Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has been internationally recognized as the first name in luxury adventure travel for 50 years. Founded in 1962 by Geoffrey Kent, the company started as a safari outfitter. Today, its outstanding travel and tour operations explore 100 countries on all seven continents. The best of both worlds, A&K offers the convenience, service and security of a US-based company, plus 24/7 support from a network of over 60 on-site offices worldwide. This local involvement guarantees clients “insider” access in a highly personalized, low profile and intelligent way. A&K’s trips combine active days with comfortable, often luxurious nights. From escorted small group journeys to family holidays to tailor-made private travel, A&K’s itineraries are tirelessly researched and filled with the most authentic experiences.

At the heart of A&K is a deep-rooted concern for the natural world and the welfare of indigenous communities. Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy is committed to working with local peoples and regional organizations to alleviate the effects of poverty, develop sound community health and conservation practices, and assist in mitigating global climate change.

The year 2012 marks a major milestone for Abercrombie & Kent - the company's 50th Anniversary. Geoffrey Kent transformed the safari experience by providing unexpected comforts and amenities in remote destinations. Today, A&K continues to be recognized as a top luxury travel operator with accolades from Travel + Leisure, Travel Weekly and a Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Award for "Doing It All." In the coming year A&K will be ringing in the Anniversary with a series of celebrations and events.

Abercrombie & Kent Villas curates a portfolio of luxury villas and ski chalets in Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria and the Caribbean, each personally chosen with the highest standard of comfort and privacy in mind. A local A&K host is available 24/7 to arrange additional services, such as private chefs and party planning, babysitters, car rentals, and guided excursions. Properties range from luxury villas, apartments and manor houses to cottages and castles. Additions to the exceptional portfolio for 2012 include more than 100 ski chalets and new villas in Italy, France, Majorca, and islands of the Caribbean.

“Follow A&K Villas on Twitter: @AKVillas or Facebook: www.facebook.com/AbercrombieKent.”

Atlantis, Paradise Island, The Bahamas, is the flagship resort of Kerzner International, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels. This unique, ocean-themed destination is built around a 140-acre waterscape comprised of over 20 million gallons of fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools and habitats. The largest open-air marine habitat in the world, there are over 50,000 marine animals in lagoons and exhibitions, including The Dig, a maze of underwater corridors providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. A highlight is Dolphin Cay—Atlantis' 14-acre dolphin habitat. The centerpiece of the waterscape, Aquaventure, consists of thrilling water slides, and a mile-long river ride with high intensity rapids and wave surges. Known as a family vacation mecca, Atlantis offers “edutainment” opportunities for kids of all ages, including the 8,000-square-foot kids club AKA (Atlantis Kids Adventures), for ages 3 -12. Atlantis is also home to cutting-edge club CRUSH, for teenagers (ages 13-17). Designed by Jeffrey Beers, the 14,000 square-foot mod-inspired space boasts an internet lounge, gaming stadium with 22-foot floor-to-ceiling Gaming Tree, and a dance club featuring multi-purpose video walls, performance stage, VIP sections and doormen. Atlantis' accommodations range from Beach, Coral and the iconic Royal Towers to The Cove and The Reef. The Cove Atlantis, a 600-room resort, features spectacular designs by acclaimed interior architects Jeffrey Beers and David Rockwell, private all-adult and family pools, lavish cabanas and breathtaking ocean views. Foodies can delight in Atlantis' collection of restaurants from world-renowned chefs including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Bobby Flay and Angelo Elia. New to the dining roster is Virgil's Real BBQ serving up family-style fare.

A name forever associated with the ultimate shopping experience, Bal Harbour, Florida has developed into a must-visit travel destination with the addition of new hotels such as the boutique Bal Harbour Quarzo, gourmet restaurants such as Mister Collins at ONE Bal Harbour and Stephen Starr's Makoto at the Bal Harbour Shops, and celebrated cultural programs including the innovative Bal Harbour Art Nights series. With more than 100 of the most famous brands in fashion and jewelry, the open-air Bal Harbour Shops are a haven for fashionistas and well-heeled travelers. Other stylish beachfront accommodations in this chic destination include the exquisite ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa, the iconic Sea View Hotel and the highly-anticipated St. Regis Bal Harbour (opening in January 2012).

