Introduction
Secret Treasures of Egypt with a Nile Cruise
Lycian Cruise
Prague & the Vltava Cruise: A Symphony of History & Music
Danube River Cruise
Mekong Cruise
Ancient Egypt & the Nile: From Cairo to Aswan
Tour Directors
Booking Conditions
www.aceculturaltours.co.uk sales@aceculturaltours.co.uk 01223 841055
My river runs to thee: Blue sea, wilt welcome me?
My river waits reply. Oh sea, look graciously!
I’ll fetch thee brooks, From spotted nooks,–Say, sea,Take me!
– Emily Dickinson, c 1860
There is something particularly magical about travelling along waterways, exploring historical treasures en route. In this brochure, ACE is delighted to present our range of cultural cruises taking place throughout 2025. From the musical associations of the mighty Vltava to the ancient archaeology along the Nile and the historical landscapes of the Lycian coast, our expert-led cruises blend culture with relaxation. Join us aboard one of our privately chartered vessels, enjoying delicious food and comfortable cabins, as you watch the world go by.
For those cruises which are not yet fully released, we invite you to contact us to register your interest to receive full details when available.
All cruises require a good level of fitness. Participants will walk over rough ground, especially at archaeological sites, through dimly lit temples and cobbled historic towns, up steps and stairs, across narrow gangplanks and over boat roofs; as well as use small river boats on occasion. Crew members are usually available to assist but participants must have a good level of mobility. None of the vessels used for our cruises have lifts. Please contact us or visit our website to view ACE’s fitness criteria as well as the specific fitness requirements for each tour.
6 - 19 January, 2025
With Gillian Hovell
• Experience a wealth of iconic archaeological sites rarely featured on most Egypt tours
• Visit the stunningly restored Tomb of Nefertari, one of the great artistic achievements of the ancient world
• Appreciate Egypt’s multi-faceted culture on a journey from the Mediterranean to Nubia
The ancient wonders of Egypt are too numerous to be encompassed in a single tour, and some genuinely extraordinary treasures - the breathtakingly colourful Tomb of Nefertari, the majestic Temple of Abydos and the poignant cemeteries of El Alamein - are omitted from the firsttime visitor’s itinerary simply through lack of time. Return to Egypt and you can discover a whole new range of less-visited but scarcely less iconic sites.
In Cairo, the Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Africa, whilst the 14th century Sultan Hassan Mosque supposedly used limestone from the Pyramids of Giza in its construction. We will also visit the Ottoman Citadel and the characterful churches of Coptic Cairo, view prototype pyramids at Dahshur, take a walk around the little-known Pyramid Workers’ Cemetery and explore the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum.
Moving on to Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, we will stop at the cemeteries and museum of one of the great battles of the 20th century, El Alamein. In Alexandria, we will visit sites ranging from the Ptolemaic Taposiris Magna and Roman-era catacombs to the ultra-modern library.
Cleopatra features in a monumental carving at the Nile-side Temple of Hathor at Dendera, which follows an appreciation of the equally impressive but relatively little-visited Temple of Seti I at Abydos. At Dendera, we will embark a traditional dahabiya for a cruise to Aswan. En route, we will see in Luxor the Valley of the Queens, including the spellbinding Tomb of Nefertari, the Valley of the Nobles, Howard Carter’s House and the Sound and Light spectacular at Karnak; along with the newly-restored temple at Esna and fascinating Gebel el-Silsila. In Aswan we will make stops at the Nubian Museum, the Botanical Gardens and Gharb Soheil Nubian Village, and there is the option to travel further south by air to the awe-inspiring Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel.
Cost of £7595 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin/room, thirteen breakfasts, twelve lunches with water & coffee, thirteen dinners with water & coffee (wine included on board Nile Lily), excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not included: visa, travel insurance, optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel on day 13 £425, double cabin/room for single use supplement £3250 (on request).
Tour Code: STOE-25
For travellers seeking an introduction to Ancient Egypt, we recommend our Ancient Egypt & the Nile cruise on page 34
Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1400 on Egyptair, arriving Cairo 2045. Three nights in Cairo at Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel.
Day 2 Islamic and Ottoman Cairo (Citadel, Mohammed Ali Mosque, Ibn Tulun Mosque, Sultan Hassan Mosque and Gayer Anderson Museum). Afternoon: Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Holy Family Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue).
Day 3 Giza excursion, with brief reintroduction to Pyramids and Great Sphinx followed by new Grand Egyptian Museum, Pyramid Workers’ Cemetery and Pyramids of Dahshur. Lunch at Mena House Hotel.
Day 4 Transfer to El Alamein, for visits to Taposiris Magna, El Alamein Museum and German, Italian and Commonwealth cemeteries. Two nights at Steigenberger Cecil Hotel, Alexandria (HQ of British Intelligence in the Second World War).
Day 5 Alexandria sightseeing, including the Mameluke Fortress (where the Pharos Lighthouse once stood), Kom el-Dikka archaeological site, the catacombs and new library.
Day 6 Transfer to Cairo airport for flight to Luxor. Overnight at Sonesta St George Hotel.
Day 7 Travel north to Temple of Seti I at Abydos and Temple of Hathor at Dendera. Embark Nile Lily at Dendera for six nights. Sail to Luxor.
Day 8 Continue cruising to Luxor with visits to the Valley of the Nobles, Howard Carter’s House and the evening Sound & Light show at Karnak.
