CRUISE BROCHURE 2018
Cruising Portugal & Andalucía
Raise a glass (or two) to the Iberian Peninsula... Our delightful summer wine cruise will begin in the Portuguese capital and gently journey along the coasts of Portugal, Spain and Gibraltar. Stopping at small unhurried port towns, we enjoy both coastal and inland visits to wine estates, tasting a wide variety of wines and local culinary delights. Our expert Wine Guide will host on-board tastings and escort you to some spectacular locations, which would be at home on any bucket list. We begin in Portugal’s grand capital city: Lisbon. After an introductory lunch, you will be welcomed on board by the crew of
the Harmony G super yacht, a sleek, modern vessel that will be your nautical home for the next eight days. Setting sail after dinner, our first port of call will be a gem of the Algarve: Portimão. Travelling across the Arade river, we visit a Quinta that offers some of the best wines in the region. Further inland, we also visit the town of Silves, with its red-brick castle and Gothic cathedral. Bidding farewell to Portugal, our next stop is the departure point of Christopher Columbus in 1492: Huelva. The wine region of Condado de Huelva is well-known for its glorious fortified wines, and we taste these
LISBON
HUELVA PORTIMÃO
PORTO MALAGA MOTRIL BANUS CADIZ
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among others in the village of Bollullos Par del Condado. A prominent Jamón Ibérico producer meets us on the ship for a delicious culinary experience matching this worldrenowned meat with Spanish wine. Next, we visit Sanlúcar de Barrameda and visit some of the best bodegas for sherry, wine and local cuisine, served on-site. Moving down the coast to Cádiz, we venture to Jerez de la Frontera. After seeing the sights of this vibrant city of sherry and tapas, our palates will be treated to glorious seafood delicacies perfectly matched with cool, pale, fortified nectar. Mooring at Puerto Banús, we travel up into the Andalucían hills to the spectacular city of Ronda, perched atop sheer cliffs astride the El Tajo Gorge and offering views you’ll never forget. An iconic hotel and a Trinitarian monastery are the two perfect surroundings to taste a range of the region’s wines. Our next port of call will be Motril, Málaga’s more relaxed neighbour, and from here we travel to a highlight of the tour — The Alhambra. Known to be a most spectacular experience, and on every travel list of mustvisit locations, this complex of stunning palaces nicely completes our sightseeing wine tour, as does lunch in a restaurant within the grounds. Guests can relax on the ship in the afternoon or join a visit to a family-run rum distillery, before the captain’s dinner. Our tour concludes in Málaga, where we part ways for the journey home.
This special wine cruise will show you the rich coasts of Portugal and southern Spain from the luxurious comfort of a private yacht, touring prestigious vineyards, mustsee sights and memorable locations. With each evening offering a personally selected range of wines matched with dinner on board, you are sure to make some memories to last a lifetime...
To book, or for any questions Call : 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.arblasterandclarke.com
Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
Harmony G See the wine world from a different perspective Arblaster & Clarke offer anything but the typical cruise experience — we specialise in ‘once in a lifetime’ holidays. See the world’s wine destinations from a new vantage point: the Harmony G. The modern vessel boasts a sleek design, reminiscent of the private yachts found moored in some of the world’s most famous ports. On board, you will enjoy a truly relaxed atmosphere. Stretch out on the spacious Sun deck with a good book, sit back and bask under the summer sun, or perhaps take the chance to cool off with an impromptu swim when we drop anchor. The Upper and Main Decks offer the opportunity for al fresco dining, so you can enjoy open-air lunches and dinners, accompanied by gentle sea breezes, throughout our voyages. The Harmony G is an elite sailing vessel, accommodating just 43 passengers at a time. By limiting the number of guests on-board, you are sure to receive a wholly personal experience, more in-keeping with an informal house party. Our small ship size also allows for swift and easy disembarkation, giving us all the more time to explore the lovely towns and tremendous wine regions on our route. The fine life is waiting for you on board: breathtaking natural beauty, endless history, appealing architecture, delicious seafood, and , of course, incredible wine. 3
Cruise Itinerary 9th – 16th June, 2018 Day 1 – Saturday 9th June
Day 3 – Monday 11th June
We meet as a group at a restaurant in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. Our tour begins in style, with a welcome lunch in a private dining room. Here you will have the opportunity to meet your wine guide, tour managers and fellow travellers in a relaxed setting. We board our ship, the Harmony G, this afternoon. During your stay on board, the Arblaster & Clarke team will work alongside the skilled ship crew to ensure that you enjoy the most comfortable stay possible. We set sail for Portimão this evening. Our dinner tonight will be accompanied by a stunning selection of Portuguese wines chosen by our Wine Guide.
