2026 Highlights Brochure

ACE CULTURAL TOURS 2026 Highlights

Travel for the Culturally Curious

Welcome

ACE Cultural Tours is pleased to present our 2026 Highlights Brochure, featuring a selection of inspiring releases from our 2026 schedule.

Those looking for adventure abroad can trace the legendary history of Kazakhstan, from Bronze Age carvings to futuristic landmarks, in Kazakhstan: From The Silk Road to Sir Norman Foster. Or, later in the year, celebrate the monumental legacy of American art with visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and Frick Gallery on Great Art Collections of New York: 250 Years of Independence.

We are particularly excited to announce an opportunity to experience Wagner’s Ring Cycle as part of a small group, 150 years since the first full performance of this groundbreaking operatic saga, on Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Berlin: 150th Anniversary Tour. Slightly closer to home, travellers can enjoy two classics of the operatic canon, Verdi’s La Traviata and Lehár’s The Merry Widow, on Buxton International Festival; or hear Beethoven’s Mass in C, Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, Mozart’s Requiem and Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius on Gloucester Three Choirs Festival: A Choral Celebration

New for 2026 is our Gardens of the Cotswolds tour, featuring some of the world’s most famous garden designs, complemented by talks with head gardeners. Travellers with a preference for medieval art and history may be interested in our new Art & Piety in Medieval North Yorkshire tour, where we will uncover rare artefacts such as the Norman undercroft at Burton Agnes Hall. Meanwhile literature lovers can look forward to commemorating the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s death and the centenary of her mysterious 11-day disappearance on Crucible of Crime: Agatha Christie at 50, including special guest talks and an exploration of the landscape that inspired her work.

Our complete 2026 schedule can be found on pages 47 to 49, as well as on our website. To register your interest in upcoming departures and receive full details by email as soon as they become available, please complete the form on our website or contact the ACE Cultural Tours office on 01223 841055 or email sales@aceculturaltours.co.uk . We look forward to welcoming you on tour soon.

FURTHER AFIELD

Uzbekistan & Tajikistan: Traversing the Silk Road 6–7

Kazakhstan: From The Silk Road to Sir Norman Foster 8–9

Great Art Collections of New York: 250 Years of Independence 10–11

EUROPE

Pompeii with Herculaneum

Art Treasures of the Côte d’Azur 14–15

Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Berlin: 150th Anniversary Tour

Bach Festival in Leipzig

Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design

Serbian Monasteries

Luxembourg: The Crossroads of Europe 22–23

The Coto Doñana and Seville: Landscape & Culture

Ancient Treasures of Naples: Competition, Leisure & Vice

UNITED KINGDOM

Summer at the Royal Shakespeare Company 26–27

Archaeology & Legend in St Patrick’s Country 28–29

Walking Norfolk’s Coastal Path 30–31

Gardens of the Cotswolds 32–33

Hadrian’s Wall: Emperors, People and Gods

Constable & Gainsborough in Suffolk: 250th Anniversary Tour

Gloucester Three Choirs Festival: A Choral Celebration

& Ancient Anglesey

Crucible of Crime: Agatha Christie at 50

The ACE Experience

Over 67 Years of Expertise

Established in 1958, ACE Cultural Tours is the UK’s longest established cultural travel tour operator, with over 67 years’ experience. Continuing to build on this heritage, we look forward to offering tours to new and exciting destinations worldwide, alongside returning and perennial favourites.

THE TOURS

Our tours aim to uncover cultural intricacies and connections across a wide range of subjects, ranging from art and architecture to music, literature, archaeology, history and wildlife. Rather than exclusively focusing on the isolated development of one artistic work, archaeological site or historical event, our itineraries are also designed to take in the bigger picture and provide context within a wider cultural landscape, reaching beyond the boundaries of traditional categories. Our Tour Directors illustrate and illuminate their themes with formal lectures and on-site talks, and where appropriate, local guides will provide a complementary and often personal perspective. Many itineraries include privileged access, exclusive visits or private concerts to further enhance our travellers’ enjoyment. No prior knowledge is needed, just an interest in the subjects concerned.

OUR TOUR DIRECTORS

Chosen not only for their specialist knowledge but equally for the clarity and enthusiasm with which they communicate and impart their passion to others, our expert Tour Directors are personally involved in the creation and planning of our tours. Biographies and further information about our Tour Directors are available at the back of this brochure, as well as on our website. Several of our tours, particularly our river cruises but also some music, art and wildlife departures, combine the

“This

is a long established tour company with a well deserved reputation for excellence. It did not disappoint”

– ACE customer on a 2025 tour

expertise of multiple Tour Directors, whose specialisms across distinct subject areas create a unique amalgamation of perspectives. On most of our tours, the Tour Director will be supported by an experienced Tour Manager or local guide, responsible for ensuring the smooth dayto-day running of our itineraries.

TRAVELLING WITH US

Our travellers, whilst often independent in spirit, enjoy the inviting ambience we like to create on our tours. Group dinners, for example, are a wonderful opportunity to get to know new friends and discuss the day’s visits and experiences in a convivial atmosphere.

Itineraries are well-balanced with a rich array of visits and lectures to take full advantage of our time in each location. Some tours, for example new Cultural Breaks, also offer additional free time for individual exploration or relaxation.

Solo travellers make up a significant proportion of all of our groups – so those travelling alone can be assured of finding a welcoming atmosphere amongst likeminded people. We pride ourselves on looking after single travellers very well, from working to minimise the additional cost incurred by single supplements at the booking stage to ensuring that there is always somebody with whom to share a coffee or lunch once on tour.

The majority of our 2025 and 2026 tours have been designed for groups of approximately 25 participants maximum, enabling everyone to make the most of our itineraries and the insights of our expert Tour Directors. Occasionally a tour might be restricted to lower numbers, for example, on certain wildlife and music tours, while our cruises and festivals often welcome a larger number of participants; please contact us if you wish to double-check the situation for a specific tour.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Generally, our tours are very inclusive and there are few personal expenses. We work closely with the hotels to ensure that facilities, cleanliness and comfort levels are up to expected standards.

Responsible tourism

We are proud to be the preferred travel provider for people who are committed to supporting local communities in the countries they visit. ACE Cultural Tours aims to make sustainable choices by scheduling visits during off-peak seasons, returning to the same hotels year on year, supporting local businesses and utilising the expertise of our Tour Directors who have active roles as conservationists and ICOMOS representatives.

Additionally, each year, the trustees of the ACE Foundation (the Association for Cultural Exchange), an educational charity founded in 1958 and the owner of ACE Cultural Tours, support charitable and educational projects all over the world. These include international conservation and research projects, as well as work closer to home at Stapleford Granary, our base near Cambridge.

When selecting accommodation for our tours, we strive to achieve a balance between factors such as accessibility, location and costs. We also recognise that the opportunity to sample different cuisines is an integral part of the cultural experience, so when travelling overseas, we like to give you the chance to try traditional dishes. When travelling off the beaten track, it is sometimes necessary to use simpler accommodation, and we also consider less tangible qualities such as historical character and atmosphere.

Customers have frequently complimented us on the value for money offered by our tours, and our policy of including gratuities for most services as standard has proven particularly popular. Our brochure descriptions give a clear indication of what is included for each tour.

Tour prices are confirmed at the time of booking and thereafter will not be subject to any surcharge. We have forward purchases of currency and other precautions in order to guarantee your holiday is not affected by fluctuations in fuel or currency rates.

AM I FIT ENOUGH?

Our tours range from fairly strenuous and challenging departures to those with a more relaxed feel, particularly our cruises. Regardless of the type of tour, it is important that our clients meet minimum fitness criteria to ensure that the enjoyment of the rest of the group is not compromised, and we ask all customers to check the tour-specific fitness details included in our brochure pages and online.

The majority of our tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, our itineraries are full, often with several visits included each day. As such, the tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina. Many visits will involve navigating steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys. Walks on natural history tours are typically 3–5 miles in length, often in hilly or mountainous regions.

“From the first enquiry, to the final touchdown, ACE Cultural Tours did everything professionally. The planning detail and timings were exceptional”

– ACE customer on a 2025 tour

As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self-assessment tests:

• Walk for 60 minutes 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

Uzbekistan & Tajikistan: Traversing the Silk Road

April 17 – May 3, 2026 | September 11–27, 2026

Trace the legendary Silk Road across Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Venture into the enchanting Fann Mountains and discover the ancient Sodigian city of Panjakent in Tajikistan

Experience Samarkand’s famed Registan Square, bordered by elegant madrasas in shades of gold and turquoise

From the 2nd century BCE to the mid 15th century, the Silk Road served as a crucial trading network between Asia and Europe. Our tour will explore key sections of this legendary route connecting East and West through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The region encompassing Uzbekistan and Tajikistan boasts a rich history, having been part of sought-after territory for centuries. In Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital of Tashkent, we will experience the grandeur of Independence Square, a space dedicated to modern Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, in Samarkand, we will take in the well-preserved Afrasiab and the

This tour will be led by Chris Aslan Chris was born in Turkey and spent his childhood there before studying media and journalism at Leicester University. He then moved to Khiva, establishing a UNESCO workshop reviving fifteenth century carpet designs and embroideries. Now based in North Cyprus, Chris works as a writer and has published books including A Carpet Ride to Khiva and Unravelling the Silk Road

Shah-i-Zinda complex, which provide deeper insights into Uzbekistan’s fascinating religious history.

Bukhara will allow us to engage with Uzbekistan’s earliest history through visits to the Ark Citadel and the perfectly preserved 10th century CE Ismail Samani Mausoleum. From here, we traverse the Kyzylkum Desert to the oasis town of Khiva for the Ichan Kala, the first site to be listed by UNESCO in the country.

Crossing into Tajikistan, we will be greeted by captivating views of the

At the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bronze Age settlement of Sarazm, our itinerary will trace Tajikistan’s earliest history; while our time in Panjakent will be dedicated to the history of Bactria and Sogdiana and their role along the Silk Road.

We will stay in a variety of specially selected, comfortable hotels, ideally situated for our visits and explorations of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan’s diverse history and cultural treasures.

SEASONAL DEPARTURES

Our tour offers two distinct seasonal experiences. The spring departure (April/May) features a remarkable opportunity to witness silk production and silkworms; meanwhile, the autumn departure (September) offers the chance to experience harvest season and discover the delicious melons that have been a Silk Road staple for centuries.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of general fitness and stamina is required for this tour, and participants should meet ACE’s minimum fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

The tour involves very long and full days (for example, the journey from Khiva to Bukhara takes eight hours with stops en route), one journey by train, two internal flights and travel across the border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Some visits involve traversing steep and uneven ground, and participants should also be prepared for basic facilities. This tour uses a variety of hotels, some of which will be simpler in standard.

Please note that we will have a variety of hotels for each departure. If you would like further information about the accommodation on tour, please contact the ACE office.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time, or will be time permitting on the day.

D ay 1 – Depart on flight from London.

D ay 2 – Arrive Tashkent and transfer to hotel in Tashkent for early check-in and time to rest. Afternoon: Museum of Applied Arts followed by walking tour of Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent.

D ay 3 – Transfer to Fergana on early morning flight. Morning visit to Margilan for Sunday Kumtepa Bazaar followed by free time. Two nights in Fergana. Evening lecture: The Silk Road

D ay 4 – Morning: visits in Margilan including silk production workshops. Afternoon: visits in Fergana.

D ay 5 – Morning visits in Rishtan including ceramic workshops. Continue across the border to Khujand, Tajikistan via Konibodom for views of Tajik Sea and iconic roadside Soviet-era mosaics. Overnight stay in Khujand.

D ay 6 – Visits in Khujand including Khujand Fortress (exterior), Old Soviet Era statues of Lenin and cable car for views of Syr Darya River. Continue to Panjakent via mountain pass. Overnight stay in Panjakent.

D ay 7 – Ancient Panjakent ruins and museum followed by visit to archaeological site of Sarazm. Continue to Samarkand, Uzbekistan for visits to Guri-Amir Mausoleum (burial place of Timur), The Aq Serai and Registan Square (15th and 17th century madrassas). Three nights in Samarkand.

D ay 8 – Morning: ancient site of Afrasiab (rare 7th century Sogdian fresco) and the Bibi Khanym Mosque (exterior). Afternoon: observatory built by Ulugh Beg followed by papermaking workshop and winery tour.

D ay 9 – Morning: Depart for Urgut for suzani market, ancient plane trees and holy spring. Afternoon: Shah-i-Zinda Funerary complex.

D ay 10 – Depart on train for Bukhara. Transfer to Bukhara for two nights. Afternoon visits to Nakshbandi Mausoleum and Amir Summer Palace and complex.

D ay 11 – Bukhara: Samanid Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub, Bolo Hauz, the Ark Citadel, Zindon, Friday Mosque, Mir-i-Arab Madrassah and Labi-Hauz. Optional Hamans or free time.

D ay 12 – Drive through the Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva. Transfer to Khiva for three nights.

D ay 13 – Khiva: silk factory founded by Tour Director Chris Aslan, Pahlavan Mahmud Complex, Ichan Kala Complex.

D ay 14 – Khiva: Feuz Khan madrassah, Kunya Ark, Nurullaboy Palace, Isfandiya Khan Court Room and Khiva Silk Factory (famous for its organza silk). Dinner at Tour Director Chris Aslan’s Uzbekistan family home for rooftop meal and dance demonstration.

D ay 15 – Depart for Nukus via Topraq-Kala desert fortress. Visits to Nukus Museum of Art and Mizdarkhan. Depart Nukus for Tashkent on evening flight. Transfer to Tashkent for two nights.

D ay 16 – Free morning. Afternoon visits to Hast Imam Complex and Chorsu Bazaar.

D ay 17 – Return flight from Tashkent to London.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £6295 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, full board (except one lunch on day 3) with water & tea, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: visa for Tajikistan, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £595. TOUR CODE: UZT126 / UZT226

Kazakhstan: From the Silk Road to Sir Norman Foster

June 5–19, 2026

Trace Kazakhstan’s history from Bronze Age carvings to futuristic landmarks

Explore Silk Road connections at the UNESCO site of Turkistan, home to a Timurid Imperial mausoleum

Discover Kazakhstan’s remarkable landscape and geology, including the ‘Valley of the Castles’ at Charyn Canyon

A vast country harbouring immense cultural wealth, Kazakhstan is a land of crystal lakes and soaring mountains, Silk Road monuments and 20th century cathedrals. To visit is to experience a staggeringly rich geological landscape, some of the most stunning scenery in the world, and a historical and cultural heritage that stretches from the Bronze Age petroglyphs at Tamgaly, through the Timurid mausoleum at Turkistan, to Sir Norman Foster’s futuristic creations in Astana.

We begin in Kazakhstan’s historical former capital of Almaty, its name famously meaning ‘father of apples’, a perfect place to explore the country’s rich history,

geology and religious culture. From here we will journey to one of Kazakhstan’s most magnificent sites, Charyn Canyon – where an array of rare and characterful formations is testament to millennia of wind and water erosion – as well as to the archaeological landscape of Tamgaly, home to 5000 ancient rock carvings.

The southern city of Shymkent, originally founded as a caravanserai connected with a nearby Silk Road settlement, will be our launchpad for a visit to Turkistan, where the 14th century mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is one of the best-preserved monuments from the Timurid Empire.

Tour Director

Steve Mastin , MA, PGCE, FHA, studied history and classics before working as a schoolteacher for 17 years.

A fellow of the Historical Association, Steve is a regular speaker at history conferences both in the UK and overseas. He has travelled widely and spent seven years living and working in Kazakhstan.

REFLECTING ON DAILY LIFE –PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS

Following a tour spanning the diverse landscape, cities and history of Kazakhstan, we will meet some of Tour Director Steve Mastin’s close personal contacts – made over many years living in the country – at a drinks reception on the final night in Astana. Together they will help to enrich our understanding of daily life in Kazakhstan, offering a convivial and uplifting note on which to end our tour.

Our final journey whisks us to Kazakhstan’s modern capital of Astana, site of several astonishing buildings by Sir Norman Foster. We will visit the city’s cathedral and mosque, while also tracing Kazakhstan’s history at the new National Museum, whose exhibits span ancient ornaments (including the armour belonging to Kazakhstan’s mysterious ‘Golden Man’), artwork and ethnographic artefacts.

