Spring & Early Summer 2022 | June 2021

SPRING & EARLY SUMMER JANUARY – JUNE 2022

ACE CULTURAL TOURS

Cover photograph by canmandawe/Unsplash

Contents

18 Welcome Welcome to ACE’s new publication, containing details of tours taking place in the first half of 2022. We look forward to returning to favourite cultural destinations across the globe, including the French Côte d’Azur, the Lycian coast and the archaeological sites of Algeria, and are also delighted to present a preview of some brand new tours on pages 2 to 5. These include an exploration of the fine art collections of Switzerland, a tour of Romney Marsh Churches, and fascinating new itineraries taking in the cultural heritage of Japan and Southern India respectively. As always, our tours will be led by expert Tour Directors, each a specialist in their field, and aim to offer a variety of enlightening visits and experiences to feed your cultural curiosity.

Japan in Autumn: History, Art & Landscape

2

Mid-Century Modern in the Heart of England

3

Romney Marsh Churches

3

Wonders of South India

4

Danube River Cruise

5

Art & Landscape in Switzerland

5

Wildlife of Suffolk

6

Somerset Levels in Winter

7

Early Christian & Medieval Rome

8

Aquileia: City of Antiquity

9

Roman & Byzantine Ravenna

10

Art on the Côte d’Azur

12

Algeria: Rome Meets the Sahara

13

Art Collections of Liverpool

14

Jordan: Kingdoms of the Desert

15

Art Treasures of St Petersburg

16

Jazz: From New Orleans to Memphis

18

Flemish Painting: From van Eyck to Rubens

19

Crete: Birds, Flowers & Minoans

20

Lycian Cruise

22

Pompeii with Herculaneum

24

The Vienna Secession

26

Gardens of the Republic of Ireland

28

Cyclades: Ancient Islands of the Aegean

30

Northamptonshire Country Houses

31

Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge

32

Irish Houses, Castles & Gardens

34

Southern Russia: Kossacks, Kalmyks & the Caucasus

36

Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design

38

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NEW 2022 TOURS This tour will be led by art historian Alex Koller, PhD. Alex studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge and is an accomplished linguist. He has been leading tours since 1998, and his experience ranges from Japan and Southeast Asia to Russia and Eastern Europe. As a result of his travels to the Far East, Alex has developed a keen interest in Buddhist art and architecture. He looks forward to delving into Japan’s history, art and landscape with another ACE group on this special new tour in 2022.

Japan in Autumn: History, Art & Landscape

• Gain a comprehensive and wellrounded understanding of historical and contemporary Japanese art and October 18brand – November 3, 2022 culture on this new tour • Register Visit fascinating temples, including Interest | with Alex Koller Yashima-ji and Zentsu-ji, both on the 88-temple Shikoku pilgrimage • Discover beautiful Japanese garden design, with visits to an array of sites including Okayama’s Koraku-en Garden

Nikko, where the Tosho-gu Grand Shrine offers a contrast of deep forests and sophisticated architecture, to the Chuzeniji Lake and Kegon waterfalls, and the coastline on the Pacific Ocean, the Japan Sea and the Seto Inland Sea.

Nara

Japan is a country of cultural riches and varied landscapes. For centuries, the arts of Japan were synonymous with Buddhist culture, and these will be a focus of our tour, with visits to the art collections of Tokyo and Nara, and the temples of Kyoto and its environs.

castle sites but especially at the largescale strolling gardens of the Edo period.

Koraku-en is regarded as one of Japan’s three best landscape gardens, with its winding paths, ponds and views of the reconstructed Okayama Castle serving as ‘borrowed scenery’.

Japan’s history is palpably experienced at castle sites such as Inuyama, Himeji and Edo – now the Imperial Palace – at the very centre of Tokyo. We will also encounter historical vernacular architecture at open-air museums, and in surviving historical districts in Kanazawa and Kurashiki.

As well as art, architecture and garden design, this tour will delve into the rich heritage of Japanese applied arts, with visits to a Kutani kiln and a gold leaf workshop in Kanazawa.

The richness of Japanese garden design is evident at a number of temple and 2

Japan is notable for its highly varied countryside, and we will experience a selection of beautiful scenery during our journeys and excursions – from the cedar forests of Northern Honshu around

RAMAKRISHNAN NATARAJ/UNSPLASH

In addition to exploring traditional culture, this tour offers an opportunity to gain an understanding of the transformation of old Edo into modern Tokyo, and to get a feel for life in contemporary Japan.

We hope to include a special opportunity on this tour to stay overnight at a UNESCO-listed traditional house in the mountain village of Shirakawa-go, subject to confirmation nearer the time.

For further details, please see the ACE website. We will stay at hotels of three and four-star standard during the rest of the tour.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This is a comprehensive tour and will require a good level of fitness. Participants should be prepared for a moderate amount of walking and standing. Many of the visits, including most of the gardens, are easy to navigate, although some sites require walking uphill and up narrow steps (including at Tosho-gu Shrine).

The tour features several hotel changes and some long coach journeys of up to 3 hours in duration, so a good level of stamina is required.

Please note that we will make use of local trains and the Shinkansen (bullet train) high-speed rail network. Our visits in Kanazawa will also be made using public transport (buses), an efficient way to travel around the city.

Full details, including the tour cost and itinerary, will be released on the ACE website later in 2021. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest.

TOUR CODE: JAAU22

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NEW 2022 TOURS

Mid-Century Modern in the Heart of England April 19–23, 2022 | from £1265 per person | with Alan Powers Across the East Midlands, many towns and cities developed distinctive manufacturing specialisms during the Industrial Revolution, and the region is home to a rewarding and varied array of Modernist buildings and art collections.

From a base in Leicester, we will span out across the region. Our tour will focus particularly on the middle of the 20th century, while encompassing buildings from across the era, beginning with the Arts & Crafts and Expressionist collections at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester.

The University of Leicester is home to one of the most globally celebrated British buildings of the early 1960s: the Engineering Building, considered one of the first postmodern buildings in Britain.

Later design is represented by Leicester’s Curve Theatre, built in 2008 as part of the city’s new ‘Cultural Quarter’, and Foreign Office Architects’ John Lewis & Partners, where the monumental glazed exterior nods to Leicester’s historical hosiery industry.

Northampton offers a fascinating diversity of architecture – from the National Lift Tower, dominating the city’s skyline, to 78 Derngate, the only house in England designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

We will stay throughout at the College Court Conference Centre & Hotel, a Grade II listed former Hall of Residence built in the 1960s for the University of Leicester, and now transformed into a modern and comfortable centre for hospitality.

This tour will be led by Alan Powers, PhD, one of the UK’s leading architectural historians, who has published widely on all aspects of 20th century architecture and design.

For further details, including the tour itinerary and fitness requirements, please see the ACE website.

Cost of £1265 includes: accommodation based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £160.

TOUR CODE: MCMH22

Romney Marsh Churches August 8–12, 2022 | Register Interest | with Imogen Corrigan “The world, according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America and the Romney Marsh” – so claimed Richard Harris Barham’s alter ego Thomas Ingoldsby in his 1837 Legends.

Yet much of this tranquil land, positioned between low-lying hills and the English Channel, may not have existed had the Romans and later settlers not reclaimed it from the sea. We are fortunate that they did, because today the landscape is full of natural charm and echoes of the past – not least the famous Romney sheep, who have grazed the marshes for centuries, and the smugglers who once considered it a haven for their illicit trades. Yet there could be no better way to delve into the history of the Marsh than through its churches, which offer beguiling glimpses into the lives of the communities who lived here hundreds of years ago.

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A clergyman himself, Barham must have been only too familiar with the Marsh’s famous churches. Renowned today for their variety, they boast long and fascinating histories, some dating back to the early medieval period. Most were built with their medieval communities in mind and reflect their characters: isolated and weather-beaten but with unexpected treasures. Indeed, their scale was often a reflection of the importance of their parish or stature of their patron.

On this five-day tour, we will investigate both famous and less well-known examples, seeking to understand the overarching history of the Marsh while exploring the details that are all too easy to miss.

This tour will be led by medieval historian Imogen Corrigan, BA, MPhil. Following almost 20 years in the army, from which she retired in the rank of Major, Imogen obtained a first-class degree in Anglo-Saxon and Medieval History from the University of Kent and subsequently an MPhil from the University of Birmingham.

Her book Stone on Stone: The Men who Built the Cathedrals was published in 2019. She is also an accredited Arts Society lecturer and a Freeman of the Company of Communicators.

Full details, including the tour cost, itinerary and fitness requirements, will be released on the ACE website in autumn 2021. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest.

TOUR CODE: RMMC22

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NEW 2022 TOURS

Wonders of South India

SVETLANA GUMEROVA/UNSPLASH

November 12–28, 2022 Register Interest | with Cosmo Samuel Brockway

Thanjavur

• Visit the UNESCO monuments of Mahabalipuram, including Rivage Temple resplendent with thousands of sculptures dedicated to Shiva • Explore the stunning monuments of Thanjavur, from the 11th century Brihadeshwara Temple to the Saraswati Mahal Library • Stay in some of South India’s heritage properties, offering beautiful architecture and fascinating glimpses into the past This 17-day tour of Southern India offers a visual and sensory feast for all tastes.

Spanning the width of the southern half of the subcontinent, our journey will take in some of India’s great architectural, religious and cultural highlights.

We will explore the treasures of this varied and beguiling region, from the historical monuments of Chennai to the atmospheric colonial settlements of Pondicherry and Tharangambadi.

Remnants of some of India’s greatest empires will be seen in Thanjavur, once the capital of the Chola dynasty, and the seafront Pallava Kingdom temple complex of Mahabalipuram.

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Tour Director Cosmo Samuel Brockway has been travelling across India for the last 16 years as a travel journalist, tour leader and, most recently, author of the award-winning book Glorious Hotels of India (2019). He is a South Asia specialist and editor for Ampersand Travel, and writes for leading publications on Indian culture and design.

The elaborately designed temples of Madurai and Kanchipuram will provide glimpses into the story of Hinduism both past and present, while the churches of Chennai and Fort Kochi will bring to life the journey of Christianity across the subcontinent.

We will enjoy the astonishing scenery and serenity of Kerala’s Malabar Coast, elephant spotting from the lake at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and cruising its famous backwaters on a traditional houseboat.

The energetic city of Mumbai will reveal its many treasures, including the famed UNESCO World Heritage site of Elephanta Island with its 5th century cave carvings.

Interactions with local figures will give the tour a personal flavour as we hear stories from lives led across South India, and learn about some of the most ancient and colourful communities in the world.

Opportunities will also be taken to sample South India’s appetising cuisine.

The majority of hotels are of a four or five-star standard.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness requirements.

Some visits will involve walking across uneven or rugged ground, as well as the occasional incline.

The visit to Tiruchirappalli will involve a climb up to a rock temple. The visit to Elephanta Island in Mumbai will include a boat trip. There is also a 120-step ascent to the site entrance, however there is an option to be carried by chair for those who wish. The tour involves several walking tours and participants must be comfortable spending up to two and a half hours on their feet. We will undertake a number of long coach journeys (with stops) and hotel changes, and some environments (such as the Sassoon Docks and Flower Market) may also be crowded.

Full details, including the tour cost and itinerary, will be released on the ACE website later in 2021. Please contact the ACE office now to register your interest.

TOUR CODE: WSIN22

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NEW 2022 TOURS

Danube River Cruise August 29 – September 7, 2022 | from £3395 per person Following ACE’s voyages along the Seine and Rhône, we are delighted to partner with luxury cruise company CroisiEurope for a new cultural adventure.

Bubbling up in the Black Forest town of Donaueschingen where the Brigach meets the Breg, the mighty River Danube strides across a vast stretch of Europe.

For centuries it has formed the borders of nations and empires, turning the tide of history and inspiring a myriad of writers, artists and musicians.

We will journey from the breathtaking abbey at Melk to the magnificence of Budapest’s Castle District, stopping at Vienna, Esztergom and Bratislava. Visits to some of the river’s most beautiful and important sites – from Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum to the soaring interiors of Budapest’s Great Synagogue

– will combine to shed light on the Danube’s story.

To mirror this variety, several ACE Tour Directors will join us at different stages of our journey, supported by a variety of excellent local guides. Musicians including John Bryden, Emilie Capulet, Ashley Solomon, Judy Brown and Nicholas Wearne will perform on board our chartered vessel, the aptly named MS Symphonie, giving life to the celebrated opus of works inspired by the river.

Meanwhile art historians Lars Tharp, Andrew Spira, Sarah Burles and Tom Abbott will prepare us for our daytime visits with a series of on-board lectures, while also guiding at several sites. We For further details, including the tour itinerary and fitness requirements, please see the ACE website.

also hope to take in a performance on one of Vienna’s famous stages, subject to forthcoming programme announcements.

Visits will be taken at a leisurely pace, with several opportunities to explore locations independently, and to appreciate the river’s magical surroundings during relaxed stretches of cruising.

Cost of £3395 includes: return travel, accommodation based on sharing a twin cabin (main deck), breakfast, seven lunches, nine dinners with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, shore excursions & admissions, musical performance in Vienna (subject to confirmation), gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, upper deck twin cabin supplement of £250 per person, twin cabin for single use supplement of £600 for a main deck cabin or £1000 for an upper deck cabin. Further supplements available on request.

TOUR CODE: DANC22

Art & Landscape in Switzerland June 20–25, 2022 | from £2345 per person | with Suzanne Fagence Cooper The landscapes of Switzerland – its lakes, Alpine peaks and elegant cityscapes – have long captured the imaginations of travellers and artists, and today, the country is home to some of the world’s finest collections of art. This tour will focus particularly on art of the 19th and 20th centuries – including works by Picasso, Bonnard, Braque and Kandinsky – from a base in the Swiss capital, Bern.

The city’s Kunstmuseum is the repository for works of art by Monet, Picasso and Klee, as well as the famed 19th century Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler. The most important global collection of works by Klee is also to be found in Bern.

The Victorian critic, patron and artist John Ruskin observed the Alpine landscape as it changed over the course of 40 years, and his preoccupation with the poetic qualities and environmental

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importance of Switzerland’s natural landscape still resonates today. We will consider these questions as we travel by train, taking in views of mountains, vineyards and Lake Geneva, and by boat as we cruise around Lake Lucerne.

In Basel, we will visit the impressive Kunstmuseum, Switzerland’s largest public art collection. It is particularly rich in 19th and 20th century art, including pieces by the Impressionists and Expressionists.

Our tour concludes with an opportunity to become truly immersed in the Swiss landscape with an excursion by funicular up Gurten, Bern’s ‘local’ mountain.

We will stay throughout at the four-star Best Western Plus Hotel Bern, located in the centre of the old town.

This tour will be led by Suzanne Fagence Cooper, MA, PhD, an Arts Society accredited lecturer, historian and curator who specialises in 19th and 20th century art. Her recent work has focused on Ruskin’s observations of the Alps, and she curated the 2019 exhibition Turner, Ruskin & the Storm Cloud at York Art Gallery.

For further details, including the tour itinerary and fitness requirements, please see the ACE website.

Cost of £2345 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a double bedded room, breakfast, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £305.