Day 9 Morning: Valley of the Queens including visit to Tomb of Nefertari. Afternoon: sail to Esna.
Day 10 Visit the newly restored Temple of Khnum at Esna, then sail to Gebel el-Silsila.
Day 11 Morning: Gebel el-Silsila, centre of the ancient cult of the Nile. Afternoon: sail to Aswan.
Day 12 Aswan sightseeing, including Nubian Museum, Botanical Gardens and Gharb Soheil Nubian Village.
Day 13 Optional excursion by air to Abu Simbel for Great Temple of Ramses II (at an additional supplement), or free time on board. Disembark Nile Lily and continue to Aswan airport for flight to Cairo. Overnight at Cairo airport hotel.
Day 14 Depart Cairo 0925, arriving Heathrow 1235.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some visits may be subject to confirmation, opening times and/or the weather. While the Grand Egyptian Museum is set to fully open in 2024, this cannot be guaranteed. Our itinerary may also be subject to change or reordering depending on final sailing schedules. The excursion to Abu Simbel must be prebooked and is dependent upon flight availability nearer to departure.
Nile Lily is a faithful replica – complete with period furniture – of a 19th century dahabiya, a two-masted sailing yacht that once was a common sight on the Nile.
On board, guests will enjoy modern comforts and conveniences, including air conditioning, en-suite cabins and international and Egyptian cuisine, as well as the highest levels of service. A maximum of 18 guests will be accommodated in ten cabins.
We will also stay at the five-star Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Cairo, the fivestar Sonesta St George Hotel in Luxor and the historic four-star Steigenberger Cecil Hotel in Alexandria.
26 April - 10 May, 2025 | 6 - 13 September, 2025
• Explore ancient cities containing fascinating classical remains on a voyage around the coast of south-west Turkey
• Visit the impressive ruins of Xanthos, capital of ancient Lycia
• Journey inland to discover the beautifully located town of Pinara with tombs cut into the rock face
Many of the most striking cities in the Greek and Roman world are found along the coast of south-west Turkey, where the towering limestone cliffs and lofty mountain ranges have changed little since classical times. The armies of Alexander, the emperors of Rome and the traders of Byzantium all brought untold wealth to these rugged shores.
One of the most thrilling ways to experience the bygone cities of Lycia and south-eastern Caria is as the ancients saw them: by sea. This scenic coastline is dotted with small bays inaccessible to large cruise ships but perfectly suited to traditional Turkish two-masted vessels known as gulets. ACE is pleased to present two departures of our popular Lycian Cruise in 2025: a two-week version taking place in the spring; and a one-week version taking place in early autumn.
Both departures begin with a cruise to Gemiler, where the vestiges of the once-thriving monastic community conjure up the majesty of high Byzantium. There are lovely Hellenistic ruins to admire at Kas and Pinara. Myra features dozens of superb tombs cut into the vertical rock face; while in the bay of Kekova, we have the opportunity to spot ancient remnants beneath the clear waters (classical Aperlae and Byzantine Tesane). Meanwhile, Xanthos, capital of ancient Lycia, is one of the undoubted historical highlights of the region, where Hellenistic and Lycian influences converge.
The following itineraries represent guides to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change. Opening times can change at short notice, so some visits may be adjusted nearer the time. Our itineraries are fluid and weather conditions can affect the order and nature of visits, so participants should be prepared to be flexible. In particularly inclement weather, the Captain reserves the right, in the interests of the safety and wellbeing of passengers, not to set out to sea. In such circumstances we will endeavour to complete the scheduled visits by other means of transportation, but will not be able to issue a refund, either in whole or in part.
April tour cost: £4495 | September tour cost: £2995
Cost includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board (except lunch on Day 8 of Tour 1) with water, tea & coffee, shore excursions & admissions, crew gratuities & all taxes.
Not included: visa, travel insurance, master cabin supplement £390 (only available for April tour), cabin for single use supplement £1495 (April tour) / £995 (September tour) - both on request.
Tour Code: LYCI-25 / LYC2-25 | Own flight reduction: £200
Day 1 Flight from London to Dalaman. Transfer to MS Lycian Queen for 14 nights. Overnight at Fethiye.
Day 2 Cruise to island of Gemiler: ruined churches, vaulted processional way, ecclesiastical complex. Overnight at Gemiler.
Day 3 Cruise to Kas: Hellenistic theatre, tombs. Overnight at Kas.
Day 4 Cruise via Uluburun and into bay of Kekova to Kaleköy: citadel, Lycian necropolis. Overnight at Gokkaya Liman.
Day 5 Cruise to Myra (ancient theatre, rock tombs, Church of St Nicholas). Overnight in Kekova area.
Day 6 Cruise to Kalkan then by minibus to Letoon (temples) and Xanthos (Roman theatre, Byzantine citadel and church, remains of Nereid Monument). Overnight at Kalkan.
Day 7 Travel inland to Pinara (acropolis, Hellenistic theatre, rock-cut tombs) and Tlos (bath complex, citadel). Two nights in bay of Fethiye.
Day 8 Ancient site of Telmessos (tomb of Amyntas).
Day 9 Morning cruise to Agalimani: walk to remains of ancient Lydae (ruined mausolea). Overnight at Agalimani.
Day 10 Morning cruise followed by transfer to small boat for site of ancient Caunos (rock tombs, theatre, temple). Overnight in bay near Caunos.
Day 11 Cruise to Loryma: Hellenistic fort. Overnight in Loryma.
