Experience Authentic Connections on a Unique Boutique Journey
See all Connections Boutique Group Journeys
Explorers who really want to know a destination don’t take the word “experience” lightly. Neither does A&K, and it’s why we created Connections Boutique Group Journeys, which offer deeply immersive experiences — the kind that take you beyond the guidebook — in the most captivating locales. Every journey is anchored by stays in one-of-a-kind Boutique Accommodations that put you in the heart of the places you most want to be and features a group size of no more than 24 guests led by an A&K Resident Tour Director®.
Discover Immersive and Exclusive Boutique Travel
Boutique Hotels That Tell a Story
Intimate, charming and brimming with stories, the boutique hotels we select for every journey add a unique dimension to your travel experience. Whether it’s the Wine House Hotel in Portugal’s Douro Valley, Munich’s family-run Platzl Hotel or the oceanfront Grand Hotel Mazzarò Sea Palace in Taormina, Sicily, A&K selects properties with just the right mix of history and story, character, location and scale.
Authentic Connections in Every Destination
Connections Journeys feature immersive and exclusive travel experiences that bring you to the heart of the places we explore. These include a hands-on-workshop at the National Tile Museum in Lisbon, a behind-the-scenes visit at Italy’s only organic mozzarella producer and a private dinner at an historic palace in Seville followed by flamenco dancing and singing on the patio.
Experienced Resident Tour Directors
Our Resident Tour Directors have lived for decades — perhaps even their entire lives — in the places you visit and possess the kind of insight that can only come from being a local themselves. Overseeing your entire journey, they accompany you every day and share a beyond-the-guidebook understanding of daily life, revealing the authentic spirit of a place you encounter in a way you’ll never forget.
Small Groups of Just 24 Guests
Connections Journeys feature intimate groups of no more than 24 guests on every departure, allowing for exclusive access to places and experiences that larger groups can’t manage. Whether by land or by river, travelling in these privileged small groups also brings added opportunities to get to know your Resident Tour Director as well as your fellow guests in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.
Why Local Access Matters
Having over 55 offices in more than 30 countries — six in Europe alone — is only the beginning for A&K. We build lasting relationships with local experts so that you experience each place from a truly local perspective. Imagine discovering Greek cuisine with a local family in Oropos, playing the alphorn during a private demonstration in the Swiss mountains and more.
We Include the Amenities That Matter Most
Enjoy included private arrival and departure transfers and complimentary Internet access during hotel stays, along with ship-wide Wi-Fi available free to Connections guests on each of our European River Cruise Journeys. In addition, all of your gratuities are included, save for your Resident Tour Director, which is at your sole discretion.
Exclusively on European River Cruise Journeys
Expertly Crafted Itinerary on River and Land
Each A&K river cruise offers a complete itinerary, with stays in smaller, hand-selected hotels and enriching, guided visits in must-see destinations, ensuring a boutique-style travel experience from start to finish. On river ships, A&K offers only cabins and suites with full, walk-out balconies or French balconies with unrestricted panoramic views.
Exclusive Excursions with Dedicated Onshore Vehicles
Every trip ashore is an invitation-only affair for just you, your fellow Connections guests and your Resident Tour Director and local guide. Though your river ship offers a compliment of around 150 passengers, you dine and explore ashore as a small group of just 24 Connections guests, in an A&K vehicle designated exclusively for your group.
Private Dining Onboard and Onshore
On board your ship, your Connections group dines at reserved tables, joined by your Resident Tour Director. When ashore, your small group has the opportunity to dine at local restaurants — something no one else on your cruise does. In addition, local wine and beer are always included at lunch and dinner.
Travel on Your Own, But Never Alone
As a solo guest on a Connections Boutique Group Journey, enjoy private accommodations at every stop on your itinerary, along with the experience of exploring your destination with like-minded travellers.
Dates & Prices Guaranteed
Every A&K Connections Boutique Group Journey is guaranteed to depart with a minimum of two guests. And if the price you pay for your journey drops after you book, we’ll refund the difference.
Let an A&K Air Concierge Handle Your Flights
When you book your air with A&K, we assist you 24/7 if a flight is delayed or canceled, and we offer special fares as well as the freedom to cancel your reservation up to a day before departure.
Protect Your Journey with Guest Protection
Purchase A&K’s Guest Protection Program with Cancel for Any Reason coverage, which offers coverage in the event of a medical emergency or lost or damaged baggage.