TOUR CODE: ALSW22

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UNITED KINGDOM

Wildlife of Suffolk: Minsmere & Orford Ness January 17–21, 2022 from £1275 per person | with Kevin Hand

Common Starling

• Discover the internationally important wetland reserves of the unspoilt Suffolk coast on this winter wildlife tour • Highlights include Minsmere, one of the finest nature reserves in Europe, and the wild and remote shingle spit of Orford Ness • Though our emphasis will be on bird-watching, we shall also examine the region’s ecology, including the disappearing cliffs of the coastal village of Dunwich At Minsmere we will investigate a wide variety of habitats including reed-beds with bearded tits and marsh harriers, and scrapes designed for avocet and bittern.

As well as being one of the country’s premier bird-watching sites, the reserve is home to a huge diversity of other wildlife and, at dusk, there may even be the possibility of spotting otter and red deer.

We will enjoy a boat trip down the River Ore to Havergate Island, one of the country’s major sites for breeding and wintering avocets, and cross by ferry to Orford Ness, the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe. The Ness is also home to unique buildings associated with its former use as an Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, and we will explore these dramatic structures during a special tour.

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Our visits will conclude with a morning spent at North Warren RSPB nature reserve and the coast around Thorpeness.

A guided walk will offer the opportunity to look out for flocks of geese, including white-fronted and tundra bean geese, as well as grebes and red-throated divers offshore.

Please note that the below itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Some visits and activities are weather dependent and may be subject to adjustment nearer the time. We cannot guarantee the presence of all wildlife mentioned.

The base for our exploration of East Anglia’s bird-rich coast will be the threestar Thorpeness Hotel, set on a private country lane overlooking the lake known as Thorpeness Meare.

Day 1 Tour assembles 1600 at Ipswich Station then continues to Thorpeness for four nights at Thorpeness Hotel. Welcome and introductory talk.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note that while this tour is not expected to be particularly strenuous, participants should be comfortable walking across rugged and uneven terrain and remaining on their feet for significant periods of time. The shingle terrain at Dunwich is the most demanding, however at Orford Ness visitors progress on designated paths that are well marked and easy to traverse. Please note this tour includes two boat trips.

This tour will be led by conservationist and environmental consultant Kevin Hand, MSc, MCIEEM. Kevin has a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism, and has led many projects linking nature and communities. He was a Director of the Tree Council and ran National Tree Week in the UK for 13 years, and is currently leading a project on eagles, vultures and other wildlife in Albania. In April 2017 he was appointed President of the Cambridge Natural History Society.

Day 2 Boat trip down River Ore to Havergate Island (wintering avocets, waders, common seals, possibility of short-eared owls). Afternoon at Staverton Thicks (ancient deer park with some of the finest old trees in Suffolk). Evening talk.

Day 3 Dunwich Heath (disappearing cliffs, estuary) followed by Minsmere for shingle ridges and reed-beds (migrant waders, wintering wildfowl, bearded tits, roosting starlings). Afternoon: walk through woods, marshes and meadows (possible marsh and hen harrier, barn owl, goldeneye, Bewick’s swan), watch for red deer at dusk.

Evening talk.

Day 4 Whole day in Orford including ferry to Orford Ness (largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, tour of AWRE ‘pagodas’). Evening talk.

Day 5 Morning at North Warren Reserve (coastal waders, gulls, seabirds). Tour disperses 1300 at hotel and 1400 at Ipswich Station.

Cost of £1275 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one packed lunch, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £185.

TOUR CODE: WILS22

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UNITED KINGDOM

Somerset Levels in Winter February 9–12, 2022 from £795 per person | with Peter Exley

Somerset Levels

• Join the RSPB’s Peter Exley on this winter wildlife tour and look out for Somerset’s growing flock of cranes, recently reintroduced after a 400year absence • Visit key historical sites including Glastonbury Abbey, and keep an eye out for bitterns, barn owls and marsh harriers at one of the country’s most exciting and beautiful wildlife projects – the Avalon Marshes • Explore one of the RSPB’s oldest and largest nature reserves at West Sedgemoor, walking along an ancient drove route to view the remarkable winter wildfowl roost The Somerset Levels have had a colourful history: ‘the land of the summer people’ was once home to a Bronze Age population and it was here, in the house of a swineherd, that King Alfred is said to have sought refuge from Danish invaders.

Wildlife is now returning to England’s largest wetland in dramatic numbers – from the millions-strong murmuration of roosting starlings, to the growing flock of cranes recently reintroduced after a 400year absence. As well as observing the region’s wildlife, our tour will investigate key historical sites such as Glastonbury Abbey, England’s oldest abbey, and Glastonbury Tor, long associated with King Arthur, topped with the tower of a ruined medieval church.

The Avalon Marshes host one of the country’s most exciting wildlife projects: over 3000 hectares of wetland habitats have been created from former peat workings, giving refuge to bitterns, barn owls and marsh harriers.

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Greylake, once a series of carrot fields, has been transformed into a wetland reserve teeming with wildlife, while West Sedgemoor is home to up to 100,000 ducks and waders during the winter.

Our base will be the charming fourstar Swan Hotel, ideally located in the historical city of Wells, a short distance from its beautiful cathedral.

This tour will be led by Peter Exley, BSc, an ecologist and ornithologist who has held posts with BirdLife International and the Albatross Task Force in South Africa. Now working for the RSPB, Peter has led and managed many ACE tours in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Algarve, New England, Madeira, the Faroes and Shetland.

Peter is delighted to be returning to Somerset for this long-standing ACE tour: “The Somerset Levels are one of our greatest historic and cultural landscapes, yet largely ignored by visitors. But they are rapidly and rightly becoming known as one of our country’s best wildlife destinations.

And for me, it is the conflicted fusion of nature and people through history that makes this place truly unique and special, that draws me back again and again.”

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Walks are along mostly level tracks and paths, which can be muddy in places. These vary from half a mile to just under two miles on the final day, with some stops and occasional seats along the way. The longest single walk is around 1.5 miles, over three hours, through Shapwick Heath. While most of the tour is on flat paths, there is a short climb to reach West Sedgemoor, and the optional climb up Glastonbury Tor is around 250 feet on a narrow paved path with multiple steps. The ground can be uneven or slippery, and some hides have steep steps. Please note there is no lift at the hotel.

The below itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation.

Itinerary alterations during the tour are likely due to changeable local weather conditions, and we cannot guarantee the presence of all wildlife mentioned.

Day 1 Tour assembles 1500 at Swan Hotel, Wells, for three nights. Visit to Wells Cathedral followed by welcome and introductory talk.

Day 2 RSPB Ham Wall Nature Reserve: wetland and reed beds (bitterns, bearded tits, egrets, harriers). Afternoon: Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury Tor (optional 250-foot climb to the summit), Museum of Rural Life.

Day 3 RSPB West Sedgemoor (winter wildfowl roost, birds of prey) and look for the crane flock.

Afternoon: Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre (Somerset osier industry), Isle of Athelney (King Alfred’s hiding place), RSPB Greylake Reserve (swans, snipe, peregrines). Evening: Avalon Marshes (starling roost, birds of prey).

Day 4 Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve: pools, reed beds, wet woodlands (including site of Sweet Track Neolithic causeway) for winter wildlife (bitterns, harriers, waterfowl). Tour disperses 1230 at hotel.

Cost of £795 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £90.

TOUR CODE: SOLE22

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ITALY later commissioned Torriti to produce the Coronation of the Virgin mosaic in its apse.

Early Christian & Medieval Rome

Our investigation will also consider the development of the ‘Roman’ school, characterised by Pietro Cavallini, whose Last Judgment mural in Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is celebrated as his masterwork.

February 21–26, 2022 from £1945 per person | with Andrew Wilson

We will stay throughout at the three-star Albergo Santa Chiara, situated in the very heart of Rome, a stone’s throw from the Pantheon.

WOLFGANG MORODER/CC BY-SA 3.0

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour has a full itinerary and involves extensive walking, including over many cobbled streets, so a good level of fitness is required.

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

• Uncover the various historical layers of Rome’s churches and basilicas while exploring the development of early Christian art in Rome • Soak up the Vatican’s awe-inspiring atmosphere, visiting St Peter’s Basilica and examining the papal tombs in the underground Necropolis • Experience extraordinary frescoes in situ, including at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Trace the development of early Christian art in the unique context of Rome, where it evolved from the fugitive imagery of a persecuted cult, into the triumphant representation of imperial piety.

Highlights of our itinerary will include a visit to the excavated Necropolis under St Peter’s Basilica, with its 3rd century mosaic believed to portray Christ as the sun-god Apollo, and Santa Sabina, the oldest surviving Roman basilica in the city. Another memorable visit will be to the Scala Sancta of the Sancta Sanctorum chapel, said to be the steps taken by Jesus Christ on his way to trial by Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which were subsequently brought to Rome in the 4th century by Saint Helena.

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This tour will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, a specialist in archaeology and ancient history.

Andrew studied archaeology and theology before working overseas as an archaeologist with a particular interest in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics. He has led many tours for ACE in the GrecoRoman world, and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Classical Association of Scotland.

Andrew is also a member of the Hadrianic Society.

In the 4th century Church of Santa Costanza, originally built as a mausoleum, we will discover some of the most important early Christian art in the world. The splendid mosaics, depicting scenes of grape harvesting and details of birds and foliage, aptly illustrate Constantine’s policy of repurposing old pagan motifs for Christian imagery.

We will examine a succession of popes responsible for some of the unique images of the Virgin Mary to be found in Rome, from Sixtus III, who built the immense Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, to Nicholas IV, who centuries

Please note that the below itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer.

Sites in Rome 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.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1245, arriving Rome 1620. Transfer to Albergo Santa Chiara for five nights.

Day 2 Morning: San Crisogono (Paleochristian crypt), Santa Cecilia and the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Afternoon: Santa Sabina (fine example of an early Christian church in Rome), Santa Maria in Cosmedin and San Giorgio in Velabro. Evening talk: Early Christian Rome.

Day 3 Morning: Catacombs of Priscilla (frescoes including earliest image of Madonna and Child), Santa Costanza and Sant’Agnese. Afternoon: Santa Maria Maggiore (nave and triumphal arch mosaics), Santa Pudenziana and Santa Prassede. Evening talk: The Development of Early Christian Art. Day 4 Morning: San Clemente and Santi Cosma e Damiano, followed by some free time in the area of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Afternoon: San Giovanni in Laterano, Sancta Sanctorum cappella papale, Santi Quattro Coronati. Free evening.

Day 5 Visits in the Vatican City: St Peter’s Basilica and Necropolis. Afternoon: Castel Sant’Angelo.

Day 6 Morning walking tour: Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Santa Maria sopra Minerva and Campo de’ Fiori. Depart Rome 1430, arriving Heathrow 1620.

Cost of £1945 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, standard single room supplement £50, superior single room supplement £95.

TOUR CODE: ECME22

aceculturaltours.co.uk

ITALY These tours will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot. Andrew studied archaeology then theology before working overseas as an archaeologist, specialising in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics. He has led many tours for ACE in the Greco-Roman world, and also several in Britain, with a particular emphasis on the archaeology of his native Scotland.

Aquileia: City of Antiquity March 7–12, 2022 | September 26 – October 1, 2022 from £1695 per person | with Andrew Wilson

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is not expected to be particularly strenuous, with visits reached either by coach or a short walk from the hotel. The full day in Aquileia involves some longer walks of up to 15 minutes, and the visit to the Civic Museums of History and Art in Udine involves a steep flight of steps. Participants should fulfil our usual fitness requirements and be prepared for some uneven terrain.

SAILKO/CC BY 3.0

Day 1 Flight from London Heathrow to Venice.

Transfer to Udine in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region for five nights at the Astoria Hotel.

Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta

• Visit the city’s remarkable basilica with its sequence of 4th century mosaics • Explore the cobbled streets and courtyards of Grado, home to historical churches with 6th century mosaics • Discover the Lombard Temple and medieval Duomo in Cividale, high above the Natisone River Aquileia, once described by Emperor Justinian as “the greatest of all towns in the West”, is today a little known but important Roman city perched on the Adriatic coastline. As a hugely important strategic city in the Roman Empire during the 1st century AD, Aquileia served as a crossroads, with a wide trading network between Rome and the East.

From 182 BC, when it became a Roman colony amid the local Gallic peoples, until the arrival of Huns, Goths and Lombards in the late imperial and early medieval period, Aquileia was revered for its military and economic assets as well as its cultural and spiritual magnificence.

Our tour takes in the tranquil cypresslined forum and harbour, delights in themselves, but the city’s crowning glory is contained within its magnificent

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basilica, a remarkable sequence of 4th century mosaics that provide some of the oldest and most illustrious Paleochristian memoirs in Western Europe.

Nearby, we journey to the beautifully situated town of Grado, a maze of cobbled streets and courtyards with splendid mosaics from the 6th century located in two of its historical churches.

Cividale is located high above the Natisone River, and although little remains of this important Roman town (its original name of Forum Iulii gives the modern region of Friuli its name), we will explore the fine medieval Duomo, whose foundations date back to the 8th century, and the lovely Lombard Temple from the same period.

Our final excursion is to the enchanting seaport of Trieste. A cultural meetingpoint throughout its history, today the city is the site of interesting AustroHungarian architecture alongside superb Byzantine mosaics, a Roman theatre and the medieval Castello di San Giusto.

Both departures of the tour will be based at the Astoria Hotel in the city of Udine, where there is a superb Duomo, and two interesting art galleries, including a pictorial cycle by the Venetian artist Tiepolo.

Day 2 Morning lecture. Whole day excursion exploring the ancient city of Aquileia including the Paleochristian Museum, Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (mosaics depicting scenes of the prophet Jonah, gospels, apostles and portraits of patrons, 11th and 12th century Byzantine frescoes), Archaeological Museum and Roman forum.

Day 3 Morning in Cividale: Duomo (originally an 8th century structure, rebuilt 15th century), Christian Museum, Hypogeum, Lombard Temple (fine Byzantine frescoes and stucco decorations) and Archaeological Museum. Afternoon in Udine: Diocesan Museum (housed in the Patriarchal Palace), Duomo and Baptistery.

Day 4 Morning lecture followed by visits in Grado (Basilica of Sant’Eufemia, Santa Maria delle Grazie and old town) via Palmanova (late 16th century defences). Late afternoon visit to Piazza Libertà (15th century town hall and clock tower) and optional visit to Udine’s Civic Museums of History and Art (housed in the 16th century castle).

Day 5 Whole day excursion via Miramare (castle) to Trieste: walking tour of seafront and downtown Trieste (important Austro-Hungarian architecture, Roman theatre), St Justus Cathedral (superb Byzantine mosaics) and medieval Castello di San Giusto.

Day 6 Flight from Venice to Heathrow.

Please note that the above itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Sites in Italy can close at short notice for restoration works, and so some adjustments may be made nearer the time.

Cost of £1695 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £115, double room for single use supplement £175.