Day 12 Cruise to Knidos: temples of Apollo Karneios and Aphrodite Euploia, Doric portico, early Byzantine churches, harbour theatre. Overnight in Knidos.
Day 13 Cruise to Bay of Bodrum. Overnight in Bay of Bodrum.
Day 14 Cruise to Bodrum for remains of Mausoleum and St Peter’s Castle including underwater archaeology museum. Overnight in Bay of Bodrum.
Day 15 Flight from Bodrum to London.
Day 1 Flight from London to Dalaman. Transfer to MS Larin Su for 7 nights. Overnight at Fethiye.
Day 2 Cruise to island of Gemiler: ruined churches, vaulted processional way, ecclesiastical complex. Overnight at Gemiler.
Day 3 Cruise to Kas: Hellenistic theatre, tombs. Overnight at Kas.
Day 4 Cruise via Uluburun and into bay of Kekova to Kaleköy: citadel, Lycian necropolis. Overnight at Gokkaya Liman.
Day 5 Cruise to Myra (ancient theatre, rock tombs, Church of St Nicholas). Overnight in Kekova area.
Day 6 Cruise to Kalkan then by minibus to Letoon and Xanthos (Roman theatre, Byzantine citadel, Nereid Monument remains). Overnight at Kalkan.
Day 7 Travel inland to Pinara (acropolis, Hellenistic theatre, rock-cut tombs) and Tlos (bath complex, citadel). Overnight at Fethiye.
Day 8 Flight from Dalaman to London.
The MS Lycian Queen, which was launched in 2015, will be our home aboard our April cruise. Our September cruise will take place aboard the MS Larin Su, launched in 2007 and fully refitted and refurbished in 2020.
These deluxe vessels are traditional, two-masted, motorised wooden Turkish gulets, of the type typically seen along the country’s coastline. Both are equipped with 8 ensuite cabins, making them the ideal size for accessing the ports and bays of the Lycian coast, and amenities include a saloon, sun deck, Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
Prague & the Vltava Cruise: A Symphony of History & Music
17 - 25 September, 2025
• Delve into the music, history and culture of Prague and the Vltava region on this spectacular tour, including a seven-day cruise
• Enjoy private recitals alongside large-scale performances courtesy of the Dvořák Prague International Music Festival
• Visit the newly restored Dvořák Museum in Nelahozeves, and explore Prague’s awe-inspiring Strahov Monastery on an exclusive guided tour
This brand new edition of our tour to Prague will coincide with the Dvořák Prague International Music Festival, and we plan to offer at least one festival concert in the city’s famous Rudolfinum in addition to an opera in the city. Starting with an exploration of Prague’s old town and castle district, we will then transfer to our charming paddleboat, the MS Elbe Princesse I, for a cruise along the Vltava.
Our journey will take us south to the town of Štěchovice before making an excursion to Konopiště Castle. The castle evokes a sense of romance with its soaring towers and rose gardens, and was the final residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Travelling back through the stunning landscape around Slapy, we will return to Prague to explore the Jewish Quarter including the Spanish Synagogue with its breathtaking Arabic art-inspired interior. The magnificent Strahov Monastery will welcome us for an exclusive guided tour, including the famous Baroque library resplendent with ceiling frescoes.
The final stage of our cruise will take us north to the town of Mělník where the Vltava and Elbe meet; from here, we will visit sites including the characterful town of Litoměřice. We will also make an excursion to Nelahozeves, site of a Renaissance castle and a museum dedicated to Dvořák, newly restored and re-opened by the time of our visit.
Throughout the tour we will explore the music of composers associated with Prague and its surroundings, through lectures and recitals given by musicologists Paul Jackson and Emilie Capulet. Art historian Tom Abbott, meanwhile, will guide us at several sites and provide us with the background for understanding the historical treasures we will encounter.
Cost of £4795 includes: return airfare, accommodation onboard MS Elbe Princesse I based on sharing a main deck twin cabin, full board cruise with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, 5 star hotel accommodation for two nights including two dinners with wine, water, tea & coffee, two shore excursions & admissions, at least two public performances in Prague (including Dvorák Festival performance with Category 1 tickets – final details subject to scheduling), all gratuities & all taxes.
Not included: travel insurance, hotel & main deck twin cabin for single use supplement £945, hotel & upper deck twin cabin for single use supplement £1215, twin upper deck supplement of £650 (based on sharing a cabin).
Tour Code: VLTA-25 | Own flight reduction: £180
Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1320 on British Airways, arriving Prague 1620. Transfer to the NH Collection Prague Carlo IV Hotel for two nights. Welcome and introduction.
Day 2 Morning lecture: The History of Prague followed by walking tour of the Old Town (Powder Tower, Old Town Square with Tyn Church and Astronomical Clock, Czech National Library, St James’s Church and Charles Bridge – exteriors). Afternoon: visit to Antonín Dvořák Museum including short private recital. Evening performance in Prague (festival concert or opera).
Day 3
Morning visit to the Castle District (St George’s Basilica, St Vitus Cathedral and Old Royal Palace) before transferring to the MS Elbe Princesse I. Welcome reception and introduction from the crew. Evening recital on board with Paul Jackson: Pictures of Bohemia Overnight in Prague.
Day 4 Morning spent cruising towards Štěchovice with on-board lectures including an illustrated talk with Paul Jackson: A Musical Introduction to our Journey. Afternoon visit to Konopiště Castle including guided tour of the South Wing and visit to the Rose Garden. Evening recital on board with Emilie Capulet. Overnight in Slapy.