Having arrived at Huelva, where Christopher Columbus left for the New World in 1492, we travel inland to the village of Bollullos Par del Condado. The village has enjoyed great popularity thanks to its production of local wines and delicious food. We meet a family producer in their bodega here for a tasting. After a light lunch back on board, we enjoy a special culinary treat: a leg of Jamón Ibérico will be presented and carved to pair with some specially selected, rich Spanish wines. The diligently aged meat cuts perfectly through the structured vanilla tannins of Tempranillo; and is enhanced by the peppery inkiness of Monastrell.
Day 2 – Sunday 10th June
Day 4 – Tuesday 12th June
Day 5 – Wednesday 13th June
This morning, we start as we mean to go on with an exclusive visit to a Quinta — the Portuguese name for a wine-producing estate — who are opening their doors just for us. They not only produce some of the best wines in the Algarve, but host an open-air art gallery filled with quirky sculptures. After tasting some of their wines, we return to the ship for lunch, and perhaps a dip in the sea. In the afternoon, you may wish to join an optional excursion to the nearby charming town of Silves, which sits above the banks of the Rio Arade and plays host to a grove of orange rooftops, impressive red-brick castle, and archaeological museum. This evening we enjoy a tasting before dinner on board.
The beautiful Sanlúcar de Barrameda — home of Manzanilla fino sherry, and perfectly situated at the northern end of the ‘sherry triangle’ — is our first port of call today. The exceptional light and dry sherry takes on a pleasant salty tang from the coastal climate that surrounds us. Our first visit is to a long-standing favourite of Arblaster & Clarke. We enjoy some aged sherries, some of which are more than 120 years old. We stop for lunch at a prominent Bodega, where the food is expertly matched to their wines. After free time in town, we rejoin aboard our ship, for a tutored tasting before a light dinner.
We travel through the ancient port city of Cádiz, to the inimitable Jerez De La Frontera. Just as Champagne is the lifeblood of Epernay in France, Jerez has sherry flowing through its veins. A towering parade of white-washed sherry houses and blackened botas line the streets of this city, steeped in rich gastronomic history. We learn more about its culinary tradition during a private guided tour, before lunch at one of Jerez’s famed seafood restaurants. Following a visit and tasting at a top quality bodega, we set sail for the British peninsula of Gibraltar. We will toast the Queen’s birthday along the way with an English sparkling wine tasting.
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Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
Day 6 – Thursday 14th June After an early start in Puerto Banús this morning, we venture up into the Andalucían hills to Ronda. Its eclectic buildings sprawl out atop a sheer escarpment, riven by the El Tajo gorge. This spectacular location offers glorious views of the Serranía de Ronda mountains. A lauded local bodega will join us here this morning, hosting a breathtaking tasting from a cliff-top vantage point. We enjoy an exclusive private visit to a nearby vineyard over lunch, before returning to the ship for a relaxed evening.
Wine Expert Charles Metcalfe co-founded consumer wine magazine Wine International and the International Wine Challenge, a global competition which he continues to co-chair today. He is also the author of many books on the wines of Spain and Portugal.
What’s Included 7 nights aboard the Harmony G cruise ship
Day 7 – Friday 15th June
All meals (served with wine as described in the itinerary)
Not many locations can compete with the grandeur of Ronda, but there is one that is more than up to the challenge... We journey from Motril to Grenada to visit the Alhambra. A more captivating tribute to Moorish culture could not be found anywhere else in Europe; equal parts palace, fort, and medieval architecture lesson, it is sure to enchant you just as it has so many before us. Following a guided tour of the Nasrid Palaces, we enjoy a relaxed lunch at a restaurant within the grounds. You may wish to join an optional visit to a rum distillery this afternoon. We bid farewell to our tour during a captain’s dinner this evening.
Local transport: private A/C coach
Day 8 – Saturday 16th June
We arrive in Málaga this morning, where our tour concludes. If you aren’t quite ready to say goodbye, you may wish to add a few more days in the Spanish sun to your holiday.
