As many travelers know, every experience yields a lifetime of stories and after founding Abercrombie & Kent 50 years ago, Geoffrey Kent has plenty to share. Kent is marking this milestone by traveling back to the white continent after 20 years, on Abercrombie & Kent's Classic Antarctica cruise and therefore visiting all seven continents during the Anniversary year. He will join A&K guests on board 'Le Boreal' November 27 – December 10, 2012 to commemorate a special time for the company and engage with the most integral part of A&K – the guests!      

"With a trip to Australia already on my docket, this journey will find me reaching all seven continents in A&K's anniversary year — and I could not think of a more fitting way to celebrate," explains Kent. "It's a unique opportunity for me to spend time getting to know our guests — people with a passion for exploration who have made our success possible."

"I first travelled to Antarctica in 1992 and it's been calling to me ever since," says Kent. "Last time I travelled on one of the first expedition ships. I'm looking forward to returning on 'Le Boreal,' which brings an extraordinary level of luxury and style to the ends of the earth."

Kent is eager to create new memories with A&K passengers on 'Le Boreal' and will be hosting a cocktail reception for guests to celebrate, where he will share stories about exploring some of the world's most remote and challenging destinations over the past 50 years. Born in Kenya, he joined his parents in founding Abercrombie & Kent as a luxury safari outfitter with the philosophy of "shoot with a camera not with a gun."  With the innate skill of a consummate businessman and the relentless curiosity of a born explorer, Kent created a company that enables travelers to literally discover the world around them - and to do it in a uniquely stylish manner. To this day, he continues to travel the world in search of the kinds of adventures that will surprise and thrill his guests. Classic Antarctica with Special Guest Geoffrey Kent November 27-December 10, 2012.

A quintessential two-week voyage scheduled during the early Austral Summer, the ideal time of year to see Antarctica at its most pristine – with dramatic sunrises and sunsets, massive glaciers and the ice pack beginning to break up. This is the most active time of year in penguin rookeries, with nest building in full swing and early chicks hatching. Highlights of this celebratory cruise include:

• Cruise in style and comfort on board MV 'Le Boreal,' the only all-balcony vessel in Antarctica when chartered by A&K

• Sail with A&K's pioneering founder, chairman and CEO Geoffrey Kent — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

• Discover some of the world's rarest wildlife and terrain on shore excursions with expert naturalist guides

• Gain a deeper understanding of the region with enriching lectures by award-winning experts, some of the most seasoned researchers working in Antarctica

• Professional photographer and coach Richard Harker shares practical tips on how to capture the beauty of the dramatic scenery and extraordinary wildlife

• Fourteen days from $10,995 per person, double occupancy

Hands-On Exploration with the Finest Guides
Shore excursions in Antarctica are designed to educate and inspire, with a carefully-selected team of leading naturalists, geologists, historians, marine biologists, ornithologists and photographers -- experts who give enriching lectures and provide hands-on guidance both on board and on shore, ranging from the practical (how to master your digital camera) to the personal (a first-hand account of overwintering on a remote sub-Antarctic island). With an average of 15 years' experience navigating the Southern Ocean, each A&K Zodiac driver is a certified field naturalist who provides knowledgeable commentary on the twice-daily excursions that take guests into the heart of this once-in-a-lifetime destination. With a guide-to-passenger ratio of 1:12, guests can expect personalized attention.

Adventuring in Comfort
The elegant guest quarters aboard MV 'Le Boreal' are among the most spacious and comfortable on any Antarctic cruise. Private balconies allow guests to appreciate the wildlife and midnight sun at any hour.

A technologically-advanced stabilizing system minimizes the effect of rough seas. Abercrombie & Kent's journeys are the most-inclusive way to experience Antarctica, include pre- and post-cruise lodging and sightseeing in Santiago, charter flights to and from Ushuaia, on-board lectures, twice-daily shore excursions, boot rental, most drinks, and staff and crew gratuities.

To book a journey to Antarctica with Geoffrey Kent, go to www.abercrombiekent.com or call 800 554 7094 to speak to an Antarctic specialist. Travellers unable to get away in November can still save 25% – up to $8,500 per cabin – on December voyages to Antarctica when booked by June 15, 2012.

Prices are per person, double occupancy

Photos available at: http://portfolio.abercrombiekent.com/res/sites/Antarctica

Video at: http://youtu.be/EYwd05vZDDs

The Beverly Hills Hotel has been named the first Historic Landmark for the City of Beverly Hills, as recently announced by the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission. 

Celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year, The Beverly Hills Hotel opened in 1912 prior to the founding of Beverly Hills itself, and the city grew up around the glamorous hotel. To this day, the iconic property remains at the heart of the star-studded Beverly Hills community, and it is devoting all of 2012 to the 100^th anniversary celebration of its heritage not only as a newly-announced landmark and second home to Hollywood royalty, but also as a hospitality standard-bearer for future generations.

In recognition of this coveted recognition, a “Landmark Offer” has been  introduced for hotel stays throughout  the fall.  Guests will receive a third or fourth night complimentary when reserving rooms from September 7 to December 30, 2012.  Rates starting at $495 a night.

“We are truly grateful to the City of Beverly Hills for this Historic Landmark honor,” said Christopher Cowdray, chief executive officer of Dorchester Collection. “We have always been inspired by the magic and beauty of our Beverly Hills location, and it has helped provide The Beverly Hills Hotel with an iconic backdrop. As we celebrate our 100^th anniversary this year, we look forward to highlighting this new Historic Landmark designation with great pride and joy.”

The hotel’s award as the city’s first Historic Landmark will be celebrated on September 12, 2012 in a special gathering for the Beverly Hills community. The event will include the opening of a historic time capsule, placed at the property’s front red-carpet entrance in 1993 when the hotel closed for a two and a half year refurbishment.  The capsule’s location is marked by a gold plaque which indicates it is to be opened during the hotel’s centennial year.  While its contents are reportedly ‘unknown,’ artifacts including a cigar from frequent guest Milton Berle and hand-drawings from a frequent celebrity guest are rumored to be inside.  A new time capsule will also be planted, and the Mayor’s office will issue a proclamation declaring the ceremonious day “Beverly Hills Hotel Day.” Other 100^th anniversary activities for The Beverly Hills Hotel include ongoing dining, spa and anniversary package offerings. An added highlight of the year-long anniversary celebration is the book launch of The Beverly Hills Hotel – The First 100 Years, by Beverly Hills resident Robbie Anderson, great-grandson of the property’s original owner and official historian for the hotel.  

“Our new Historic Landmark status inspires us to continue to raise the bar when it comes to service and hospitality leadership,” said Edward A. Mady, regional director, West Coast, USA and general manager. “Dorchester Collection’s  philosophy of ‘We Care’ is designed to provide not only an outstanding travel experience for our guests, but also to present a wonderful work environment for our employees and a welcoming local haven for our neighbors. We will ever be proud to call Beverly Hills home, and we thank the Cultural Heritage Commission for this wonderful recognition.”