TOUR CODE: AQU122/AQU222

9

ITALY

Roman & Byzantine Ravenna March 14–18, 2022 from £1345 per person | with Andrew Wilson

San Vitale

• The ‘city of mosaics’ welcomes us for a five-day tour brimming with some of the most impressive early Christian monuments in the world • Stand opposite Ravenna’s earliest mosaics in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, including an intense portrayal of the martyrdom of St Lawrence • The ancient port of Classe, founded

by Augustus, awes us with its immense Basilica of Sant’Apollinare, shimmering with gold and turquoise Today a small, tranquil town of cobbled streets, Ravenna was once one of the Mediterranean’s most illustrious cities.

The final capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna served as the seat of Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, before the Byzantines transformed the city into one of Europe’s foremost centres of art and culture.

Ravenna’s surviving collection of early Christian monuments and mosaics is without parallel in Christendom, a beguiling blend of Greco-Roman tradition and Christian iconography.

At the heart of this opulent legacy lies the Basilica of San Vitale, begun during the Ostrogoths’ rule and finished 10

“Ungrateful Florence! Dante sleeps afar,” wrote Byron after his visit to Ravenna in 1819, having paid his respects to Dante’s tomb, as ACE groups have done for many years. Exiled here from his beloved Florence, it was in Ravenna that the poet completed his Divine Comedy, described in a recent biography by Ian Thomson as “for many, the greatest single work of Western literature”.

And it was in Ravenna that he died in 1321. On this tour, we will take the opportunity to commemorate Dante’s life and work, including a modern mosaic interpretation of the Divine Comedy.

under Justinian, where the glittering mosaic portraiture of Justinian and his wife Theodora captures the essence of Byzantium: the emperor, set against a flat, gold background, is resplendent in imperial purple, a gold paten in his outstretched hand, a halo encircling his scintillating crown.

The seemingly humble Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, erected a century before San Vitale, boasts Ravenna’s earliest

mosaics, including a vivid portrayal of the martyrdom of St Lawrence as he approaches the red-hot grid-iron.

Breathtaking, too, is the interior of the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, erected by Theodoric and later reconsecrated under Byzantine rule: the twin nave mosaics depict a sparkling ceremonial procession of martyrs and virgins, saints and angels.

Just outside the ‘city of mosaics’ we will visit the ancient port of Classe, founded by Augustus, to view the huge Basilica of Sant’Apollinare with its exceptional mosaics rich in gold and turquoise. While here, we will have an opportunity to stop at the site’s excellent new museum, which takes visitors on a journey back in time to explore the origins of Ravenna and Classe.

Accommodation is in Ravenna’s four-star Hotel Bisanzio, situated in a quiet area of the city just a few steps from San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note this tour is conducted primarily on foot from the hotel. While coffee breaks will take place at suitable intervals, the majority of visits are an hour long with few opportunities to sit down, and participants should therefore be comfortable walking and standing for a minimum of 60 minutes.

aceculturaltours.co.uk

ITALY

PETAR MILOŠEVIĆ/CC BY-SA 4.0

Port Sunlight War Memorial

Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

Tour Director Andrew Wilson writes: “Standing in the apse at San Vitale with its shimmering mosaics, there is always something more to admire, and out of so many familiar favourites, my eye is always drawn to the glorious representation of Theodora, with her sumptuous robes, Magi-decorated hem, jewelled crown and emerald, pearl and sapphire earrings. She has gazed down on us for nearly 1500 years, and the least we can do is acknowledge her majesty, power and dignity in this masterpiece of the mosaicist’s art. Come and see for yourself!”

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 0835 on British Airways, arriving Bologna 1145. Transfer to Ravenna for four nights at Hotel Bisanzio.

Welcome and evening talk: The Church Architecture of Ravenna.

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This tour will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot. Andrew studied archaeology then theology before working overseas as an archaeologist, specialising in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics.

Day 2 Morning talk: Dante in Ravenna followed by 5th century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (exceptional late antiquity mosaics), Basilica of San Vitale (famous mosaics of Justinian and Theodora), National Museum of Ravenna (archaeological objects from early Christian and Byzantine periods), cathedral, Dante Museum and tomb, Archiepiscopal Museum and Neonian Baptistery (outstanding early Christian mosaics).

Day 3 Morning talk: Church Mosaics of Ravenna followed by Arian Baptistery (built by Theodoric), Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo (splendid frieze of martyrs), 6th century Domus of the Stone Carpets (beautiful floor mosaics), return visits to Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Basilica of San Vitale.

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.

Day 4 Morning: excursion to 11th century Abbey of Pomposa (interior repainted in 14th century

by Vitale de Bologna). Afternoon: Mausoleum of Theodoric and ancient port of Classe for Basilica of Sant’Apollinare (gold and turquoise mosaics) and optional visit to the new museum.

Day 5 Depart Bologna 1245 on British Airways, arriving Heathrow 1410.

Cost of £1345 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £95, double room for single use supplement £150.

TOUR CODE: RAV122

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FRANCE This tour will be led by Sarah Burles, MA, who read History of Art at the University of Cambridge before studying for a Masters at University College London and 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.

Sarah has a passion and enthusiasm for making art accessible, engaging and enjoyable, and runs tours, courses and online lectures. She is an accredited Arts Society lecturer.

Art on the Côte d’Azur

TIIA MONTO/CC BY-SA 3.0

March 7–14, 2022 from £2365 per person | with Sarah Burles

Château Grimaldi

• Visit museums dedicated to individual artists such as Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Léger and Renoir • Find out what made these artists and others 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.

Following in Cézanne’s footsteps, Monet and Renoir both visited the south of France in the 1880s, while Signac famously sailed into St Tropez harbour in 1892 and stayed, later building a house and inviting other artists to join him.

Matisse arrived in Nice in 1917 and it was not long before his friend and rival Picasso joined him on the Côte d’Azur.

During our week in Nice and its environs we will consider what drew these and other 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 ‘Salle des Mariages’ at Menton.

A number of these artists have museums dedicated to them, amongst which are the Musée Matisse, Musée Renoir, Musée National Fernand Léger and Musée Chagall. The latter is home to the twelve 12

great paintings that make up the Biblical Message series, whilst the Musée Renoir offers an opportunity to visit the house of this great artist, where he spent the final decade of his life. It houses a number of his paintings and sculptures, and boasts beautiful views towards the sea.

The great strength of the Musée de l’Annonciade in St Tropez is the collection of works by Signac and the neo-Impressionists, Bonnard and the Nabis, and Matisse and the Fauves.

Meanwhile, above the beautiful walled village of St Paul de Vence lies the Fondation Maeght, its pine-wooded grounds adorned with works by Giacometti, Calder and Miró. The Foundation possesses one of Europe’s most important collections of 20th century painting, drawing and sculpture: Braque, Chagall, Léger and Calder are all represented.

We will stay throughout at the four-star Hotel Nice Riviera, ideally situated in the heart of Nice close to the Promenade des Anglais.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour, as some visits will be made on foot and by boat. Participants must be prepared to navigate steps and walk for up to a mile at a time, occasionally uphill and on uneven ground. To access the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nice participants are required to traverse a number of steps, as there is no ramp, and the museum does not have a lift to reach the first floor. The longest coach journey is to St Tropez, taking approximately 2 ½ hours, and we hope to return by boat (weather permitting), although this can be choppy if windy.

Please note that the below 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.

Day 1 Flight from London to Nice. Transfer to Hotel Nice Riviera for seven nights.

Day 2 Morning lecture: The French Riviera – Art, Love & Life followed by walking tour of Nice.

Afternoon: Musée des Beaux-Arts (Old Masters) and Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain.

Day 3 Morning lecture: Matisse, Chagall & the Côte d’Azur followed by visit to Musée Renoir.

Afternoon: Musée Matisse and Musée Chagall (Biblical Message). Free evening.

Day 4 Morning: Fondation Maeght (20th century art including Miró, Chagall, Matisse and Léger) and walk down the medieval Chemin Sainte-Claire to St Paul de Vence. Afternoon: Matisse’s celebrated Chapelle du Rosaire.

Day 5 Menton (Salle des Mariages) followed by Villefranche-sur-Mer (Cocteau’s Chapelle de Saint Pierre des Pêcheurs).

Day 6 Morning: Musée National Fernand Léger in Biot. Afternoon in Antibes: Musée Picasso (Château Grimaldi) followed by Château Vallauris (Picasso collection and chapel). Free evening.

Day 7 By coach to St Tropez (favoured haunt of artists since the 1890s): walking tour of the old port, Musée de l’Annonciade (Bonnard, Braque, Maillol, Matisse and Signac) housed in former chapel of Pénitents Blancs. Return by boat and coach to Nice.

Day 8 Flight from Nice to London.

Cost of £2365 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a classic twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, classic double room for single use supplement £375.

TOUR CODE: ARC122

aceculturaltours.co.uk

ALGERIA

Algeria: Rome Meets the Sahara March 14–26, 2022 from £3745 per person | with Philip Kenrick

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour offers a unique opportunity to visit places that are difficult to reach alone, but it will be strenuous, over much rough ground, with some long journeys, and potentially hot in places.

Day 1 Flight from London to Algiers. Afternoon: short orientation walk in central Algiers followed by visit to Church of Notre-Dame d’Afrique (time permitting). Transfer to Hotel El-Aurassi for overnight.

Day 2 Whole day excursion to UNESCO World Heritage site of Tipasa (Basilica of Saint Salsa, main site and museum).

Day 3 Morning visits in Algiers (exploration of the Casbah and one or more of the Ottoman palaces within it, Jardin d’Essai). Early evening flight to Annaba for two nights at Hotel d’Orient.

Timgad

• Learn about the Roman colony of Timgad, the ‘Pompeii of Africa’, founded by Emperor Trajan on the edge of the Aurès Mountains • Seek out the visible traces of the Roman desert frontier in the vicinity of Biskra • Explore Tipasa, an enchanting coastal town featuring Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine ruins above a sparkling azure sea

This tour will be led by Philip Kenrick, MA, DPhil, an archaeologist who has worked in Libya at Leptis Magna, Benghazi and Cyrene, and produced a major volume on Sabratha. He has also worked on excavations near Agrigento in Sicily, and on other sites in Italy, Turkey and Jordan. He co-authored the 2019 book Classical Antiquities of Algeria: A Selective Guide.

Algeria’s diverse eastern landscapes range from coastal panoramas set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, through the beautiful mountainous hinterland, to the Sahara desert.

M’Zab valley: this is a remote region, to which people have often fled to avoid population movements on the coast. Our tour will end on the coast again, with a visit to the town of Cherchell, once a glittering royal capital.

The variety of ancient sites and monuments encompasses ruined cities and traces of the desert frontier of the Roman Empire, medieval oasis towns and the Ottoman and French colonial architecture of the coastal region.

We will begin our exploration of ‘Alger la Blanche’ with its labyrinthine Casbah and Ottoman palaces, before flying eastwards to Annaba, where the evocative ruins of Hippo Regius include the cathedral church in which St Augustine once held forth. We will stay in Constantine, the ‘City of Bridges’, and visit the nearby sites of Tiddis and Djémila; while to the south, we will take in the huge military base of Lambaesis and the Roman colony of Timgad.

After a southward excursion through the Aurès Mountains to seek out traces of the Roman desert frontier in the vicinity of Biskra, we will return towards Constantine in order to fly south to Ghardaïa in the picturesque

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Algeria is still finding its feet after the bitter experience of its own ‘Arab Spring’ in the 1990s. Since early 2019 it has also been feeling its way towards a new relationship between the people and their rulers, but with exemplary restraint on all sides. Over ten years of ACE tours to Algeria, we have had no anxieties about visiting this wonderful country.

The standard of hotels and service rarely matches the levels that we expect in Western Europe, but the warmth of the welcome is genuine, and we are confident that you will find the tour a rewarding introduction to this dynamic yet little known country.

Cost of £3745 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, full board with water & soft drinks, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: visa, travel insurance, single room supplement £295.

TOUR CODE: ALGE22

Day 4 Morning: colonial era Basilica of St Augustine and site of Hippo Regius (forum, theatre, ancient basilica, market, museum).

Afternoon: Annaba and Cap de Garde.

Day 5 Guelma (museum, reconstructed Roman theatre) followed by Khemissa (well-preserved theatre, forum, sacred spring). Transfer to Constantine for overnight at Hotel Ibis.

Day 6 Morning: hillside ruins of Tiddis, home of Quintus Lollius Urbicus (who built the Antonine Wall in Scotland). Afternoon: walking tour of the city of Constantine. Transfer to Sétif for two nights at Hotel Novotel.

Day 7 Sétif and its museum, followed by Roman ruins of Djémila (ancient Cuicul).

Day 8 Via the Medracen (grandiose pre-Roman tumulus-burial) to Lambaesis (civil town and museum – time permitting). Afternoon: Timgad (stunning Roman and Byzantine ruins – subject to confirmation). Continue to Batna for two nights at Hotel Hazem.

Day 9 Drive south, crossing the Aurès Mountains through the Gorge of Tighanimine (Roman road-building inscription), visiting Ghoufi (abandoned village in the canyon of the Oued el-Abiod). Continue to Tahouda (site of ancient Thabudeos) and Sidi Okba. Return to Batna via the Gorge of El-Kantara (Roman bridge).

Day 10 Depart Batna for return visit to Lambaesis (2nd century legionary base, amphitheatre), then transfer to Constantine for flight to Ghardaïa. Two nights at Hotel El Djanoub.

Day 11 Whole day exploration of Ghardaïa and neighbouring towns, including mosque of Sidi Brahim at el-Atteuf (inspiration for Le Corbusier’s Notre-Dame-du-Haut de Ronchamp).

Day 12 Morning flight to Algiers for visit to Mauretanian Royal Tomb followed by Cherchell (museum with wonderful mosaics and sculpture).

Overnight at Hotel El-Aurassi, Algiers.

Day 13 Flight from Algiers to London.

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

Owing to the unpredictability of certain local factors, travellers should expect to be more than usually flexible about the announced programme.

13

UNITED KINGDOM

Art Collections of Liverpool March 21–24, 2022 From £1045 per person | with Stella Lyons

series of 100 cast-iron figures on Crosby beach, and a visit to Tate Liverpool, located on Albert Dock. Opened in 1846, this historical waterfront was once a treasure house of precious cargoes from all over the world, and today it is home to a number of museums.

We will also make a special visit to one of Merseyside’s hidden treasures: the stately home of Knowsley Hall. Historical seat of the Earls of Derby, the house is not frequently open to the public, and boasts extremely fine Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors.

We will stay throughout at the four-star Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre, located on the city’s waterfront.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This is not a demanding tour, but participants must be comfortable with a moderate amount of walking, as well as periods of standing in galleries and navigating steps.

Lady Lever Art Gallery

• Discover rich art collections in and around UNESCO-listed Liverpool, from the holdings of the Walker Art Gallery to Sir Antony Gormley’s coastal sculptures • Explore the outstanding collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and decorative arts at the Lady Lever Art Gallery • Visit Knowsley Hall, historical seat of the Earls of Derby In recent years, Liverpool has undergone a cultural renaissance: its majestic waterfront architecture has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, and the city is still basking in its success as European Capital of Culture.