We will stay at centrally located four or five-star establishments in Almaty, Shymkent and Astana, and a comfortable three-star hotel in Turkistan, close to the mausoleum. Please note the hotels are subject to final confirmation.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour will involve a significant amount of walking, frequently over uneven ground. Tamgaly is a remote site and travellers should be comfortable ascending rugged and rocky pathways – although to maintain safety standards we will not attempt to cover the entire route. Many of Kazakhstan’s most important sites are spread out and participants should expect some long journeys by coach (plus two internal flights) and basic facilities on some of these journeys. While we will endeavour to offer a variety of meals, dishes in Kazakhstan frequently include red meat as their primary ingredient, including beef, mutton and horse meat, which we may be offered on occasion (with alternative options available).

ITINERARY

This itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Sites can close or change their opening times at short notice; therefore, some visits may be reordered.

Day 1 – Flight from London to Almaty.

TRAVELLING IN KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan is not yet used to large groups of Western tourists. While we will endeavour to deliver the itinerary as accurately as possible, there may be some adjustments to the order and timings of visits on the ground.

“The experience was altogether illuminating, fascinating and fun”

– ACE customer on the 2024 Kazakhstan tour led by Steve Mastin

Day 2 – Arrive Almaty and transfer to Mercure Almaty City Centre for six nights. Free time followed by afternoon walking tour (Gogol Street, site of Trotsky’s exile by Stalin). Welcome and introduction.

Day 3 – Morning lecture and visits: Ascension Cathedral, WWII Memorial, Russian Imperial Governor’s Residence (exterior), Central Mosque.

Day 4 – Excursion to Charyn Canyon National Park (spectacular geology).

Day 5 – Issyk Museum, town and lake (discovery of the ‘Golden Man’).

Day 6 – Morning lecture and visits in Almaty: Green Bazaar, Museum of Arts, Republic Square. Optional evening performance in Almaty (ballet or opera – subject to scheduling).

Day 7 – Excursion to UNESCO site of Tamgaly (5000 Bronze Age petroglyphs featuring animals, humans and weapons).

Day 8 – Flight to Shymkent and continue to UNESCO World Heritage site of Turkistan (Silk Road city) for two nights. Optional nighttime walk with views of the mausoleum.

Day 9 – Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (commissioned by Timur) and ancient Silk Road desert fortress of Sauran.

Day 10 – Return to Shymkent via Arystan Bab Mausoleum and Otrar archaeological site (location of Timur’s death en route to China). Overnight at DoubleTree by Hilton, Shymkent.

Day 11 – Flight to Astana for four nights at Hilton Garden Inn. River cruise through central Astana and walking tour of the old Russian city (left bank). Evening performance at Astana Opera House (subject to scheduling).

Day 12 – Morning lecture and visits (right bank): National Museum of Kazakhstan, Independence Square, Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Palace of Peace & Reconciliation.

Day 13 – Morning lecture followed by visits to Khan Shatyr (designed by Sir Norman Foster) and ALZHIR Memorial Museum (only Soviet gulag for women).

Day 14 – Bayterek Tower (incredible views over the city) and Assumption Cathedral. Evening: farewell drinks reception with friends of Tour Director Steve Mastin.

Day 15 – Return flight from Astana to London.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £5995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, thirteen breakfasts, ten lunches (five packed), thirteen dinners (one light & one buffet) with water & tea, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £575. TOUR CODE: KAZA26

Great Art Collections of New York: 250 Years of Independence

October 12–18, 2026

Become immersed in the iconic masterpieces of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and Frick Gallery

Explore vibrant collections of modern and contemporary art at the Neue Gallerie, MoMA, and the Whitney Museum of American Art

Discover the social history of New York and personal stories at the Tenement Museum

This brand new tour takes place during the 250 year anniversary of American Independence, a fascinating backdrop for exploring the country’s history and culture through a selection of art institutions and installations.

We will dedicate a day to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to focus on unravelling the narrative of American art through great painters like John Singer Sargent, as well as viewing some of the permanent collection’s highlights spanning 5000 years.

At the Guggenheim, we will view Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and

This tour is part of our new series of Cultural Breaks , specially designed for the more independent traveller. These tours benefit from the same high level of cultural content as our standard tours with time also given to independent exploration. As they tend to be based in city centres, Cultural Breaks typically make more use of public transport as an easier and quicker way of accessing sites. The Tour Director and Tour Manager will also be on hand throughout to introduce travellers to some of the lesser known sites and recommend local places to wine and dine.

modern French masterpieces. These works arrived at the museum courtesy of Jewish art dealer Justin K Thannhauser, who journeyed to New York to escape persecution during World War Two, and their presence testifies to the importance of European patronage in the story of American art. In conjunction, we will visit the Tenement Museum, an immersive site that accurately recreates homes of immigrant families during the 19th and 20th centuries.

We will delight in artworks by Vermeer and Rembrandt at the Frick Gallery and

magnificent pieces by Klimt at the Neue Galerie, alongside paintings by Edward Hopper and Jacob Lawrence at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The exciting scene of contemporary arts will come to life during a guided street art tour, whilst intersections of the natural environment and cityscape will be enjoyed with a jaunt along the High Line.

Our tour is based in a comfortable four-star hotel in central New York, well located for our visits.

This tour will be led by Marie-Anne Mancio, MPhil, DPhil, an art historian, writer, experienced tour leader and Arts Society accredited lecturer. Marie-Anne originally trained as an artist before gaining a DPhil and has written and presented courses for Tate and Dulwich Picture Gallery. She is a frequent visitor to New York.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good overall level of fitness is required for this tour, as it involves a moderate amount of city-based walking taken at a reasonable pace on pavements which can be crowded. Most visits will be reached by public transport, an efficient way of getting around New York, so participants should feel comfortable using the subway and going up and down steps in and out of stations.

A Bit of War History: The Recruit by Thomas Waterman Wood, 1866

Please note that travel to and from New York is not included in the cost of this tour. We recommend that you book your outbound flight to arrive by early afternoon on Day 1 (October 12) as the group will assemble in the early evening at the hotel; and your return flight from 1930 onwards on Day 7 (October 18).

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and we cannot guarantee the viewing of all artwork/artists mentioned, as works can be loaned or removed for restoration at short notice.

D ay 1 – Tour assembles at hotel for six nights. 1730 welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Whole day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (considering American art including John Singleton Copley, John Singer Sargent and Thomas Cole, followed by permanent collection highlights spanning 5000 years of history). Free evening.

D ay 3 – Morning at the Guggenheim Museum (Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and modern French masterpieces including works by Degas, Manet, van Gogh and Picasso) followed by free time to explore Central Park independently. Afternoon: visit to the Neue Galerie (German and Austrian Modernism).

D ay 4 – Morning: Tenement Museum (immersive museum in an apartment block that accurately recreates homes of immigrant

and migrant families during the 19th and 20th centuries). Afternoon: New Museum (innovative contemporary art) followed by a walking tour of the Highline (shining example of biophilic urbanism). Free evening.

D ay 5 – Morning visit to the Frick Gallery (European fine art and historic gardens) followed by Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Optional visit to Top of the Rock. Free evening.

D ay 6 – Guided street art tour followed by free afternoon and specially curated evening at a small gallery (subject to confirmation).

D ay 7 – Visit to the Whitney Museum (Edward Hopper, Thomas Hart Benton, Ellsworth Kelly, Alex Katz and Jacob Lawrence). Tour disperses at hotel approx 1530. We recommend you book return flights from 1930 onwards.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £3995 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, three dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities for group services & all taxes.

Not included: return airfare, ESTA, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £555.

TOUR CODE: GANY26

Pompeii with Herculaneum

Gain an understanding of day-today life in the Roman Empire

April 20–26, 2026 with Eireann Marshall | October 31 – November 7, 2026 with Steve Mastin sanctuaries, thought to be among the finest examples in the ancient world.

Discover Cumae, one of the most important Greek city-states in antiquity, alongside Pozzuoli with its impressive Roman amphitheatre

Explore Paestum with its Doric sanctuaries and the renowned Archaeological Museum in Naples

As well as investigating the ruins of Vesuvius’s twin victims, we will view the exceptional finds on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Complementing these famous sites, our tour will take in a wider array of ancient treasures, such as the vast villa complex at Oplontis. Adorned with lavish wall paintings that reveal the extravagant lifestyles enjoyed by the Roman elite.

Paestum, an ancient Greek city founded by Sybaris around 600 BCE, is famed for its well preserved Doric temples and Our popular tour introduces travellers to the ancient time capsules of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roman cities frozen in situ by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. The itinerary offers an opportunity to explore these remarkably preserved sites, providing a fascinating glimpse into daily life in the Roman Empire.

We particularly look forward to viewing the recently unearthed Roman bathhouse complex. Considered the “biggest bath complex in a Pompeiian private home” known to date, these ruins are thought to have formed part of the private residence of Aulus Rustius Verus.

Our April departure will be led by experienced Tour Director Eireann Marshall , PhD, who was raised in the Veneto and educated at Barnard College, Columbia University and the universities of Birmingham and Exeter. She is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University and has led many tours throughout Europe and North Africa.

Our visit to the Cumae archaeological site will highlight the influence of early Magna Graecia as well as its significant political and economic prominence during antiquity. Built in the 1st century CE, the Flavian amphitheatre at Pozzuoli hosted gladiatorial and theatrical events.

Both departures will be based at the Hotel La Medusa, Castellammare di Stabia, an attractive four-star establishment set in beautiful grounds.

Our extended October departure will be led by Steve Mastin , MA, PGCE, FHA, who studied history and classics before working as a school teacher for 17 years, leading trips to Italy, France and Germany. A Fellow of the Historical Association and a committed advocate of the power of storytelling, Steve is a regular speaker at history conferences both in the UK and overseas.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of fitness is required for this tour, and participants should be aware that the terrain at the archaeological sites can be uneven with slippery and rocky sections, and few opportunities to sit down. Please note that the optional ascent up Vesuvius involves a steep walk of around 30 minutes, and Cumae also includes an extended uphill walk. For more details on our minimum fitness requirements, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that these itineraries represent a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements, including the lecture titles, may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

APRIL TOUR

Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow 1010 on British Airways, arriving Naples 1350. Transfer to Hotel La Medusa, Castellammare di Stabia for six nights. Welcome and introduction.

Day 2 – Whole day visit to Pompeii: forum, shopping macellum, Villa of the Mysteries, baths, theatres and Houses of the Faun, Venus and Vettii.

Day 3 – Morning: Naples Archaeological Museum. Continue to slopes of Mt Vesuvius for ascent by coach, followed by optional walk uphill to the crater (weather permitting; must be done on foot). Evening talk: The Events of 79 CE – Myth vs Archaeology

Day 4 – Herculaneum, Oplontis (Villa Poppaea) and Boscoreale (Villa Regina). Evening talk: GrecoRoman Religion

“Meanwhile on Mt Vesuvius broad sheets of fire and leaping flames blazed at several points, their bright glare emphasised by the darkness of night…”

– Pliny on the sudden eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago

Day 5 – Whole day excursion to Paestum: Temples of Ceres, Hera and Neptune, museum. Evening talk: Aeneas & the Sibyl of Cumae

Day 6 – Cumae (cave of the Sibyl, acropolis) and Pozzuoli (amphitheatre).

Day 7 – Morning: Villa San Marco and Villa Arianna, Stabiae (final flight times permitting). Depart Naples 1805, arriving Heathrow 1950.

OCTOBER TOUR (EXTENDED DEPARTURE)

Day 1 – Depart London Gatwick 1450 on easyJet, arriving Naples 1830. Transfer to Hotel La Medusa, Castellammare di Stabia for seven nights. Welcome and introduction.

Day 2 – Herculaneum, Oplontis (Villa Poppaea) and Boscoreale (Villa Regina). Evening talk: GrecoRoman Religion

Day 3 – Morning: Naples Archaeological Museum. Continue to slopes of Mt Vesuvius for ascent by coach, followed by optional walk uphill to the crater (weather permitting; must be done on foot). Evening talk: The Events of 79 CE – Myth vs Archaeology

Day 4 – Whole day visit to Pompeii: forum, shopping macellum, Villa of the Mysteries, baths, theatres and Houses of the Faun, Venus and Vettii.

Day 5 – Whole day excursion to Paestum: Temples of Ceres, Hera and Neptune, museum. Evening talk: Aeneas & the Sibyl of Cumae

Day 6 – Cumae (cave of the Sibyl, acropolis) and Pozzuoli (amphitheatre).

Day 7 – Whole day excursion to Sorrento: ancient Greek and Roman wall (rebuilt in the 14th-16th centuries), cathedral and basilica followed by free time.

Day 8 – Morning: Villa San Marco and Villa Arianna, Stabiae (final flight times permitting). Depart Naples 1615, arriving Gatwick 1810.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £3095 (April tour) includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, two lunches (one packed), six dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Cost of £3495 (October tour) includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, two lunches (one packed), seven dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £415 (April departure) / £485 (October departure). TOUR CODE: POM226 / POM326

Art Treasures of the Côte d’Azur

May 18-25, 2026 with Andrew Spira | October 26 – November 2, 2026 with Suzanne Fagence Cooper

Visit museums dedicated to individual artists such as Matisse, Chagall and Picasso

Find out what encouraged these artists and others to travel to the south of France to live and work

Experience the work of leading 20th century artists in the peaceful hillside setting of the Fondation Maeght

From the late 19th century onwards, the vivid colours of the Côte d’Azur, as well as the region’s mild climate and dramatic landscapes, captivated a succession of Europe’s leading artists.

In 2026, we are delighted to be offering distinct departures to the Côte d’Azur, crafted and guided by some of our most popular Tour Directors.

During our time in Nice and its environs we will consider what drew renowned artists to the south of France and explore the legacy they left in the region: from Matisse’s stunning Chapelle du Rosaire to Picasso’s work at the former Château Grimaldi in Antibes and Jean Cocteau’s

“I was impressed by the content and venues visited and learned a lot”

– ACE customer on a previous Art on the Côte d’Azur tour

‘Salle des Mariages’ at Menton. Many sites – such as the Musée Matisse, Musée Picasso and Musée Chagall – offer the chance to explore an abundance of notable works.

Excursions beyond Nice include the historical town of Villefranche-surMer, Château Vallauris in Antibes and the Fondation Maeght – its pine-

Our May tour will be led by Andrew Spira, MA, who studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and City University, London. He has worked as a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, London, as acurator at the V&A Museum and as Programme Director at Christie’s Education.

wooded grounds adorned with work by Giacometti, Calder and Miró, its buildings home to one of Europe’s most important collections of 20th century painting, drawing and sculpture.

For both departures, we will stay at the Splendid Hotel & Spa in Nice, a stylish and centrally-located four-star hotel. Just a short walk from the iconic Promenade des Anglais, our accommodation features comfortable rooms and panoramic views of the coast from its rooftop terrace.

Our October/ November tour will be led by Suzanne Fagence Cooper, MA, PhD, a curator and historian who specialises in 19th and 20th century art. An Arts Society accredited lecturer, Suzanne was a curator and Research Fellow at the V&A Museum for 12 years and has also worked at York Art Gallery.

FRANCE

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of fitness is required for these tours, as some visits will be made on foot, by coach and by boat. For more information on our minimum fitness requirements, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itineraries represent a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. The itinerary for each departure varies slightly, in terms of the visits and their order. We cannot guarantee the availability of all artworks listed. Sometimes sites have temporary exhibitions taking place, and this may affect which parts of the permanent collection are accessible.

MAY TOUR:

D ay 1 – Depart London Heathrow 0945 on British Airways, arriving Nice 1250. Transfer to Splendid Hotel & Spa for seven nights. Orientation walking tour and short visit to the Musée Masséna. Evening lecture.

D ay 2 – Morning excursion to St-Jean-CapFerrat for Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa and Gardens. Afternoon: Musée des Beaux-Arts and Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas.

D ay 3 – Morning: Musée Matisse and Musée Chagall. Afternoon: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Villa Kérylos. Free evening.

D ay 4 – Morning: Fondation Maeght and walk down the medieval Chemin Sainte-Claire to St Paul de Vence. Afternoon: Matisse’s celebrated Chapelle du Rosaire. Evening lecture.

D ay 5 – Via Modernist villa E-1027 to Menton for Salle des Mariages and walking tour of the old town. Afternoon: Musée Jean Cocteau le Bastion and ‘Association Diocesaine’ Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Laghet.

D ay 6 – Excursion to the Chapel of Sainte Roseline and Cistercian Monastery at Le Thoronet, followed by Mouans-Sartoux for Espace de l’Art Concret. Free evening.

D ay 7 – Morning: Musée National Fernand Léger in Biot. Afternoon in Antibes: Musée Picasso (Château Grimaldi) and Château Vallauris (Picasso collection and chapel).

D ay 8 – Short morning visit to Musée Renoir. Depart Nice 1540, arriving Heathrow 1655.