Visits and tastings as per the itinerary Expert Tour Managers
The wines ◊ Manzanilla – the driest of the dry sherries. Crisp and fresh as a sea breeze with a pleasantly salty, tangy character. ◊ Tempranillo – sample everything from fresh, fruit driven ‘jovenes’ that should be drunk young; to the best oak aged Riojas. ◊ Monastrell - enjoy full-bodied rustic wines with spice and herbal nuances cutting through its black fruit character.
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Deck Plan
& Cabin Information The 54 metre long/ 7.2 metre wide Mega Yacht Harmony G was launched in January 2001 and renovated in winter 2013. She complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations while its powerful engines and state-of-the-art stabilisers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.
Our maximum party size will be just 43 to a crew of 18. You are certain to enjoy a comfortable stay, as each cabin is equipped with either twin or queen size beds. There is a indoor/outdoor lounge with an American bar on Upper Deck, and a large dining room located on Main Deck.
Cabin Descriptions The Harmony G cabins located on the Upper and Main Decks are equipped with windows, while those on the Lower Deck come with portholes. All cabins are upscale and intimate with bright colours and natural textiles, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity and well-being. All the amenities of a deluxe yacht are available: twin or queen size beds, television, video player, music channels, mini fridge, direct dial telephone (for internal use), safe deposit boxes, hair dryer, bathroom with shower.
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Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
Mobility
Single Travellers
With flights of steps, changes in deck height, and no wheelchair access, the Harmony G is regrettably not suitable, nor adaptable, for anyone with mobility issues. At several ports we will be at anchor, and in order to get ashore you’ll need to be able to climb up and down the ship’s steps into moving tenders.
If you are looking for a cabin for sole occupancy, early booking is strongly recommended as there is limited availability.
Travel Insurance
Travel
It is essential for your own peace of mind that you have travel insurance to protect you in the event that you have to cancel for unforeseen, insurable reasons from the time that you book. We accept your booking on the understanding that you are insured and are fit to travel.
Flights are available on all bookings at a supplemented price. Please view the tour page for full details of these costs. If you would like to book your own flights, different or the same as the group flight, please note that return airport / ship transfers are not included.
Pre and Post Tour
Not Included
You may wish to treat yourself to a few extra nights pre- or post- tour. Please get in touch if you would like us to arrange this for you.
Laundry / bar bills and anything not specifically mentioned as included.
We are happy to arrange different flights and accommodation for however long you would like to stay around your tour.
Arblaster & Clarke never discount holidays at the last minute to be fair to those who commit in advance.
The bar serves a full range of drinks (chargeable to your cabin).
Cabin
Deposit per person: £1,500
You can reserve your place on tour with a deposit of £1,500. Final balances will be due 85 days prior to departure. Please enquire for single supplement prices.
Category P: Upper Deck
£6,995
Category P: 301
£6,795
Category A: Main Deck
From £5,995
Category B: Main Deck
From £5,245
To book, or for any questions
Category C: Lower Deck
From £3,995
Call : 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.arblasterandclarke.com 7
Canada & the Finger Lakes Stay cool and discover the wonderful world of Ice Wine on our brand new, multi-centre tour of Canada and New York State... Highlights ◊ Visit the the most multicultural city in the world – the wonderfully vibrant Toronto ◊ Enjoy elegant Ontario wines – refined Pinot Noirs and carefully aged Chardonnays ◊ Learn about the meticulous process of making Ice Wine ◊ Take in the glorious scenery of New York State’s Finger Lakes
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Ice Wine became an unexpected addition to the wine world during a particularly cold winter in Franken, Germany in 1794. Today, only a few countries possess a climate equipped to produce it successfully, and Canada is definitely leader of the pack... On tour, we cast a comparative eye over the cool-climate wines of Canada and New York State. We start in cosmopolitan Toronto, tasting refined Pinot Noirs from Prince Edward County, and rich Cabernet and Merlot from the north shore of Lake Erie.
Then there’s the Niagara Peninsula, Canada’s most important wine region and the home of Ice Wine. Made from hand-selected frozen Riesling & Vidal grapes, it is an unctuous sweet treat quite unlike any other wine. The final section of the tour shifts focus to the US and the beautiful Finger Lakes. From our lake-side accommodation, we are in the perfect position to enjoy the fresh, zippy Rieslings the area is known for. Our tour concludes in New York city, home to an intoxicating selection of wine bars.