Day 5 Day spent cruising through the beautiful Bohemian landscape, with on-board lectures from Tour Directors. Evening performance in Prague (festival concert or opera). Overnight in Prague.
Day 6 Full day of visits in Prague, including Strahov Monastery and Jewish Quarter (Spanish Synagogue). Overnight in Prague. Evening recital on board.
Day 7 Morning spent cruising towards Mělník with on-board lecture. Afternoon visit to Nelahozeves for castle and Dvořák Museum (subject to final confirmation). Overnight in Mělník.
Day 8 Excursion to Litoměřice: walking tour (Old Town Square, Chapel of St John the Baptist, Bishop’s Palace, St Jacob’s Church –exteriors), All Saints’ Church and Diocesan Museum (painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder). Afternoon: Liblice Chateau (Baroque chateau belonging to the Czech Academy of Science) for a leisurely lunch. Return to Prague. Evening: gala dinner and celebratory recital. Overnight in Prague.
Day 9 Morning visit in Prague – subject to final flight arrangements. Depart Prague 1415, arriving Heathrow 1520.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Due to the changing conditions associated with waterways, the precise timings and order of visits may change nearer to the time. We plan to attend 2-3 public performances in Prague, however the final musical programme is subject to scheduling. For further information, please see the ACE website.
The MS Elbe Princesse I is a delightful paddle riverboat featuring 39 en-suite cabins in addition to a lounge, restaurant, sundeck and terrace. Cabins are split across the upper and main decks – cabins on the upper deck have full-length French windows, and cabins on the main deck have picture windows.
As vessels on the Elbe/Vltava are restricted in their overall dimensions, the cabins are slightly smaller than those on some other ACE cruises, however they are comfortably designed with attractive décor and generous storage space. The boat has been completely refurbished to fiveanchor standard (similar to a good four-star hotel standard).
There will be a maximum of 50 participants, and the group will be divided into two smaller groups for the majority of the visits.
We begin our tour with a two-day stay at the five-star NH Collection Prague Carlo IV. The architecture is suitably palatial both inside and out, blending heritage luxury and contemporary style.
26 June - 5 July, 2025
• A host of Tour Directors illuminates the history of this commanding waterway and its artistic and musical heritage
• Beginning with a stay in Salzburg – new for 2025 – we will journey through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, taking in the treasures of Vienna, Melk, Bratislava, Kalocsa, Budapest and Esztergom
• Experience a sparkling array of musical performances, including piano, Baroque flute and song recitals on board
The mighty River Danube strides across a vast stretch of Europe. For centuries it has formed the borders of nations and empires, turning the tide of history and inspiring a myriad of writers, artists and musicians.
Our exploration of the region’s cultural riches begins begins with a special new addition for 2025 of two nights in Salzburg, where we will explore Mozart’s birthplace and view the rare manuscripts held in the Autograph Vault of the Mozarteum. Continuing to Vienna, we will set off for our voyage upon the Danube.
Visits range from the breathtaking abbey at Melk to the medieval streets of Bratislava’s Old Town, and the Baroque reading room of the Archbishop’s Palace in Kalocsa to Budapest’s castle district, as well as Esztergom’s magnificent basilica and Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Musicians Emilie Capulet (piano), Ashley Solomon (flute), Judy Brown (soprano) and Nicholas Wearne (organ, piano) will perform, giving life to the celebrated opus of works inspired by the river and connected to the countries we will travel through. We also plan to attend a performance at one of Vienna’s classical music venues, subject to final scheduling. Art historians Andrew Spira and Tom Abbott will deliver on-board lectures, while also guiding at several sites.
Visits will be taken at a leisurely pace, with several opportunities to explore locations independently, and to appreciate the river’s surroundings during relaxed stretches of cruising.
“As always with ACE everything was well organised. The visits were of high interest value and the Tour Directors were excellent in all aspects of their fields. The musical content was outstanding”
- ACE customer on the Danube Cruise in 2023
Cost of £4695 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin room in Salzburg and twin cabin (main deck) onboard MS Douce France, nine breakfasts, five lunches, nine dinners with water, tea & coffee (plus unlimited wine, beer & soft drinks during the cruise), excursions & admissions, musical performance in Vienna (subject to confirmation), all gratuities & all taxes.
Not included: travel insurance, hotel & main deck twin cabin for single use supplement £895, hotel & upper deck twin cabin for single use supplement £1295, twin upper deck supplement of £590 (based on sharing a cabin). Further supplements on request.
Tour Code: DANC-25 | Own flight reduction: £180
Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1050 on Lufthansa, arriving Munich 1340. Transfer to Salzburg for two nights at Hotel Imlauer Pitter. Welcome and introduction.
Day 2 Short talk with Ashley Solomon: Mozart followed by guided walking tour of Salzburg (visits to Cathedral and Mozart’s birthplace). Afternoon: guided visit to original archives in the Mozarteum’s Autograph Vault and optional visit to the Fortress.
Day 3 Transfer via Linz to Vienna and embark the MS Douce France. Crew welcome and introduction. Cruise towards Melk.
Day 4 Melk Morning: Melk Abbey (guided tour, flute and organ recitals). Cruise towards Dürnstein. Afternoon: Dürnstein Abbey (free time, short organ recital in abbey church). Pre-dinner flute recital on board. Cruise towards Bratislava.