OCTOBER TOUR

:

D ay 1 – Depart London Heathrow 0945 on British Airways, arriving Nice 1250. Transfer to Splendid Hotel & Spa for seven nights. Walking tour with visit to the Palais Lascaris.

D ay 2 – Morning lecture: Picasso and Matisse followed by visits to Musée Matisse and FAMM Museum, Mougins (celebrating female artists).

D ay 3 – Morning lecture: Chagall and his Contemporaries followed by visits to the Musée des Beaux-Arts and Musée Chagall Biblique. Afternoon visit to the Foundation Ephrussi de Rothschild. Free evening.

D ay 4 – Morning: Fondation Maeght and walk down the medieval Chemin Sainte-Claire to St Paul de Vence. Afternoon: Matisse’s Chapelle du Rosaire.

D ay 5 – Excursion to Menton (Salle des Mariages and walking tour of the old town). Visit to Musée Jean Cocteau le Bastion, followed by Cocteau Church at Villefranche-sur-Mer. Free evening.

D ay 6 – Depart by coach for Antibes with a visit en route to the Musée Bonnard in Le Cannet. Visits to the Musée Picasso (Château Grimaldi) and Château Vallauris.

D ay 7 – Depart by coach to St Tropez. Walking tour of the old port and a visit to the Musée de l’Annonciade (Signac, Seurat, Maillol and Matisse). Return part way by boat to Ste Maxime (weather permitting), then continue to Nice by coach.

D ay 8 – Short morning visit to Musée Renoir. Depart Nice 1540, arriving Heathrow 1655.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of May tour: £3395

Cost of October tour: £3295

Cost includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a premium twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, one lunch, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, harmony double room for single use supplement £295 (May departure) / £395 (October departure). TOUR CODE: ARC226 / ARC326

Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Berlin: 150th Anniversary Tour

May 25 – June 1, 2026

Attend Stefan Herheim’s magnificent production at Berlin’s Deutsche Oper, conducted by Donald Runnicles and featuring Clay Hilley and Ya- Chung Huang

Explore the significance and meaning of the text, music and history of its composition in the company of expert musicologist and broadcaster Sandy Burnett

Discover Berlin’s cultural heritage, from the Museum of Musical Instruments to historical Spandau

2026 will mark 150 years since the first full performance of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, which occupied him for over 26 years. The first complete performance took place in 1876 and opened the inaugural Bayreuth Festival, setting the stage for a myriad of subsequent performances that have influenced everything from classical music to film, cartoons and popular music.

To mark this event, opera houses around the world will open their doors for performances of all four operatic works. We are delighted to have secured tickets

“To have Berlin as our backdrop will be the icing on the cake: a city which from the cultural and historical points of view are endlessly fascinating”

– Tour Director Sandy Burnett

to multi-award-winning Norwegian director Stefan Herheim’s Deutsche Oper production – lauded for its detailed, thought-provoking staging – which also marks the final farewell of General Music Director and conductor Sir Donald Runnicles.

Supported by richly textured orchestration and performed by a range of excellent soloists, each opera will lead us deeper into the worlds conjured by the mythology of Germany and Scandinavia, expressed through Wagner’s famous score.

The tour will feature all four performances across several days, interspersed with illuminating lectures courtesy of expert musicologist, lecturer and broadcaster Sandy Burnett.

We will also delve into some of Berlin’s cultural highlights. A visit to the Museum

tour is a special small-group experience limited to 12 guests. We would encourage early booking to avoid disappointment.

of Musical Instruments will acquaint us with one of the largest collections of its kind in Germany. The Jewish Museum charts Jewish life in Germany’s capital from the Middle Ages to the present; while an excursion to Spandau will introduce us to one of Berlin’s leafier, less discovered districts.

We will stay at the comfortable three-star Martas Hotel Albrechtshof in Berlin, chosen for its convenient location to museums and galleries.

Tour Director Sandy Burnett , MA, is one of the UK’s most versatile musicians and commentators, enjoying a career that combines broadcasting, performing and lecturing. He spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3.

GERMANY

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

While this tour is not particularly strenuous, participants should have a good level of overall fitness, as we will be exploring Berlin on foot as well as traversing uneven ground and steps. Performances will finish late, so we have incorporated later starts and some free time in the afternoons to ensure a balanced experience. We will travel to and from the Deutsche Oper by coach.

“Outstanding

programme with wonderful contributions from

expert specialists”

“Excellent lectures from Sandy Burnett”

– ACE customers on previous Ring Cycle tours

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. We cannot confirm all the artists mentioned and the Deutsche Oper reserves the right to update the cast list.

D ay 1 – Depart London Heathrow 1115 on British Airways, arriving Berlin 1410. Transfer to Martas Hotel Albrechtshof for seven nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Morning lecture followed by guided architectural tour by coach: Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, Friedrichstrasse, Nikolaiviertel, Unter den Linden, the Reichstag, new Parliament buildings and the Brandenburg Gate (exteriors). Some free time. Evening performance: Das Rheingold

D ay 3 – Morning lecture followed by a guided tour of the Museum of Musical Instruments (one of the largest collections of its kind in Germany). Evening performance: Die Walküre

D ay 4 – Guided visit to the Jewish Museum (Middle Ages to the present) and optional afternoon visit to Museum Island.

D ay 5 – Morning lecture and free time to explore Berlin independently. Evening performance: Siegfried

D ay 6 – Morning excursion to Spandau (leafy district): medieval Kolkviertel and one of the oldest surviving townhouses in Berlin. Free evening.

D ay 7 – Morning lecture. Visit to the Parliamentary Historical exhibition of the German Bundestag (tracing the evolution of Germany’s parliamentary system) in the Deutscher Dom. Evening performance: Götterdämmerung

D ay 8 – Depart Berlin 1505, arriving Heathrow 1605.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £5295 Includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described (category 1), seven breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners with water & coffee, opera plates and a glass of wine at three of the performances, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not Included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £465. TOUR CODE: WRBL26

GERMANY

Bach Festival in Leipzig

June 12–18, 2026

Vox Luminis and The Constellation Choir & Orchestra perform Bach cantatas

VOCES8, one of the world’s most beloved classical vocal groups, present a late-night concert

Appreciate the timeless Goldberg Variations with Sir András Schiff

Leipzig lies at the heart of the classical music tradition: Wagner was born here, Mendelssohn died here and Bach spent nearly three decades as Kapellmeister at the Thomaskirche. It is fitting, therefore, that Leipzig plays host to a magnificent annual festival centred on Bach and the composers he inspired.

At the heart of our 2026 tour will be a selection of Bach’s most popular cantatas, performed by Vox Luminis, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir and The Constellation Choir & Orchestra. We will only discover the final line-up during the festival itself, building towards two climactic concerts on our penultimate day.

The Nikolaikirche will present a latenight concert featuring VOCES8 whose exquisite polyphonic strands are sure to lift our spirits. Meanwhile at the Gewandhaus, Sir András Schiff will perform Bach’s stupendous Goldberg Variations. We round off our tour with a grand finale unveiling the top four cantatas courtesy of Sir John Elliot Gardiner and his excellent orchestra.

In addition to the Bach Festival, our tour also includes a visit to Halle, home of the annual Handel Festival, and we plan to include a performance of Rinaldo while here.

Tour Director Sandy Burnett , MA, is a musician who spent over a decade as a presenter on BBC Radio 3. He has conducted many orchestras and choirs, and masterminded a complete cycle of Bach’s sacred cantatas.

performance at the

Concert Tickets

The Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche are both historical settings that evoke the performances that Bach would have known. In the Thomaskirche, the audience often faces away from the performers; while in the smaller Nikolaikirche, sightlines can be interrupted by pillars. The quality of the sound, however, is always superb. The ACE team will review ticket categories once confirmed and may make small adjustments to ensure a good quality experience.

We will stay at the Seaside Park Hotel, a four-star Art Deco residence situated within easy walking distance of the Thomaskirche.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour involves excursions to museums and walking tours, and participants should therefore feel comfortable staying on their feet for extended periods of time, as well as navigating cobbles, steps and staircases (lifts are not always available). There are stone steps at the Nikolaikirche. Please be aware that some interiors may be dimly lit. A good general level of fitness is required for this tour.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements, including the musical programme, may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Depart London Heathrow 1035 on British Airways, arriving Berlin 1330. Transfer to Seaside Park Hotel, Leipzig, for six nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Morning lecture followed by walking tour of Leipzig with visit to the Bach Museum.

J S

French Overture in C minor, Italian Concerto, Goldberg Variations. Nighttime performance at the Nikolaikirche featuring VOCES8: J S Bach motets including Jesu, meine Freude and Komm, Jesu, komm.

D ay 3 – Excursion to Halle for visit to the Handel House and Handel Festival performance: Handel Rinaldo

D ay 4 – Morning lecture followed by a visit to the Mendelssohn House Museum. Late afternoon performance at the Thomaskirche featuring Vox Luminis: ‘Top 50’ Cantatas VII (2421). Free evening.

D ay 5 – Morning lecture followed by free time to explore Leipzig independently. Evening performance at the Thomaskirche featuring The Constellation Choir & Orchestra and soloists with Sir John Eliot Gardiner – ‘Top 50’ Cantatas X (12-9).

Day 6 – Morning lecture and farewell lunch. Late afternoon performance at the Thomaskirche featuring Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir with soloists and Ton Koopman (conductor) –‘Top 50’ Cantatas (8-5). Independent dinner. Evening performance at the Nikolaikirche featuring The Constellation Choir & Orchestra and soloists with Sir John Eliot Gardiner – ‘Top 50’ Cantatas (4-1).

D ay 7 – Transfer to Berlin for 1505 flight, arriving Heathrow 1605.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £3785 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, six breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, small double room for single use supplement £275. TOUR CODE: BACH26

GERMANY

Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design –100 Years in Dessau

September 15–20, 2026

Discover highlights of the Bauhaus School and modernist design 100 years since the school’s foundation in Dessau

Take in the major centres of Weimar and Dessau alongside the lesser-visited but culturally rewarding town of Jena

Study the art, architecture and design of the Bauhaus School and related artists, including creations by Walter Gropius and Henry van de Velde

Of all the avant-garde enterprises in art and design between the wars, the Staatliches Bauhaus provides a paradigm of modernism. This tour offers the opportunity to explore not only the Bauhaus but also the movement’s wider artistic context.

In Weimar, a city already famous for its associations with J W von Goethe and Friedrich Nietzsche, the Bauhaus can be seen in the context of German thinking about art, nature and politics. Here, we will take in the Bauhaus Building, including the restored office of Walter Gropius, and the Haus am Horn, a prototype house built to showcase Bauhaus design principles. In Jena, meanwhile, we will enjoy a privileged visit to Gropius’s pioneering Haus Auerbach, built in 1924 and one of the few private homes that he constructed.

In 1925, the school was transferred to Dessau, its most famous location.

Tour Director Alan Powers , PhD, studied History of Art at Cambridge University and is a specialist in the art, architecture and design of the 20th century. A former Chairman of the 20th Century Society, Alan is the author of many books, including Bauhaus Goes West , 2019.

Gropius designed a new building to house the school which, in its restored state, powerfully evokes what it might have been like to study there. 2025 will mark 100 years since the establishment of the Bauhaus School here and the beginning of the city’s celebrations –we look forward to exploring special exhibitions that mark the occasion alongside a visit to the Bauhaus Museum.

Our tour begins with three nights in Weimar at the four-star Dorint Hotel Am Goethepark, located close to the Bauhaus Museum, followed by two nights in Dessau at the modern Radisson Blu Fürst Leopold Hotel.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of fitness is required for this tour as it involves a significant amount of walking, including over cobbled streets, up stairs and occasionally uphill. Please note, several of our visits involve spending time outside looking at exterior architecture, and the weather in September can be chilly. Participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some visits to houses cannot be fully confirmed until nearer the time.

Day 1 – Depart London Heathrow 1100 on British Airways, arriving Berlin 1355. Transfer to Weimar for three nights at Dorint Hotel Am Goethepark.

Day 2 – Morning introductory lecture followed by visits to former Bauhaus Building (including restored office of Walter Gropius) and Haus am Horn. Afternoon: Walter Gropius monument and Neues Bauhaus Museum Weimar.

“It was an incredibly rich experience… Alan provided fascinating historical, political and biographical context to the locations, the art and the personalities”

– ACE customer on a previous Bauhaus tour led by Alan Powers

Day 3 – Whole day excursion to Erfurt and Jena: Neufert House, Margarethe Reichardt Haus (former weaving workshop and museum), Gropius’s Haus Auerbach.

Day 4 – Transfer to Dessau and check into Radisson Blu Fürst Leopold Hotel for two nights. Tour of the Masters Houses including Bauhaus Building and visit to Kornhaus Dessau (designed by Carl Fieger, draughtsman for Gropius, situated on banks of the River Elbe). Evening lecture.

Day 5 – Morning visit to Törten Housing Estate (by Gropius) followed by new exhibitions to mark the centenary of Bauhaus Dessau at Stalhaus (Sheet metal | Membrane | Porthole) and the Bauhaus Museum (Bakelite | Glaze | Color).

Day 6 – Morning: Employment Exchange (exterior). Transfer to Berlin for 1645 departure, arriving Heathrow 1745.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £3295 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a comfort double bedded room, five breakfasts, three lunches (one light), five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, comfort double room for single use supplement £275. TOUR CODE: GBAU26

Serbian Monasteries

September 14–25, 2026

Enjoy access to remote monasteries and churches in the unspoilt countryside of Serbia

View outstanding pieces of medieval European art such as the White Angel fresco situated at Mileševa Monastery

Visit one of the oldest churches in the Balkans, the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Novi Pazar, with 14th century foundations

The unspoilt sweeping countryside and authentic small towns of Serbia are little visited and provide the perfect backdrop for its wealth of culturally significant monastic complexes.

Alex Koller, PhD, is an expert in art history and architecture. An accomplished linguist and experienced Tour Director, he has travelled extensively throughout Europe and the Far East and has been leading tours since 1998.

“I have travelled a lot with Alex, in Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, where his intellectual mastery and erudition have always amazed me”

“I think Alex put his heart and soul into everything he didhis commentaries, notes and enthusiasm”

– ACE customers on 2025 tours led by Alex Koller

Located at the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Serbia has historically been influenced both by the Byzantine East and Central European West, which led to the creation of an extremely sophisticated artistic culture in the high and late Middle Ages and a flurry of intensive monastic building projects. The majority of the nation’s art treasures are therefore assembled in Orthodox monasteries and include some outstanding pieces of medieval European art.

Our tour begins in the northern region of Vojvodina and its capital, Novi Sad, where the nearby Fruška Gora mountain range is home to a large number of

beautiful monasteries founded by Serbian migrants fleeing from the 16th century Turkish conquest.

Some of the most important monastic sites are located in central Serbia, where they are invariably situated in extremely scenic locations, often quite isolated among mountains and forests. Many belong to the Morava and Raška schools, which feature varying architectural outlooks and monumental schemes of wall paintings. Particular highlights include the frescoes of Sopoćani, Studenica and Mileševa.

To put these religious buildings into context, our journey also takes in the country’s most important historical towns, including Kruševac, Novi Pazar and Niš, birthplace of the Emperor Constantine.

We will stay in a selection of hotels of three to four-star quality, including the Hotel Vrbak in Novi Pazar with its unique 1970s architecture. While facilities may be of a more basic standard, the hotels are comfortable, welcoming and have been chosen for their convenient locations allowing exploration of this beautiful country.

SERBIA

“Alex clearly has an expert’s knowledge of the subject, but is also very good at sharing what he knows”

– ACE customer who travelled with Alex Koller in 2025

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This is one of ACE’s more strenuous tours and requires a good level of fitness. We have a full itinerary, making the most of our time in Serbia to take in a wealth of sites. The tour will involve walking (including uphill and over uneven ground) and standing for significant periods of time. Participants should be prepared for several hotel changes, some early starts and coach journeys of up to 2 hours in duration. During the visit to the City Museum on the Petrovaradin Fortress, the group may have the opportunity to visit the underground military galleries; please note that these underground galleries are in corridors approximately 900m in length, and those suffering from claustrophobia may prefer to opt out of this visit.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Sites can sometimes be closed at short notice and adjustments may be made on the ground.

D ay 1 – Depart London Heathrow 1330 on Air Serbia, arriving Belgrade 1710. Transfer to Novi Sad for two nights at Hotel Leopold I.

D ay 2 – Morning in Novi Sad: Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals, St Nicholas’s Church, Petrovaradin Fortress. Afternoon excursion to nearby historical town of Sremski Karlovci for Lady of Peace Chapel, Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas, Main Square, Upper and Lower Churches and Krušedol Monastery (restored 16th century murals).

