Abercrombie & Kent’s Historical Kingdoms & Dynasties Journey Features a 9-Day Cruise

Luxurious tour operator Abercrombie & Kent has lengthy set the posh journey bar with its epic continent-hopping non-public jet journeys—and now it’s launching one among its greatest gives but. Vacationers who guide the 25-day Historical Kingdoms & Dynasties: A Journey by Non-public Jet itinerary will get a complimentary nine-night pre-trip cruise with its sibling firm Crystal Cruises.

“This unprecedented collaboration … gives vacationers a novel alternative to expertise the head of each air and sea adventures in a single extraordinary expertise,” mentioned Ann Epting, Abercombie & Kent’s senior vp of product improvement, in an announcement to Journey + Leisure. 

The free, nine-night prequel to the principle occasion begins on Sept. 25 in Barcelona aboard the Crystal Symphony and can sail via Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, with stops in Ibiza, Cartagena, Málaga, Gibraltar, and Casablanca, earlier than ending in Lisbon. Passengers can have the possibility to benefit from the ship’s spacious Sapphire Veranda Suite, which comes with perks like a personal veranda, butler service, and complimentary laundry.

Friends will then kick off their non-public jet journey with an evening on the 4 Seasons Lodge Ritz Lisbon earlier than jetting off to Fez, Morrocco; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Salalah, Oman; Udaipur, India; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Luang Prabang, Laos; Istanbul, Turkey; and Malta. Some highlights on the itinerary embrace an opportunity to discover Tanzania’s historic Stone City, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman, the Metropolis Palace in India, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. On the closing cease in Malta, vacationers can study the artwork of falconry from an area knowledgeable, tour Villa Bologna, and attend a musical parade thrown of their honor.

Lodging all through the journey are top-tier and embrace stays at properties like Raffles Udaipur; Palais Faraj Suites & Spa in Fez; Zuri Zanzibar; Corinthia Palace Lodge; and The Peninsula Istanbul—the T+L’s World’s Finest Award winner for the Turkish metropolis.

Alongside the journey, vacationers can have loads of alternatives to study and enrich themselves. A&Ok model ambassador, who was born and raised in Portugal and spent six many years touring the globe, will share his experiences and ideas all through the journey. International correspondent Martin Regg Cohn may even be alongside for the trip, offering lectures about his time spent reporting in additional than 40 nations and interviewing world leaders starting from the Dalai Lama to Benjamin Netanyahu. Cohn says he is particularly excited to hitch this globe-trotting journey.

“It jogs my memory of what I discovered so interesting as a overseas correspondent—touring to get a better take a look at our cultural roots whereas additionally seeing the historic roots of as we speak’s conflicts,” he mentioned. To him, the itinerary is a approach of figuratively “connecting the dots on the map.” 

Little doubt a spotlight of the journey is A&Ok’s non-public jet itself, a 48-seat Boeing 757. (I used to be fortunate sufficient to expertise it on a birthday journey to Iceland in 2023.) On board, each passenger is handled to a first-class, lie-flat seat with an iPad and noise-cancelling headphones. They will additionally feast on elegant meals all through the journey.

The total journey (together with the cruise) runs from Sept. 25 to. Oct. 28. Costs begin at $147,950 an individual based mostly on double occupancy, with a $7,498 single complement—that is 50 % off the traditional payment. Take a look at A&Ok’s web site for extra particulars or reserving. You too can reserve your spot by calling 800-554-7094.