Day 5 Bratislava Walking tour of Bratislava’s medieval Old Town and historical centre (St Michael’s Gate, National Theatre, Town Hall, main square, embassies and Old Opera House – exteriors). Afternoon: some free time and talks on board while boat cruises towards Kalocsa. Afterdinner piano recital on board.
Day 6 Kalocsa Assumption Cathedral (Treasury), Archbishop’s Palace (Baroque reading room), some free time and talks on board while boat cruises towards Budapest. After-dinner piano recital on board.
Day 7 Budapest Morning city coach tour (Opera House, Heroes’ Square, basilica and city park – exteriors) followed by Buda Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Afternoon: Music Academy (guided tour, mini concert) and Liszt Ferenc Museum (guided tour, short recital). After-dinner song recital on board. Boat cruises overnight to Esztergom.
Day 8 Esztergom Guided walking tour (Cardinal’s palace, Jesuit Church, former mosque and Royal Castle – exteriors) and visit to Esztergom Basilica (Treasury). Afternoon: free time and talk on board while boat cruises towards Vienna. Evening cocktail reception, gala dinner and celebratory music on board.
Day 9 Vienna Short walking tour of central Vienna, guided tour of Kunsthistorisches Museum and some free time. Afternoon talk on board introducing this evening’s opera. Evening performance at Vienna State Opera (to be confirmed).
Day 10 Disembark MS Douce France. Transfer to Vienna airport for 1245 flight on Austrian Airlines, arriving Heathrow 1420.
Please note the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Due to changing conditions associated with waterways, the precise timings and order of visits may change nearer the time.
The MS Douce France has been completely refurbished to five-anchor standard (similar to a good four-star hotel standard). At 110 metres long, the ship has two decks, a sun deck and a total of 55 en-suite cabins.
The cabins are split across two decks, the upper deck with full-length windows and the main deck with half-height picture windows. The dining room, lounge and bar areas also benefit from floor-to-ceiling windows, providing beautiful views of the river. The ship includes a sun deck with deckchairs, a large lounge area with a piano and soft seating, and a dining room.
The group will comprise a maximum of 72 participants, who will be divided into smaller groups for the majority of our on-site visits.
We begin with two nights on land at the four-star family-run Hotel Imlauer Pitter in Salzburg, first opened in 1864 and enjoying a refined atmosphere.
16 - 30 October 2025
• Join this brand new ACE cruise exploring the fascinating history and culture of the Mekong Delta
• Travel from the vibrant urban hubs of Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh to tranquil villages and the extraordinary temples of Angkor
• Myriad themes, from archaeology, history and architecture to local customs and gastronomy combine to create an in-depth impression of Southeast Asian culture
This exciting new cruise offers travellers the opportunity to gain unique insights into the cultural world of the Mekong Delta of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia.
Our tour begins in the lively city of Ho Chi Minh, before cruising towards My Tho and Cai Be along the Cho Gao Canal, with an excursion by riverboat to Thoi Son Island, including a ride in sampans (traditional boats) along picturesque narrow waterways.
En route to the city of Chau Doc, where we will explore Ba Chua Xu Temple and the Tay An Pagoda, we will visit Tan Chau to experience the floating houses of a fishing farm on a tour by boat. A whole day will be dedicated to exploring Phnom Penh, including an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of its troubling recent past. We will also visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 under King Norodom, to experience Khmer architecture and the Silver Pagoda, its floor covered with over 5000 silver tiles.
Traditional crafts and produce will feature an afternoon on Tonlé Sap Lake and a visit to Kampong Chhnang, known for its fine traditional pottery.
Following the cruise, we will spend several additional days in Siem Reap, visiting Angkor Thom and the breathtaking Angkor Wat, built as the funeral temple for Suryavarman II.
Banteay Srei was built in the late 10th century and dedicated to Shiva; its pink limestone walls contain what are arguably the best bas reliefs of any temple at Angkor, and the site has recently been redeveloped with sustainability at the forefront.
Tour Director, archaeologist and regional expert Moira Tait, will also be joined by wildlife expert Kevin Hand, who will act primarily as Tour Manager on this tour.
Cost of £5695 includes: return airfare, accommodation onboard RV Indochine based on sharing a main deck twin cabin, full board cruise (except one independent lunch on day 8 in Phnom Penh) with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, four or five star hotel accommodation for five nights including three lunches and five dinners with wine, water, tea & coffee, excursions & admissions, all gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, visa, hotel & main deck twin cabin for single use supplement £1295, hotel & upper deck twin cabin for single use supplement £1795. Twin upper deck supplement of £395pp (based on sharing a cabin).
Tour Code: MEKO-25 | Own flight reduction: £1000
Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 2125 on Thai Airways via Bangkok.
Day 2 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City 1905. Transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City: Jade Emperor Pagoda, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Cholon and Ba Thien Hau Pagoda. Embark Indochine I for eight nights. Welcome and introductory talk.
Day 4 Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels followed by Ho Chi Minh City: Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Hotel de Ville, Opera House, Majestic Hotel, Caravelle Hotel and Hotel Continental (exteriors). Evening cruise towards My Tho.
Day 5 Morning talk as boat cruises along Cho Gao Canal. Afternoon excursion by riverboat to Thoi Son Island, including ride in sampans (traditional boats) along narrow waterways with local vists. Continue to Cai Be for visit to a sugar factory and Bac Duc Ancient House (subject to final confirmation).