D ay 3 – Excursion to monasteries of the Fruška Gora mountain range: Beočin, VrdnikRavanica, Jazak, Novo Hopovo and Staro Hopovo. Continue to Belgrade for two nights at Courtyard by Marriott Belgrade City Centre Hotel.

D ay 4 – Belgrade: Kalemegdan Fortress, St Michael’s Cathedral, Residence of Princess Ljubica, Bajrakli Mosque, Church of St Sava (one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world). Free evening.

D ay 5 – Monasteries of Manasija (15th century) and Ravanica (14th century). Continue to Čačak for overnight at Hotel Beograd.

D ay 6 – Morning visit to Church of Jesus’ Ascension in Čačak. Continue to Monastery of Blagoveštenje and the medieval Nikolje Monastery, both located in the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge, followed by Arilje Church. Afternoon: open-air museum of Sirogojno. Continue to Zlatibor for overnight at Hotel Buket.

D ay 7 – Banja Monastery (14th century frescoes) and Mileševa Monastery (home to the 13th century White Angel fresco). Transfer to Novi Pazar for two nights at Hotel Vrbak.

D ay 8 – Morning: Church of Saints Peter and Paul (one of the oldest churches in the Balkans, with 4th century foundations) followed by

monasteries of Sopoćani and Đur đ evi Stupovi (13th century frescoes). Afternoon in Novi Pazar: fortress and 16th century Altun-alem Mosque.

D ay 9 – Morning visits to Nova Pavlica Monastery and Gradač Monastery. Via monasteries of Studenica (13th and 14th century Byzantine frescoes) and Žiča to Vrnjačka Banja for overnight at Hotel Slatina.

D ay 10 – Depart for monasteries of Ljubostinja, Kalenič and Veluće (fine examples of the Morava school of architecture). Afternoon in Kruševac: ruins of Lazar’s Palace and Lazarica Church. Continue to Niš for overnight at Radisson Hotel Park.

D ay 11 – Morning in Niš: 18th century fortress and Orthodox cathedral. Via 14th century Poganovo Monastery (16th century wall paintings) and across the Serbo-Bulgarian border to Sofia for overnight at Grand Hotel Sofia.

D ay 12 – Morning: National Archaeological Museum (14th century Poganovo icon) and Boyana Church (13th century frescoes) – time permitting. Depart Sofia 1420 on British Airways, arriving Heathrow 1555.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £3695 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, eleven breakfasts, two lunches, ten dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £465. TOUR CODE: SERB26

Luxembourg: The Crossroads of Europe

October 6–11, 2026

Explore Luxembourg City, with its UNESCO-listed Old Town and modern Kirchberg Plateau

Marvel at the lush landscape of the Ardennes including a visit to the medieval Vianden Castle

Discover the ‘Land of Red Rocks’ in the cultural and scientific hub of Luxembourg

Famously one of Europe’s smallest nations, Luxembourg possesses a remarkably diverse historical legacy, shaped by its unique position at the crossroads of the continent. As the world’s sole remaining sovereign Grand Duchy – the Grand Ducal Palace standing prominent in the old quarter – this beautiful nation has preserved its distinctive heritage set against the backdrop of a stunning natural landscape.

Developed over nine centuries, the remnants of extensive fortifications still encircle Luxembourg City’s Old Town. By the end of the Renaissance, Luxembourg had become one of Europe’s most formidable fortresses, featuring massive walls and an underground defence system, the ‘Boc Casemates’.

In direct contrast, the Kirchberg Plateau is a hub of contemporary architecture, European institutions and cultural venues; while the European Court of Justice highlights Luxembourg’s pivotal role in the Union’s formation as well as global politics.

Nearby, the MUDAM – designed by I M Pei, best known for his iconic glass pyramid at the Louvre – showcases a wide range of international art. Meanwhile, the Philharmonie Luxembourg is lauded for its exceptional acoustics. Designed by the architect Christian de Portzamparc, winner of the Pritzker Prize in 1994, the building’s exterior is lined with 823 steel columns, allowing music to be experienced through a natural filter.

Travelling north, the Ardennes region boasts a beautiful natural landscape. We will discover Vianden Castle: considered one of Europe’s most impressive feudal residences, this remarkably restored medieval fortress dates from the 11th to the 14th centuries. Continuing to Clervaux, we will marvel at ‘The Family of Man’, a pioneering exhibition curated by Edward Steichen. The site’s collection of 503 photographs narrates the universal human experience in photographic form.

The Moselle Region brings Luxembourg’s cultural significance into the modern day. This fertile wine-growing area is famous for its terraced vineyards producing white and sparkling wines, which we hope to sample during our visit. Meanwhile, the newly renovated European Museum of Schengen is dedicated to the history and importance of the 1985 agreement and features modern, interactive exhibitions.

We will stay at the five-star Hotel Royal Luxembourg, based in the heart of the city. This elegant and luxurious hotel is centrally located, providing an ideal base for exploring the country’s diverse regions and local amenities.

This tour will be led by Kristine Horner, PhD. A sociolinguist and linguistic anthropologist, Kristine is a professor at the University of Sheffield, where she is also Director of the Centre for Luxembourg Studies and engages in collaborative work with the University of Luxembourg.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of fitness, mobility and stamina is required for this tour, as it involves a significant amount of time spent walking, where there are not always frequent opportunities to sit down. Some visits on this tour will involve walking over cobbled, uneven and occasionally steep ground. For more information on ACE’s minimum fitness criteria, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions. Belval

“Luxembourg, a country where old traditions meet modern aspirations, paving the way for a bright future”

– Luxembourgish author Anise Koltz, 2023

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Flight from London to Luxembourg. Transfer to Hotel Royal for five nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Luxembourg Old Town: Grand Ducal Palace (exterior), Palace Guillaume, Cathedral Notre Dame and Gëlle Fra Monument (national monument). Afternoon visit to the Casemates (‘Boc Casemates’ – subterranean defence

LAND OF THE RED ROCKS

Dominated by the mining industry, with the iron-rich ore giving the soil its distinctive reddish hue, south Luxembourg harbours the country’s notable industrial region – ‘The Minett’. This district has undergone a significant transformation into a scientific and cultural hub where industrial relics contrast with modern, innovative architecture.

system) followed by Luxembourg City Museum. Evening lecture: The Tumultuous History of Luxembourg as a Small Country

D ay 3 – Kirchberg Quarter of Luxembourg City: European Court of Justice (highest court of the European Union – exterior), MUDAM (Contemporary Modern Art Museum of Luxembourg – designed by famous architect I M Pei), Fortress Museum (Musée Draï Eechelen) and Philharmonie Luxembourg (showcasing architectural diversity and innovation in this part of the city). Free evening.

D ay 4 – Ardennes Region: Vianden (medieval 11th-14th century castle) and Clervaux (‘Family of Man’ exhibition). Free evening.

D ay 5 – Luxembourg’s industrial region for Belval (Blast Furnace and Library), followed by Moselle Region for European Museum in Schengen and Remich agricultural region (St Martin Wine Cellar Caves). Evening lecture: Luxembourg as a Microcosm of Multilingual and Multicultural Europe

D ay 6 – Free time with optional visit to Museum of History and Art Luxembourg. Return flight from Luxembourg to London.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £2895 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a traditional twin or double bedded room, five breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, traditional double room for single use supplement £495. TOUR CODE: LUXE26

The Coto Doñana and Seville: Landscape & Culture

November 3–10, 2026

Discover the remarkable wildlife of the Coto Doñana, including the birdlife teeming on the lagoon near our hotel

Spend a day in Seville, with a visit to the Alcázar and evening flamenco performance

Look out for mammals including red deer and Egyptian mongoose in Arroyo de la Rocina

The Coto Doñana is one of the most prolific birdwatching destinations in Europe. Our base in the hermitage village of El Rocío is perfectly positioned for appreciating the region’s wildlife. We will study birds, mammals and ecology, alongside the cultural delights of Seville and Huelva.

The sandy tracks near our hotel are ideal for spotting one of the Doñana’s great birds, the Spanish imperial eagle; while across the drier habitats of monte blanco scrub and umbrella pine woodland live the beautiful azure-winged magpie, hoopoe, egrets and warblers. At the Odiel Marshes Nature Reserve, we will search for osprey, terns, spoonbills and waders.

Seville’s cultural highlights include the UNESCO-listed Real Alcázar with its breathtaking Mudéjar architecture, while Huelva is famed as the terminus a quo for the voyages of Columbus. In El Rocío, the sandy streets are designed for the horses and wagons of the thousands of pilgrims who come for the Whitsun Romería del Rocío.

Our final day takes us into the Coto Doñana National Park for an exclusive

This tour will be led by conservationist and environmental consultant Kevin Hand , MSc, MCIEEM, who has a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. Kevin has been President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and is now a Trustee.

“Not

only is [Kevin] great at spotting and identifying wildlife, but he is endlessly enthusiastic and cheerful”

– ACE customer on a previous Coto Doñana & Seville tour led by Kevin Hand

guided tour to understand the complex ecology of the region and look out for rarer species.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

While this tour is not expected to be especially strenuous, participants should possess a good level of overall fitness and be comfortable undertaking several nature walks of up to 6-8 miles in warm weather (with shorter alternatives if required) as well as urban walking in Seville. Walks will contain regular stops with longer breaks for lunch. Most terrain is flat, with some rugged, sandy, muddy and uneven stretches. For our minimum fitness requirements, please consult our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to confirmation, depending on local conditions. We cannot guarantee the presence of all wildlife mentioned.

D ay 1 – Depart London Gatwick 0850 on Easyjet, arriving Seville 1240. Transfer to Hotel La Malvasia, El Rocío, for seven nights.

D ay 2 – Morning walk to Arroyo de la Rocina. Free afternoon with optional early evening wildlife walk. Evening talk: An Introduction to the Coto Doñana National Park

D ay 3 – Morning: Puente del Ajoli and Romerio route. Afternoon walk in El Rocío area and birdwatching across huge lagoons of Marismas del Rocío. Evening guest talk with representative of the SEO (Spanish equivalent of RSPB).

OUR ACCOMMODATION

We will stay at the characterful and comfortable four-star Hotel La Malvasia, on the edge of the Doñana National Park. Traditional and elegant, it retains a close connection with the local landscape alongside a strong sense of Andalusian identity.

D ay 4 – Whole day excursion to Seville: cathedral, Alcázar, some free time to explore the city independently. Evening: traditional flamenco performance.

D ay 5 – Morning: El Acebuche Visitors’ Centre. Afternoon: walk to Playa de Cuesta de Maneli (picturesque boardwalk to beach).

D ay 6 – Odiel Marshes Nature Reserve, Huelva (Columbus statue, Harbour of the Caravels or La Rabida Franciscan Friary – subject to weather).

D ay 7 – Half day excursion to northern part of Coto Doñana National Park (exclusive guided tour). Free afternoon.

D ay 8 – Depart Seville 1325, arriving Gatwick 1510.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £3675 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a deluxe twin or double bedded room, traditional flamenco performance, seven breakfasts, three lunches with water & coffee, seven dinners (one light) with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, deluxe double room for single use supplement £495. TOUR CODE: CDSE26

Ancient Treasures of Naples: Competition, Leisure & Vice

December 14–21, 2026

Trace the layers of Roman recreational life concealed beneath Naples’s bustling centre

Sail to Ischia, famed for its thermal springs and abundance of Greek and Roman remains

Enjoy the festive season with a visit to San Gregorio Armeno, Naples’s Christmas street

One of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world, Naples was a major port city and seaside resort. The Archeological Complex of Baiae was a fashionable antiquarian resort particularly during the Roman Republic, containing stunning 1st century BCE thermal baths and bath houses. Visits in Capua and Pozzuoli, home to the second and third largest Roman amphitheatres respectively (after the Colosseum), will help us to understand the importance of amphitheatres as centres of entertainment and competition.

The island of Ischia is also well known for offering leisure and luxury in the ancient world. Visits around the island will help us to envisage the area’s artistic and productive past, with Greek and Roman artefacts ranging from amphoras to jewels and iron tools.

We will stay at the four-star Hotel San Francesco al Monte, set in a 16th century monastery and well situated for exploring Naples’s colourful streets.

This tour will be led by Eireann Marshall , PhD, a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. Eireann was raised in the Veneto and educated at Barnard College, Columbia University, as well as the universities of Birmingham and Exeter.

“Eireann

communicated her vast knowledge of the period in a very informative, friendly and humorous way”

“She [Eireann] made the

sites come to life”

– ACE customers on 2025 tours led by Eireann Marshall

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

Please note that this tour involves walking over some busy, uneven, cobbled and slippery ground as well as walking up and down steps that do not always have handrails. The tour also includes the opportunity to travel by boat to Ischia (a journey of approx 1 hour 30 minutes, which can be choppy depending on the weather). The catacombs are dimly lit. Participants must meet ACE’s fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that the below itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer. Sites in Naples can experience last minute closures owing to local events or restoration works, therefore some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Depart London Heathrow 0915 on British Airways, arriving Naples 1305. Transfer to Hotel San Francesco Al Monte for seven nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Morning walking tour of Castel del Ovo (exterior), ancient port, Piazza del Plebiscito and Teatro San Carlo. Afternoon: San Lorenzo Maggiore, Roman Theatre of Neapolis/ Nerone, Monastero Santa Chiara excavations and optional walk through Via San Gregorio

– festive arias and other works (subject to final confirmation).

D ay 3 – Morning: Pausilypon archaeological site (summer home of Publius Vedius Pollio, amphitheatre, odeon, gardens). Afternoon: Pozzuoli amphitheatre. Evening talk: Ischia

D ay 4 – Full day excursion to the peaceful island of Ischia for visits including the Museo Archeologico Villa Arbusto.

D ay 5 – Morning: Cumae archaeological site (acropolis, amphitheatre, temples and forum) via Arco Felice. Afternoon: ruins of Liternum. Free evening.

D ay 6 – Visit to Grotta della Dragonara (Roman cistern) followed by Archaeological Complex of Baiae including Baiae baths, Aragonese Castle of Baia and Museum of Phlegrean Fields.

D ay 7 – Morning: Visits in Archaeological Circuit of Ancient Capua including Museo Archeologico dell’Antica, amphitheatre and gladiator museum. Afternoon visit to Naples Archaeological Museum. Evening summary talk: Ancient Treasures of Naples

D ay 8 – Morning: Catacombs of San Gennaro. Depart Naples 1355, arriving Heathrow 1545.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £3995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a classic twin or double bedded room, performance at Teatro San Carlo (subject to confirmation), seven breakfasts, one lunch, six dinners (one light) with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, classic double room for single use supplement £560. TOUR CODE: ANNP26

Summer at the Royal Shakespeare Company

May 19–22, 2026

Delight in the comical, magical intrigue of Prospero in a production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest featuring multi-award winner Kenneth Branagh

Relish a production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui featuring double Olivier award-winner Mark Gatiss

Delve into the bard’s life and times during a walking lecture with Dr Paul Edmonson, Head of Research at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and enjoy a new excursion to Warwick Castle and the Lord Leycester Hospital

ACE is delighted to announce a return to Stratford-upon-Avon to enjoy two highlight performances from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s summer season, in the company of Dr Jessica Chiba of the Shakespeare Institute.

Returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company after more than three decades, acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh will take to the stage in the role of the enigmatic Prospero, in the play that is often understood to signal

Shakespeare’s farewell to the stage, The Tempest. Directed by Olivier Awardwinner Sir Richard Eyre, this romantic tragicomedy delves into the world of magic and power, exploring darker, somber themes of betrayal and revenge coupled with lighter, humorous elements of love and freedom.

Meanwhile, double Olivier Awardwinner Mark Gatiss makes his RSC debut as the notorious gangster Arturo Ui in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. Updated by Stephen Sharkey, Brecht’s 1941 riotous play serves as a satirical allegory of Hitler’s ascent to power. Presented in Brecht’s iconic ‘epic theatre’ style, Arturo Ui will explore themes of power and humour, mirroring those found in The Tempest and drawing parallels with other Shakespeare plays including Richard III, Macbeth and Julius Caesar.

The evening performances will be complemented by lectures given by our Tour Director introducing each play, as well as post-performance discussions offering the opportunity to reflect on each production. We also look forward to an exclusive walking lecture with Dr Paul Edmonson (Head of Research at

the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust) as well as another dedicated guest talk to be confirmed closer to departure.

Additionally, we will enjoy a full day excursion to Warwick, including visits to Warwick Castle, an incredible medieval monument built by William the Conqueror, and the Lord Leycester Hospital – one of Europe’s most important medieval buildings and home to the Master and Brethren for over 450 years.