Throughout the centuries, Liverpool has benefitted from substantial artistic patronage, and is now home to a wealth of works by the Pre-Raphaelites. The Walker Art Gallery, opened in 1877, is known as the National Gallery of the North, and contains a magnificent collection of Old Master and PreRaphaelite works, which we will explore in depth on a guided visit.

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This tour will be led by Stella Lyons, BA, MA, an art history lecturer and speaker accredited with the Arts Society. Stella studied at the universities of Bristol and Warwick, and lectures throughout the UK, Europe and in Asia, as well as online.

Her particular interests include 19th century British art, American figurative artists from the 20th century, and Renaissance Italian art, having spent a year studying at the British Institute in Florence and in Venice.

The Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight was a gift from the first Viscount Leverhulme in 1922 to his soap factory employees, and contains the country’s largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, as well as an exquisite collection of 18th century English furniture and decorative Wedgwood.

Modern and contemporary art will also feature on our tour, with an excursion to see Sir Antony Gormley’s remarkable

Day 1 Tour assembles 1345 at Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre Hotel for three nights.

Afternoon: Metropolitan Cathedral (Lutyens Crypt) and Liverpool Cathedral (Sir Giles Gilbert Scott). Evening lecture: The First Modern British Artists? The Radical & Scandalous Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Day 2 Morning: Knowsley Hall (seat of the Earls of Derby), Ullet Road Unitarian Church (William Morris stained glass). Afternoon: Albert Dock and Tate Liverpool. Evening lecture: The Naked Truth about Victorians – the Nude in 19th Century Art. Day 3 Morning: Crosby Beach (Sir Antony Gormley’s Another Place) followed by Port Sunlight Village and Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Afternoon: Speke Hall (Tudor manor house with Arts & Crafts aesthetics). Evening lecture.

Day 4 Morning: Walker Art Gallery. Tour disperses 1230.

Please note that the above 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.

Cost of £1045 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £150.

TOUR CODE: LVPL22

aceculturaltours.co.uk

JORDAN Petra

Jordan: Kingdoms of the Desert March 28 – April 7, 2022 from £3365 per person | with Andrew Wilson

• Delve into the rich layers of Jordan’s history • Marvel at the awe-inspiring stronghold of Petra • Journey through the desert landscape of western Arabia From the remains of the Stone Age to the magnificence of the Ottomans, Jordan has long felt the tide of history. Today, the country is home to a spectacular array of archaeological sites offering tantalizing glimpses into some of the world’s most iconic cultures.

We begin our journey on the seven hills of Amman with the biblical city of Madaba, the centre of a Byzantine mosaic school in the 6th century, and home to the famous floor map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Meanwhile, at nearby Mount Nebo, site of the mosaic museum and Sanctuary of Moses, we will enjoy unrivalled panoramas of the Dead Sea and the River Jordan.

The superb Hellenistic and Roman city of Jerash was created at the end of the 4th century BC by the Greco-Roman confederation as one of the ten cities of the Decapolis. Built to integrate Hellenic and local populations, it is one of Rome’s grandest imperial outposts and boasts a colonnaded oval forum, magnificent theatres, colonnaded Roman streets and the beautifully restored Precinct of Artemis.

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Petra, the imposing stronghold carved out of rock by the Nabataeans more than 2000 years ago, is a true marvel.

On our visit to the rose-red city we will journey through the towering Siq ravine and admire the stunning vista of soaring temples, dramatic halls and lofty altars hand-chiselled into the sandstone cliffs.

Our journey south takes us into the Valley of the Moon (Wadi Rum Protected Area), a remarkable example of desert scenery, and part of the Hizma basin of western Arabia. Here we will take a ‘safari’ through the magnificent desert landscapes to see the wealth of prehistoric rock engravings and the 1st century Nabataean temple in Wadi Rum village.

In Amman we will stay at the Amman Marriott Hotel, before transferring to the Mövenpick Resort at the very entrance to Petra. On the shores of the Dead Sea we will stay at the Dead Sea Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa.

OUR VISIT TO PETRA: Andrew Wilson explains: “On the morning of the first day we will take a 15 minute walk to the entrance to the Siq, down a gentle gradient on a reasonable path (horses are available). This is followed by a stroll through incredible surroundings, down through the Siq to the Treasury on a beaten earth path.

We then make our way through the heart of the ancient city, with some steep ascents and descents over rough ground and rocky, broken paths, finishing at our lunch stop. In the afternoon there is an optional climb to the monastery, which can take an hour uphill over some tricky and slippery steps in places. The return journey on foot to the hotel from the monastery can take up to two hours, or from the lunch stop 90 minutes.

On our second day in Petra we offer an optional ascent to the High Place of Sacrifice, starting from a point halfway between the Treasury and the lunch stop from the previous day.

This climb is shorter but steeper than the monastery and takes over 30 minutes, including a precipitous final stage.”

Tour Director Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, studied archaeology then theology before working overseas as an archaeologist. He has led several ACE tours to Jordan.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Some of the walks in Petra take in long, steep and demanding gradients, and therefore a good level of fitness is required for this tour. We recommend participants read the ‘Our Visit to Petra’ information box for further details.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1605, arriving Amman 2320. Transfer to Amman Marriott Hotel for three nights.

Day 2 Whole day excursion to Madaba for Church of St George and Mount Nebo for mosaic museum, Sanctuary of Moses and decorated early churches.

Day 3 Whole day excursion to the Hellenistic and Roman city of Jerash in northern Jordan: early Byzantine remains, oval forum, theatres, colonnaded Roman streets and restored Precinct of Artemis.

Day 4 Transfer to Petra via Dhiban, Wadi Mujib and the crusader town of Kerak. Four nights at Mövenpick Resort, Petra.

Day 5 Visits in Petra: rock-cut tombs, Al Khazneh, ancient Roman remains, theatre, colonnaded street, the Great Temple and the Nabataean temple of Qasr al-Bint. Optional walk to Al Deir.

Day 6 Morning: Siq al-Barid for well-preserved Nabataean tombs and archaeological site of AlBeidha. Afternoon: optional return visit to Petra for ascent to the High Place of Sacrifice.

Day 7 Whole day excursion to southern Jordan into the Wadi Rum Protected Area (safari drive in 4x4s) and Nabataean temple.

Day 8 Transfer to the edge of the Dead Sea for visit to Bethany. Overnight at Dead Sea Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa. Day 9 Return to Amman by road for two nights at Amman Marriott Hotel. Afternoon: Jordan Archaeological Museum, Roman Theatre and Citadel.

Day 10 Whole day excursion to the Umayyad Desert Castles of Qasr al-Kharana, Qasr al-Hallabat and Azraq. Continue to Umayyad hunting lodge of Qasr Amra.

Day 11 Depart Amman 0805, arriving Heathrow 1140.

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

Cost of £3365 includes: return airfare, group visa, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, nine lunches, dinner with water, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £825.

TOUR CODE: JORD22

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RUSSIA

Art Treasures of St Petersburg

ZENA AL-YOUSEF/UNSPLASH

March 28 – April 4, 2022 from £2695 per person | with Andrew Spira

Catherine Palace

• Enjoy extended visits to the world’s largest collection of paintings at the Hermitage Museum – including a visit to the holdings of the State Depository • Follow in the footsteps of the protagonists of Tolstoy’s War and Peace with a visit to the aristocratic Catherine Palace • View the wealth of 18th century architecture, from Tsar Peter the Great’s modest log cabin to outstanding palaces Seemingly impervious to the ravages of time, siege and communist levelling, St Petersburg retains much of its prerevolutionary magnificence. The focal point of our tour will be that museum without compare, the Hermitage, occupying six stately buildings on the banks of the River Neva.

As well as reviewing the Hermitage’s unsurpassed collections of Old Master and 20th century canvases, we will venture deep inside the museum’s storage 16

This tour will be led by art historian Andrew Spira, MA, who studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and City University, London. For several years he was a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, London, before working as a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Andrew 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) and Simulated Selves: The Undoing of Personal Identity in the Modern World (Bloomsbury Academic, 2020).

chambers, where we will admire a wealth of rarely-seen treasures, ranging from imperial wardrobes to regal carriages.

A number of delights awaits us outside St Petersburg. Just south of the city

lies Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin), where the Catherine Palace was transformed into a Baroque masterpiece for the Empress Elizabeth by Rastrelli before being remodelled for Catherine the Great by Charles Cameron. Cameron also worked on Pavlovsk, just a few miles away, with its English Park and Temple of Friendship.

Back in St Petersburg we will inspect the log cabin where Peter the Great lived whilst planning his embryonic capital, and the fortress where he is buried alongside his imperial successors.

We will stay throughout at the elegant five-star Hotel Angleterre, centrally located in the city.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Participants will require a good level of fitness for this tour.

Please note that it may be snowy and therefore slippery or icy underfoot, and Russian pavements and roads are not always gritted, so care must be taken. Most of the walking will be on level or slightly hilly ground.

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RUSSIA Port Sunlight War Memorial

State Hermitage Museum Day 1 Flight from London to St Petersburg.

Transfer to Hotel Angleterre for seven nights.

Day 2 Morning lecture: Icons & the Sacred Art of Russia followed by orientation tour (St Nicholas’s Cathedral, Peter & Paul Cathedral & Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt). Afternoon: Fabergé Museum.

Day 3 Morning lecture: Russian Avant-Garde Art & the Revolution followed by first visit to the

“Andrew Spira was such an illuminating lecturer – he has such a way of making connections and making you think about works you know well in a totally different way” “This was an outstanding tour for culture and history” – ACE customers on 2019 Art Treasures of St Petersburg tour with Andrew Spira Hermitage: Gold Room, Italian paintings from Simone Martini to Bernardo Bellotto.

Day 4 Whole day excursion to two of the summer palaces: Catherine’s Palace (Tsarskoe Selo) and Pavlovsk with its English Park. Return to St Petersburg via Chesma Church. Free evening.

Return of the Prodigal Son

by Rembrandt van Rijn

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Day 5 Morning lecture: Russia & the West followed by State Russian Museum (world-class collection of art housed in Mikhailovsky Palace).

Afternoon: Log Cabin of Peter the Great and Depository of the State Hermitage Collection.

Day 6 Whole day second visit to the Hermitage: Dutch and Flemish paintings from Robert Campin to Rembrandt, followed by the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Picasso and Matisse collections in the General Staff Headquarters. Free evening.

Day 7 Morning: Menshikov Palace and Kunstkammer (Museum of Anthropology & Ethnology, founded by Peter the Great and housing a collection of curiosities). Afternoon: Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood.

Day 8 Morning: Yusupov Palace (time permitting). Flight from St Petersburg to London.

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.

Cost of £2695 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, four lunches, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: visa, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £275.

TOUR CODE: ATSP22

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USA This tour will be led by Sandy Burnett, MA, a musician and broadcaster. Sandy spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3.

He is the regular bass player for Blue Harlem, the Hep Chaps, the Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra and for the American singer/songwriter Gerard Kenny.

Jazz: From New Orleans to Memphis March 28 – April 8, 2022 from £4995 per person | with Sandy Burnett ROSIE KERR/UNSPLASH

Louis Armstrong Park

• Delve into the rich sounds, sites and flavours of the ‘cradle of jazz’ • Trace the threads of US history and the evolution of musical genres as we progress along the Mississippi to Memphis • Enjoy live music, complemented by relaxing daytime excursions It was in spring 1718 that the French Mississippi Company founded a colony on the twin banks of the river and called it La Nouvelle-Orléans. Over its subsequent three hundred years, New Orleans’ diverse communities gave rise to deeply distinctive musical and culinary traditions, and from its unique cultural blend emerged one of the world’s most recognisable, multifaceted and popular musical genres: jazz.

Evolving towards the end of the 19th century from a mix of African, European and wider musical influences (including marching brass bands), jazz is inextricably connected with the social, economic and political heritage of the Deep South. It provides our tour with a focal point for a voyage along the Mississippi that will chart not only transitions within music but also within American society and culture.

Our stay in ‘The Big Easy’ will encompass several musical events: we will dine at the Palm Court Jazz Café, home to live Dixieland jazz, and take in the music of Snug Harbor alongside our hotel’s very own Jazz Playhouse.

We also hope to offer visits to late night venues, including Preservation Hall, a 18

afternoon. Evening: optional live music at the Jazz Playhouse, Royal Sonesta Hotel.

cornerstone of live jazz in New Orleans since its inception in the 1960s.

Later we will trace musical developments within the US at the towns of Leland and Clarksdale (site of the ‘Devil’s Crossroads’), and enrich our knowledge of the Deep South’s history at the civil war site at Vicksburg and Dockery Farms, a major site for the development of Delta blues. Reaching Memphis, our tour turns to the emergence of mid-20th century musical genres with visits to Elvis Presley’s home at Graceland, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the legendary Beale Street.

Late evenings are balanced by several leisurely mornings and free time to explore our surroundings independently.

In New Orleans we will stay in the four-star Royal Sonesta Hotel. Our base in Memphis will be the legendary Peabody Hotel. Intermediate stops will be at comfortable hotels in Natchez and Clarksdale.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Although this tour is not physically demanding, a good level of stamina is required to enjoy the evening entertainment, which takes the form of afterdinner performances on a number of occasions.

As expected with the jazz genre, the music can be loud at times. Please note this tour also includes four separate hotel stays.

Day 1 Depart on flight from London Heathrow (indirect) to New Orleans. Transfer to the Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans, for six nights.

Day 2 Introductory lecture: Jazz – Its Origins and Beginnings followed by morning orientation walk of New Orleans including Jackson Square, St Louis Cathedral and Louis Armstrong Park. Free

Day 3 Morning lecture: Jazz Pioneers – A Look at Some of the Early Greats followed by walking tour in the French Quarter. Afternoon visit to Hermann Grima House. Evening: late-night live music at Preservation Hall.

Day 4 Free morning followed by afternoon excursion to Oak Alley Plantation for guided tour. Dinner at the Palm Court Jazz Café.

Day 5 Morning lecture: The Great Migration, Chicago, the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age followed by Bayou riverboat excursion. Evening: dinner and live music at Snug Harbor.

Day 6 Morning: private jazz performance with the Shotgun Jazz Band, featuring the Tour Director and local musicians. Afternoon: New Orleans Museum of Art and sculpture garden.

Day 7 Transfer to Natchez via Baton Rouge for short visit to Museum of Rural Life. Overnight at the Natchez Grand Hotel, Natchez.

Day 8 Transfer to Clarksdale via Vicksburg Civil War site, Leland (Highway 61 Blues Museum) and Dockery Farms. Overnight at the Hampton Inn, Clarksdale. Evening: optional live music at Ground Zero Blues Club.

Day 9 Transfer to Memphis for visits to Graceland and Sun Studio. Two nights at the Peabody Hotel, Memphis. Free evening.

Day 10 Morning lecture: Welcome to Soulsville – Sun, Stax and Civil Rights followed by visits to National Civil Rights Museum and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Farewell dinner and live music on Beale Street.

Day 11 Transfer to Memphis Airport for departure on flight (indirect) to London Heathrow.

Day 12 Arrive London Heathrow.

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. The music featured on this tour may be adjusted once the full schedules for each venue are released.

Cost of £4995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, seven dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities for group services.

