Abercrombie & Kent has published a new brochure of “Egypt, Morocco & Beyond” for 2011 with an expanded portfolio of private itineraries, including Signature Syria (10 days from $4,520) and Tailor Made suggestions -- Israel Through the Ages, Mediterranean Marvels and Middle Eastern Empires. The brochure also provides travel agents tools to select the right tour type for each client.

Abercrombie & Kent is offering a choice of Nile cruises, from traditional dahabiehs (lanteen-rigged sailboats) to purpose-built Nile cruise ships. Zein Nile Chateau is a dahabieh suitable for a private family group of up to 12 guests. The 36-passenger Sun Boat III was described as the “Jewel of the Nile” by Architectural Digest. The Art Deco- influenced Sun Boat IV, which accommodates 80 guests, earned a place on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. All Abercrombie & Kent small-group escorted departures for 2011 are guaranteed to operate with a tour director. Reserve with confidence, knowing the scheduled tour will operate and at the best price, thanks to A&K’s Price Assurance, which guarantees that if the eligible Abercrombie & Kent journey booked is ever offered at a lower price, A&K will refund the difference. In response to feedback from travel agents and guests, Abercrombie & Kent has redesigned many small-group escorted journeys, offering more pre- and post-tour extensions, less-structured dining and more free time on travel days. To more clearly differentiate the range of travel experiences that A&K offers, each itinerary is color coded by tour type. The options include:

Discovery series -- A local expert tour director with a maximum of 24 guests, standard rooms at five-star or the best available hotels, escorted sightseeing provides an in-depth introduction to the destination. An example is Ancient Wonders: Israel, Jordan & Egypt. Expert guides reveal the cultural and historical ties between these ancient societies. Visit Biblical sites in Israel, explore the rose-red city of Petra and end your expedition in Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs. Explore archaeological, anthropological and religious sites, with a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth. Vistas -- from the Mount of Olives to the shores of the Dead Sea -- set the tone for an in-depth exploration of Jerusalem, Madaba and Petra. Thirteen days from $6,995 (priced less than 2010).

Connoisseurs series -- A local expert tour director with no more than 16 to 20 guests, premium rooms in five-star hotels and insider access experiences not available to most travelers. An example is Splendors of Morocco. From the sands of the Sahara to the Atlas Mountains, Morocco offers an infinite variety of landscapes. Visit the imperial city of Meknes, the well-preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis, the ancient walled medinas of Fez and Marrakech with their the sun-drenched souks, and the sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi. Explore the history of its exotic architecture during an enlightening discussion, experience the night sky as you never have before at a private tented camp in the Sahara and visit a unique museum near Ouarzazate. Twelve days from $5,810 (one day longer but priced less than 2010).

Signature series -- Recommended itineraries with local guides, pre-planned and pre-priced for immediate confirmation. A five-minute FIT, ideal for two to four people. New for 2011 is Signature Syria. Learn about ancient kingdoms and empires while travelling to Biblical sites, ruins and vibrant, modern-day souks. Begin in Damascus, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities. From the cities of Rasafa and Aleppo to the Bronze Age city of Ebla and Homs, site of the magnificent Crac des Chevaliers, Syria’s transcendent, time-honored wonders are revealed. Ten days from $4,520.

Tailor Made -- Customized to client requirements by A&K’s staff of destination experts. An example is El Dahabieh Cruise. Explore Egypt at a leisurely pace on board a dahabieh, a traditional sailing ship, ideal for a family. In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the Pyramids of Giza. Cruise to world-renowned sites between Luxor and Aswan, and lesser-known treasures, such as Luxor’s Tombs of the Nobles and Workers (Deir el-Madina), el-Kab and Gebel Silsileh’s Temple of Horemheb. New for 2011 is Israel Through the Ages. Explore world-famous sites alongside less-visited gems, including the Western Wall Tunnels, Dormition Abbey, Church of the Transfiguration and Jacob’s Well, where Jesus purportedly drank, during a profoundly moving journey through human history. See the burial place of the Virgin Mary and the Herodion complex, and board a boat on the Sea of Galilee, exploring the Mount of Beatitudes and Tabgha before heading to Tel Aviv. Discover the artists’ colony of Jaffa and an Ella valley vineyard.

Also new for 2011: Mediterranean Marvels -- Syria and Lebanon reflect the diverse cultures of Europe and the Middle East, with a surprising range of influences from early Roman to modern French. Take in the island city of Tyre, temples of Baalbeck and Sidon Sea Castle. Explore the Church of St. John the Baptist in Byblos, historic Ebla and magnificent Crac des Chevaliers before concluding in scenic Maaloula, where Aramaic, the language of Jesus is still spoken. Middle Eastern Empires -- A look at the rich ancient, Biblical and modern-day history of Jordan and Syria, from the mosaics of Madaba to Damascus’ Handicraft Market and the treasures found in the “rose-red” city of Petra. Timeless locales, including Palmyra and Old Testament-era Rasafa, mingle with the Grand Mosque and souks in Aleppo, which come alive with the colors and scents of the Levant. Abercrombie & Kent is a U.S.-based company with a network of 62 on-site offices around the world -- including nine offices in Egypt, Morocco and Jordan. For more information, call 800 554 7094 or visit www.abercrombiekent.com.