This tour will be led by Jessica Chiba , PhD, an Assistant Professor at the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on the intersection between Shakespeare and philosophy, and she is currently working on a project entitled Shakespeare’s Untranslatability. She looks forward to introducing another ACE group to Shakespeare, Stratford and the RSC this season.

“Jessica’s lectures were stimulating and understandable, even for someone as nonacademic as myself. She was approachable and friendly and I enjoyed the informal conversations we had over the three days”

– ACE customer on the 2025 Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon tour led by Jessica Chiba

DINING

We are pleased to include an evening of fine dining on board the River Avon’s Countess of Evesham – Stratford’s ‘Orient Express’. Moving through the historic Wilmcote Locks – unique due to their narrowness and use of single leaf gates – to Luddington, the reputed meeting place of Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare, we will relish breathtaking summer views while savouring a luxurious dining experience crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

Our pre-theatre dinners will be taken at the RSC’s excellent Rooftop Restaurant, offering relaxed fine dining.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour requires a good level of fitness and mobility, and participants should meet ACE’s fitness criteria as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Although the distances covered are not long, the tour does involve some walking in Stratford, to and from the hotel, local visits and the theatres (some of which will be done in darkness). The ground can be cobbled and uneven underfoot. Participants should also be prepared for traversing steps and stairs.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements, including the performance details, may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Tour assembles 1630 at the Hotel Indigo, Stratford-upon-Avon, for three nights. Welcome and introduction to the tour followed by dinner-cruise on board The Countess of Evesham (celebrated fine dining restaurant on the River Avon).

D ay 2 – Morning lecture introducing The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui followed by a guest walking lecture with Dr Paul Edmonson (Head of Research at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust). Afternoon guided behind-the-scenes access to the auditorium of the RSC. Evening performance at the Swan Theatre: Brecht (Stephen Sharkey version) The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

D ay 3 – Morning: post-performance discussion about The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui followed by lecture introducing The Tempest . Continue for excursion to Warwick Castle, followed by the Lord Leycester Hospital (medieval courtyard

ACCOMMODATION

Our base for this tour is the four-star boutique Hotel Indigo in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Occupying a 1500s half-timbered building, Georgian townhouse and modern annexe, this stylish and comfortable property is located just a few minutes’ walk from the theatres. Lectures and postperformance discussions will take place in the hotel’s cosy ‘Snug’.

architecture). Evening performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre: Shakespeare The Tempest

D ay 4 – Morning: post-performance discussion about The Tempest followed by guest talk. Tour disperses approx 1130 at the hotel.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £1645 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, three breakfasts, one dinner-cruise, two light dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £280. TOUR CODE: SURS26

Archaeology & Legend in St Patrick’s Country

June 24–30, 2026

Delve into the history and mythology of St Patrick at sites including Down Cathedral, his final resting place, and Saul Cathedral, his first church

Explore Christian history in Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland

Marvel at the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway in Antrim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest natural wonders in the United Kingdom

“Mike is a an excellent Tour Director, combining his vast knowledge with a natural ability to communicate and teach”

“Mike was always well informed and interesting, and it was a pleasure travelling with him”

– ACE customers on a previous tour to Ireland led by Mike King

reputed grave, and St Patrick’s Cross. Also relevant is Armagh’s 5th century cathedral, one of the most important churches in Gaelic Ireland. This new tour charts a course through the enduring legends associated with St Patrick and Northern Ireland’s ancient past, focussing on the counties of Down, Armagh and Antrim. Here, St Patrick began his pivotal missions, founded his first church at Saul Cathedral and ultimately designated Armagh as the spiritual heart of Northern Ireland.

Down is home to the St Patrick Centre –site of the only permanent exhibition in the world illustrating his life – as well as the 12th century Down Cathedral, early Irish Christian iconography at the saint’s

Mike King , BA, MA, was a museum professional for over 30 years and has a passion for Irish archaeology, Britain and Ireland’s early medieval culture. He has worked as Heritage Manager for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and co-ordinated the protection and movement of a 10th century high cross in Downpatrick.

We will explore the early days of Irish Christianity at the wonderfully-preserved Donaghmore High Cross, which features mythological imagery alongside Celtic ornamentation, while Ardboe High Cross displays scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Ulster Museum showcases Irish history and art from prehistory onwards, and at Armagh County Museum, we will encounter compelling local stories through fine art, archaeology and natural history.

Northern Ireland’s past has fuelled an array of further legends – including Dunluce Castle, thought to have inspired Cair Paravel in Narnia, and Bonamargy Friary, where religion and folklore intersect. The UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway – an array of basalt columns rising from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean that, according to geomythology, were created by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill – today continues to inspire stories, art and even modern television, including Game of Thrones.

We will stay at the five-star Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle followed by the spectacularly situated Causeway Hotel, next to the world-famous monument.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour involves many visits to outdoor archaeological sites or ruins. Participants should therefore have a good level of overall fitness and mobility, and be comfortable navigating uneven and rugged ground, as well as occasional tracks to access sites. Some sites will require navigating stiles and crossing roads as well as steep inclines. In particular, Giant’s Causeway is a natural formation of stones that may be slippery when wet and lie close to an unfenced cliff edge, so care must be taken around the area. We advise all participants to consult our minimum fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to confirmation or reordering nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Depart London Heathrow 1135 on British Airways, arriving Belfast 1300. Transfer to Newcastle for four nights at the Slieve Donard Hotel. En route visit to St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick. Welcome and Introduction.

D ay 2 – Visits to St Patrick’s Grave, St Patrick’s Cross and Down Cathedral followed by Down Country Museum for displays including the High Cross. Afternoon: Saul Church (site of St Patrick’s first church), Struel Wells (ancient holy well complex) and Norman Cistercian Abbey of Inch (built by John de Courcy). Free evening.

D ay 3 – Morning: Ulster Museum (prehistoric, medieval and art galleries) with optional visit to Botanic Gardens and Tropical Ravine. Afternoon: Nendrum (early medieval monastic site and tidal mill) and Tullynakil Church (mainland successor to Nendrum). Free evening.

D ay 4 – Navan Centre & Fort (Iron Age ritual site associated with Tain legends), Protestant Cathedral, Armagh County Museum (fine art, archaeology and natural history) and St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral. Free evening.

D ay 5 – Donaghmore High Cross (mythological imagery alongside Celtic ornamentation) and Tullaghoge O’Neill inauguration site (open air woodland cathedral) followed by Ardboe High Cross (scenes from the Old and New Testaments). Transfer to Causeway Hotel (situated next to the Giant’s Causeway, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean) for two nights. Evening talk: St Patrick – his inheritance and legacy.

D ay 6 – Morning: Giant’s Causeway (basalt columns along the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, which legend tells were created by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill) and visitor centre followed by Dunluce Castle (thought to have inspired C S Lewis’s Cair Paravel). Afternoon: Bonamargy Friary (religious history and local legend).

D ay 7 – Morning visit to Carrickfergus Castle (subject to final flight arrangements). Depart Belfast 1625, arriving Heathrow 1745.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £2995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, two lunches (one packed), three dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £610. TOUR CODE: SPCO26

Walking Norfolk’s Coastal Path

June 29 – July 3, 2026

Discover Norfolk’s astounding landscapes on this walking tour, from pristine beaches to salt marshes

Encounter the coast’s teeming wildlife, including breeding seals, terns, marsh harriers, sea lavender and even natterjack toads

Walk along one of the UK’s finest coastal stretches from Wells-nextthe-Sea, past dunes, black pine forests, freshwater marshes and rewilding streams

With its endless skies, beaches stretching towards the horizon, and remarkable flora and fauna, Norfolk’s coast has long captivated travellers. This brand new tour has been specially designed for those who enjoy exploring on foot, and our three walks will showcase the county’s best wildlife at a particularly beautiful time of the year.

At Blakeney Harbour we will discover a superb area of salt marsh, mudflats and grazing marsh; while close by lies the famous Cley Reserve, where the Wildlife

“Kevin

was brilliant at making sure everything was seen and for putting our sightings in context. His knowledge of both birds and habitats and conservation were phenomenal”

– ACE customer on a 2025 tour to Norfolk led by Kevin Hand

Trust began. We may spot breeding seals, waders, Sandwich and little terns feeding their chicks, alongside families of bearded tits and reed and sedge warblers. The elusive bittern could be more conspicuous when rearing their young, while marsh harriers teach hunting skills to their offspring.

Our second day takes us west through Morston Salt Marshes and Stiffkey Greens to the mouth of Blakeney Harbour. We will watch the progress of the tides in the creeks, driving clouds of waders and ducks onto drier land, while seals are likely to have pups with them by now. The marshes should be a riot of colourful sea lavender and sea aster, with delicious samphire that we may discover fresh on our dinner plates this evening.

We finish with a walk along one of the finest coastal stretches in the country, following Holkham Bay from Wellsnext-the-Sea. Our Tour Director will lead us between shifting sand dunes and empty beaches, as well as black pine forests planted 150 years ago to stabilise the huge dunes. We will take in the National Nature Reserve managed by the Holkham Estate, and look out for natterjack toads breeding in the temporary dune slacks towards the beaches at Burnham Overy Staithe.

This tour is based at The Manor Coastal Hotel & Inn, an award-winning four-star property perfectly positioned on the coast and offering delicious seasonal food.

This tour will be led by Kevin Hand , MSc, MCIEEM, an experienced Tour Director with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. He has been President and Vice President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and currently chairs the Newmarket Chalk Streams Trust.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This is one of ACE’s walking tours and so requires a good level of fitness and stamina. Participants should be comfortable walking several miles a day, ranging from 5–6 miles on Day 2 to 7–9 miles on Day 4 (including plenty of stops). The terrain will mostly be flat and easy, with occasional shelter or shade, and some sandier and uneven ground. Participants should come prepared for the weather, particularly in hotter conditions. Some sections will be optional, with opportunities to wait or return to the hotel by coast hopper bus. Lunch will be taken either independently at local cafes, or packed from the hotel.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to adjustment or confirmation nearer the time. The itinerary may be altered to allow for changes in weather, tides and bird movements. We cannot guarantee the presence of all the wildlife mentioned.

D ay 1 – Assemble 1600 at Norwich Railway Station (those travelling by train) for transfer to Blakeney for four nights at The Manor Coastal Hotel & Inn. 1800 welcome and introductory talk.

D ay 2 – Cley Reserve and Blakeney Harbour. Walk east along the coastal path to Cley next the Sea for Blakeney Harbour (one of the best areas of salt marsh, mudflats and grazing marsh in Britain), Norfolk Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre (cafe, gallery, bookshop and viewing areas) and the famous Cley Reserve (one of the oldest nature reserves in Britain – conditions permitting):

“Brilliant tour leader – retained his enthusiasm throughout all five days”

– ACE customer on a 2025 tour to Norfolk led by Kevin Hand

breeding seals, waders, Sandwich and little terns, bearded tits, reed and sedge warblers, bitterns and marsh harriers. Evening: informal round-up session at the hotel. Today’s walk will be approx 5–6 miles in total, with stops.

D ay 3 – Morston and Stiffkey Salt Marshes. Walk west through Morston Salt Marshes and Stiffkey Greens to the mouth of Blakeney Harbour: waders and ducks, great and common seals (potentially with pups), colourful sea lavender,

OUR ACCOMMODATION

We are delighted to be staying at one of Norfolk’s most delightful and welcoming hotels, The Manor Coastal Hotel & Inn at Blakeney, whose prime position will allow us to access most of our walks directly from the front door. The hotel has won awards for the high quality of its accommodation and use of delicious local produce in its restaurant. Much lauded for its peaceful, elegant atmosphere, The Manor is nestled within Norfolk’s stunning natural landscape and offers beautiful views from many of its rooms.

sea aster and samphire. Evening: informal talk at the hotel focusing on coastal management. Today’s walk will be approx 6–8 miles total, with stops.

D ay 4 – Wells-Next-the-Sea and Holkham Bay. Drive to Wells and walk along one of the finest stretches of the Norfolk Coastal Path, with spectacular wildlife and landscape, following Holkham Bay: shifting sand dunes, deserted beaches, black pine forests (planted 150 years ago by Thomas William Coke to stabilise the dunes), National Nature Reserve managed by the Holkham Estate (freshwater marshes and rewilding streams). Optional walk towards the beautiful beaches at Burnham Overy Staithe (possible breeding natterjack toads). Evening: informal round-up session at the hotel. Today’s walk will be approx 7–9 miles total, with stops.

D ay 5 – Tour disperses after breakfast at the hotel (those travelling by car) or approx 1030 at Norwich Railway Station (those travelling by train). We recommend booking onward trains from 1100.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £1595 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, four breakfasts, one lunch (packed), four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £420. TOUR CODE: WNCP26

Gardens of the Cotswolds

June 30 – July 4, 2026

Discover beautiful gardens spanning centuries of design in one of Britain’s best-loved landscapes

Explore Kiftsgate Court Gardens, the creation of three generations of female gardeners

Visit some of the world’s finest Arts & Crafts-inspired gardens, including at Hidcote Manor

For garden enthusiasts, the Cotswolds offer a truly unparalleled experience. Exquisite planting schemes are bathed in the glow of golden stone, and rolling hills – the ‘wolds’ – form an idyllic backdrop to some of the world’s most famous garden designs. Exploring a handpicked selection of these spaces, alongside dedicated lectures by our Tour Director and talks with Head Gardeners, we will gain an appreciation of their design, planting styles, horticulture and history.

The influence of the Arts & Crafts movement will be felt at visits to Miserden Park Gardens and Hidcote. Situated at the heart of a family-run estate that takes a particular interest in

This tour will be led by David Hurrion . With over four decades of gardening knowledge, practical experience and botanical and scientific training, David has worked in gardens and nurseries around the UK and has travelled extensively abroad. He has also designed, built and planted show gardens and display stands at many major garden shows, including the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.

environmental sustainability, Miserden features stunning flowering beds, shrubs and topiary, with elements of design by Edwin Lutyens. Meanwhile, Hidcote’s carefully crafted ‘garden rooms’ are famous across the world for their beauty, intricacy and impact upon subsequent garden design.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens are the creation of three generations of female gardeners. Famous for its roses, Kiftsgate also features a sunken white garden, a double border comprising shrubs, small trees and herbaceous plants in shades of pink, mauve and grey, and stunning views

towards the Malvern Hills, as well as a wild garden.

Sezincote, located near Moreton-inMarsh, features a notable 19th-century garden. Set on a vast private estate, the Humphrey Repton landscape provides the backdrop for an ‘Indian palace’-style house and the gardens themselves display Mughal motifs and plantings that evoke a sense of paradise.

We also hope to include a visit to Highgrove, the private residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Highgrove is renowned for its beautiful and innovative gardens, which have been designed and regenerated over the past 40 years with passion and skill. Offering a variety of intriguing and beautifully kept landscapes, the gardens and estate are managed in accordance with organic and sustainable principles.

We will stay throughout at the boutique four-star Malmaison in the spa-town of Cheltenham. Located in the heart of the fashionable Montpellier district, this hotel boasts modern design with traditional regency architecture.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour, as it will require significant amounts of time spent on foot outdoors, walking and standing in gardens. The terrain may be uneven, with steps, stone paths, bridges (which may be slippery when wet) and slopes (some of which are steep) to navigate. Some of the gardens are located on multiple levels, and several feature ponds, pools and streams. Handrails and benches are sometimes available but cannot be guaranteed.

SPECIAL VISITS

Throughout our tour, we will benefit from exclusive insights into many of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful gardens from owners and head gardeners as well as the Tour Director. In particular, during our visit to Cerney House we will be welcomed by the owner who will provide an introduction to their garden over tea, coffee and cake. A Victorian walled garden, the grounds are part of the family home and have been lovingly developed over the years. Meanwhile Head Gardener, Greg Powers, is delighted to be welcoming ACE travellers to the magnificent estate of Sezincote.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and due to the special nature of the visits, some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. In particular, while we very much hope to include a visit to Highgrove, and have done so on previous tours, the site will not be able to confirm our visit until closer to departure owing to the variability of the royal schedule.

D ay 1 – Assemble at Malmaison Cheltenham for four nights. 1800 Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Morning: Miserden (beautiful 17th century Arts & Craft garden with 200-year-old sycamore and ancient mulberry tree – subject

to confirmation). Afternoon: Highgrove (tour of the beautiful gardens at the residence of HM King Charles III and Queen Camilla – subject to confirmation). Free evening.

