For decades, Abercrombie & Kent has been known as one of the travel industry's premiere luxury tour operators. The company's safaris, Antarctic cruises, and adventure tours combine nature, culture, and the pinnacle of comfort. While this made for amazing travel opportunities, it also priced a great many people out of their offerings. Now, however, comes exciting news that A&K will be launching a more affordable line of tours called Connections. Priced 30 percent lower than the standard A&K trips, Connections trips still focus on exotic destinations and luxury. The company has an ambitious plan in place to maintain its brand while making their trips accessible to a greater percentage of travelers.

According to Travel Weekly, A&K is reducing costs in three main categories: accommodations, group sizes, and exclusive experiences. Guests on Connections trips may stay at the same properties as travelers on the higher end A&K tours, but in different categories of rooms. Additionally, the company has contracted with the Fairmont, Hyatt Regency, Meridien, and Sofitel chains for the Connections trips. While these brands fall below the level of luxury offered on A&K's top-tier products, they are still high-end hospitality brands that are in line with A&K's reputation.

Most A&K trips host between 10 and 18 people. Connections trips will have between 24 and 28 guests, which is still smaller than the coach-busing large tour groups assembled by other operators.

As far as the exclusivity offered by A&K, Connections guests might not get private showings of Egyptian tombs like those offered on the more expensive trips, but they will still have the opportunity to experience places in ways that most travelers cannot, including private lectures, invitations to the homes of locals, and tour facilities that are not open to the general public.

We're very excited to hear more about the Connections itineraries, which feature 17 programs in 21 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa, as well as Australia and India. If you've lusted after an Abercrombie & Kent tour in the past, this might finally be your chance to take your whole family on an amazing trip to remote parts of the world. With A&K maintaining their brand identity while leveraging their relationships with partners to offer reduced costs, more people will have access to one of the industry's leaders in luxury and adventure travel.