MICHELIN-STARRED ALAJMO BROTHERS HOST EXCLUSIVE CRYSTAL CULINARY VOYAGE
Three-Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo will host an intimate Mediterranean sailing aboard Crystal Serenity, redefining fine dining at sea.
2 min
Ultra-luxury cruising is entering a new culinary era, with Crystal announcing an exclusive Mediterranean voyage hosted by one of the world’s most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs.
From September 8 to 15, 2026, Crystal Serenity will sail from Venice to Athens, joined by Massimiliano Alajmo and his brother and restaurateur partner Raffaele Alajmo for a rare, immersive dining experience at sea.
The seven-night sailing promises unprecedented access to the acclaimed culinary duo, whose restaurants have long defined modern Italian fine dining.
For Crystal guests, it offers something rarer still, the opportunity to engage directly with the chefs behind the cuisine while sailing through one of Europe’s most storied regions.
A private audience with culinary royalty
Throughout the voyage, guests will experience the Alajmo brothers’ philosophy through a series of intimate onboard events designed to bring their world closer.
This includes a live Q&A session and book signing, alongside guided wine tastings featuring selections from the family’s own cellars, hosted by Giovanni Alajmo, the next generation of the celebrated dynasty.
Exclusive hosted dinners, personally led by Massimiliano and Raffaele, will take place at Osteria d’Ovidio and the ultra-exclusive Vintage Room. These intimate experiences offer guests the chance to experience Michelin-calibre cuisine in a uniquely personal setting, an offering rarely seen even at the world’s finest restaurants.
“For us, cooking has always been about sharing emotion, culture and a sense of place,” said Massimiliano Alajmo. “We are very much looking forward to meeting Crystal’s guests in person, exchanging ideas, and bringing the spirit of our kitchens to life onboard.”
Elevating the art of dining at sea
The collaboration reflects Crystal’s broader ambition to position its culinary offering among the finest in global hospitality. The Alajmo brothers’ partnership with Crystal began in 2025, when they reimagined menus at Osteria d’Ovidio aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, introducing a more refined expression of their signature modern Italian cuisine.
Their influence sits alongside Crystal’s collaborations with some of the most recognisable names in global dining, including Nobu Matsuhisa, whose Nobu restaurant is exclusively at sea with Crystal, and restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi, who introduced Beefbar to the line.
“The evolution of Crystal’s culinary program has always been rooted in authenticity, craftsmanship and meaningful partnerships with the world’s most respected chefs,” said Gunter Lorenz, Crystal’s Vice President of Food and Beverage.
A Mediterranean voyage defined by taste
Departing Venice and concluding in Athens, the itinerary itself provides a fitting backdrop, tracing a path through the cultural and culinary heart of southern Europe. Yet the defining feature of this sailing is not simply the destinations, but the rare access it offers to one of the world’s most respected culinary families.
For travellers increasingly seeking immersive and meaningful experiences, the voyage reflects a broader shift in luxury travel. The greatest indulgence is no longer excess, but access. Access to extraordinary people, extraordinary places and extraordinary moments.
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A&K Sanctuary unveils Kitirua Plains Lodge, a sustainability-focused luxury property shaped by landscape, local craft and contemporary safari architecture.
A&K Sanctuary unveils Kitirua Plains Lodge, a sustainability-focused luxury property shaped by landscape, local craft and contemporary safari architecture.
2 minLuxury safari operator Abercrombie & Kent has announced the opening of Kitirua Plains Lodge, a new design-led property in Kenya’s Amboseli region that aims to redefine traditional safari accommodation.
Set on a 128-acre private concession bordering Amboseli National Park, the lodge has been designed to blend into its natural surroundings rather than dominate them.
Developed in partnership with architecture firm Luxury Frontiers, the property reflects a broader shift towards environmentally responsive and community-integrated safari experiences.
Positioned within sweeping savannah landscapes and offering uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the lodge features 13 standalone suites oriented to frame the iconic peak.
The design draws on vernacular architecture and local artistic traditions, with an undulating black roof inspired by traditional Maasai buildings and lath screens based on indigenous construction methods to enhance ventilation and shade.
The project marks a return to Amboseli for Abercrombie & Kent, where founder Geoffrey Kent first introduced clients to luxury safari travel in 1962, establishing a model of adventure by day and comfort by night that continues to influence the industry.
Materials used throughout the lodge have been sourced locally where possible.
According to the company, 90 per cent of the furniture was made in Kenya using mango wood and African teak, while Mazeras stone quarried nearby has been used for cladding and flooring.
Interior finishes, including rough-plaster walls mixed with soil from the site, reflect the colours and textures of the surrounding terrain.
Sustainability measures have been embedded into the design from the outset.
The lodge operates on 100 per cent solar power, uses passive cooling strategies to reduce reliance on air-conditioning and recycles greywater for irrigation.
Waste management systems, including recycling and composting, were incorporated during construction.
Community engagement also formed a central part of the development, with local workers employed during construction and traditional techniques used to encourage skills transfer and economic benefit.
Features such as hand-woven sisal ceilings, clay bead pendants and sculptural grass art highlight the role of regional artisans in shaping the property’s aesthetic identity.
Kitirua Plains Lodge is scheduled to open on June 1, 2026, joining A&K Sanctuary’s existing Kenyan properties Olonana Lodge in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare Camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
The lodge will be available as part of the brand’s Tailor Made and Small Group journeys.
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