Not included: ESTA, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £895.

TOUR CODE: NOME22

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BELGIUM

Flemish Painting: From van Eyck to Rubens April 5–10, 2022 from £1745 per person | with Rupert Dickens

The Elevation of the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens

• Discover the works and worlds of the Flemish masters across Belgium with visits to important collections in Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels • Explore the refurbished Gruthuusemuseum and view works

by Memling in the Hospital of St John in Bruges • Enjoy a new day excursion to Mechelen, to visit the Museum Hof van Busleyden, a splendid Renaissance palace, and to see Rubens’s famous altarpiece at the Church of St John Few countries have made such a profound contribution to European art as the land we know today as Belgium.

With the development of oil painting in the 15th century onwards, Belgium played an essential role in the evolution of western painting.

The ‘golden age’ of Flemish art began with the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck, before being continued by Hans Memling in Bruges, Rogier van der Weyden in Brussels, and Hugo van der Goes in Ghent. Flemish Mannerist architects spread Renaissance ideas throughout northern Europe, and in van Dyck and Rubens we have two of the most formidable of all Baroque artists.

The first stop on our tour will be Bruges, where we will enjoy a visit to the Gruuthusemuseum, a luxurious city palace reopened in 2019 following a major refurbishment, and housing a multitude of artistic treasures celebrating the glories of the Burgundian age.

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Meanwhile, the Groeningemuseum is host to an enviable collection of van Eyck and van der Weyden, and is the setting for Hieronymus Bosch’s Last Judgment.

We will also visit the Memling Museum, housed in one of Europe’s oldest medieval hospitals, and pay homage to Michelangelo’s marble Madonna and Child in the Gothic Church of Our Lady.

We look forward to a new excursion to the city of Mechelen, once the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands and an important political and cultural hub for the Burgundian and early Habsburg princes. A visit to the Museum Hof van Busleyden, a wonderful Renaissance palace, will shed further light upon this period of history. St John’s Church, a stone’s throw from the palace, contains a magnificent altarpiece by Rubens, its central panel depicting the Adoration of the Magi.

In Antwerp, the great commercial port on the Scheldt, we will feel Rubens’s presence in his palatial house and studio and see four altarpieces by him at the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady.

The Mayer van den Bergh Museum, meanwhile, is home to a collection of northern Renaissance art assembled during the 19th century. The tour concludes with a visit to the Musée d’Art Ancien in Brussels, home to Flemish and Belgian paintings dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

We will stay throughout in the centre of Ghent at the four-star NH Gent Belfort, opposite the town hall.

This tour will be led by Rupert Dickens, MA, an art historian specialising in Dutch and Flemish art.

Rupert studied art history at Birkbeck, University of London, before gaining a Masters degree in Dutch Golden Age Studies at UCL. Previously a BBC television and radio journalist for more than 20 years, Rupert is now an Arts Society lecturer and a guide lecturer at The Wallace Collection.

He has been visiting and working in the Netherlands and Belgium since the 1980s.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking, including over cobbled streets which may be busy with bicycles. Participants must be prepared for navigating steps and spending periods of time standing in galleries. Please note that there is no lift at the Gruuthusemuseum, and parts of the collection can only be accessed via narrow, steep and winding staircases.

Day 1 Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar for Brussels. Continue to Ghent for five nights at NH Gent Belfort. Evening lecture: Art in Bruges from Jan van Eyck to Hans Memling.

Day 2 Whole day excursion to Bruges: Gruuthusemuseum (recently refurbished), Groeningemuseum (works by van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Hieronymus Bosch and Memling), Church of Our Lady and Hospital of St John (Memling Museum).

Day 3 Visits in Ghent: Cathedral of St Bavo (restored lower panels of van Eyck’s altarpiece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) and Museum of Fine Arts. Evening lecture: Peter Paul Rubens and his Antwerp Studio.

Day 4 Whole day excursion to Antwerp: Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady (Rubens altarpieces), Mayer van den Bergh’s Museum (Flemish primitives, major collection of late Gothic sculpture) and Rubens’s House. Free evening.

Day 5 Excursion to Mechelen: Museum Hof van Busleyden (Renaissance palace) and St John’s Church (Rubens altarpiece).

Day 6 Morning lecture: Pieter Brueghel the Elder – Peasant or Scholar? followed by transfer to Brussels for Musée des Beaux Arts (15th-18th century Belgian painting). Depart Brussels on Eurostar for London St Pancras.

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 mentioned.

Cost of £1745 includes: return travel, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £295.

TOUR CODE: FLMP22

19

GREECE Knossos

Crete: Birds, Flowers & Minoans

EGOR MYZNIK/UNSPLASH

April 19–26, 2022 from £2045 per person | with Kevin Hand

• Absorb captivating views across the Cretan landscape from the beautiful Lassithi Plateau • Explore the Minoan palace at Knossos in addition to the remains at Gournia and Malia • Look out for waders, migrant pipits and larks in the coastal town of Elounda, followed by a nearby cliff walk where wild gladioli and endemic orchids grow above the sea

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Its mountains and gorges alive with wildlife, Crete possesses a magical quality that entrances every visitor. One of the most exceptional botanical areas in the Mediterranean, Crete boasts a superb flora containing at least 160 endemic species, including ebony, rock lettuce and birthwort. Myriad orchids grace archaeological sites, and fields sparkle with wild gladioli and irises.

Crete is also well known for its fauna, from the kri-kri – the wild ancestor

of the domestic goat – to the rare bearded vulture that haunts the island’s mountain passes. During our walks across the Cretan landscape we will enjoy breathtaking views, particularly at the Lassithi Plateau, a fertile mountain expanse where raptors glide in the valley below. At the head of the precipitous Samaria Gorge, where centuries-old cypresses stand sentinel, we will seek out mountain plants such as aubretia and yellow Star-of-Bethlehem.

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GREECE Tour Director Kevin Hand, MSc, MCIEEM, is a conservationist and environmental consultant with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. He has led many projects linking nature and communities, and recently led a team providing access to the British countryside for hard to reach groups. Kevin is currently leading a project on eagles, vultures and other wildlife in Albania. In April 2017 he was appointed President of the Cambridge Natural History Society.

Port Sunlight War Memorial

Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 0710 on Easyjet, arriving Heraklion 1310. Transfer to Agios Nikolaos for five nights at Hotel Miramare.

Day 2 Morning talk followed by coastal town of Elounda (waders, migrant pipits, larks in former salt-pans) and peninsula of Spinalonga (sunken city of Olous). Afternoon: boat trip to Venetian island fortress of Spinalonga, followed by cliff walk (wild gladioli, endemic orchids, birds of prey).

Day 3 Minoan Palace of Malia (marsh shore with short turf covered in Cretan camomile and catch fly). Afternoon visit to the famous Minoan Palace at Knossos.

Day 4 Lassithi Plateau (large, fertile mountain plateau with panoramic views) for orchids, upland plants and fruit groves with optional visit to Dhiktean Cave (birthplace of Zeus).

Day 5 Morning: ruins of Gournia (unusual Minoan town), rocky coastline in search of Cretan ebony. Afternoon: gigantic gorge mouth at Monastiraki (chough, Alpine swift).

NANOSANCHEZ/CC BY-SA 4.0

Day 6 Orthodox Easter Sunday Selinari Gorge (chapel, monastery and vulture colony), Rethymnon, Agia Lake (waders and migrant water-birds) then transfer for two nights at Neos Omalos Hotel in mountains of western Crete.

Collina Orchid

Although the emphasis of our programme will be on flowers and birds, there will also be a guided tour of the famous Minoan site of Knossos and visits to the smaller remains at Gournia and Malia.

The majestic Selinari Gorge, meanwhile, offers opportunities to visit an old chapel and newly founded monastery.

Our tour to Crete coincides with Orthodox Easter, and we will take in local events and celebrations on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of our stay.

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Our first five nights are spent at the Hotel Miramare Resort & Spa, a small hotel close to the sea near Agios Nikolaos. In Omalos we stay at the Neos Omalos, a mountain resort hotel.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Participants should have a good overall level of fitness for this tour, as a number of visits will involve negotiating rugged or uneven terrain.

Day 7 Across Omalos Plateau to Samaria Gorge, exploring little-known paths, searching for mountain plants (endemic Cretan tulip, aubretia, yellow Star-of-Bethlehem, centuries-old cypresses), with possible sightings of bearded vulture and agrimi (wild goat).

Day 8 Depart Chania 1435, arriving Gatwick 1635.

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

Cost of £2045 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £165.

TOUR CODE: CRET22

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TURKEY Antiphellos Theatre

Lycian Cruise April 25 – May 9, 2022 from £3495 per person | with Andrew Wilson

• Explore ancient cities containing fascinating classical remains on a voyage around the coast of southwest Turkey • Journey inland to discover further sites, including the beautifully located town of Pinara with tombs cut into the rock face • Cruise down the Loryma Peninsula, where mountain tops are guarded by impressive fortresses of the Hellenistic age Many of the most striking cities in the Greek and Roman world are found along the coast of south-west Turkey, where the towering limestone cliffs and lofty mountain ranges have changed little since classical times. The armies of Alexander, the emperors of Rome and the traders of Byzantium all brought untold wealth to these rugged shores.

One of the most thrilling ways to experience the bygone cities of Lycia and south-eastern Caria is as the ancients saw them: by sea. Our private voyage on board the beautiful MS Lycian Queen, a traditional Turkish gulet, will begin with 22

This cruise will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, a specialist in archaeology and ancient history with a particular interest in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics. Andrew studied archaeology then theology before working overseas as an archaeologist, and has led many tours for ACE throughout the Greco-Roman world and also in Britain. He is a member of the Society for Libyan Studies and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Classical Association of Scotland. a cruise to Gemiler, where the vestiges of the once-thriving monastic community conjure up the majesty of high Byzantium at the time of Justinian.

Midway through our tour we will reach the cities of the Xanthos valley – Xanthos itself, for its Roman theatre and Byzantine citadel, and Letoon. One of the most fascinating aspects of our cruise will be the opportunity to spot ruins beneath the clear waters of the eastern Mediterranean: the remains of Aperlae and the Byzantine

town of Tersane, for example, are clearly visible to the naked eye.

The cruise along the Bay of Fethiye to the ancient hilltop settlement of Lydae is always inspiring. At the extreme end of the Datça Peninsula we will drop anchor at Knidos, one of Asia Minor’s most dramatically-sited cities. Once home to Praxiteles’s celebrated Aphrodite, Knidos retains many original Hellenistic features and current excavations are unearthing more and more of this riveting twinharboured settlement. Our journey ends in ancient Halicarnassus, site of the famous mausoleum built in honour of King Mausolus c 350 BC.

The deluxe air-conditioned Lycian Queen launched in 2015 and has a saloon, a spacious deck, and eight cabins including two masters, all with en-suite facilities. It is a ketch Turkish gulet, a two-masted wooden vessel typically seen alongside the coastline of Turkey.

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TURKEY Port Sunlight War Memorial

Telmessos

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Participants on this tour should have a good overall level of fitness. Many of the archaeological sites visited will involve short but steep ascents, often on broken paths, with the longest taking about 30 minutes to complete. All ascents are, however, optional and the degree of difficulty will be advised at each site. On occasion participants should be comfortable climbing in and out of a small dinghy via a stepladder.

Day 6 Cruise along mountainous shores of Lycian coast to tiny harbour of Kalkan then by minibus to Letoon (temples to Leto, Apollo and Artemis) and Xanthos (Roman theatre and Byzantine citadel, remains of Nereid Monument, large Byzantine church). Overnight at Kalkan.

Day 7 Travel inland to ancient Pinara in Esençay Valley (acropolis, Hellenistic theatre, rock-cut tombs) and Tlos (imposing bath complex and citadel). Two nights in bay of Fethiye.

Day 8 Ancient site of Telmessos, including magnificent tomb of Amyntas.

Day 1 Flight from London to Dalaman. Transfer to MS Lycian Queen for 14 nights. Overnight at Göcek.

Day 9 Morning sail to Agalimani: walk through pine forest to remains of ancient Lydae (ruined mausolea). Overnight at Agalimani.

Day 2 Morning cruise to island of Gemiler (former Byzantine monastic community): ruined churches, vaulted processional way, large ecclesiastical complex. Overnight at Gemiler.

Day 10 Morning cruise followed by transfer to small boat for visit to site of ancient Caunos (rock tombs, theatre, temple). Overnight in bay near Caunos.

Day 3 Cruise westwards to pretty village of Kas (ancient Antiphellos): well-preserved Hellenistic theatre, tombs. Overnight at Kas (quiet inlet for swimming).

Day 11 Cruise along peninsula to Loryma: Hellenistic fort (one of finest in ancient world).

Overnight in Loryma.

Day 4 Sail via Uluburun along coast and into bay of Kekova (underwater remains) to small Turkish village of Kaleköy (ancient Simena): dramatic citadel with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman remains, haunting Lycian necropolis. Overnight at Gokkaya Liman.

Day 5 Sail to Myra (superb ancient theatre, rock tombs, fascinating Church of St Nicholas).

Overnight in Kekova area.

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Day 12 Cruise to Knidos: temple of Apollo Karneios, temple of Aphrodite Euploia (once housed famous statue by Praxiteles), Doric portico, early Byzantine churches, harbour theatre. Overnight in ancient harbour of Knidos.

Day 13 Cruise to Bay of Bodrum (explore bays and inlets). Overnight in Bay of Bodrum.

Day 14 Sail to Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) and visit the remains of the Mausoleum, built by the wife of King Mausolus in around 350 BC. Overnight at Bodrum.

Day 15 Flight from Bodrum to London.

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change. Opening times in Turkey can change at short notice and so some visits may be adjusted nearer the time. The itinerary is fluid and weather conditions can affect the order and nature of visits, so participants should be prepared to be flexible.

Cost of £3495 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board (except lunch on day 8) with water, tea & coffee, shore excursions & admissions, crew gratuities.

Not included: visa, travel insurance, supplement for Master Suite £150 per person, cabin for single use supplement on request.

TOUR CODE: LYC122

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ITALY

Pompeii with Herculaneum

CAROLE RADDATO/CC BY-SA 2.0

May 6–12, 2022 Price to be advised | with Steve Mastin

Atrium of the House of the Young Bull

• This perennial favourite offers a thought-provoking window onto Roman life • Discover Cumae, one of the most important Greek city-states in antiquity, alongside Pozzuoli with its impressive Roman amphitheatre • The renowned Archaeological Museum in Naples supports our site visits with its excellent collection of artefacts

Paestum, “inexpressibly grand” according to Shelley, was founded c 600 BC by Greek colonists from Sybaris. Here we will pay particular attention to the Doric sanctuaries of Ceres, Hera and Neptune, which rank among the best-preserved Greek temples to be found anywhere in the ancient world.

Our comprehensive tour in and around the Bay of Naples will take in a wide array of further ancient treasures, such as the vast villa complex at Oplontis.

Adorned with sumptuous wall paintings that unveil the extravagant lifestyle enjoyed by the Roman elite, the villa is thought to have been Nero’s wedding

“Meanwhile on Mt Vesuvius broad sheets of fire and leaping flames blazed at several points, their bright glare emphasised by the darkness of night…” – so wrote Pliny of the sudden eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago.

Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed yet preserved by the volcanic catastrophe, offer unrivalled insights into day-to-day life in the Roman Empire. 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 the evervibrant city of Naples.

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Villa of the Mysteries

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ITALY

Domus fresco

present to his second wife, Poppaea.

Cumae, one of the most important Greek city-states in antiquity, is also on our itinerary together with Italy’s third largest Roman amphitheatre at Pozzuoli.

We will stay at the Hotel La Medusa, Castellammare di Stabia, an attractive four-star establishment set in beautiful grounds.

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 few opportunities to sit down. Please note that the optional ascent up Vesuvius involves a steep walk of around 30 minutes.

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. Archaeological sites can close or change their opening times at short notice; therefore, some visits may be reordered.

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Day 1 Flight from London to Naples. Transfer to Hotel La Medusa, Castellammare di Stabia, for six nights. Short evening talk.

Day 2 Morning visit to Naples Archaeological Museum (artefacts from Vesuvian sites), followed by lunch on the slopes of Mt Vesuvius. Continue the ascent by coach, followed by optional ascent to the crater (weather permitting; must be done on foot). Evening talk.

Day 3 Whole day visit to Pompeii (forum, shopping macellum, Houses of the Faun and Venus, baths, theatres) including Villa of the Mysteries.

Day 4 Herculaneum (panoramic villas, palaestra, baths, shops) followed by Villa of Oplontis (fine wall-paintings, huge piscina) and Villa Boscoreale.

Evening talk.

Tour Director Steve Mastin, MA, PGCE, FHA studied history and classics before working as a school teacher for 17 years, leading trips to Italy, France and Germany. He has also worked overseas training history teachers in Singapore, Australia and Kazakhstan. A committed advocate of the power of storytelling, Steve is passionate about bringing a life-long love of history to students of all ages. He is a Fellow of the Historical Association and is a regular speaker at history conferences both in the UK and overseas.

Day 5 Whole day excursion to Paestum: Temples of Ceres, Hera and Neptune, museum (fine archaic reliefs and the famous painted Tomb of the Diver).

Day 6 Cumae (cave of the Sibyl, acropolis), Pozzuoli (amphitheatre) and Stabiae Villa. Evening talk.

Day 7 Flight from Naples to London.

Cost to be advised – please contact the ACE office for details. Cost will include: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement to be advised.

TOUR CODE: POM122

25

AUSTRIA

The Vienna Secession

Church of St Leopold

• Discover the influential group of innovative young artists who ‘seceded’ from the Austrian art establishment in 1897, including Gustav Klimt and Otto Wagner • Understand the Secessionists’ links with their Art Nouveau and Jugendstil contemporaries and their influence on the Expressionist and Modernist movements • Enjoy guided architectural tours and visits to Vienna’s leading art museums Following their motto ‘To every Age its Art, to every Art its Freedom’, the Secessionists’ designs – from metro stations to office buildings, and from elaborately decorated apartment buildings and luxurious villas to churches – shaped the Viennese cityscape in the early years of the 20th century. The revolutionary art of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele and the extraordinarily modern-looking furniture and interiors designed by Josef Hoffmann and Kolomon Moser were a radical break from the conservatism of the 19th century Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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Our tour will include a visit to the movement’s elegant gallery, designed

by Joseph Olbrich to house the first exhibitions of contemporary art in the city, now home to Klimt’s 34-metre long Beethoven Frieze. We will also pay visits to the Belvedere Museum, to see its large collection of other paintings by Klimt and Schiele, and to Klimt’s last studio in the suburb of Hietzing.

Other highlights will include a visit to Otto Wagner’s landmark Postal Savings Bank, views of his metro stations at Karlsplatz and Schönbrunn as well as his Majolika Haus apartment building, and a private tour of his masterpiece, the Church of St Leopold in the grounds of Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital.

The Secessionists’ use of the latest building technology and decorative techniques appealed to the period’s new industrial and commercial middle classes, and their designs and interiors remain popular today. We will see well-preserved examples of cafés, bars and shops, as well as furniture and homewares designed by the ‘Wiener Werkstätte’ (Vienna Workshops) set up by Moser

© BWAG/CC-BY-SA-4.0

May 9–13, 2022 from £1745 per person | with Christopher Bourne

This tour will be led by Christopher Bourne, BA, who read History and French at the University of Manchester and lived and worked in Brussels for 15 years, where he was an architectural tour guide and freelance translator and editor. His interest and enthusiasm for the art and architecture of the Vienna Secession and the Jugendstil is a natural progression from his knowledge of Art Nouveau. He is now based in London, where he is a member of the Victorian Society and the 20th Century Society. and Hoffmann in 1903, influenced by William Morris’s craft workshops in Great Britain.

We will stay throughout at the four-star Hotel Mailberger Hof, an elegant familyrun hotel situated in the historical First District.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour requires a good level of fitness and mobility, as it will involve significant amounts of walking and standing, including over cobbled streets and up steps. Some journeys will be made by tram.

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AUSTRIA Port Sunlight War Memorial

Farm Garden with Sunflowers by Gustav Klimt Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1220 on British Airways, arriving Vienna 1525. Transfer to Hotel Mailberger Hof for four nights.

Introductory lecture.

Day 2 Morning: walking tour looking at buildings in the city centre (including Karlsplatz metro station designed by Wagner and Olbrich), followed by visit to the Secession Building (Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze). Afternoon: visit to MAK (Museum of Applied Arts). Free evening.

Tour Director Christopher Bourne writes: “While the Art Nouveau movement had merely ruffled a few feathers in Brussels, its Austrian equivalent caused outrage among the conservative ruling class in Vienna, from Emperor FranzJosef down, causing a group of young radical artists to formerly ‘secede’ from the Association of Austrian Artists in 1897. You may have noticed that the young psychoanalyst Dr Max Liebermann,

Day 3 Majolika House and Schönbrunn metro station (exteriors) followed by suburb of Hietzing: villa exteriors and cemetery (graves of Klimt and Wagner). Private tour of Klimt Villa & Studio. Afternoon: Wagner’s villas in Hütteldorf (exteriors) followed by private tour of Church of St Leopold in the grounds of Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital.

one of the leading characters in Frank Tallis’s Vienna Blood novels and the BBC TV adaptation, is a fan of Secessionist designs. The Secessionists included artists, sculptors, graphic designers, furniture designers and architects.

Join us to find out what all the fuss was about and to visit buildings and works of art produced in this turbulent period in Austrian history that would influence so many modern and contemporary artists.”

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.

Day 4 Morning: visits to Wagner’s Postal Savings Bank and Belvedere Museum (Klimt/Schiele galleries). Afternoon: visit to Leopold Museum.

Day 5 Morning lecture followed by visit to Karl Marx-Hof (famous 1920s housing complex) and Steinfeldgasse (Hoffmann villas – exteriors).

Depart Vienna 1630, arriving Heathrow 1750.

Cost of £1745 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a superior twin or double bedded room, breakfast, four lunches, three dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, superior double room for single use supplement £235.

TOUR CODE: VISE22

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IRELAND Powerscourt Gardens

Gardens of the Republic of Ireland May 11–18, 2022 from £2575 per person | with Caroline Hannah

• From Kilmacurragh to Dargle Glen, enjoy visits to some of Ireland’s most impressive gardens in the company of head gardeners, curators and owners • Explore a selection of private grounds, including June Blake’s beautiful country-style garden • Explore designs inspired by William Robinson at Altamont and Mount Usher The south-eastern region of the Republic of Ireland encompasses some of the most fertile and picturesque gardens in the country. A favourable climate gives rise to a huge diversity of plants from around the globe, ranging from champion trees to unusual bulbs and herbaceous plants.

Spanning grand, historical estates to 19th century botanical collections and more recently created, privately owned gardens, our tour will showcase a carefully chosen selection of the region’s most beautiful horticultural offerings. During our journey we will have the benefit of meeting a variety of owners, gardeners and curators, who will reveal the stories behind each garden, show us their unique botanical treasures, and discuss the 28

maintenance and skill taken to preserve them today.

A particular highlight will be Ireland’s National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh: renowned for their rhododendrons and champion trees, these important 19th century grounds provided ideal growing conditions for plants brought back by explorers from all over the world.

19th century visitors to Dargle Glen were frequently inspired to capture its dramatic scenery on paper. Surrounded by 57 acres of birch and oak woodland, this private landscape garden overlooking the River Dargle was restored by its new owner in 1998, and the grounds boast an award-winning cantilevered summerhouse built over the gorge. Today the garden features an extraordinary fusion of plants from Chile, Japan and America, alongside commissioned sculpture and unusual planting.

No exploration of the region would be complete without a visit to Huntington Castle, an irresistible castellated structure remodelled in the 1670s when the formal avenues were laid out. The gardens are famous for their ancient yews and

Italianate style terraces, and our tour will include a visit to both the castle and grounds.

From the spectacular Powerscourt Gardens at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, to the tranquil, William Robinson-inspired Altamont; and June Blake’s country-style garden to Jimi Blake’s experimental plantsman’s garden at Hunting Brook, we will come away with a nuanced appreciation of the horticulture of this inspiring region.

We will stay at the four-star BrookLodge & Macreddin Village Hotel, based in a beautiful village setting and combining classic accommodation with awardwinning dining.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour requires a good level of fitness as it will involve a significant amount of outdoor walking, often over uneven ground, slopes, steps and bridges.

Some surfaces can be slippery if wet. Distances vary from garden to garden: some are very short and compact while others are very extensive and occupy large sites. Participants should therefore have a good level of mobility, although it is usually possible to opt out of the more strenuous walks and join the group later.

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IRELAND

© CAROLINE HANNAH

Port Sunlight War Memorial

Dargle Glen Gardens

This tour will be led by Caroline Hannah, BA, who has a degree in English Literature & History of Art as well as a university-accredited Garden Design Qualification from the University of Essex/Writtle University College. For many years and prior to joining the team at ACE Cultural Tours, Caroline ran her own garden design business and has undertaken both commercial and residential projects. She has given talks on garden design, and also conducted a live question and answer session on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

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

Timings and the nature of certain visits may be adjusted on the ground by the Tour Director depending on local conditions, particularly the weather.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1035 on British Airways, arriving Dublin 1210. Afternoon visit to Mount Usher Gardens (along the River Vartry, with over 5000 species). Continue to BrookLodge & Macreddin Village Hotel for seven nights. Welcome and introduction.

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Day 2 Morning: Dargle Glen Garden (romantic landscape garden with unusual plants, surrounded by oak and birch woodland).

Afternoon: Prospect House Garden. Return to hotel via Sally Gap and scenic route through Wicklow Mountains. Evening lecture.

Day 3 Morning visit to Russborough House & Parklands (with tour of Walled Garden) followed by June Blake’s garden (country style garden around granite house and farm buildings)

Tour Director Caroline Hannah writes: “I am truly delighted to be leading this tour for ACE. The Republic of Ireland is very rich in terms of its wonderful gardens and we are extremely privileged to have private tours with passionate owners, head gardeners and estate managers, many of whom have made life long commitments to continuing the legacy of their gardens. We will be staying at the BrookLodge & Macreddin Village Hotel, a stunning place set in beautiful grounds where we will have the opportunity to learn about foraging.”

and Hunting Brook Gardens (experimental plantsman’s garden with woodland designed by owner Jimi Blake). Free evening.

Day 4 Morning foraging experience and tour of the hotel grounds with the Head Gardener.

Afternoon visit to National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh (trees of historical importance).

Day 5 Morning: Altamont Gardens (William Robinson-inspired garden with over 1500 species). Afternoon: Huntington Castle including guided tour of the castle and grounds (ancient yews and Italianate terraces).

Day 6 Morning visit to Powerscourt Gardens (Italian garden of the mid-18th century; spectacular views and outstanding trees).

Afternoon visit to Killruddery House & Gardens (late 17th century, the oldest garden on our tour). Free evening.

Day 7 Morning: Dower House Gardens (19th century with wild flower meadow and white garden). Afternoon: Patthana Garden (artist’s garden with bold planting and beautiful birches).

Day 8 Depart Dublin 1300, arriving Heathrow 1430.

Cost of £2575 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, four lunches (two packed), five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

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

TOUR CODE: GORI22

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GREECE

Cyclades: Ancient Islands of the Aegean May 16–26, 2022 from £3245 per person | with Andrew Wilson

Santorini

• Sail to six of the ancient Cycladic islands Tinos, Paros, Naxos, Delos, Mykonos and Santorini • Tread the paths of ancient towns made famous in Greek mythology and discover their wealth of Mycenaean, classical and Byzantine archaeological remains • Highlights include Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting exceptionally extensive archaeological remains, and the ruined Bronze Age city of Akrotiri The Cycladic Islands, scattered across the Aegean south-east of Athens, are the timeless repository of countless myths: it was at Naxos that ungrateful Theseus abandoned Ariadne; the tiny island of Delos that nurtured Apollo and Artemis; and could the volcanic island of Santorini really be the lost city of Atlantis?

Over the course of our tour we will sail to six of these ancient islands, taking a broad approach as we immerse ourselves in the history and character of this special region.

Today the Cyclades, inhabited since Neolithic times, preserve numerous Mycenaean and classical remains, Byzantine castles and Venetian fortifications – not to mention a series of beautiful churches, such as Tinos’s Panagia Evangelistria – one of Greece’s most important pilgrimage destinations.

Delos, the sacred centre of the Cyclades, once attracted pilgrims from all over Greece, and its wealth is reflected in the grandeur of its extensive archaeological remains. The history of Naxos, the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades, stretches back to 2700 BC, and the Venetians 30

This tour will be led by Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, who studied archaeology then theology before working overseas as an archaeologist, specialising in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics. A member of the Society for Libyan Studies and the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies, Andrew has led many tours for ACE in the Greco-Roman world. governed the island from 1207 until the Turkish invasion of 1566. Paros’s elegant Byzantine cathedral, Panagia Ekatontapiliani, is one of Greece’s most important Christian monuments; the Archaeological Museum in Parikia shelters a fragment of the famous marble Parian Chronicle.

The volcanic landscape of Santorini, with its immense crater, is a wonder to behold, and the picturesque town of Oia offers stunning views over the caldera.

We stay throughout at hotels of three and four-star quality.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour. As much of the travel involves ferries, participants should be comfortable wheeling luggage up boarding ramps. Some of the archaeological visits will involve walking over uneven ground. At Delos, there will be an optional short ascent up a steep and poorly maintained pathway to visit the upper part of the island’s impressive remains.

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Precise arrangements are dependent on flight and ferry schedules, and final flight arrangements will be confirmed nearer the time.

Day 1 Flight from London to Mykonos.

Welcome, introduction and evening talk: Delos.

Overnight on Mykonos.

Day 2 Morning sail to Delos: Sacred Harbour, Agora of the Competialists, Sacred Way, House of the Naxians, Avenue of the Lions. Return to Mykonos before afternoon transfer by boat to Tinos. Two nights on Tinos.

