A&K.s Travel Top 10 for 2011

A&K's Travel Top 10 for 2011

Luxury tour travel company Abercrombie & Kent shares its insider knowledge on what's hot for 2011 and why.

'In 2010, our team of travel specialists travelled to the far corners of the world seeking the interesting, sacred and sublime", says Sujata Raman, Managing Director Abercrombie & Kent Australia. 'To this end, we've created the top 10 spots for Australians to visit in 2011. With experts on the ground in all these exotic destinations we ensure the experiences are rewarding and enriching."

Antarctica
Travellers seeking the last and final frontier should look no further than an expedition to Antarctica. This is a destination of extremes: the weather is unpredictable, the distances long but the experience nothing short of remarkable. The landscapes are breathtaking and the wildlife in its natural habitat is delightfully unaffected by the presence of humans. Adventurous souls can see it all and in comfort on A&K's MV Le Boreal which carries just 199 guests in a style unmatched on other expeditionary cruises.

For more information on Abercrombie & Kent's Antarctic journeys please see: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/antarctica/index.cfm

Bhutan
Still off the beaten track, visitor numbers are limited. Its landscapes, spirituality and charming people are the biggest attractions and there's a small but excellent choice of luxe lodgings (Amankora and Uma Paro).
Experience the A&K Bhutan Himalayan Explorer showcasing Bhutan's profound Buddhist culture, witness a puja ceremony and visit the Tiger's Nest' Monastery and Chele La Pass.
For more information please see: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/india/bhutan-himalayan-explorer.cfm

Croatia
It's Europe's new Riviera. Blessed with ancient monuments, a sun-drenched coastline and turquoise seas it's largely unspoilt by the hordes yet with its fair share of super yachts and glamorous A-listers. It offers a fabulous cultural heritage (Roman ruins and walled cities), superb beaches and has some of the best boating in the region. A&K has its own office on site and Guardian Angels on call 24/7.
A&K's Delights of the Adriatic tour takes in the country's medieval castles, snow-capped peaks and ancient walled cities, a private -plenta' cruise across Lake Bled, a cruise along the Dalmatian Coast to the island of Hvar and a visit to the independent state of Montenegro and the medieval coastal city Kotor.
For more information please see: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/europe/09-croatia-delights-of-the-adriatic-final.cfm

The Galapagos Islands
Rated "Top Island" in the World's Best Awards 2010, the Galapagos archipelago is rightly hot. A year-round destination, its remote location 960kms off the coast of Ecuador rewards the adventurous with a dazzling array of plant and animal life with many species found nowhere else on the planet. Famous as the inspiration for Darwin's -The Origin of Species', the place is a living laboratory best explored with expert guides onboard Sanctuary MV Eclipse.

For more information please see: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/latin/09-sail-the-enchanted-isles-south-america.cfm

South Australia
Travellers wanting to escape urban confines with a holiday close to home are excited about new Arkaba Station, a 60,000 acre working sheep station in the Flinders Ranges with Wilpena Pound right on the property's northern boundary. This is a pristine outback adventure but delivered in homestead style and comfort. A walking safari is also available with luxury camping in swags under the stars!

For more information please see: www.bercrombiekent.com.au/travel.cfm?v=viewArticle&aid=674&t=/Arkaba-Walking-Safaris

Japan
Japan's cultural and scenic attractions are up there on the bucket lists of discerning travellers. From the neon lights of ultra-modern Tokyo to the World Heritage shrines of Nikko National Park and the geisha culture of Kyoto, Japan quite simply, dazzles. There are beautiful landscapes, volcanic hot springs and temples and shrines aplenty plus an intriguing culture far removed from our own.

For a wonderful mix of old and modern Japan, please see: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/orient/09-japan-ancient-and-modern-japan.cfm

Mexico
There's something for everyone in Mexico, from vast deserts to jungle, ancient Mayan ruins to tropical Caribbean beaches, snow-capped volcanoes to bustling modern cities. It's beautiful and diverse, with breathtaking vistas, numerous cultures, cuisines, handicrafts, music and art forms. Though relatively difficult for Australians to get to it's well worth the effort and great value thanks to a strong Aussie dollar.

The A&K Mexico Discovered tour takes in some key highlights of this diverse country from Mexico City to the UNESCO world heritage city of Puebla, Oaxaca and a visit to Monte Alban among other highlights: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/mme.cfm

Morocco
Dust, desert, souks and spices. Colourful and exotic, it's home to a fusion of Berber, Arabic and Moorish cultures. There are boutique riads, chic hotels and Bedouin tented camps with adventure aplenty. Suits the sedate leisure traveller interested in culture, cuisine and history as well as more active types who seek physical challenges in the form of hiking, horse riding or desert adventures. A&K's office on the ground ensures the best guides and there's a fantastic A&K Philanthropy project to visit, which gives a safe haven and daily activities to street children.

The Imperial Cities tour takes in the ancient imperial cities of Meknes, Fes and Marrakech, snake-charmers, scribes and soothsayers at the medieval Djemaa el-Fna Square, Adventure in the Atlas Mountains and a lesson in the art of cooking Moroccan style: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/egypt/09-morocco-imperial-cities.cfm

Syria
Syria has 7000 years of history to wow the visitor. There are spectacular desert palaces, rambling archaeological sites, ornate Islamic mosques, Roman ruins, Crusader castles, chaotic medieval souksand arich cuisine. Bed down in restored Ottoman palaces or deluxe five star hotels and enjoy all the attractions in the company of the finest private guides.

The Highlights of Syria is a new itinerary for A&K and includes: Umayyad Mosque with its three thousand years of history, Wander the old souks and khans of Damascus, Maaloula, the only place in the world where Aramaic is still used as a living language, Krac Des Chevaliers, a Crusader fortress, Hama and its ancient norias (waterwheels), Citadel of Saleh Ed-Din located high in the coastal mountain range and a stop in the Syrian Desert to visit the ruins of the walled city of Al-Rasafeh: www.abercrombiekent.com.au/luxury-travel/egypt/syria-highlights-of-syria.cfm
Zambia
Top billing for wildlife enthusiasts is a safari in Zambia. Home to the walking safari this is the place to go for some of the world's best game viewing and you can do it in the traditional style on foot at Sanctuary Zebra Plains, A&K's new walking safari camp. Dictated by the seasons, the walking safaris only operate five months of the year when you join Garth Hovell, guide par excellence, in search of the unique species which inhabit the vast South Luangwa National Park.