D ay 3 – Morning: Rockcliffe Gardens (traditional English garden developed over the last 30 years blending classic gardening style and a contemporary edge – subject to confirmation) and Bourton House Garden (imaginative topiary and exotic herbaceous borders). Afternoon: Sezincote Gardens (19th century landscape garden with Indian influences). Evening lecture.

D ay 4 – Morning: Kiftsgate Court Gardens (created by three generations of women gardeners over the 20th and 21st centuries) followed by Ernest Wilson Memorial Garden. Afternoon: Hidcote Manor Gardens (influential Arts & Crafts garden with linked garden ‘rooms’ of hedges, trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders). Evening lecture.

D ay 5 – Short walking tour of Cirencester followed by a visit to Cerney House Garden (Victorian walled garden). Tour disperses at lunchtime (approx 1300) at the hotel.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £1995 includes: accommodation based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, four breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £325. TOUR CODE: GOTC26

Hadrian’s Wall: Emperors, People & Gods

July 6–12, 2026

Consider how the Roman army and local tribes lived, worked and died on the Empire’s northernmost frontier

Explore the fascinating ancient forts, turrets and castles that line the Wall and learn about its history and construction on this newly expanded tour

Discover the settlement of Vindolanda, where ongoing excavations continue to reveal new archaeological insights

UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall is a formidable engineering achievement that spans over 70 miles of beautiful, often rugged countryside. This wild outpost is home to an array of astounding artefacts, and its remains illuminate much of Roman life in Britain.

Throughout our specially expanded 2026 tour, we will explore the full length of Hadrian’s Wall, from its easternmost point at Segedunum, home to wellpreserved buildings and foundations, to the western fort at Bowness, journeying along Rome’s northern frontier.

“Mike

was a very knowledgeable guide, had prepared carefully for the tour and communicated his longstanding enthusiasm for the subject throughout”

– ACE customer on a previous tour led by Mike King

The substantial collection of artefacts at the Great North Museum will bring this past vividly to life, and we also hope to see an active archaeological dig at the Roman Army Museum. Chesters, built to protect the passage of Hadrian’s Wall over the River Tyne, is Britain’s most imposing Roman cavalry fort and among the most complete to survive, with well-preserved baths and a museum of Roman finds. Meanwhile, the ancient fort of Housesteads, perched high on a ridge overlooking wide expanses of Northumbrian moorland, is notable for its extensive barracks, granaries and hospital.

The garrison and civilian settlement at Vindolanda, where the eponymous wooden writing tablets were unearthed, lies next to one of the best-preserved sections of the Wall; while at Birdoswald

Roman Fort we will explore the on-site museum and wander the structures of bygone years.

As one of the earliest seats of Christianity, Hexham Abbey witnessed periods of turmoil and change. Its 7th century Anglo-Saxon crypt, constructed almost entirely out of salvaged Roman masonry, is one of the oldest surviving sections of St Wilfrid’s Benedictine Abbey.

We will stay in the market town of Hexham, at the three-star Beaumont Hotel, a comfortable and welcoming establishment situated in a Victorian townhouse close to the Abbey.

This tour will be led by Mike King , BA, MA, a museum professional for over 30 years. Mike has studied the transition from the Roman to early medieval era, focusing on the Roman stones at Hexham Abbey. He looks forward to leading this newly expanded tour, which incorporates his work in Durham as well as his experience walking the length of the wall in 2022.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour requires a good overall level of fitness, particularly for the visit to Housesteads. Participants should be comfortable walking outdoors for up to 1.5 miles at a time, often over rugged terrain that can be slippery if wet, and negotiating steps and occasionally steep inclines. Please consult our general fitness requirements in the Booking Terms & Conditions before booking.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Tour assembles 1600 at Newcastle Station (for those travelling by train) followed by 1700 at the Beaumont Hotel, Hexham, for six nights. 1800 welcome and introductory talk.

NEW FOR 2026

New for our 2026 departure, this tour will delve more deeply into life on Britain’s Northern Frontier. We will take in a complete view of the Wall, exploring it from East to West. While on the tour, we will engage with the intricacies of Roman life among the emperors, legion soldiers and citizens, illustrated through onsite remains, high quality digital projections and active archaeological projects.

“Very enthusiastic and keen for us to see as much as possible”

“Mike is

a real enthusiast and this was catching! Who knew that individual Roman stones ‘recycled’ from the forts along the wall could be so interesting?”

– ACE customers on the 2024 Hadrian’s Wall tour led by Mike King

D ay 2 – Arbeia (Roman fort and museum), Segedunum (Roman fort, museum, Wall Mile 0 and Roman bathhouse), Great North Museum (Roman antiquities from the Wall) and a short walking tour including Temple of Antenociticus, Vallum Crossing and Benwell Roman fort.

D ay 3 – Morning: Brunton Turret (built by men of the 20th Legion) followed by the Roman town and military depot at Corbridge and Hexham Abbey (crypt and small museum). Afternoon: Chesters (fort, well-preserved bathhouse, sculptures, inscriptions and museum). Evening lecture: Emperors and gods on the Wall: looking at inscriptions and sculptures.

D ay 4 – Carrawburgh (Roman fort and 3rd century Temple of Mithras), Housesteads (fort with museum, commandant’s house, headquarters, well-preserved latrines) and Vindolanda (ongoing excavations, Roman Army Museum with writing tablets). Free evening.

D ay 5 – Roman Army Museum (visit to annual dig on site – subject to confirmation and Roman fort), Birdoswald (Roman fort situated on one of the longest stretches of Hadrian’s Wall, with exhibitions) followed by a walk along the Wall including Harrow’s Scar milecastle and remains of Roman bridges at Willowford. Visit to Lanercost Priory (partly built using Roman stones from Hadrian’s Wall). Evening lecture: People of the Wall and their origins.

D ay 6 – Carlisle: Tuillie House Museum (Roman finds from Carlisle and the Wall), Carlisle Cathedral. Continue to St Michael’s Church (Uxelodunum/Stanwix Roman fort), Bowness (Maia Roman fort) and Burgh by Sands Church (built from Roman stones in the former Roman fort of Aballava).

D ay 7 – St Oswald in Lee Church on the Wall (church and sites of 7th century battle of Heavenfield) and Corbridge Church (Roman arch and altar). Tour disperses approx 1330 at the hotel followed by approx 1430 at Newcastle Station.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £2195 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £395. TOUR CODE: HADW26

Constable & Gainsborough in Suffolk: 250th Anniversary Tour

July 13–16, 2026 | July 20–23, 2026

Celebrate 250 years of John Constable’s landscapes with a visit to the special anniversary exhibition at Christchurch Mansion displaying The Hay Wain

Explore the Suffolk countryside and the iconic scenes of Constable’s paintings that have changed little over two centuries

Visit Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury, following a major redevelopment

As we wander along the banks of the River Stour we will discover that Flatford Mill, Dedham Lock and Willy Lott’s cottage – immortalised in The Hay Wain – have changed little over two centuries. We will explore the country lanes of East Bergholt, where the artist’s first studio was located, and view his Ascension in Dedham’s parish church.

We will immerse ourselves further in Constable’s 250-year history with a coach tour of Stour Valley, encountering the Parish Church of Stratford St Mary, an edifice that he painted many times. The backdrop of the 250th anniversary will

“I have never experienced as much content that I really learned from, and delivered with such enthusiasm and joy, as I experienced with Sarah” – ACE customer on a previous tour led by Sarah Burles

create a particularly poignant atmosphere when walking through the locations that inspired Constable and viewing his paintings in situ.

Our tour will also examine Thomas Gainsborough’s roots in his native Suffolk on a visit to the market town of Sudbury.

This tour will be led by Sarah Burles , MA who studied History of Art at Cambridge before gaining a Masters at University College London and going onto a career in museum and gallery education, including 12 years at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Sarah is an accredited lecturer for the Arts Society.

THE HAY WAIN

For this monumental anniversary, we are pleased to be visiting the exhibition ‘Constable: Walking the landscape’ at Christchurch Mansion which will feature his most celebrated painting, The Hay Wain, alongside works on loan from the Tate, V&A, Royal Academy and the National Galleries of Scotland, many of which will be displayed in Suffolk for the very first time.

Here, a major redevelopment and refurbishment has transformed the artist’s former house into a National Centre for Gainsborough, winning the prestigious RIBA East Building of the Year Award in 2024.

We will stay at the four-star Hintlesham Hall Hotel, a comfortable and traditionally decorated hotel occupying a 16th century Grade I listed manor house, set in 175 acres of Suffolk countryside. The hall has historical links to Gainsborough: it was purchased in 1747 by Sir Richard Lloyd, one of the artist’s early patrons.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour will involve a significant amount of walking and standing, much of which is outdoors (including through a field in Dedham). There is uneven ground to navigate at times, for example in the churchyards and at Flatford Mill, which has a gentle incline over bark-covered steps with a handrail. There is no lift at the hotel or at Christchurch Mansion, so participants must feel comfortable ascending and descending stairs. Some sites can be dimly lit. A good level of fitness and mobility is necessary, and participants should meet ACE’s fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

“I should paint my own places best” wrote John Constable, and what better way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this great artist’s birth than by walking in his footsteps through the Suffolk landscape. This special anniversary tour will take us on a journey through what has now become known as “Constable Country”. We will visit the places that inspired some of Constable’s greatest masterpieces including Willy Lott’s Cottage, Flatford Mill and Dedham Church, and reflect on the enduring influence of his birthplace on his paintings.”

– Tour Director Sarah Burles

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. We cannot guarantee the availability of all artworks listed.

D ay 1 – Assemble 1300 at Ipswich Station or 1330 at Hintlesham Hall Hotel. Afternoon coach tour of Stour Valley and the Suffolk villages of

Stoke by Nayland, Nayland and Stratford St Mary (churches associated with Constable). Three nights at Hintlesham Hall Hotel.

D ay 2 – Morning lecture: Constable’s Country – Artist & Landscape. Visit to East Bergholt (Constable’s birthplace) for walking tour viewing Constable’s first studio and the site of his parents’ house (exteriors), St Mary’s Church and bell cage. Afternoon: walking tour of Dedham viewing Dedham Mill and Dedham Lock (featured in Constable’s paintings – exteriors) followed by Flatford Mill and Flatford Lock (subjects of many of Constable’s paintings), Willy Lott’s Cottage (featured most famously in The Hay Wain – exterior) and site of Boat Building on the Banks of the Stour

D ay 3 – Short morning lecture: Thomas Gainsborough – Portraits & Land-skips followed by private visit to the Munnings Art Museum (oil paintings and watercolours by Sir Alfred Munnings and antique furniture collection). Continue to Sudbury (where Gainsborough was born) for afternoon at Gainsborough’s House.

D ay 4 – Morning: Christchurch Mansion (special exhibition with works on loan). Tour disperses approx 1300 at Ipswich Station followed by approx 1330 at the hotel.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £1495 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, three breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £245. TOUR CODE: CGS126/CGS226

Buxton International Festival

July 20–25, 2026

Enjoy Verdi’s La Traviata, Lehár’s

The Merry Widow, and a concert performance of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito

Appreciate two less familiar works: Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero and Viardot’s Le dernier sorcier

Visit Chatsworth House and Tissington Hall, a delightful Jacobean estate

Every summer the Derbyshire spa town of Buxton presents a feast of opera, literature and music. The festival is beloved for its blend of familiar and less familiar works, and our 2026 departure will feature two beloved operatic classics alongside a pair of lesser-known pieces and a concert performance.

Fantastical comedy punctuates the schedule, beginning with Pauline Viardot’s late 19th century Le dernier sorcier, whose playful whimsy belies its seriousness. We return to the world of magic for Francesca Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero, the first opera written by a female composer and the only one of Caccini’s to survive.

Verdi’s La Traviata will take our themes on a more tragic course as we are plunged into the life of courtesan Violetta and a society that both pursues and ostracizes her. Equally affecting, Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito will be performed in concert just twice during the 2026 festival, and we are pleased to be featuring it at the heart of our tour.

Humour and lightness return for Lehár’s “great masterpiece” The Merry Widow. With elements of both romance

This tour will be led by Russell Keable , BA, MMus, who trained at the universities of Nottingham and London and studied conducting at London’s Royal College of Music. He is a composer, arranger, lecturer, broadcaster and performer.

and farce, the operetta has a famously sweeping musical score.

In addition to the main performances, we will incorporate one festival fringe event (subject to final scheduling) alongside special guest talks, to be announced nearer to departure. We also look forward to not one but two excursions into the surrounding area: Chatsworth is home to a world-class art collection, and Tissington Hall, built in the early 17th century, features a wonderful library.

We will stay throughout at the four-star Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel, based in a Georgian building set in its own mature gardens.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour involves a moderate amount of walking every day between the hotel, opera house and other festival venues. The walk between the hotel and the centre of Buxton is hilly, and the venues are around a 10 minute walk from the hotel. Participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Please note that all operas will include English surtitles.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements, including the musical programme, may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Tour assembles 1430 at Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel, Buxton, for five nights. Welcome followed by lecture. Evening performance at the Pavilion Arts Centre: Pauline Viardot Le dernier sorcier

D ay 2 – Morning lecture followed by orientation walking tour of Buxton. Free time to explore

“[Russell] is the best music specialist I have come across with other companies as well as ACE”

– ACE customer on the 2025 Buxton International Festival tour led by Russell Keable

and for festival fringe events / guest talks (to be announced). Evening performance at the Pavilion Arts Centre: Francesca Caccini La Liberazione di Ruggiero

D ay 3 – Morning lecture followed by visit to Chatsworth House – subject to final confirmation. Free time. Evening performance at Buxton Opera House: Verdi La Traviata

D ay 4 – Morning lecture followed by free time to explore and for festival fringe events / guest talks (to be announced). Evening concert performance at Buxton Opera House: Mozart La Clemenza di Tito

D ay 5 – Morning lecture followed by private visit to Tissington Hall (family estate built in 1609 by Francis Fitzherbert). Evening festival performance at Buxton Opera House: Lehár The Merry Widow

D ay 6 – Tour disperses after breakfast at the hotel.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £2195 includes: accommodation based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, performances as described, one festival fringe event and/or guest talks (to be announced nearer to departure), five breakfasts, five dinners (mostly pre-performance buffets) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £280. TOUR CODE: BUXF26

Art & Piety in Medieval North Yorkshire

July 27–31, 2026

Glimpse Britain’s medieval past through a myriad of churches, abbeys and historical ruins

Discover rare examples of art and architecture, from the Norman undercroft at Burton Agnes Hall to the 14th century effigies at St Nicholas, West Tanfield

Experience the tranquility of medieval monastic life at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden

This brand new tour illuminates the connections between medieval monastic beliefs and practices, and the art and architecture of sacred space, taking in an array of fascinating churches and abbeys.

We will seek out traces of past communities with visits to the abandoned medieval village at Wharram Percy and the extremely rare high-status Norman dwelling at Burton Agnes Hall, a structure that has endured for over 900 years.

Turning to church interiors, the Priory Church of St Mary in Bridlington is a glorious survival of pre-Reformation splendour with its lofty interiors, strong vertical lines and intricate tracery showcasing distinctive Perpendicular aesthetics. At St Nicholas Church, West Tanfield, a unique pair of 14th century alabaster effigies depicting Sir John and Lady Elizabeth Marmion lie under a peculiar wrought-iron structure, and carved foliage embellishes a magnificent hammerbeam roof.

The Anglo Saxon crypt at Ripon Cathedral, meanwhile, presents us with another remarkable account of medieval history: built in 672 CE, it is hailed as the oldest surviving structure within any English cathedral.

Monastic ruins will provide a complementary focus: alongside an exploration of the 12th century Premonstratensian Easby Abbey, our tour includes a visit to the magnificent Fountains Abbey. We will experience

the tranquillity of this UNESCO World Heritage site for ourselves as we meander through its transportive architecture and beautiful 18th century water garden.

Our accommodation will be the Talbot Country House Hotel & Inn, Malton, a former 17th century coaching inn, blending modern interiors with traditional charm.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

This tour requires a good level of fitness and mobility (as church ground can be uneven), and requires navigating steps (sometimes without handrails) and dimly lit areas. Access to Wharram Percy involves a steep walk of 1km where conditions may be muddy. Not all of the churches have toilet facilities. For ACE’s minimum fitness requirements, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to confirmation nearer the time. We cannot guarantee access to all churches, as these can be affected by unforeseen events; however if a key visit is not possible, we will endeavour to replace it with a suitable alternative.

D ay 1 – Church and Settlement in the Yorkshire Wolds – Tour assembles 1300 at the Talbot Country House Hotel & Inn, Malton. Visits to Kirkham Priory, Wharram Percy (abandoned medieval village) and St Mary’s Church, Wharram-le-Street.