Day 3 Visits on Tinos including 4th century BC Temple of Poseidon at Kionia, Pyrgos and Volax.

Evening talk: Cycladic Art. Day 4 Archaeological Museum and marble Church of Panagia Evangelistria. Sail to Syros for visits to towns of Ermoupolis and Ano Syros. Sail to Paros for two nights.

Day 5 Visits by boat to small islands of Antiparos and Despotiko.

Day 6 Morning in Parikia: Byzantine Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, Archaeological Museum, typical Aegean villages of Prodromos and Lefkés.

Afternoon visit to Naoussa (winery, historical harbour). Sail to Naxos for three nights. Evening talk: Greek Religion.

Day 7 Morning: Sanctuary of Dionysus at Yria and Sanctuary of Demeter at Giroulas, followed by historical Venetian Quarter in Naxos and Catholic Cathedral. Free afternoon.

Day 8 Further visits on Naxos including picturesque village of Halki (tasting session at Kitros distillery), Panagia Drossiani monastery and 7th century Kouros statue at Melanes.

Day 9 Morning: visits to Temple of Apollo and Grotta archaeological site in Naxos. Afternoon: transfer by boat to Santorini for two nights.

Evening talk: Atlantis.

Day 10 Akrotiri, Panagia Episkopi and Museum of Prehistoric Thera. Afternoon in Oia. Day 11 Return flight to London.

Cost of £3245 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £520.

TOUR CODE: CYCL22

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UNITED KINGDOM This tour will be led by Adam White, PhD, an art historian and museum curator who is an expert in country house collections and one of Britain’s leading authorities on English sculpture of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. He originally studied French and Philosophy at Oxford University before gaining a PhD in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Adam has also held the role of Hon Curator of Collections at Lotherton Hall in Yorkshire.

Northamptonshire Country Houses May 17–21, 2022 from £1645 per person | with Adam White

Deene Park

• Enjoy visits to an array of stunning private houses and gardens, from Drayton House to Cottesbrooke Hall • Discover the beautiful Grade I listed gardens at Holdenby • Visit Boughton House, seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch and home to a notable art collection Northamptonshire, known as the ‘County of the Spires and Squires’, offers a wealth of fine stately homes nestled amongst charming, gently rolling countryside in the heart of England. The county is notable for containing more privately owned historical houses than any other, several of which we will visit on our tour.

Drayton House, home of the StopfordSackville family, has evolved gradually over the centuries and boasts a magnificent Baroque frontispiece by the architect William Talman, while Holdenby House has a fascinating royal history. Originally built as a palace by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor and favourite of Elizabeth I in 1583, it also served as prison to Charles I following his crushing military defeat at the nearby Battle of Naseby. The site boasts 20 acres of exquisite gardens.

Lamport Hall shows how an enlightened patron could remodel his house during the difficult years of the Commonwealth and adorn it with paintings, which remain in the house to this day.

Boughton House, the former seat of the

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“Excellent programme of private visits to country houses, all of which were outstanding and all different from one another” “Five stars for Adam White – he is so extremely good in every aspect” – ACE customers on a previous Northamptonshire Country Houses tour Dukes of Montagu, is a French-style chateau with an extraordinary collection of artistic treasures, whilst Kirby Hall is a magnificent Renaissance ruin.

Northamptonshire has traditionally been a popular place in which the privileged have indulged their passion for country sports, and this is nowhere more evident than at the idyllic Cottesbrooke Hall, set in stunning 18th century gardens.

Rumoured to be the model for Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, this splendid Queen Anne house boasts arguably one of the finest collections of sporting art in Europe.

Lyveden New Bield and the Triangular Lodge at Rushton parade the beliefs of a Roman Catholic, whose faith was regarded as treason in late Elizabethan England.

The houses will be complemented with a selection of visits to estate churches, containing fascinating family memorials.

We will stay at the magnificent fourstar Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa, located close to Kettering. This Grade I listed Victorian mansion is a former preparatory school whose architecture was influenced by nearby Kirby Hall, and our Tour Director will introduce us to its considerable historical interest.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A lot of the walking on this tour is over uneven ground, including flagstones, cobblestones and grassy slopes that can be slippery when wet. There is a narrow iron staircase to access the viewpoint at Lyveden New Bield. A good level of fitness and mobility is required for this tour.

Day 1 Tour assembles 1330 at Kettering Station followed by 1400 at Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa. Afternoon: St Peter’s Church, Deene, followed

by Deene Park (house and gardens). Four nights at Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa. Day 2 Morning: Drayton House and St Peter’s Church, Lowick. Afternoon: Holdenby (extensive gardens). Evening lecture.

Day 3 Morning: All Saints’ Church, Lamport and Lamport Hall (house and gardens). Afternoon: Cottesbrooke Hall (house and gardens) and All Saints’ Church, Cottesbrooke.

Day 4 Morning: St Edmund’s Church, Warkton and Boughton House & Gardens. Afternoon: Kirby Hall, Lyveden New Bield and Rushton Triangular Lodge.

Day 5 Tour disperses after breakfast at hotel or c 1000 at Kettering Station.

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change. Owing to the special nature of certain visits, some details may not be confirmed until nearer the time.

Cost of £1645 includes: accommodation based on sharing a superior twin or double bedded room, breakfast, three lunches, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, superior double room for single use supplement £280.

TOUR CODE: NHCH22

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PORTUGAL

Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge May 20–27, 2022 from £3345 per person | with Martin Symington

Salamanca

• Sail aboard the Spirit of Chartwell, formerly Her Majesty’s Royal Barge, as it cruises along the ‘River of Gold’ • Take in the vineyards and historical towns of Portugal’s northern valleys • Learn about the history of port, Oporto and the Douro Valley Beginning our tour with an exploration of the old town of Oporto, we cast off for our voyage eastwards. Along the way, we will explore one of Europe’s most handsome Renaissance cities, Salamanca, and pay a visit to the 18th century Mateus Palace.

Our tour will also embrace some lesser-known delights, including the picturesque town of Pinhão, strikingly situated at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhão Rivers, and the medieval hilltop town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.

During an excursion to the pilgrimage town of Lamego, where Baroque mansions and churches grace the skyline, we will enter one of the country’s most majestic shrines – Our Lady of Cures – 32

acclaimed for its monumental Baroque staircase.

Continuing into Spain, we will explore Salamanca, famous for its honeycoloured buildings, ancient university,

THE SPIRIT OF CHARTWELL Used by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, the Spirit of Chartwell is the flagship vessel on the River Douro. This royal river barge, now based in Portugal, offers a spacious and sumptuous design with the finest interior furnishings. The vessel is fully equipped with a restaurant, piano bar, observation deck and 14 comfortable outsidefacing cabins, each with private facilities. Professional and highly attentive crew members provide unequalled service during this calm passage through the Douro River Valley.

18th century Plaza Mayor, and twin cathedrals, perched high above the River Tormes. The city has passed through the conquering hands of Carthaginians, Romans and Moors, a fact that is evident from its mix of architecture.

Upon our return to Oporto, we will visit the historical Factory House of the British Association, and tour Graham’s Port Lodge – owned by the Symington Family Estates – to discover and taste some of their fine vintage.

We also hope to enjoy some traditional music during the tour, as well as opportunities to learn about local cuisine during an on-board culinary demonstration.

Cost of £3345 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee with lunch & dinner, shore excursions & admissions, crew gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, supplement for the Royal Suite £200 per person, double cabin for single use supplement £1845.

TOUR CODE: DRR122

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PORTUGAL Port Sunlight War Memorial

Porto

Our Tour Director, Martin Symington, BA, is a travel journalist who contributes to The Times and Wanderlust, and is the author of Dorling Kindersley’s guidebook to Portugal. Martin was born and raised in the region, and is a port expert.

He will deliver talks on port, Oporto and the Douro Valley, as well as on Portugal in general and the country’s history.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Overall, this tour is not especially strenuous, and participants can easily opt out of the more difficult elements.

Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 1150 on TAP Portugal, arriving Porto 1400. Walking tour of Oporto (including cathedral and cloisters).

Embark Spirit of Chartwell for seven nights.

Overnight Oporto.

Day 1 Cruise up the river through the Douro Valley to Entre-os-Rios. Continue to Régua for the Douro Museum and overnight stay. Evening lecture: Douro River & the Region.

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Day 3 Lamego (pilgrimage town): museum, Sanctuário Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies). Cruise to the riverside town of Pinhão for walking tour and overnight stay. Evening lecture: Port.

Day 4 Sail past rolling hills and terraced vineyards to Barca d’Alva (on the Spanish border). Afternoon excursion to the medieval Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (castle and churches). Evening lecture: Portugal’s History followed by Captain’s dinner on board.

Overnight Barca d’Alva.

Day 5 Whole day excursion to Salamanca (UNESCO World Heritage site): Plaza Mayor, Casa de las Conchas (Gothic building dating from 1493), Salamanca University, New Cathedral (16th–18th century). Overnight Pocinho.

Day 6 Morning cruise to Régua. Visit to Mateus Palace (beautiful gardens, chapel and winery).

Evening lecture: Portugal in the 20th Century.

Overnight Porto Antigo.

Day 7 Morning cruise down river to Oporto (UNESCO World Heritage site): visit to the historical Factory House of the British Association and visit to Graham’s Port Lodge (Symington Family Estates). Overnight Oporto.

Day 8 Disembark Spirit of Chartwell. Some free time in Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Depart Porto 1755, arriving Gatwick 2005.

Tour Director Martin Symington writes: “We’ll be starting in the city of Oporto which is where I was born and grew up: from there we’ll be sailing all the way up to the Spanish border, stopping at various places on the way. We’ve got some treats such as the Mateus Palace... and the port shipping town of Pinhão right in the heart of the port growing area, and after that the scenery just becomes more and more dramatic as we sail up through the port growing area where the vineyards close ever closer around this river.

On our way up to the Spanish frontier we then spend a day going off to the astonishing city of Salamanca.”

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.

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IRELAND retains an air of secrecy and few people are able to glimpse its fine interiors, virtually untouched, including the Gothic Saloon with its vaulted ceiling and Chippendale furniture.

Irish Houses, Castles & Gardens

At the very heart of our tour, Glin Castle, home to the Hollywood actor Dominic West and his wife Catherine FitzGerald, is a stunning late 18th century house overlooking the sea – built “with entertaining in mind”. We will enjoy the castle’s famous hospitality on a private overnight visit, including a tour of its walled garden and wonderful loop walk.

Close to Glin, Kilgobbin House, the 18th century dower house built for Adare Manor, is the private family home of the Countess of Dunraven, and features original art and furniture from Adare.

Glin Castle

• Absorb centuries of architectural history on a series of privileged visits to some of Ireland’s finest estates • View fine art collections and tour beautiful gardens, in the company of specialist guides and owners • Enjoy an exclusive overnight stay at Glin Castle, owned by the FitzGerald family for 800 years Famed for its outstanding natural scenery, ancient past and welcoming people, Ireland is also home to a stunning array of country estates, comprising historical architecture, beautiful interiors and impressive gardens – as well as some fascinating stories from the past and present. This brand new tour features a handpicked selection of the country’s pre-eminent houses and castles, many of which are not frequently open to the public. Private meals and tours with the owners of these historical houses will allow for an intimate and privileged glimpse into lives led behind normally closed doors and authentic interactions with some of Ireland’s public figures.

Our first stop is Killruddery House, home to the Brabazon family, Earls 34

of Meath: a wonderful Tudor Revival mansion with an original 17th century foundation, its French-style formal gardens are considered one of the finest examples of 17th century gardening in Ireland.

Named the third most beautiful gardens on earth by National Geographic in 2014, Powerscourt Gardens will welcome us for the afternoon. Laid out in a formal style in 1741 around the splendid Powerscourt House, the estate’s spectacular grounds stretch over 47 acres and include Italian and Japanese gardens.

Tullynally Castle, home of the famous Pakenham family, is filled with eclectic collections, and is only accessible by private arrangement. The gardens are large and full of variety, with Thomas Pakenham, the present Earl of Longford, being a noted plantsman.

We will make our way westwards, visiting Birr Castle for a visit and private lunch in the company of the 7th Earl of Rosse.

The castle, which dates back to medieval times, is well known today because of its royal connection – the present Earl’s brother, Lord Snowdon, was married to Princess Margaret. Yet the property

© COSMO SAMUEL BROCKWAY

June 14–20, 2022 from £3195 per person | with Cosmo Samuel Brockway

Whilst many of the properties on our itinerary are in private ownership, another splendid house, Doneraile Court, has been conserved by the Office of Public Works. It sits at the heart of a breathtaking estate, through which flows the River Awbeg, immortalised in Spenser’s The Faerie Queene.

The largest estate in Ireland, Curraghmore House – grand home of the Marquis of Waterford – features a splendid approach along the river to the castle. After a tour of the ground floor state rooms, we will enter the gardens via the Drawing Room long window, walking up the Avenue for a view back to the house and formal garden. We will also visit the enchanting 18th century shell house.

The final stop on our journey, Russborough House, is a rococo palazzo hidden deep in the Wicklow Mountains. Featuring superb artworks, Italian plasterwork and furniture, the house boasts an interesting and at times dramatic history. Our visit here will take us back into the golden age of the 18th century, making it a fitting finale to our tour of some of Ireland’s most notable historical country residences.

The accommodation on this tour has been carefully selected to complement the daytime visits, with a focus on elegant design, beautiful architecture and excellent locations. A special highlight of the tour will be a private stay at Glin Castle, hired exclusively by ACE for a night. The group will enjoy dinner in the Red Dining Room, overlooking the sea, before staying overnight in one

aceculturaltours.co.uk

IRELAND This tour will be led by travel writer Cosmo Samuel Brockway. Cosmo is a travel and interiors journalist, tour leader and, most recently, author of the award-winning book Glorious Hotels of India (2019). He writes for leading publications on interiors, culture and design, including Architectural Digest, The World of Interiors and The Telegraph.

A communications manager for luxury concierge company Loyd & Townsend Rose, Cosmo is well acquainted with many of the finest private estates in England, Scotland and Ireland. He has worked with Ampersand Travel as a South Asia specialist and editor, and has led tours across the world, from India to Norway, and the Holy Land to the Greek island of Patmos.

© COSMO SAMUEL BROCKWAY

Port Sunlight War Memorial

Doneraile Court

of the castle’s 15 well-appointed and individually designed en-suite bedrooms.

We also look forward to staying at the five-star boutique Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore: one of Ireland’s finest small luxury hotels, it is situated in a traditional fishing village with stunning coastal views. The beginning and end of our tour will be spent in Dublin at Buswells, a classic Georgian hotel in the heart of the city, and The Westin, a luxurious five-star hotel, respectively.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Participants should have a good level of fitness. This tour is not especially strenuous, but will involve some walking around gardens and estate grounds.

These are usually over relatively flat ground and participants can decide how far they wish to go.

In order to take in several important properties, our route around Ireland will involve four separate hotel stays and a moderate amount of coach travel, with several journeys of up to 2 hours in duration.

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change. Due to the special nature of the visits, some will be confirmed nearer the time.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1310 on British Airways, arriving Dublin 1440. Transfer to Buswells Hotel for three nights. Evening welcome talk at the Irish Georgian Society.