Day 6 Morning visit to Sa Dec (former house of Huynh Thuy Le, lively market). Afternoon cruising towards Chau Doc on the border with Cambodia. Evening talk.
Day 7 Morning in Tan Chau: fishing farm tour by small boat. Continue by minibus to Chau Doc for Ba Chua Xu Temple and Tay An Pagoda. Afternoon cruise towards Phnom Penh with talk .
Day 8 Whole day coach tour of Phnom Penh: Tuol Sleng Prison, Choeung Ek, Royal Palace and National Museum.
Day 9 Morning: Koh Chen. Afternoon: Udong (base of mountain, optional walk of 500 steps to local temple). Cruise to Kampong Chhnang.
Day 10 Morning in Kampong Chhnang (subject to confirmation). Free afternoon on board while boat cruises on lake. Evening cocktail reception.
Day 11 Cross Tonlé Sap Lake. Disembark for afternoon visits to Lolei and Bakong (the latter subject to restoration works). Four nights at hotel in Siem Reap. Evening talk.
Day 12 Morning: South Gate of Angkor Thom and temples of Bayon, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King. Afternoon: Banteay Srei.
Day 13 Morning: Angkor Wat. Afternoon: Beng Mealea.
Day 14 Ta Prohm, Neak Poan, Angkor National Museum.
Day 15 Depart Siem Reap 0955 via Bangkok, arriving Heathrow 1935.
Please note that itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements, including our sailing schedule, may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time, or dependent on local conditions on the day. Travellers should expect to be flexible about arrangements, and sites may close at short notice.
Our vessel for the cruise will be the RV Indochine, measuring 51 metres long and housing 24 spacious (16 square metre) air-conditioned cabins over two decks. Boasting beautiful wood panelling, the ship offers a restaurant on its upper deck, large picture windows and a sun deck with lounge and bar area.
Please note this group will comprise approximately 34 participants plus staff. Participants will be divided into smaller groups for some visits.
Either side of the cruise, we will stay at hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap of a four or five star quality.
December 2025
With Gillian Hovell
• Enjoy three nights in Cairo and an exclusive cruise along the Nile in a traditional dahabiya, limited to 18 guests
• Explore the spectacular archaeological sites at Luxor, including the Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
• Visit the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, the permanent home to the collection of treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb
“I would rate Gillian Hovell as outstanding, she covered such a wide range of civilizations and time periods, pointing out similarities and differences. She has a very friendly and approachable style and can make the ancient past come to life.”
- An attendee at a lecture delivered by Gillian Hovell
Full details, including tour cost and itinerary will be released early in 2025. Please contact the ACE office or visit our website to register an interest and receive full details when they become available.
Tom Abbott, BA, MA, is an independent art and architectural historian with extensive experience directing cultural and art tours in Europe. He has a particular interest in the Baroque and Rococo, the Romantic Movement, garden history and the musical heritage of Germany, as well as all aspects of European modern and contemporary art, architecture and history.
Judy Brown is a Scottish mezzo-soprano who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. A much sought-after recitalist, opera and consort singer, she works with the Monteverdi Choir under Sir John Eliot Gardiner, the Dunedin Consort, the Academy of Ancient Music and Scottish Opera.
Emilie Capulet, MA, MMus, PhD, is an award-winning international concert pianist, lecturer and musicologist. A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Emilie studied piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is now the BMus (Hons) Programme Leader at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich. She is the recipient of a prestigious Leverhulme Research Fellowship and will be a Visiting Fellow at Keble College, Oxford, in 2025.
Prague & the Vltava River Cruise, Danube River Cruise
Gillian Hovell, BA, is a specialist in the ancient world and archaeology. Known professionally as ‘The Muddy Archaeologist’, she has excavated at internationally important sites from the Neolithic through to Roman times. Ex-BBC, Gillian specialises and delights in bringing ancient cultures vividly and engagingly to life and she has extensive experience lecturing on tours and cruises around the ancient world. She lectures at York University and for the Arts Society.
Secret Treasures of Egypt with a Nile Cruise, Lycian Cruise, Ancient Egypt & the Nile
Paul Jackson, MA, PhD, is a conductor, pianist, musicologist and former Director of Music at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Paul has enjoyed an extensive career as a conductor of opera and also as a chamber musician, performing widely in the UK, Europe and America.
Prague & the Vltava River Cruise
Professor Ashley Solomon, FRCM, FRAM, is Chair and Head of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music and Director of Baroque ensemble Florilegium. Many of Florilegium’s recordings have garnered international awards, and to date they have performed over 1300 concerts worldwide.
Danube River Cruise
Andrew Spira, MA, has worked as a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, a curator at the V&A Museum, and Programme Director at Christie’s Education. He has been leading tours to cultural sites all across Europe for over 20 years, and his recent publications include Foreshadowed: Malevich’s Black Square and its Precursors (Reaktion Books, 2022).
Moira Tait, MA, FRAS, read archaeology at the University of London, focusing on Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Europe, and later gained an MA in the archaeology of Southeast Asia from SOAS. Moira has excavated several Iron Age sites in Thailand exploring the transition from prehistory to city states such as Angkor. Moira has directed tours to France and Southeast Asia for over 25 years.
Cruise
Nicholas Wearne, MPhil, is a Senior Tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His career as a solo organist has taken him all over the world and he is a previous winner of the Poul Ruders Prize at the Odense International Organ Competition. Nicholas has held a number of prestigious positions as organist, including at St Martin-in-theFields, Trafalgar Square.
