Our New Partnership With Abercrombie & Kent
Condé Nast Traveler has teamed with the legendary travel company to offer Curated Escapes, a collection of specialized trips custom-designed for our readers. The program kicks off with a small group journey exploring the timeless and of-the-moment culture of Japan, with departures beginning this September, and a private journey focused on wine, gastronomy, and adventure in Sonoma County, which can be booked any time.
Japan: A Cultural Journey
From moss gardens and ancient temple complexes to sleek bullet trains and robot waiters, no country does the dance of the old and new quite like Japan. Nor is there any other quite as obsessive in the pursuit of perfection (or perfect imperfection). Your journey will showcase these qualities through the skyscrapers and Shinto shrines of Tokyo, the Samurai districts of the coastal city of Kanazawa, and the Zen temples and textile traditions of Kyoto. This nine-day, small group trip runs September 14 – September 22, October 8–16, October 22–30, and November 5–13.
Journey Highlights:
- Learn how to make sushi from a master at Tokyo’s legendary Tsukiji Fish Market
- Unlock the essence of old Japan in Kyoto through temple tours and sake tastings
- View authentic period artifacts at the Nagamachi Samurai Residence in Kanazawa, a restored home that captures the daily life of Japan’s legendary warrior class
- Sit down for a private dinner while listening to live traditional Japanese music
- Take a pottery painting workshop in the birthplace of Kutani ceramics
Japan Inspiration
- Destinations
The Best Time to Visit Japan—and How Many Days to Stay
Plus: When to go for cheap flights, the etiquette to know, and which cities to see (you probably know the answer). - Destinations
15 Unwritten Rules You Should Know Before Traveling to Japan
From tipping etiquette to public transit norms, these are the most important things you need to know before visiting Japan. - Inspiration
Ask a Local: Tour Guide Sara Aiko Showcases a Different Side of Kyoto
From chef's tables to light-filled ateliers. - Destinations
A Guide to Kyoto, Japan Through the City's Craft Scene
Getting to know Kyoto means getting crafty in the former capital of Japan.
Sonoma: A Culinary Adventure
Sonoma County has developed a reputation among wine lovers as the fresh younger sibling to long-established Napa next door. But a visit here also means soaring redwood groves, the bohemian charms of the Russian River, and 55 miles of wild, dramatic Pacific coastline—not to mention charming small towns, outstanding restaurants showcasing local produce, and scores of great boutiques and art galleries. These private, four-day trips can be booked at any time.
Journey Highlights:
- Go horseback riding through vineyards, redwood groves, and tranquil oak woodlands
- Dine on lauded regional gastronomy with global influences at Farmhouse Restaurant
- Taste world-class Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays among the vines from which they were harvested
- Spend an evening at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, one of the most recent ventures from star American chef Charlie Palmer
- Wander among 300-foot-tall old-growth redwoods in the historic Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve
- Experience a farewell dinner fusing Japanese and Californian influences at the lauded SingleThread