Concorde Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Groupe du Louvre and owned by Starwood Capital Group, is a collection of four- and five-star hotels in 19 destinations worldwide, whose location and architecture give them each a unique character. In the heart of some of the most exciting cities of the world-including Paris, Berlin and Geneva, Concorde properties are neighborhood gathering spots and local treasures. The “jewels” within the Concorde group include the Hotel Lutetia, a grand dame on the Left Bank of Paris; the Hotel Concorde Berlin, thoroughly modern and elegant with a rotating art gallery; and the Hotel de la Paix on Lake Geneva with splendid views of Mont Blanc. The legendary Hotel Martinez, the Group's five-star hotel on the French Riviera, continues to set the standard of luxury in Cannes with its $500 million Euro room renovation project that resulted in new 1920s-inspired Prestige Vue Mer suites. Art lovers will feel at home in the Hotel Concorde Berlin suites, which now feature prints of 25 specially commissioned artworks by up-and-coming German artist Junior Toscanelli. As corporate social responsibility is a priority for the brand, seven of its 12 owned hotels have received Green Globe Certification, including Hotel de Crillon in Paris, Palais de la Méditerranée in Nice, and Hotel Concorde Berlin.

 

Curtain Bluff  has been synonymous with luxury and value for  50 years. One of the Caribbean's finest resorts, Curtain Bluff has a picture-perfect location, friendly atmosphere, excellent cuisine and a host of outstanding activities incorporated in a fully-inclusive rate that is one of the best values in the region. Included in the daily rate: all meals and beverages for two persons, and a long list of activities from scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling and water skiing to deep-sea fishing, tennis, yoga and kayaking. This formula has proved so successful that the resort enjoys one of the highest return-guest rates in the Caribbean. The resort recently introduced complimentary tennis clinics for children, as well as organized kids club programs during peak family travel periods completely free of charge.

Grande Lakes Orlando continues to be the luxury-resort leader of Orlando, America's #1 vacation destination. Only minutes from the city’s major attractions, the 500-acre estate includes a 582-room Ritz-Carlton and a 1,000-room JW Marriott. Located at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, the resort offers activities for all ages. From fly fishing, kayaking eco-tours and nature walks to mastering the art of golf on a Greg Norman Signature course, guests enjoy the richness of the estate’s natural surroundings. A 40,000 square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa provides a rejuvenating retreat to revitalize the mind and body with signature services and new treatments including an Eco-Rooftop Hammock massage and Scrub Bar. Grande Lakes Orlando features 12 dining and lounge options, including NORMAN’s at The Ritz-Carlton, where Chef Norman Van Aken's acclaimed "New World Cuisine" is the culinary centerpiece. Guests of Melissa Kelly’s PRIMO at JW Marriott enjoy fresh produce from Primo’s organic garden and local farms. 

New for 2012: Grande Lakes Orlando has completed a major $28-million renovation of all guest rooms at both The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels. The most comprehensive redesign since the resort's opening in 2003, the new aesthetic features modern, Floridian elegance and state-of-the-art technology. Continuing its commitment to sustainability and conservation, the resort now harvests honey from an on-site apiary and incorporates the nectar into many restaurant dishes and spa treatments. 

This renowned 1,400-acre private island in the Grenadines has long been a favorite hideaway for the world's most discriminating traveler, famous for hosting Paul McCartney, and Prince William and Kate Middleton. Mustique is also home of the annual Basil's Blues Festival every January. Visitors to the island can stay in one of Mustique's luxurious villas or at the elite Cotton House resort. The villa collection includes 75 extraordinary designer properties, available for weekly rentals. Each with its own distinctive architecture and atmosphere, the villas range in size from two to nine bedrooms and come equipped with a full staff and vehicle. The newest addition to the rental collection, Sienna villa, is a five-bedroom Italian-style palace available in January 2012.  