Danube River Cruise
- ACE Cultural Tours meets or exceeds all the requirements of the Package Travel Regulations 2018, full details of which can be found online at: www. legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/ made
In addition, flight-inclusive tours benefit from the financial protection afforded by our Air Travel Organiser’s License (ATOL 10204), whilst UK and other tours without flights are protected through the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT). We are also long-term members of the Association of Independent Tours Operators (AITO). For your own safety and financial security we do not recommend you book a holiday that does not benefit from the above protection.
The Package Travel Regulations 2018 together with the following booking information and our promotional material form the basis of your contract with ACE Cultural Tours. We have tried to keep this as concise and simple as possible, so please read all the following paragraphs to make sure you understand and are happy with the terms of your booking.
- If you are booking 10 weeks or more before departure, the following deposits are payable at the time of booking:
£300 per person for UK tours.
£400 per person for all European tours. £550 per person for Worldwide tours. £500 per person for all cruises.* The balance must be received by us not less than 10 weeks prior to departure. This date will be shown on the confirmation invoice. We do send an email reminder but ask that you also make a note of the date in your diary. If you are booking less than 10 weeks before departure, full payment for all tours must be made at the time of booking.
*In addition to the deposit at the time of booking all cruises require a further payment of £500 six months prior to sailing.
- Tour prices are confirmed at the time of booking and thereafter will not be subject to any surcharge. We have forward purchase of currency and other precautions in order to guarantee
your holiday is not affected by fluctuations in fuel or currency rates. In the event of extraordinary circumstances making the tour unviable we would offer you a full refund or credit note or an alternative tour.
CANCELLATION BY YOU - You may cancel your booking at any time before departure. Notice of cancellation must be in writing and because we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking, the following charges will apply (for which we suggest you purchase appropriate insurance):
Period* Cancellation charge
70 days or more Deposit only
69-29 days 60% of total booking value
28-15 days 90% of total booking value
14 days or less 100% of total booking value
*Period before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us
CANCELLATION BY YOU DUE TO COVID-19 OR OTHER ILLNESS - Please note that if you are personally prevented from travelling as a result of COVID-19 our normal cancellation charges will apply. For this reason we highly recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking that specifically includes cover in the event that you are personally unable to travel. In addition you should have insurance to cover additional accommodation/transport/ repatriation costs incurred due to local/ national quarantine requirements.
CANCELLATION BY US - We reserve the right to cancel your booking if there are insufficient bookings on your tour (this will depend on tour type and destination) or for other unforeseen operational reasons. In such an event, we will provide you with at least 70 days’ notice of cancellation and provide you with a full refund.
Very occasionally, due to extraordinary circumstances in the immediate vicinity of the destination, it may be necessary to cancel the tour with less than 70 days’ notice, in which case we will likewise provide you with a full refund.
Note that in either situation we cannot
reimburse any incidental expenses you may have incurred (for example, train fares, additional accommodation or connecting flights). If you are buying your own flights, please liaise with the office before committing to significant expenditure.
CHANGES BY US - We do our utmost to ensure that all the arrangements and visits are as described. However, it is in the nature of travel that changes are sometimes inevitable, although most of these will be minor in nature. In the event that a particular visit is not possible, we will aim to replace it with another of equal interest. If we have to make more significant changes to the itinerary in advance of departure, we will provide you with a choice of a refund, credit note or an alternative itinerary.
- Accommodation in hotels is in twin/double bedded rooms, the majority of which have private bath/shower and toilet.
On cruise ships, accommodation is in cabins with shower and toilet only.
Single rooms: As a general rule, we aim to provide our solo travellers with double/ twin rooms for sole use. However, this is not possible on all tour departures, and occasionally, despite a supplement being payable, only single rooms may be available, and such accommodation may not meet exactly the same standard as double/twin accommodation or be located in the same area of the hotel. ACE Cultural Tours very much welcomes single travellers and we make no profit from single room supplements. The costs are simply down to the economics of running a hotel.
Porterage is included on overseas tours where available.
- Specific instructions relating to the departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your air and/ or other travel tickets approximately two weeks before departure. It is essential that you check your tickets carefully immediately upon receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. Occasionally carriers will make late changes to departure times but we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. We will always aim to provide you with the
name of your likely airline and flight times when you make a booking. However, flight schedules are set by the airlines and outside our control. We therefore reserve the right to change the actual carrier and flight times for your tour.
In accordance with the regulations, we are required to bring your attention to the Community List of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the UK & EU: https:// transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/euair-safety-list_en
HEALTH & SAFETY - We operate a safety audit system and work hard with our suppliers to ensure the safety and comfort of our travellers. However, please note that some of the destinations to which we travel have lower requirements and standards than those of the UK. It is therefore essential that you follow any instructions and guidance provided by your tour manager or director.
FITNESS - The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature and, to make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy with visits every day. As such, they require a certain minimum level of mobility, physical and mental fitness, and stamina. Our visits may involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains, cruise vessels and even Zodiac dinghies. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm, and some tours may involve long coach journeys. All customers must be fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff. We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility
to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home. As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following selfassessment tests:
Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
- Whilst we will provide details of any compulsory health requirements applicable to British citizens for your tour, it is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions in good time before departure. Please check with a doctor or clinic not less than ten weeks prior to departure to ensure that you have met the necessary requirements and have the applicable information.The following website may also be helpful: travelhealthpro.org.uk
For tours in the EU/EEA you should obtain an GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) prior to departure from https://services. nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start. Please note that an GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. You must be in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure (and pay for any related costs). We regret that we cannot accept any liability if you incur fees or are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry all required documentation.
