As the tantalising possibility of being able to travel again creeps closer, it seems appropriate that we spoke to James Treacy, PR & Communications Manager for the leading luxury-travel company Abercrombie & Kent.
Along with A&K’s expert team of travel consultants, James is always in the know about the latest openings to watch out for, the places that will never go out fashion and the most memorable travel experiences all around the world so they are able to seamlessly create the very best tailor-made holidays to suit each guest.
James shared his thoughts with us on where to book in the UK this summer, the city he can’t wait to visit for the first time and the exciting new hotels and travel trends to look out for..
Where have you been spending lockdown and how have you found being grounded for such a long time when travelling is normally such a big part of your job?
I’ve been at home in Ireland – the day after we were sent home from work, I was on the next plane home. I’m from a small fishing village an hour north of Dublin called Clogherhead so it’s been lovely to be by the sea with lots of open space.
While travelling is amazing, I’ve enjoyed not chasing my tail so much. It’s been a great time to sit back and take stock – the one thing I’ve learnt is that I’d rather do less and do it better, in all aspects of life.
If you could have locked down in isolation anywhere in the world – where would you have chosen?
Anywhere with good weather. I found the winter lockdown difficult – the short days and lack of sunlight was a challenge. But lockdown in better weather is much more enjoyable.
Where is the first place you will be booking a plane ticket too and why?
I’ve really thought about this and I think it’s going to be New York. I’ve been to America countless times but never to the Big Apple. There are a few reasons – I love a beach holiday but I almost feel like I’ve been there through watching so many TV shows. With lockdown I thought “will I ever get to go?!” so NYC is top of my list.
This year, many of us are going to embrace a UK staycation. Where would you recommend booking if you were looking for an escape closer to home?
I am guilty of not exploring home enough – from what I’ve been reading the best thing we can all do is to look beyond the normal tourist areas and go to places not as frequented. I’ve heard amazing things about Pembrokeshire – it has the sea on three sides, with amazing water sports, coastal walks, and fresh seafood. This does sound a little too like where I’m from in Ireland, so I think I’d rather go somewhere completely different – so I’m going to say the Lake District for it’s mountains.
It continues to be an incredibly challenging time for travel companies with ever-changing government guidelines creating a huge amount of uncertainty. At Abercrombie & Kent, how have you adapted to the changes to support travel-planning for your guests?
A&K are in a very fortunate position – we’re a well-oiled machine. We know that — now more than ever — you need to feel confident when deciding whether to book a holiday. People want guarantees that any travel plans they make will be flexible and secure. That’s why we’ve introduced our ‘Book with Confidence’ policy, designed to give total peace of mind, allowing you to make changes to your holiday up to 15 days before you travel, should the unexpected occur.
In more positive news, there are several hotels scheduled to launch later this year/2022. You have the inside scoop, which new properties are you most excited about checking out?
Given that NYC is on my list, I’m excited for Aman New York, the 83-room flagship at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The billion-dollar project is transforming the iconic Crown Building and restoring the structure to its architectural grandeur. There will be a pool overlooking Central Park, a wellness centre as well as three restaurants.
Closer to home, I’m looking forward to checking out NoMad Hotels who are launching their first property outside of the U.S. Situated in Covent Garden, near my office and close to the Royal Opera House, the 91-room NoMad will live in a former magistrates’ court, a 19th-century building.
One of my favourite hotel brands, One&Only is opening One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro, on the Adriatic Coast. I’m also interested to hear more about the world-renowned Chenot Espace: a unique wellness concept that merges Chinese medicine with Western technology. It’s scheduled to open in May, just in time for summer.
After being stuck in one place for so long, many people have been saving up for their once-in-a-lifetime, blow the budget trips. What are your favourite A&K experiences/ itineraries to recommend to guests who want to explore somewhere new, possible go out of their comfort zone and definitely push the boat out?
I've always been fixated on Egypt. Its history is epic – at sunrise, the pyramids appear blood red and your first sight of the Sphinx will haunt you like an apparition. I understand some travellers' hesitation to visit Egypt, however the ancient country welcomes tourists with open arms. There are new hotels to entice, new tombs are being discovered regularly and the world's largest archaeological museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will – hopefully finally open in 2021. A&K have boats on the Nile – one of which you can charter for 12 guests privately – which would be amazing with friends.
This year we celebrated 30 years of Luxury Expedition Cruising - Expedition ships offer the opportunity to explore some of the most remote places on Earth with a high level of service and amenities; and, with fewer than 200 guests, can go where the big ships can't. No two expeditions are ever the same because the weather, tides, ice conditions and wildlife sightings influence day-to-day activities. That would be cool – somewhere remote like Antarctica would be the trip of a lifetime.
What do you think are going to be the hot travel trends we can expect to see post-Covid?
People will still want to get away for an unforgettable, luxurious holiday, but the definition of luxury will change. It will no longer be focused on the physical amenities — fancy chandeliers and high thread count sheets — it will be about the luxury of discovery and gaining a deeper understanding of a destination through experiencing something first-hand, in an authentic way. I personally want to travel for the greater good – such as philanthropy, conservation, wellness, and cultural pursuits.
QUICKFIRE Q&A
SUNBATHING OR HIKING?
Sunbathing
TRAIN OR PLANE?
Plane
APERITIVO OF CHOICE?
A Negroni
TOP CITY BREAK?
Rome
WHICH LONDON HOTEL WOULD WE NORMALLY FIND YOU IN?
I love The Rosewood in Holborn
MOST INSPIRATIONAL TRAVEL READ?
Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr
YOUR HOLIDAY DESTINATION TO WATCH?
Slovenia
MOST USED TRAVEL APP?
FAVOURITE HOTEL MENU OR FOODIE EXPERIENCE?
Oyster Shucking in the ocean in South Australia
MOST SCARY TRAVEL MOMENT?
I’ve been quite fortunate, nothing is coming to mind. I was mugged in Bilbao on a school exchange, that was terrifying
MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL MOMENT?
Travelling in Etihad’s First Class Apartment the whole journey to Sydney – it was amazing and I had a shower on a plane. Mind. Blown.
To book a holiday with Abercrombie & Kent or to speak to one of A&K’s expert luxury travel consultants please visit: www.abercrombiekent.co.uk