SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 11-passenger Actief cruises the stunning, non-commercial, upper reaches of the Royal River Thames. View exquisite scenery, delightful islands, winding backwaters, quaint villages, locks and weir streams. Couple this with Actief's charming individual style and cruise through a tapestry of English history. Finally, combine with superb private tours, gourmet cuisine and seriously good service to enjoy the most relaxing, refreshing barge cruise holiday imaginable....
Actief is a handsome and luxurious Dutch Klipper built in 1907. It has been extensively refurbished with the installation of air conditioning and enlarged and upgraded bathrooms.
The saloon is elegant, attractive and provides comfortable living on board. The library contains a good selection of reference books on the River Thames and those places you will visit en-route. There is also a stereo system with a wide range of music for all tastes. The well-stocked bar is found here and a cheerful crew member is always on hand to serve guests with drinks of their choice. Each cabin is charmingly individual, warm, comfortable, light and airy, beautifully decorated and has a private bathroom. Colorful flower boxes and comfortable seating enhance Actief’s spacious sundeck. Maybe here, more than anywhere else, you will really appreciate the true beauty of your river cruise, while relaxing in warm sunshine and perhaps enjoying a glass or two of mellow wine.
Sunday
Private transfer from the Goring Hotel in London at 2pm to the beautiful village of Ewelme for a brief tour of the medieval village church (where Chaucer's granddaughter is buried) and quaint almshouses, while your luggage is taken on to Actief. Afterwards you continue to Shillingford Bridge, where the barge is moored and where a traditional English cream tea awaits you. After settling in to your comfortable and attractive cabins, the evening begins with a festive Champagne reception followed by dinner and your first night aboard.
Monday
This morning's cruise is through glacier formed hills to our mooring alongside the 17th century Swann Inn at Pangbourne. After lunch you visit Oxford - 'City of Dreaming Spires'. View the grandest of all Oxford's Colleges, Christchurch, founded by Henry VIII in 1525 and the setting for the tale of Alice in Wonderland. This is followed by time for shopping and afternoon tea before returning to Actief.
Tuesday
This morning our cruise continues through Sylvan countryside (setting for Kenneth Graham's 'Wind In The Willows') to the picturesque Mapledurham Estate. Here we privately visit Elizabethan Mapledurham House, home to descendants of the same family since 1490, and Mapledurham Mill, a 500 year old still working water mill (famously used during the filming of 'The Eagle Has Landed'). Afterwards our cruise continues until reaching our overnight stop at Henley-On-Thames.
Wednesday
This morning we visit the spectacular award-winning and interactive River and Rowing Museum. No ordinary museum, this is a wonderful chance to learn something of the secrets, mythology, history, and traditions of the River Thames. After lunch there is time to catch up on some shopping in this fashionable town, home to the world famous annual Henley Royal Regatta. A late afternoon cruise along the world famous Regatta Mile takes us to the picturesque medieval village of Hurley.
Thursday
A gentle walking tour around Hurley, home of Ye Olde Bell, reputedly England's oldest Inn founded for visiting monks in 1135, is followed by a visit to Peter Freebody's traditional boatyard. Peter's family has been involved with the river for 800 years! We then cruise to one of the most stunning reaches on the river at Cliveden and our private mooring at this magnificent estate, former home of the Astors. Our tour of the fabulous gardens with its breathtaking views is quite memorable.
Friday
A delightful morning cruise takes us to our final mooring below magnificent Windsor Castle. After lunch we visit Eton College, founded in 1440 and alma mater to Princes William and Harry. The Museum of Eton Life gives a fascinating insight into the education of Britain's premier scions over the centuries. Following this there is time for you to browse the many shops in Eton and Windsor. Tonight the Captain hosts his farewell dinner.
Saturday
Disembark at 9.30am for private transfer to London Heathrow Airport or the Goring Hotel.
Note: On alternate weeks the cruise is in reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
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*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
| ACTIEF 2008 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Apr 6 thru May 3 Jul 27 thru Aug 30 Oct 5 thru Oct 25 |
REGULAR May 4 thru Jul 26 Aug 31 thru Oct 4 Oct 26 thru Nov 1 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$2,930 |
$3,250 |
| Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,450 |
$3,770 |
| Single in Single Cabin |
$3,140 |
$3,450 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,460 |
$1,610 |
| Suite Single Supplement |
$1,730 |
$1,880 |
| Charter for 6 |
$24,100 |
$25,150 |
| Charter for 7 |
$25,570 |
$27,250 |
| Charter for 8 |
$27,040 |
$29,350 |
| Charter for 9 |
$28,510 |
$31,450 |
| Charter for 10 |
$29,980 |
$33,550 |
| Charter for 11 |
$31,450 |
$35,650 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- transfers from London to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side excursions (gold, etc at additional cost)
- use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be given to the captain in equivalent British pounds
- overseas air transportation to London and return.
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