Yosemite National Park
After months of lockdown, and a vaccine on the horizon, people are ready to think about where to go in 2021. Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent has found that travelers are more interested in bucket-list experiences instead of focusing on “what’s new.”
Travelers are also looking at outdoor adventures in remote destinations – especially places under threat from climate change or development, according to A&K.
“This pause has changed how people are thinking about their next holiday,” says A&K founder Geoffrey Kent. “There is an increasing desire to spend time outdoors, as well as a sense of urgency to visit places being impacted by climate change. Meanwhile, the travel industry has been working to rebuild consumer trust and confidence, with enhanced health and safety standards from air travel to hotels and restaurants.
“As a company, our commitment to one standard of quality means A&K’s partners meet stringent requirements, following the ‘Safe Travels’ protocols established by the World Travel & Tourism Council,” added Kent.
Escape into Nature in 2021
AMERICAN WEST
WHY TO GO: Rediscover the grandeur of America’s national parks – carved by rivers and glaciers and awash with waterfalls and rock formations – with each one offering something majestic and unique. But with some parks not fully reopened as well as differing regulations, travellers need a true local expert on their side to plan a safe and responsible journey.
HOW TO GO: A&K, known for providing unique experiences in exotic, far-flung destinations, brings that same expertise to places closer to home with private Tailor Made USA journeys. Guests will explore the country’s must-see sites and the little-known gems. For those short on time but long on adventure, Tailor Made National Parks by Air visits five of the U.S.’s most iconic national parks (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Arches, Grand Teton and Yellowstone) in nine adventure-filled days. Fly from one awe-inspiring destination to the next, on an active, outdoor itinerary tailored to guest interests. Create your own travel bubble, exploring with private local guides and enjoying five-star hospitality and insider access along the way. Prices vary by group size and aircraft.
GALAPAGOS
WHY TO GO: The enchanted Galapagos Islands are an ideal vacation spot for families. Colorful wildlife will captivate children and parents alike, while temperate weather makes this a year-round destination.
HOW TO GO: Explore the Galapagos on an A&K chartered yacht that is fully staffed and self-contained, much like a safari camp. Create your own travel bubble on a Tailor Made Ecuador: Galapagos Cruise and choose from a selection of private yachts and catamarans with space to relax, both indoors and out. Prices vary by group size and vessel.
Antarctica
SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS, ANTARCTICA
WHY TO GO: On December 4, 2021, a rare total eclipse will occur in the middle of the Southern Ocean, with a path of totality that stretches through the rarely visited South Orkney Islands. Typically only traversed by British and Argentine scientists, this archipelago comprises four main islands and offers breathtaking polar scenery. The next total eclipse through these islands isn’t until 2061, which makes this a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
HOW TO GO: Sail on the Antarctica & the Total Solar Eclipse Cruise (Nov 28-Dec 12, 2021). A&K’s Luxury Expedition Cruise team has selected the ideal location for the ship to be positioned: in a very narrow track where the radiating “circle of light” is best seen, weather, sea and ice conditions permitting, which will allow for a remarkable viewing time of approximately one minute and 40 seconds. Experience this rare astronomical spectacle alongside experts including former astronaut Kathy Sullivan, the first person to ever travel to both space and the bottom of the ocean, as well as award-winning astronomer Massimo Tarenghi and rocket scientist David J. Crain.
EGYPT
WHY TO GO: The world’s greatest open-air museum, Egypt offers the kind of bucket-list experiences many travellers have been dreaming of while sheltering at home. With construction of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, much of the tourism infrastructure surrounding the pyramids has been moved underground so the Giza Plateau has been returned to the desert.
HOW TO GO: On A&K’s Egypt & the Nile experience, explore the pyramids from the inside out. Gain private entry into the tomb of Seti I, one of the best-preserved tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Sail on a four-night Nile River cruise aboard the award-winning Sanctuary Sun Boat IV. Or, you can customize a private Tailor Made journey to include special access to the Tomb of Wahtye.
JAPAN
WHY TO GO: While the rescheduled Olympics may be reason enough to go to Tokyo in 2021, the new Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi will entice those looking for next-generation luxury. Located next to the Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens, guests can escape the bustle of the city with walks through this green oasis filled with moats, traditional gardens, museums and temples.
HOW TO GO: Two A&K journeys – Classic Japan and Signature Japan – feature this design-inspired hotel. Evoking the delicacy of origami, a billowing, three-dimensional fabric installation greets guests as they enter the Spa. Choose between cherry blossom season, known locally as sakura, or in the autumn, when vivid red leaves appear.
NORTHEAST PASSAGE
WHY TO GO: The rarely-transited Northeast Passage is a modern adventure, traversing largely uninhabited islands and regions. Franz Josef Land, the world’s northernmost archipelago is only possible by special permit. Wrangel Island is a biodiversity hot spot with the world’s largest walrus population, highest density of ancestral polar bear dens, hundreds of migrating bird species and over 400 identified plant species.
HOW TO GO: Join A&K founder Geoffrey Kent on The Northeast Passage: Across the Russian Arctic with Geoffrey Kent (Aug 27-Sept 21, 2021), celebrating A&K’s 30 years. In this vast wilderness, the captain and A&K Expedition Leader determine each day’s activities based on ice, weather and sea conditions. Daily Zodiac cruises are piloted by experienced field naturalists who share insights into wildlife behavior while landing on remote beaches, leading hikes and viewing breaching whales or polar bears on ice floes.
KENYA
WHY TO GO: Safaris naturally lend themselves to social distancing with small boutique camps that offer private entrances and outdoor dining. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Kenya, Sanctuary Tambarare, which opens in June 2021, delivers the perfect balance of adventure and serenity. With just 10 luxurious tents, Sanctuary Tambarare is a peaceful haven that looks out across the grassy plateau of the award-winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The Big Five, including the last two northern white rhinos on earth, roam here among 90,000 acres of unspoiled African landscape.
HOW TO GO: Experience Sanctuary Tambarare on A&K’s flagship safari, Kenya Safari in Style, a Hemingway-style adventure with a modern flair. This adventure in the birthplace of A&K offers spectacularly diverse wildlife as well as a beading demonstration by a member of the Maasai people. The safari ends at the recently rebuilt Sanctuary Olonana, a spacious contemporary lodge with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Mara River.
Book an A&K Experience
To book a 2021 adventure, contact us for more information on these or other A&K vacation packages. If you are looking for more travel ideas in the American West, we feature several A&K Tailor Made USA Journeys.
With A&K’s flexible booking policy, you can change or cancel up to 15 days prior to departure in the event of a COVID-19-related reason.
In addition, A&K has established enhanced health and safety protocols that meet or exceed the latest global standards recommended by leading health experts, including the World Travel & Tourism Council “Safe Travels” program and the World Health Organization.
SOURCE: Abercrombie & Kent