- We aim to provide authentic cultural experiences and to provide excellent value for money.
As a result, the majority of itineraries are quite intensive and can be tiring. They may involve a significant amount of walking, uneven surfaces at outdoor sites or in historic buildings, long journeys, and uncomfortable climatic conditions which might exacerbate existing medical or mobility issues.
Destinations include many countries with lower standards of health and safety than the UK and limited adaptations for people with reduced mobility. Some destinations do not (and cannot reasonably be expected to) provide emergency and/or health care to the standard that travellers with mobility and/or health conditions may require in the event of any form of incident or emergency.
For the above reasons, our holidays may not be suitable for people with certain disabilities, medical conditions or significantly reduced mobility.
If you suffer from any medical condition, disability or reduced mobility (including any which affect the booking process) or have any special requirements as a result, please tell us before making your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and in order that we can assess the potential risks to your welfare and health and safety.
If we feel that we cannot reasonably accommodate your needs, we reserve the right to decline your booking or, if full details are not given at the time of booking or the condition of disability develops after booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.
When we refer to reduced mobility, this means any material reduction in mobility whether this is permanent or temporary and whether caused by age or by physical or mental disability or impairment or other cause of disability.
If you have a medical condition, disability or restriction (from whatever cause) which develops or becomes worse after booking your tour and before travelling, please let us know as early as possible so that we can discuss the situation including any new requirements. In certain such circumstances, we reserve the right to cancel your booking if we reasonably feel unable to accommodate your requirements or limitations.
- Please advise us at the time of booking of any food allergies or special dietary requirements you may have for medical or religious reasons and we will do our very best to assist. Please note, it is important that you distinguish between food allergies and other dietary requirements which have or are likely to have medical consequences if they are not met and food or dietary preferences. It is your responsibility to ensure that requirements which have (or are likely to have) medical consequences if not met are clearly communicated in writing as such. We are entitled to assume that failure to meet a request will not have medical consequences if the risk / likelihood of medical consequences is not made specifically clear in writing at the time the request is made. We may ask for independent verification of the medical consequences where we consider it appropriate to do so.
We are happy to cater for vegetarians or pescatarians. It is not, however, possible to offer extensive choices at every meal to cater for food preferences or requirements as many of our menu selections are fixed. Inclusion of the dietary or special request on your booking confirmation or any other documentation is not a guarantee that the request will be met. Food / dietary related requirements which have a medical consequence if not met must be discussed and specifically agreed with us at the time of booking to ensure we fully understand and can meet these requirements.
- It is a requirement of booking with Ace that all participants have comprehensive travel insurance for overseas tours, including cover for medical expenses, infectious diseases including Covid, quarantine, repatriation and personal liability, as well as cancelled, delayed and missed departure and loss or damage to personal possessions. Whilst accidental damage is a rare occurrence, your insurance should also cover any damage or loss caused by you and cover any resultant claims made against you or us. For overseas tours, you must give us details in writing of your insurance, preferably on your booking form but in any case no later than before the departure date of your tour. If you fail to do so, we reserve the right to cancel your booking.
We strongly recommend insurance for our UK tours to cover cancellation for medical reasons.
We recommend that insurance premiums are paid as soon as you receive your booking confirmation as cover (in particular cancellation cover) will not be effective until you have done so. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of this contract, for example, any additional services or facilities that you agree directly with a local hotel or other supplier. Please make sure you have adequate insurance to cover such services and the acts of other third parties.
- One of the great pleasures of ACE tours is meeting other people with shared interests and making new friends. This has always depended on mutual consideration for your fellow travellers. We therefore reserve the right that in the unlikely event you cause danger, upset or distress to any third party, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate your tour without liability for any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.
& VISAS - Whilst we will provide guidance for each individual tour and help where we can, your specific passport, visa and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant embassy or consulate. In particular, if you are not a British Citizen or hold a non-British passport, you must check the requirements for all countries to or through which you are intending to travel. Requirements may change and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure. For some tours and destinations we will require a copy of the picture page of your passport.
ISSUES - If you are unhappy with any element of your tour or the arrangements, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can attempt to resolve the issue. If you are on tour you should speak directly
to your tour manager or tour director and not wait until you return home, when it may be impossible for us to help. In the unlikely event that we cannot agree on a satisfactory outcome between us, we will ask AITO’s Independent Dispute Settlement Service to find an amicable solution.
Our contract with you is subject to English law (and no other) and the jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales only.
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RV Indochine on the Mekong - ©Live
Studio | CroisiEurope
RV Indochine on the Mekong - ©Live
Studio | CroisiEurope
RV Indochine on the Mekong - ©Live Studio | CroisiEurope
p6 Tomb of Nefertari - Maler der Grabkammer der Nefertari | Public Domain
p14 MS Lycian Queen - ©BlueCruise
p20 MS Elbe Princesse I - © HelWin Goetzinger| CroisiEurope
p24 Fisherman’s Bastion, Budapest - Tobias Reich | Unspash
p25 Melk Abbey - Uoaei1 - CC BY-SA 3.0
AT | Wikimedia Commons
p26 MS Douce France - ©Stephane Pfleger | CroisiEurope
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RV Indochine - ©Alexandre Sattler | CroisiEurope
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