The Cotton House, an elegant West Indian-style plantation estate, offers 17 luxurious guest rooms, cottages and suites--11 of which have private plunge pools. The interior decor of the five rooms in the Coutinot House and the Veranda restaurant dining room were recently renovated with a modern look that preserves its colonial heritage. 

Getting to Mustique is easier than ever with new non-stop 25-minute transfers between St. Lucia (Hewanorra Airport) and Mustique, greatly improving the island’s accessibility from key gateway cities in the U.S. This service complements existing air transfers between Barbados and Mustique.

The Ocean House is a luxury Victorian-era seaside resort perched on the bluffs in Watch Hill, RI, offering the ultimate New England getaway. The iconic resort, which re-opened in 2010 after a $140 million rebuild and restoration, offers a pristine private beach, a destination spa - OH! Spa, and an outstanding culinary program immersed in the farm-to-table lifestyle. Dedicated Food Forager Jan Faust Dane travels to regional farms and farmer's markets year-round to ensure that guests experience high quality, fresh ingredients, and Jan shares her expertise with food-lovers via regularly scheduled cooking classes. The 12,000-square-foot OH! Spa at the Ocean House, a prestigious Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star spa, uses seasonal ingredients and natural, therapeutic elements centered around the "Ocean" and "Harvest.” 
Ocean House is an ideal year-round destination that offers distinct experiences ranging from regularly scheduled Farm + Vine dinners/classes, "In the Kitchen" workshops, and art classes led by a regional “Artist in Residence.” In fall 2012, the Ocean House's sister property, The Weekapaug Inn, will be unveiled in the peaceful community of Weekapaug, RI, following a multi-million dollar renovation.

With a global reach of more than 850 best-in-class hotels and resorts in 70 countries,  Preferred Hotel Group™ represents six distinctive brands: Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Preferred Boutique™, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™, Sterling Design, Historic Hotels of America® and Preferred Residences™, a membership-based exchange program for luxury shared ownership resorts. Preferred Hotel Group also offers I Prefer™, a complimentary global guest benefit program that provides members with exclusive offers and rewards, as well as Preferred Golf™, a membership-based program that grants access to 100 of the world’s most renowned golf resorts. 

New for 2012: As Preferred Hotel Group stays on the pulse of worldwide travel trends, the company has launched a Multigenerational Travel program in conjunction with its multigenerational survey results. The program will cater to this growing sector of travelers, and be an extension of the brand's Preferred Family program. Preferred Hotel Group's new Sterling Design brand continues to grow with modern, hip hotels worldwide, such as Royal Palm Tower in Brazil, Mon Hotel in Paris, Stay. in New York City, and Oriental Hotel Hiroshima.  

Residence Inn by Marriott is a leader in extended-stay lodging, offering great value at over 600 hotels in the United States, Canada, Europe and Mexico. In addition to complimentary hot breakfast daily and thoughtfully designed suites, every Residence Inn offers a pool, outdoor spaces, free high-speed Internet access, laundry facilities, grocery shopping service and a welcoming pet policy. Whether you’re a business traveler looking to be productive in a space that fits your pace or a leisure traveler visiting with friends or relatives, Residence Inn helps maintain a functional and comfortable balance for work and life’s travels.

Guests at this luxury ranch resort in Montana enjoy outdoor adventures such as horseback riding, ATV riding, hiking, rafting, shooting sporting clays and fly-fishing (on seven miles of the famed Blackfoot River that runs through the property). Relax with fine wines, dine on gourmet cuisine, enjoy a spa treatment, and unwind in the oversized hot tubs on the deck of individual private homes, complete with flat-screen TVs, "The Last Best Bed" with 300 thread-count sheets, and Western eclectic decor.The Resort at Paws Up offers accommodations for 215 guests in 28 well-appointed vacation homes, ranging from two-bedroom Meadow Homes to the charming, private four-bedroom Morris Farmhouse and Wilderness Estates and 24 luxury tented accommodations. Each of the four "glamping" - glamorous camping - camps features six large tent-suites; four two-bedroom tents and two one-bedroom tent suites. The safari-style accommodations are outfitted with a myriad of luxury amenities including electricity, art on the walls, exterior decks, climate control cooling fans and heaters. Guests have access to an expansive dining pavilion at each camp with a lounging game area and fireplace, a camp chef on site and personal “camping butler.”