D ay 2 – Wolds and Waves – All Saints, Brompton-by-Sawdon; St Andrew, Weaverthorpe; All Saints, Hunmanby; Burton Agnes Hall (16th century undercroft); St Martin, Burton Agnes and Bridlington Priory (major Augustinian church).

Tour Director Meg Bernstein , PhD, specialises in medieval European art and architecture, with a particular focus on the parish church as a space shaped by community, devotion and design.

D ay 3 – Devotion in the Dales – Morning lecture followed by St Gregory’s, Bedale; St Mary’s, Masham; St Nicholas, West Tanfield (effigies and gatehouse) and Easby Abbey & St Agatha’s Church (13th century wall paintings). Free evening.

D ay 4 – Carthusians, Cistercians and Crypts –Mount Grace Priory, Ripon Cathedral (7th century crypt) and Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden (UNESCO Cistercian monastery).

D ay 5 – Parish and Presence in the Southern Wolds – Morning: St Andrew’s, Bainton; St Mary’s, Fridaythorpe and St Nicholas, North Grimston. Tour disperses approx 1145 at the hotel and approx 1245 at York Station. We recommend you book trains from 1300 onwards.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £1695 includes: accommodation based on sharing a deluxe twin or double bedded room, four breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, classic double room for single use supplement £225. superior double room for single use supplement £295. TOUR CODE: APYK26

Gloucester Three Choirs Festival: A Choral Celebration

July 28 – August 2, 2026

Choral masterpieces range from Beethoven’s Mass in C and Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, to Mozart’s Requiem and Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius

Roderick Williams, Mark Padmore and John Savournin feature alongside La Serenissima and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Visit Sudeley Castle and explore the heritage of Gloucester Quays

For over 300 years, the cathedral cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester have taken turns to host a renowned annual music celebration. In 2026 the festival will take place in Gloucester, amongst the pillars of its mighty cathedral and in other atmospheric venues close by.

2026 is set to be a particularly spectacular year. Beethoven’s Mass in C follows music by Cecilia McDowall and Rubbra’s Sinfonia da Camera, with soloists Mark Padmore and John Savournin, while Geraint Bowen conducts Mozart’s Requiem. At the heart of our programme is Monteverdi’s Vespers, expertly anchored by early music ensemble La Serenissima.

Elgar runs through the veins of this festival, and we are delighted to be opening our tour with a ‘seafaring’ programme featuring Sea Pictures sung by Roderick Williams alongside Mendelssohn’s Hebrides overture. There could be no better work to end on than Elgar’s choral masterpiece, The Dream of

This tour will be led by Richard Wigmore , MA, AGSM, a lecturer, broadcaster and former professional singer. He contributes to Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine and frequently appears on BBC Radio 3’s Record Review.

Gerontius, often described as his greatest work. The piece’s vast scale allows for a sweeping, transportive drama that retains its spell right up until the emotional final bars.

The music will be complemented by an excursion to Sudeley Castle, notable for its royal heritage and beautiful gardens, and a historical tour of Gloucester Quays, whose history dates from the Roman era.

We will stay at the four-star Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, on the edge of the Cotswolds.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour, as our itinerary involves a moderate amount of walking and standing. Participants should be prepared for navigating stairs, as there is no lift at the hotel. There are stone steps and steep terraces in the grounds at Sudeley Castle as well as uneven surfaces that can be slippery underfoot. Please consult ACE’s fitness criteria in our Booking Terms and Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements, including the musical programme, may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 – Tour assembles at Hatherley Manor Hotel for five nights. 1545 welcome and introduction. Evening performance featuring Roderick Williams (baritone) and Geraint Bowen (conductor): Mendelssohn The Hebrides (overture); Elgar Sea Pictures ; Judith Bingham Salt in the Blood ; Charles Villiers Stanford Songs of the Fleet

“Very knowledgeable and excellent communicator”

– ACE customer who travelled with Richard Wigmore in 2025

D ay 2 – Morning excursion to Sudeley Castle. Afternoon lecture followed by evening performance featuring Mark Padmore (tenor), John Savournin (bass-baritone) and Adrian Partington (conductor): Cecilia McDowall A Song to St Cecilia, Rain, Steam and Speed ; Rubbra Sinfonia da Camera ; Beethoven Mass in C, Op 86.

D ay 3 – Morning lecture followed by visit to Gloucester Quays. Evening performance featuring La Serenissima and Samuel Hudson (conductor): Monteverdi Vespers of 1610

D ay 4 – Morning lecture followed by performance featuring London Chamber Ensemble: works by Wood and Howells. Evening performance featuring Geraint Bowen (conductor): Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, Requiem.

D ay 5 – Morning lecture followed by performance featuring Sydney Philharmonia Choirs: ‘Great Choral Anthems’ by Parry, Gardiner, Ireland, Bainton, Harris and Britten. Evening performance featuring Adrian Partington (conductor): Elgar The Dream of Gerontius

D ay 6 – Tour disperses after breakfast at the hotel.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £2495 includes: accommodation based on sharing a classic spa twin or double bedded room, performances as described, five breakfasts, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, classic spa double room for single use supplement £225. TOUR CODE: GTHC26

Wild & Ancient Anglesey

September 14–19, 2026

Enjoy a stunning variety of flora and fauna, including migrating birds and marine animals

Delve into ancient remains, including the ‘sacred lake’ at Llyn Cerrig Bach and the chambered tomb of Bryn Celli Ddu

Discover ‘the best castle never built’ at Beaumaris, the final stronghold of Edward I

Anglesey, an island off Wales’s northwest coast, boasts diverse habitats including sea cliffs, dunes, marshes, plains and coasts, which support a rich variety of birds, plants and wildlife.

Our journey includes a highlight visit to the 6th century Penmon Priory featuring a holy well and impressive cross dating from the 10th century. We will observe diverse wildlife including razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars, and marine animals such as seals and porpoises.

The Menai Strait’s complex tides create a multi-directional water flow, leading to a unique and diverse ecosystem rich in fish and sponges. As we follow this route, we will explore the beautiful scenery of Ynys yr Eglwys – ‘Island of the Church’ – where we can admire distinct coastal flora like saltmarsh plants and a wide array of marine life and seabirds. RSPB South Stack, where heathland and farmland meet rugged sea cliffs, is a crucial breeding ground for guillemots and razorbills.

Journeying deep into Anglesey’s past, we will encounter a rich variety of ancient

This tour will be led by Kevin Hand , MSc, MCIEEM, a longstanding ACE Tour Director with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. Kevin also enjoys exploring historical sites and has helped to develop numerous ‘Wild & Ancient’ tours with ACE.

sites, among them the Iron Age huts at Ty Mawr and the ‘sacred lake’ at Llyn Cerrig Bach, as well as the ancient village of Din Lligwy and the Neolithic chambered tomb of Bryn Celli Ddu. Moving to the medieval period, we hope to visit Beaumaris, the final castle of Edward I’s Welsh campaigns. The castle’s large size and near-perfect symmetrical plan represent a magnificent yet incomplete military undertaking.

We will stay at the Trearddur Bay Hotel, situated on the award-winning Blue Flag Trearddur Beach. With fantastic views overlooking the Bay, this establishment will provide a welcoming and comfortable base from which to explore Anglesey and local wildlife.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

A good level of fitness, mobility and stamina is required for this tour, as it involves a significant amount of time spent walking and as well as standing at historical sites, where there are not always frequent opportunities to sit down. Participants should be prepared for traversing uneven ground, steps and cobbles as well as steeper sections. Please consult ACE’s minimum fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Wildlife can be unpredictable and we cannot guarantee all sightings.

D ay 1 – Coach pick-up from Bangor Railway Station 1500 (those travelling by train). Transfer

to Trearddur Bay Hotel for five nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Morning: RSPB South Stack (guillemots, razorbills, choughs, puffins) and Ty Mawr Hut Circles. Afternoon: Llyn Cerrig Bach (Iron Age finds and ducks, grebes, teals) and Cemlyn Bay (sandwich, common and arctic terns). Evening lecture: Ancient Life in Anglesey. Free evening.

D ay 3 – Visit to Bryn Celli Ddu (Neolithic chambered tomb) followed by walk along the Menai Strait to Ynys yr Eglwys. Morning: Dinas Dinlle hillfort. Evening lecture: Wildlife in Anglesey

D ay 4 – Visit to Penmon Priory followed by a walk to Puffin Island (razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars). Continue for visits to Beaumaris (final military construction project of Edward I) and Din Lligwy (Romano-British enclosed settlement). Free evening.

D ay 5 – Morning: RSPB Cors Ddyga (marsh harriers, kestrels, otters). Afternoon: Newborough Reserve (ospreys, seals, red squirrels).

D ay 6 – Tour disperses after breakfast at the hotel, with coach drop-off at Bangor Railway station at 1100.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £1895 includes: accommodation based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, five breakfasts, three dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £350. Limited rooms with a sea view are available at a supplement.

TOUR CODE: ANGS26

Crucible of Crime: Agatha Christie at 50

September 27 – October 3, 2026

Commemorate the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s death and the centenary of her mysterious 11-day disappearance

Discover the captivating Greenway, setting for Dead Man’s Folly and the beloved holiday retreat of the Christie family

Explore the atmospheric Dartmoor landscape, a source of inspiration for mystery writers, with visits connected to Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle

Gardens, featured in The ABC Murders We will also visit Torquay Museum, which houses a gallery dedicated to Christie’s life and work.

The fabulously Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel – which inspired the settings for And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun – served as a writing retreat for Christie. Similarly, the Moorland Hotel, where Christie stayed for two weeks in 1916 to finish The Mysterious Affair at Styles, provided her with refuge and creative stimulation.

Greenway is a testament to the Christies’ passion for collecting, including first editions of the author’s novels and fascinating archaeological artefacts from ACE is delighted to unveil a brand new anniversary tour commemorating 50 years since Christie’s passing and 100 years since her mysterious 11-day disappearance. Hailed as the ‘Queen of Crime’, Christie is celebrated as one of the world’s greatest mystery writers and a pioneer during the ‘Golden Age’ of detective fiction.

Christie’s childhood home of Torquay will introduce us to Ashfield, her birthplace; the Town Hall, where she gained knowledge of poisons for The Mysterious Affair at Styles; and Princess

This tour will be led by Caroline HopkinsonWoolley, BA, who has published fiction, won awards (including Country Life’s 2013 short story competition) and contributes to the Times Literary Supplement , Spectator, Literary Review and Country Life.

the Middle East. Mirroring Poirot’s own approach in Dead Man’s Folly, we will journey by boat to the iconic boathouse; while Murder on the Orient Express will come to mind as we travel on the Dartmouth Steam Railway to reach this capticating estate.

Kents Cavern will connect us with Christie’s interest in archaeology: known for yielding the UK’s oldest human fossil, the site has a rich collection of over 80,000 artefacts and was the inspiration for Hampsley Cavern in The Man in the Brown Suit

To broaden our understanding of the literary landscape that inspired much of the writer’s work, we will dedicate a day to the desolate beauty of Dartmoor, considering the influence of Arthur Conan Doyle’s enigmatic Sherlock Holmes, whose escapades delighted Christie.

We will stay at the four-star Imperial, Torquay. Retaining much of its original charm and character, today the hotel is one of the eleven locations along the ‘Agatha Christie Mile’.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES

While this tour will not be overly strenuous, participants should be comfortable walking over uneven, muddy terrain and standing at sites. On Day 5, care must be taken when embarking and disembarking the boat and the steam train. We may also be required to take a water taxi if the tide is high on Burgh Island. For more details, please consult our minimum fitness requirements as detailed in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be adjusted nearer the time.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Dr John Curran is a world expert on Agatha Christie and her work. For many years he edited the official Agatha Christie Newsletter and acted as a consultant to the National Trust during the restoration of Greenway House, Christie’s Devonshire home.

Sophie Hannah is a No 1 bestselling crime writer whose books are published in 51 countries and have sold millions of copies worldwide. She is the author of the new series of Hercule Poirot continuation novels, commissioned by Agatha Christie’s family.

“She was a lucky woman who had established a happy knack of writing what quite a lot of people wanted to read”

– Agatha Christie, Elephants Can Remember

D ay 1 – Check in at The Imperial, Torquay for six nights. Tour assembles 1800 for welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 – Walking tour of Christie’s Torquay: Blue Plaque at Ashfield (location of childhood home now turned apartment block), Town Hall (temporary Red Cross Hospital and dispensary where Christie gained her knowledge of poisons), All Saint’s Church, Torre (baptism location) and Torre Abbey (abbey and gardens containing a selection of poisonous plants). Afternoon: Burgh Island for a walking tour and visit to Burgh Island Hotel (Art Deco architecture – And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun). Free evening.

D ay 3 – Continue for visits along Christie’s Mile including The Grand Hotel (honeymoon location), Torquay Pavilion (exterior – Grade II Art Nouveau theatre), Princess Gardens (featured in The ABC Murders), Princess Pier, Royal Torbay Yacht Club and Beacon Cove (And The There Were None). Evening talk with literary scholar Dr John Curran.

D ay 4 – Whole day exploration of Dartmoor and the mystery genre in connection with Arthur Conan Doyle: Holy Trinity Church and cemetery,

Buckfastleigh, Princetown, Hound Tor and Haytor (Arthur Conan Doyle The Hound of the Baskervilles), followed by Moorland Hotel ( The Mysterious Affair at Styles). Included dinner and murder mystery evening at The Grand (subject to confirmation).

D ay 5 – Depart on the Dartmouth Steam Railway for Paighton (Murder on the Orient Express and views of the landscape that inspired Christie) followed by a visit to Greenway via the Greenway ferry (Grade II* listed property owned by Christie and the inspiration for many novels). Free evening.

D ay 6 – Morning: Anstey’s Cove (favoured spot for smugglers and a frequent haunt of Christie) followed by Kents Cavern (excavations including those by Frederick Miller, which inspired Christie’s love for archaeology and The Man in the Brown Suit). Afternoon: Torquay Museum (gallery dedicated to the life and work of Christie) and Meadfoot beach. Evening talk with bestselling author Sophie Hannah.

D ay 7 – Tour disperses after breakfast at the hotel.

BOOKING AND PRICES

Cost of £2295 includes: accommodation based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, two lunches (one light), one murder mystery dinner, three dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £325. TOUR CODE: AGAC26

Tours by Subject

ARCHAEOLOGY

Pompeii with Herculaneum 12–13

Ancient Treasures of Naples: Competition, Leisure & Vice 25

Archaeology & Legend in St Patrick’s Country 28–29

Hadrian’s Wall: Emperors, People & Gods 34–35

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Great Art Collections of New York: 250 Years of Independence 10–11

Art Treasures of the Côte d’Azur 14–15

Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design 19

Serbian Monasteries 20–21

Constable & Gainsborough in Suffolk: 250th Anniversary Tour

Art & Piety in Medieval North Yorkshire 39

& GARDENS

of the Cotswolds

MUSIC

Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Berlin: 150th Anniversary Tour 16–17

Festival in Leipzig

NATURE

The Coto Doñana & Seville: Landscape & Culture 24 Walking Norfolk’s Coastal Path

& Ancient Anglesey

REGIONAL CULTURE

Uzbekistan & Tajikistan: Traversing the Silk Road 6–7

Kazakhstan: From The Silk Road to Sir Norman Foster 8–9

Luxembourg: The Crossroads of Europe 22–23

THEATRE & LITERATURE

Summer at the Royal Shakespeare Company 26–27

Crucible of Crime: Agatha Christie at 50 42–43

2026 Schedule

We are delighted to share an overview of our planned 2026 departures. More information, including Tour Directors and prices, can be found on our website or will be made available later in the year. For tours not yet on sale we invite you to register your interest by completing the form on our website; this will ensure you receive the full tour details by email as soon as they become available.

To register your interest in a tour, please complete the form on our website or contact the ACE office by calling 01223 841055 or emailing sales@aceculturaltours.co.uk

Please note that some tours may be subject to change or confirmation, and we cannot guarantee that all the tours listed below will go ahead.