29th October – 6th November, 2018 £4,345 Single Supp - £795 With international flights pp: £4,995
To book, or for any questions Call : 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.arblasterandclarke.com
Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
Melbourne & Tasmania Explore another side of Oz... Discover cool-climate wines from Melbourne’s dress-circle and revel as some of the first to enjoy the up-and-coming delights of Tasmania Highlights ◊ Visit the epicurean city of Melbourne, famous for its vibrant gastronomy scene ◊ Enjoy the crisp cool-climate terrior of the Mornington Peninsula, with stunning Pinot Noirs and fresh whites ◊ Explore Tasmania, fast emerging into the New World limelight with its wonderfully varied microclimates
Australia has long been known for its rich, jammy reds, but there all manner of new rewards awaiting those willing to venture further south than the old favourites of Adelaide and the Barossa Valley. Putting what you know about Australia aside, join us in a cooler-climate region (they really do exist out there) that offers a spectacular selection of wines that run the full gamut of refinement. We begin in Melbourne – Victoria’s cosmopolitan capital is the epicentre of natural wine and
alternative varietals. While in Victoria, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to enter the heart of the Yarra Valley, the region’s premier wine spot, where we sample single-vineyard Pinots, award-winning Chardonnays and rich Bordeaux blends. Then there’s the island of Tasmania. The remote, rugged retreat is home to stunning sparkling wines, amphora-aged reds and sultry suave whites. We are sure you will come away from the tour with a new favourite wine region!
29th November – 8th December, 2018 £4,995 Single Supp - £695 With international flights pp: £5,995
To book, or for any questions Call : 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.arblasterandclarke.com
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Chile, Argentina & Uruguay Discover nature on a colossal scale... Parched dunes, fertile valleys, volcanoes, and more offer the perfect visual accompaniment to the delicious wines that will cross our palates.
◊ Take in the breathtaking scenery of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, including an exciting journey through the Andes
Chile is a viticultural paradise. Deliciously hot, sunny days followed by cool nights, with few rain showers and refreshing breezes. South America has made wine since the 1500s when Spanish Conquistadors introduced the very first vines. But it wasn’t until 1851, a range of imported varietals found their way in that South America began producing exceptional vino.
◊ Enjoy plenty of time to explore Santa Cruz, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo independently
Today, South America’s wine industry is thriving. Discover the finest source of well- priced, quality varietal wines — from
Highlights ◊ Discover truly spectacular wines, visit famous regions, and dine privately at renowned estates
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sleek, fruity reds to ripe, clean whites. The organic movement is strong in South America, and the winemakers we meet strive for regionality and originality in their wines. Try delicious Chilean Carmenère, Argentina’s star white Torrontés, Uruguay’s bold Tannat blends, and so much more.
12th – 25th February, 2018
Join us on a voyage of discovery examining everything from humble Chilean casks that have always had a place on a Chilean table, to the luxury wines that cemented South America’s position on the world wine map.
To book, or for any questions
£5,395 Single Supp - £1,100 With international flights pp: £6,395
Call : 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.arblasterandclarke.com
Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.
South Africa With so many excellent wines available to you from a glut of grapes, the only problem you’ll have on tour is deciding which to sample next... Highlights ◊ South Africa offers excellent wines from a great variety of grapes ◊ Visit the superb Buitenverwachting estate, with owner Lars Maack personally hosting ◊ Take part in a Game Drive at Villiera Wildlife Sanctuary ◊ Enjoy free time to explore Montagu, Stellenbosch and Riebeek
It is said that South African wine straddles both the Old and New Worlds — the Cape’s wine culture goes back more than 350 years. Even so, as recently as ten years ago South African wines were lucky if they featured on the bottom shelf of your local grocery store’s wine section. Much of the wine produced in the country was distilled into brandy — thank heavens the same can’t be said today. Tasting the wines of the Cape region is a pleasure in itself, but sampling them in the actual vineyards where they were produced
is a truly unique experience. The landscape you find yourself in is second to none, with immense open plains giving way to hundreds of hectares of vines, towering mountain ranges, lakes, and green forests. We visit renowned areas, but also look to the emerging South African wine scene.
2nd – 10th March, 2018
Wine could easily encapsulate each and every moment of our tour, but we would be remiss if we neglected cultural visits too. From game drives at wildlife sanctuaries to informal family BBQs, we enjoy it all...
To book, or for any questions
£2,695 Single Supp - £285 With international flights pp: £3,495
Call : 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.arblasterandclarke.com
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01730 263111 | sales@winetours.co.uk | www.arblasterandclarke.com
Arblaster & Clarke, The Clock Tower, Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP53HT