 

Catering to the most discerning travelers, Sanctuary Retreats is a collection of luxury camps in Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia) and four boutique cruising vessels in (the Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer in China, the Sanctuary M.S. Nile Adventurer in Egypt and two ships in the Galapagos - the M.V. Eclipse and the M.C. Athala II). Each property and ships are designed in harmony with their surroundings.

Montréal is often referred to as the “most European city in North America,” and with good reason. Named a “City of Design” by UNESCO, a stroll through Montréal's neighborhoods showcases how this city has blended the old with the new with style and sophistication for over 360 years. Whether it's history, culture, festivals, museums, the best restaurants, underground DJs (even underground shopping!) and the most rockin' music scene outside of London, Montréal caters to the varied needs and wants of today's discerning travelers. The city offers great value options throughout the year and easy access via numerous air travel routes.

Montréal is a city of all seasons, where 106 eclectic festivals keep the energy alive throughout the year. Highlights include winter favorites such as IglooFest and Montréal en lumière, which culminates in the world's only wintertime all-nighter Nuit Blanche. Perennial summer favorites include Just for Laughs (2012 marks the 30th anniversary) and Jazz Festival, as well as the Circus Arts Festival (celebrating its second year in 2012). The city has 5,000 restaurants (more per capita than anywhere else in North America) serving over 80 types of international cuisine. There are plenty of shops, boutiques and specialty stores throughout Montréal with 3,000 great places to buy or browse in the downtown core alone! 

New for 2012: Two exciting hotel openings will make their debut in early 2012. North America's first Snow Village, consisting of an ice hotel, bar, restaurant, convention center and chapel, will treat visitors to a city replica that's made entirely of ice and snow (open January 6 - March 31). Luxury travelers will rejoice with the reopening of the historic Ritz-Carlton Montréal. The cultural scene gets intergalactic this year with the world debut of STAR WARS™ Identities: The Exhibition at the Montréal Science Centre (April 19 - September 16).

The home state of Australia's cool cosmopolitan city, Melbourne, Victoria is a microcosm of the authentic Aussie experience. In Melbourne, a thriving cultural scene can be discovered in the many hidden laneways lined with art galleries, boutiques, secret eateries and bars. The three Art Series Hotels, named after, themed and featuring original art from famed Australian artists, adds another twist to the city's authentic experience. A short drive from the city in any direction unveils world-class vineyards, national parks, nature reserves, regional food trails, indigenous cultural sites, award-winning golf courses and luxury lodges.

Victoria's gems include the beautiful Yarra Valley and 20 other wine regions; the Great Ocean Walk, 56-miles of stunning landscapes ranging from secluded beaches and estuaries to forests, fern gullies, cliff tops and unique rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles; The Sandbelt and 100 other top golf courses including The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, site of the 2011 President's Cup in November; and Phillip Island Nature Park, home to the world's largest colony of Little Penguins.

Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, JK Rowling and Sean Connery are just a few of the storytellers who grew up in Scotland. From exciting, modern cities to stunning, rural landscapes dotted with castles, the country is an uncommonly rich destination with thousands of different tales to tell.

They surface in world-class events like the Edinburgh Festival, intriguing museums, explorations of the western isles, the country's many whisky-tasting routes, traditional Scottish music at the pub, or simply walking in the footsteps of one's ancestors (one of every five American visitors to Scotland go there to trace their roots). Every golfer should visit the game's spiritual home and play legendary courses like St. Andrews, Turnberry and Troon. And foodies come to taste those other memorable "courses" served in acclaimed city restaurants and country hotels, often family-owned and decorated with heirloom antiques.

Shining the spotlight on the destination's world-class arts, culture and creativity, 2012 will be the Year of Creative Scotland. Year-round festivals and events, prize-winning art, architecture and design, world-renowned literature, contemporary music and unique arts and crafts are just some of the creative experiences that visitors can expect when they visit Scotland in 2012, along with an exciting and imaginative program of special events taking place throughout the year.