January

17–23 Music, History & Art of Malta

26–1/2 Pompeii with Herculaneum (First Departure)

27–2/2 Mozart Festival in Salzburg: 270th Anniversary Tour

28–2/2 La Folle Journée de Nantes: Rivers of Music

February

5–9 Ancient Treasures of Luxor

11–14 Wild & Ancient Somerset: Winter Tour

17–23 Venice: The Triumph of Light & Colour

19–22 Solomon’s Knot & the Sixteen at Bath Bachfest

23–28 Art Treasures of Madrid & Malaga

24–1/3 Imperial Rome: The Might of the Emperors

March

2–6 Cardiff: A Cultural Capital

2–6 Roman & Byzantine Ravenna (First Departure)

2–9 Art Treasures of the Côte d’Azur (First Departure)

9–14 Aquileia: City of Antiquity (First Departure)

9–16 Wagner’s Ring Cycle at La Scala: 150th Anniversary Tour

9–23 South Korea: Pagodas, Palaces & Temples

18–25 Wildlife & Walking in Extremadura

19–23 Fenland Abbeys

23–2/4 Byzantine & Ottoman Türkiye

24–5/4 Algeria: Encounters between Rome & North Africa

26–30 Opera in Berlin: Rossini, Strauss & Verdi

27–2/4 Music & Art in Provence

April

7–14 Wild & Ancient Sardinia

8–12 Art Treasures of Berlin

10–17 Art Treasures of Tuscany & Umbria: Masterpieces of the Renaissance

13–16 Art Treasures of Liverpool

13–18 Cornwall Calling: The Artists of Newlyn and St Ives

14–24 Towns & Palaces of Poland

15–29 Bolivian Baroque: Music from the Missions

17–3/5 Uzbekistan & Tajikistan: Traversing the Silk Road (First Departure)

20–24 Churches of Herefordshire & Shropshire

20–26 Pompeii with Herculaneum (Second Departure)

21–26 Art Treasures of Belgium: The Flemish Masters

24–30 Wild & Ancient Cornwall

27–1/5 Country Houses of Derbyshire

May

5–9 Great Bardfield & Beyond: MidCentury Art & Design in East Anglia

7–12 Art Nouveau in Belgium

8–15 Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge

10–14 Walking the Thames Path: William Morris & the Arts & Crafts Movement

11–15 Romney Marsh Churches

12–19 Wildlife & Walking on the Isles of Scilly

12–22 Ancient Sicily (First Departure)

18–25 Art Treasures of the Côte d’Azur (Second Departure)

19–22 Summer at the Royal Shakespeare Company

21–28 Ancient Macedonia: The Empire of Philip II and Alexander the Great

25–1/6 Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Berlin: 150th Anniversary Tour

26–2/6 Wildlife & Walking in Romania

27–6/6 Albania and North Macedonia: A Legacy of Empires

31–6/6 Artists and Artisans of Umbria

June

5–19 Kazakhstan: From The Silk Road to Sir Norman Foster

6–13 Wild & Ancient Outer Hebrides

8–14 In the Footsteps of Le Corbusier: His Life & Legacy

12–18 Bach Festival in Leipzig

16–21 Art Treasures of Vienna

18–22 Stour Music Festival

19–26 Rhône River Cruise: Ancient Treasures & Musical Legacies

22–26 Children’s Literary Classics: Winnie the Pooh at 100

22–29 The Shetland Islands

24–30 Archaeology & Legend in St Patrick’s Country

29–3/7 Walking Norfolk’s Coastal Path

30–4/7 Gardens of the Cotswolds

30–6/7 East Neuk Festival

TBC Aldeburgh Festival

SCHEDULE

Wildlife & Walking in Austria

July

2–9 Medieval Burgundy

6–12 Hadrian’s Wall: Emperors, People & Gods

7–14 Wild & Ancient Orkney

11–15 Longborough Opera Festival

13–16 Constable & Gainsborough in Suffolk: 250th Anniversary Tour (First Departure)

15–22 Wildlife & Walking in Austria

20–23 Constable & Gainsborough in Suffolk: 250th Anniversary Tour (Second Departure)

20–24 Country Houses of Herefordshire & the Welsh Borders

20–25 Buxton Opera Festival

20–26 Princely Courts of Central Germany

27–31 Art & Piety in Medieval North Yorkshire

28–2/8 Gloucester Three Choirs Festival: A Choral Celebration

August

3–7 Art & Ceramics of the Industrial Revolution

4–7 Churches of Norfolk: An Appointment with Angels

5–8 Sussex Modernism: Artists & Writers on the Downs

6–10 International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

10–14 Country Houses of Yorkshire

15–18 Bayreuth Festival

19–23 Roman Sussex

20–27 Schubert in Schwarzenberg

24–28 Northumbria in the First Millennium

25–30 Sibelius Festival in Finland

29–4/9 Lucerne Summer Festival

TBC Rossini in Pesaro

September

1–7 Mackintosh’s Glasgow

5–12 Lycian Cruise

7–12 Aquileia: City of Antiquity (Second Departure)

7–12 Art Treasures of Scotland: Art & Craft in Edinburgh & Dundee

7–12 Isle of Wight

9–15 Al-Andalus: Córdoba and Granada

11–27 Uzbekistan & Tajikistan: Traversing the Silk Road (Second Departure)

SCHEDULE

14–19 Wild & Ancient Anglesey

14–25 Serbian Monasteries

15–20 Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design – 100 years in Dessau

19–26 Wildlife & Walking in Corsica

21–25 Roman & Byzantine Ravenna (Second Departure)

21–26 Country Houses of North Norfolk

27–3/10 Crucible of Crime: Agatha Christie at 50

28–2/10 Country Houses of the North and South Downs

28–3/10 Art Treasures of Siena and San Gimignano

28–5/10 Art Treasures of Moravia

TBC Autumn at the Royal Shakespeare Company

TBC Art Treasures of Puglia

October

5–10 Pre-conquest York: Creating England’s Second City

6–11 Luxembourg: The Crossroads of Europe

6–16 Ancient Sicily (Second Departure)

12–18 Great Art Collections of New York: 250 Years of Independence

12–19 Art Treasures of Valencia

14–24 Western Greece: Oracles & Empires

21–26 Wexford Opera Festival

22–26 Verdi Festival in Parma

26–2/11 Art Treasures of the Côte d’Azur (Third Departure)

26–30 Stained Glass in England: Style, Technique & Colour

27–31 Venice Biennale

31–7/11 Pompeii with Herculaneum (Third Departure)

TBC Hidden London: Exploring London’s Roman Past

TBC Janáček Festival in Brno

TBC Palladio’s Villas in the Veneto

TBC (Palladio in Venice extension)

November

1–10 Tunisia

2–6 Art Treasures of Bruges

3–10 The Coto Doñana & Seville

3–18 The Story of the Raj: From Calcutta to Delhi

4–9 Everyday Life in Ancient Rome

9–15 Art Treasures of Bologna & Parma: A Feast for the Soul & Senses

17–20 Winter at the National Welsh Theatre

17–22 Vienna 1900

17–23 Caravaggio in Italy

18–26 The Peloponnese: Land of Legends

20–3/12 From Spain to Morocco: Roman Hispania and Mauretania

23–26 Art & Craft in Cambridge

23–7/12 Ethiopia

26–1/12 Ancient Treasures of Cairo

28–4/12 Athens: The Cradle of Civilisation

30–8/12 Frida, Diego & Modernism in Mexico City

TBC Oxford College Chapels & Organs

TBC Glyndebourne Autumn Tour

TBC Music & Opera in Vienna

TBC Wild Canaries

TBC Bath Mozartfest

TBC Country House Music Festival

December

4–9 Advent Cruise on the Rhine: Between Darkness & Light

14–21 Ancient Treasures of Naples: Competition, Leisure & Vice

Chris Aslan

Chris was born in Turkey and spent his childhood there and in Beirut before studying Media and Journalism at Leicester University. He then moved to Khiva, a desert oasis in Uzbekistan, to establish a UNESCO workshop reviving 15th century carpet designs and embroideries and became the largest non-government employer in town. Chris is now based in Cambridge, where he focuses on his writing, with fiction works, including Alabaster, Manacle, Mosaic , and his latest non-fiction book, Unravelling the Silk Road. He also lectures for the Arts Society and leads tours to Central Asia whenever he can.

Meg Bernstein

Meg Bernstein, PhD, is an art historian specialising in medieval European art and architecture. She earned her PhD in Art History from UCLA in 2019, following earlier degrees from Smith College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Yale University. A lecturer in medieval art, Meg has taught courses on medieval visual culture, materiality and architecture at a variety of institutions across the US and UK.

Sarah Burles

Sarah Burles, MA, studied History of Art at Cambridge and gained a Masters at University College London before going on to a career in museum and gallery education. This included 12 years at the Fitzwilliam Museum as well as work in other Cambridge museums. An accredited Arts Society lecturer, Sarah has a passion for making museums and their collections accessible.

Sandy Burnett

Sandy Burnett, MA, is one of the UK’s most versatile musicians and music commentators, enjoying a career that combines broadcasting, performing and lecturing. After studying at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and working as a leading theatre music director, Sandy spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on the UK’s classical music station BBC Radio 3. Since 2013 he has devised and led cultural holidays all over the world; he is an accredited Arts Society lecturer, runs an online classical music appreciation Listening Club and is the author of The Idler Guide to Classical Music

Jessica Chiba

Jessica Chiba, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on the intersection between Shakespeare and philosophy, especially where questions about language overlap with issues surrounding knowledge and existence. She is currently working on a project entitled Shakespeare’s Untranslatability. Jessica gained her BA, MA and PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London, and taught at Royal Holloway and the University of Surrey before taking up a Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellowship at the Shakespeare Institute.

Suzanne Fagence Cooper

Suzanne Fagence Cooper, MA, PhD, is a curator and historian whose specialisms include 19th and 20th century British and French art. An Arts Society accredited lecturer, she was a curator and Research Fellow at the V&A Museum for 12 years and has collaborated with many of Britain’s regional museum collections. She is the author of To See Clearly: Why Ruskin Matters (2019) and How We Might Live: At Home with Jane and William Morris (2022), and curated the 2019 exhibition ‘Turner, Ruskin & the Storm Cloud’ at York Art Gallery.

Kevin Hand

Kevin Hand, MSc, MCIEEM, is a long-standing ACE Tour Director with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. He has been President and Vice President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and continues to act as a Trustee. He currently also chairs the Newmarket Chalk Streams Trust, has been a Trustee of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, as well as a reserve warden, and is now a Biodiversity Surveyor for the RSPB.

Caroline Hopkinson-Woolley

Caroline Hopkinson-Woolley, BA, gained her degree in English Language & Literature from Merton College, Oxford, before training as a lawyer. She is also a freelance writer who has published her fiction in anthologies and won several awards, including Country Life’s short story competition, judged by Alexander McCall Smith, in 2013, as well as contributing to the Times Literary Supplement , Spectator, Literary Review, The Oldie, Slightly Foxed, Oxford Today, The Lady, The Tablet and, most regularly, Country Life

Kristine Horner

Kristine Horner, PhD, is a sociolinguist and linguistic anthropologist. A professor at the University of Sheffield, where she is also Director of the Centre for Luxembourg Studies, she also engages in collaborative work with the University of Luxembourg. Kristine has published widely on linguistic and cultural diversity in Luxembourg from a contemporary and historical perspective, in addition to authoring the books Multilingualism, (Im)mobilities and Spaces of Belonging (Multilingual Matters) and Introducing Multilingualism: A Social Approach (Routledge).

David Hurrion

David Hurrion has over four decades of gardening knowledge, practical experience and botanical and scientific training. He has worked in gardens and nurseries around the UK and has travelled extensively abroad discovering plants and gardens, both independently and while accompanying groups. David has also published for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine , has appeared on TV and radio and has designed, built and planted show gardens and display stands at many major garden shows, including the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.

Russell Keable

Russell Keable, BA, MMus, trained at the universities of Nottingham and London and studied conducting with George Hurst and Norman Del Mar at London’s Royal College of Music. He currently teaches at the University of Surrey and is active as a composer, arranger, lecturer, broadcaster and performer.

Mike King

Mike King, BA, MA, is a museum professional with over 30 years’ experience who has worked in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Currently Heritage Manager for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Mike lectures, guides and publishes widely and is particularly interested in engaging travellers in Irish archaeology, the early medieval culture of Britain and Ireland and European pilgrimage.

Alex Koller

Alex Koller, PhD, is an expert in art history and architecture. Born in Vienna, Alex has lived and studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge, gaining his PhD in the history of art from Magdalene College, Cambridge. Alex is an accomplished linguist and has travelled extensively throughout Europe and the Far East. Alex has worked with ACE for many years and has led tours all over the world, from Hungary and Austria to Bulgaria, Serbia, Vietnam, Korea and Japan.

Marie-Anne Mancio

Marie-Anne Mancio, MPhil, DPhil, is an art historian, writer, experienced tour leader and Arts Society accredited lecturer. Marie-Anne originally trained as an artist before gaining a DPhil at the University of Sussex in art and critical theory. She has written and presented courses for Tate and Dulwich Picture Gallery; writes reviews, catalogue essays and historical fiction, and is a frequent visitor to Italy. She is currently writing a book about Caravaggio.

Eireann Marshall

Eireann Marshall, PhD, is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University. She has published a number of articles on ancient North Africa and co-edited volumes on Death and Disease in the Ancient City, as well as Women’s Influence on Classical Civilisation. Bilingual in Italian, she has led many tours throughout Europe and North Africa over a prolonged period of time. In 2019, Eireann Marshall was chosen as the Top History & Culture Guide for Wanderlust magazine’s World Guide Awards.

Steve Mastin

Steve Mastin, MA, PGCE, FHA, studied history and classics before working as a school teacher for 17 years. During this time he organised and led many trips abroad, and has also worked overseas training history teachers in Singapore, Australia and Kazakhstan. Steve is a regular speaker at history conferences.

Alan Powers

Alan Powers, PhD, is one of the UK’s leading architectural historians and has published widely on all aspects of 20th century architecture and design. Alan was Professor at the University of Greenwich School and currently lectures at New York University in London. His books include Bauhaus Goes West: Modern Art & Design in Britain & America.

Andrew Spira

Andrew Spira, MA, was a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, London, for several years before working as a curator at the V&A Museum. He was subsequently Programme Director at Christie’s Education and has been leading tours to cultural sites in Russia, Armenia, Georgia and all across Europe for over 20 years. His recent publications include The Invention of the Self: Personal Identity in the Age of Art (Bloomsbury Academic, 2020), Simulated Selves: The Undoing of Personal Identity in the Modern World (Bloomsbury Academic, 2020) and Foreshadowed: Malevich’s Black Square and Its Precursors (Reaktion Books, 2022).

Richard Wigmore

Richard Wigmore, MA, AGSM, is a writer, broadcaster, lecturer and former professional singer. Richard specialises in Viennese Classics, Lieder and Opera and writes for Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and other journals. He has lectured at Birkbeck College, the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music, and his publications include Schubert: The Complete Song Texts and The Faber Pocket Guide to Haydn

Booking Conditions

INTRODUCTION

Booking conditions are accurate at the time of printing. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.

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.

PAYMENT

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.

NO SURCHARGES

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 before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us 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

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

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.

FLIGHTS & TICKETS

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/eu-airsafety-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

Due to the nature and terrain on our tours, we are unable to accept Rollators/Strollers being used. 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

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS IN ADVANCE

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.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS, OR REDUCED MOBILITY, OR DISABILITY

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.

DIETARY AND SPECIAL REQUESTS

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.

INSURANCE

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.

CONSIDERATION FOR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

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.

PASSPORTS & 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.

Quality Charter

AIR TRAVEL ORGANISER’S LICENSE

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate.

ABTOT

ASSOCIATION OF BONDED TRAVEL ORGANISERS TRUST LIMITED

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under ABTOT Combined and The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for ACE Cultural Tours, ATOL number 10204, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following:

• non-flight packages;

• flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the EU, which are sold to customers outside of the EU;

• flight inclusive packages, flight only and linked travel arrangements (LTAs) sold as a principal under ABTOT Combined.

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are abroad. Please note that bookings made by customers outside the EEA are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with ACE Cultural Tours.

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call ABTOT’s 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/ contents/made

All the flights and flight inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected either by ABTOT or the ATOL scheme. When you pay for something protected by the ATOL scheme you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to:

www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

AITO

ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT TOUR OPERATORS

ACE Cultural Tours is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. To contact the Association, visit www.aito.co.uk or call 020 8744 9280

AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner- managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP

AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.

FINANCIAL SECURITY

An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all holidays and other arrangements (including accommodation only) booked by customers with the member under the AITO logo. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. In doing so, the member must comply with UK Government regulations. Members are required to submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO on a regular basis.

ACCURATE HOLIDAY DESCRIPTIONS

All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS

All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.

MONITORING STANDARDS

AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a postholiday questionnaire from their tour operator, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association. In addition, customers can leave detailed feedback, accessible from the homepage of this website, or via a direct link supplied by their AITO tour operator, about their holiday.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Our members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Sustainable Tourism ethos, which recognises the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, either party can call on an arbitration service to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.