $14,495)
Early entry to the Vatican, learn about art restoration while viewing the artistic treasures of Florence. Savor Italian cuisine at one of Tuscany’s Michelin-starred restaurants and take a food tour of Venice.
Whereas other travel companies rely on third-party guides and suppliers, A&K maintains five offices in Europe, with local experts who work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of each journey meets Abercrombie & Kent’s rigorous standards of quality and service to deliver an authentic, beyond-the-guidebook perspective.
“Possibilities may include blending your own Champagne under the guidance of a vineyard owner; going backstage on a guided tour of the Bolshoi Theater and even meeting one of the company’s ballerinas for a lesson; or visiting the workshop of a master luthier who has built guitars for some of the world’s most noted concert players,“ according to Otterson. ”On a Tailor Made itinerary, we don’t just take you to the front of the line; we take you on an exclusive tour of rooms in the palace not typically open to visitors, accompanied by a top-notch expert. This kind of unfettered access is something we pride ourselves on delivering as part of every custom journey.”
Award-Winning Standards
The highlight of every Luxury Tailor Made Journey is one of A&K’s renowned local guides: lifelong residents who know the ins and outs of every stop on the itinerary. Each journey is also supported by a host of dedicated A&K personnel who guests may encounter briefly — or never meet at all — from the representative who greets them at the airport (transfers are always included), to the staff members behind the scenes who make the journey run without a hitch.
Our on-the-ground experts have inspected hundreds of hotels, including five-star properties; charming, one-of-a-kind boutique hotels; and family-friendly hotels full of all-ages amenities. This firsthand knowledge allows us to find the perfect fit for each custom itinerary.
Year after year, Abercrombie & Kent’s inspiring journeys win recognition and praise from travellers and travel professionals alike. A&K was named World’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator at the World Travel Awards; Best Luxury Tour Operator by Travel Weekly and Global Traveler; and Best FIT Operator by Luxury Travel Advisor. A&K takes travellers to 36 countries in Europe, backed by 24/7 support from five local offices.
To begin planning a journey of a lifetime, go to https://www.abercrombiekent.com/luxury-tailor-made-travel/ to view the new 2017 Luxury Tailor Made journeys and contact a travel professional or call 800 554 7094 to speak to an A&K Tailor Made Travel Consultant.