Day 2 Morning: Killruddery (house and grounds). Afternoon: Powerscourt Estate (gardens) followed by Enniskerry (village walk).

Evening talk.

Day 3 Excursion to Tullynally Castle (house and gardens) followed by free evening in Dublin.

Day 4 Morning: Birr Castle (including private light lunch with the Earl of Rosse). Afternoon: continue to Glin Castle for tour (house and gardens) followed by dinner and exclusive overnight stay at the castle.

Day 5 Morning: some free time at Glin Castle followed by visit to Kilgobbin House (tour and private light lunch with the Countess of Dunraven). Afternoon: Doneraile Court (house tour followed by free time to explore the adjacent village). Continue to Ardmore for overnight stay at Cliff House Hotel.

Day 6 Excursion to Curraghmore House (tour of house, gardens and 18th century shell house).

Afternoon visit to Russborough House (house, interactive museum and gardens). Continue to Dublin for overnight stay at The Westin.

Day 7 Depart Dublin 1300, arriving Heathrow 1430.

Cosmo has worked closely with ACE in designing this exciting new tour, drawing upon his extensive knowledge of Ireland, personal connections, and a dedicated research trip, to create this special and memorable itinerary.

Owners and expert local guides will lead the group on tours of some of the houses and gardens, accompanied

by Cosmo, who will also deliver two talks.

Cosmo’s personal highlights include Curraghmore House, with its breathtaking approach – “The sudden view of the house, which is really more of a palace, is one of Ireland’s great country house moments. The vast porch is topped with a stag and a cross, adding to the visual drama.

The interiors are no less spellbinding, with perhaps the most beautiful dining room in Ireland and a fine collection of portraits”. Glin Castle, meanwhile, “stretches back in an unbroken line to a medieval Knight of Glin. The castellated 18th century house overlooks an inlet where the River Shannon meets the wild Atlantic, and the castle is filled with treasures from Irish history. Staying here is comfortable, elegant and fun – with dinner in the Red Dining Room a great highlight.”

Cost of £3195 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, three lunches, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £565.

TOUR CODE: IHCG22

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RUSSIA The Motherland Calls,Volgograd

Southern Russia: Cossacks, Kalmyks & the Caucasus

ALEXFAS/PIXABAY

June 14–29, 2022 from £4395 per person | with Alex Koller

• Journey from Taman to the Russian Caucasus, via Rostov-on-Don and Volgograd and the spa towns of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk • Discover the history of southern Russia, from classical Greek colonisation to 19th century literature • Take in the awe-inspiring scenery of Europe’s highest mountain, Mount Elbrus This brand new tour explores a part of Russia that was a relatively late addition to the Tsarist Empire. As we journey from Taman, close to the coast of the Black Sea, to Azau and Nalchik, near the border with Georgia, we will take in a series of historically important towns and cities, their art and architecture, as well as a wealth of stunning natural scenery.

Taman, located on the site of the two ancient cities of Hermonassa and Tmutarakan, is of great archaeological significance. It also contains museums devoted to Cossack history and the Russian writer and artist Mikhail Lermontov, providing an introduction to the various cultural threads that will weave throughout our tour.

Sometimes called ‘the poet of the Caucasus’, Lermontov is considered one of the greatest figures in Russian Romanticism, and we will explore his contribution to Russia’s literary history in Pyatigorsk with a visit to the house where he spent his last months, now a 36

museum. Southern Russia also boasts connections with other great writers, including Tolstoy and Sholokhov, winner of the 1965 Nobel Prize for Literature and known for his writing on the lives of the Don Cossacks during the Russian Revolution.

The towns of Starocherkassk and Novocherkassk were both former capitals of the Don Cossacks, and contain exhibitions dedicated to them.

Starocherkassk is also home to the Cossack Military Cathedral, which, along with the Buddhist khuruls (temples) in Elista, is one of the most important religious sites in our itinerary.

Outstanding architecture can be seen in the towns and cities of Rostov-onDon and Azov, and the spa towns of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk. We will see the generously planned neoclassical layouts, featuring avenues and parks.

Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad, will be a particular highlight. Its monuments and museums offer one of the most poignant experiences of the magnitude of the war in the Soviet Union to be found in Russia.

We will also journey to more rural areas to meet local people, including the Oyrat nomadic people, who speak the Kalmyk language and little or no Russian. They live in tent carts and herd Bactrian camels and sheep. We will have the opportunity to learn about their lifestyle and traditions. Later in the tour, we will be privileged to meet a master

This tour will be led by Alex Koller, PhD, an expert in art and architectural history and accomplished linguist who has been leading tours since 1998.

His experience ranges from Russia and Eastern Europe to the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. Alex has studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge, gaining his PhD in History of Art from Magdalene College, where he has also lectured and supervised. of Kabardian martial arts, as well as a musician and blacksmith who makes traditional Kabardian instruments.

The natural landscape of southern Russia is one of the area’s greatest attractions: from the steppe landscape of Kalmykia, to the great rivers of Don and Volga, and Kabardino-Balkaria in the north Caucasus. We will journey through the latter en route to Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain, where a partial ascent to the snowfields will provide a fitting finale for our tour.

We will stay throughout at hotels of three and four-star quality.

Cost of £4395 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, eight lunches, dinner (one packed) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £490.

TOUR CODE: SORU22

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RUSSIA

ALEXXX1979/CC BY-SA 4.0

Port Sunlight War Memorial

Ascension Cathedral FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour includes a significant amount of travel by coach, including two journeys of approximately 5 hours in duration through the steppe, with some particularly scenic stretches. We will also travel by train to Rostov-on-Don, arriving late at night.

The tour will involve a moderate amount of walking and standing. Much of the terrain is not physically challenging, but uphill walking will feature at the spa towns and there are steep steps to navigate at some sites.

We hope to include a boat trip on the Volga River. The ascents of Mount Cheget and Mount Elbrus, which are optional, will involve use of chair lifts, cable cars and a snow cat. We will reach a maximum of 4200 metres altitude on the latter. These experiences will offer fantastic views, but there are different stages and participants can decide how far they wish to go.

The hike on Mount Cheget is also optional and will take place over gravel-type terrain.

Making the most of our visit to the region, this tour will feature several hotel changes, so a good level of stamina is required. Please note that whilst we hope to enjoy good climactic conditions in the Caucasus, there is always a chance of inclement weather and therefore some elements of the itinerary are weather dependent.

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Certain aspects of the tour may be dependent on weather conditions.

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Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1040 on Aeroflot via Moscow, arriving Anapa 2040. Two nights in Anapa.

Day 2 Excursion to Taman for visits to Archaeological Museum, Lermontov Museum, Cossack Museum and Pokrov Church. Return to Anapa for optional early evening visit to the Archaeological Museum and excavations.

Day 3 Morning excursion to Novorossiysk for city tour. Afternoon: visit to local winery for tour and tasting. Evening train to Rostov-on-Don. Three nights in Rostov-on-Don. Day 4 Excursion to Azov: fortress with 18th century powder store museum and monuments to 1642 Cossack siege followed by Azov History, Archaeology and Palaeontology Museum.

Day 5 Morning tour of Rostov-on-Don including Nativity Cathedral, Armenian Holy Cross Church and Don State Technical University.

Afternoon excursion to Novocherkassk: visits including Ascension Cathedral and Museum of Cossack History.

Day 6 Transfer to Starocherkasskaya for visits including Transfiguration Church, Resurrection Cathedral and Ataman’s Palace. Continue to Volgodonsk for overnight stay.

Day 7 Transfer to Kalach-on-Don (Monument to the Unification of the Fronts). Continue to Volgograd for two nights.

Day 8 Visits in Volgograd: Avenue of Heroes, Victory Park, Pamyat Museum, HistoricalMemorial Museum, Stalingrad Panorama and boat trip on the Volga (time permitting).

Day 9 Transfer to Elista (approx 5 hour journey including short stops) for two nights. Afternoon tour of Elista including visit to Kalmykia National Museum.

Day 10 Morning excursion to Yashkul village for opportunity to meet Oyrat nomadic people.

Return to Elista for afternoon visit to SyakyusnSyume Khurul.

Day 11 Transfer to Pyatigorsk (approx 5 hour journey including short stops) for three nights.

Afternoon visit to Lermontov House.

Day 12 Morning tour of Pyatigorsk: Proval, Academic Gallery, Kirov Prospekt, Park Tsvetnik and Cathedral of the Saviour. Free afternoon.

Day 13 Morning excursion to Essentuki: mud clinic, Tsanderovsky Institute of Mechanotherapy, Church of St Nicholas and Essentuki Park.

Afternoon excursion to Kislovodsk: 19th century fortress, St Nicholas Cathedral and Kislovodsk Park.

Day 14 Transfer to Cheget village for optional ascent of Mount Cheget by cable car and mountain hike (weather permitting). Overnight in Azau.

Day 15 Optional ascent of Mount Elbrus from Azau by cable car and snow cat (weather permitting). Afternoon: continue to Nalchik for meeting with master of Kabardian martial arts and Shalushka for meeting and dinner with musician and blacksmith. Overnight in Nalchik.

Day 16 Transfer to Mineralnye Vody for 1325 flight via Moscow, arriving Heathrow 2125.

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GERMANY

Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design June 21–26, 2022 from £2245 per person | with Alan Powers

The Bauhaus building, Dessau

• Discover the highlights of the Bauhaus School and modernist design in Germany • Take in the major centres of Weimar and Dessau alongside the lesservisited but culturally rewarding towns of Chemnitz, Gera and Jena • Study the art, architecture and design of the Bauhaus School and related artists, including creations by Walter Gropius, Henry van de Velde and Erich Mendelsohn Of all the avant-garde enterprises in art and design between the wars, the Staatliches Bauhaus provides a paradigm of modernism. The school taught the unity of art, craft and design with the aim of breaking down traditional disciplinary boundaries to achieve material and spiritual welfare. This tour offers the opportunity to explore not only the Bauhaus but also the wider artistic context of the movement.

The Bauhaus opened in 1919 under the directorship of Walter Gropius, taking over the Kunstgewerbeschule (School 38

of Applied Arts) building, designed

by Henry van de Velde, its pre-1914 director. 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.

In 1925, the school was transferred to Dessau, its most famous location, where Gropius designed a new building to house it which, in its restored state, powerfully evokes what it might have been like to study there. We look forward to visiting the new Bauhaus Museum in Dessau, opened in 2019 to celebrate the Bauhaus centenary.

On this tour, we will visit these major centres, but also other cities in Thuringia and Saxony that reveal a wealth of 20th century treasures. The Margarete Reichardt Haus in Erfurt displays the looms and workshop of Margarete Reichardt (1907–1984), who studied at the Bauhaus Dessau a year after its opening. In Gera and Jena, our visits will include a finely restored villa by Henry van de Velde as well as Gropius’s pioneering Haus Auerbach.

In Chemnitz, we will visit the Gunzenhauser Museum with its wide collection of interwar paintings and a well-preserved 1935 swimming pool complex by the City Architect, Fred Otto. An optional tour of the Schocken department store’s exterior provides an excellent example of the expressive yet functional designs for which its architect, Erich Mendelsohn, was renowned.

Passing briefly through Berlin, we will see the exterior of another of Mendelsohn’s well-known designs, the Einstein Tower in Potsdam, still an operational solar observatory today.

Our journey will include stays in three or four-star hotels in the historical centres of Weimar, Chemnitz and Dessau.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour as it involves a significant amount of walking, including over cobbled streets.

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’s wide-ranging research, curation and publication on varied topics pertaining to British art – including the Arts & Crafts movement, the experiences of 1930s German émigrés and the teaching of art and design – form the basis of his interest in the Bauhaus and contemporary movements in Germany. Alan’s book, Bauhaus Goes West, was published in 2019 to coincide with the centenary year.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1050 on British Airways, arriving Berlin 1340. Transfer to Weimar for three nights at Dorint Hotel Am Goethepark.

Day 2 Morning lecture followed by short walking tour of central Weimar: visits to former Bauhaus Building (including restored office of Walter Gropius), Walter Gropius monument, Nietzsche Archive and Haus am Horn.

Afternoon: Bauhaus Museum Weimar.

Day 3 Whole day excursion to Erfurt and Jena: Margarete Reichardt Haus (former weaving workshop and museum), Walter Gropius’s Haus Auerbach (subject to confirmation) and Ernst Abbe Mausoleum (by van der Velde).

Day 4 Transfer to Chemnitz via Gera: Haus Schulenburg (by van de Velde). Afternoon in Chemnitz: Gunzenhauser Museum (Expressionist paintings) and Chemnitz Public Baths (by Fred Otto). Overnight at Hotel an der Oper, Chemnitz.

Day 5 Optional walking tour of Chemnitz including exterior of former Schocken department store (by Mendelsohn). Transfer to Dessau for visits to Bauhaus buildings, Masters’ Houses, Törten Housing Estate (by Gropius) and Bauhaus Museum. Overnight at Radisson Blu Fürst Leopold Hotel, Dessau.

Day 6 Transfer to Berlin via Mendelsohn’s Einstein Tower (exterior). Depart Berlin 1645, arriving Heathrow 1745.

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.

Cost of £2245 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a double bedded room, breakfast, two lunches, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £215.

TOUR CODE: GBAU22

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Our Experts View our full list of Tour Directors and their tours online at aceculturaltours.co.uk/tour-directors

Christopher Bourne Christopher Bourne, BA, is an expert on the art and architecture of Belgium. Christopher lived in Brussels for 15 years, working as a translator and architectural tour guide. He has translated several books on Art Nouveau, and has given talks on architecture and design to a range of groups in Belgium, France and the UK. Cosmo Samuel Brockway Cosmo Samuel Brockway is a travel and interiors journalist, tour leader, and awardwinning author of Glorious Hotels of India (2019).

He writes for leading publications on interiors, culture and design, including Architectural Digest, The World of Interiors and The Telegraph. Cosmo has led tours across the world, from India to Norway, and the Holy Land to the Greek island of Patmos. He is also well acquainted with many of the finest private country estates in England, Scotland and Ireland.

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 a musician and broadcaster who spent over a decade as one of the core classical music presenters on BBC Radio 3, interviewing many of the world’s finest musicians. Sandy has conducted numerous orchestras and choirs, and has masterminded a complete cycle of J S Bach’s sacred cantatas.

Rupert Dickens Rupert Dickens, BA, MA, studied art history at Birkbeck, University of London before gaining a Masters degree in Dutch Golden Age Studies at University College London. Previously a BBC television and radio journalist for more than 20 years, Rupert has been visiting and working in the Netherlands and Belgium since the 1980s. He now works as a guide lecturer at the Wallace Collection and is an Arts Society accredited lecturer.

Peter Exley Peter Exley, BSc, is an ecologist and ornithologist who works for the RSPB. Peter has also held posts with BirdLife International and the Albatross Task Force in South Africa.

He has led and managed many ACE tours in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Algarve, New England, Madeira, the Faroes and Shetland.

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Kevin Hand Kevin Hand, MSc, MCIEEM, is a conservationist and environmental consultant with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism.

Kevin led a Darwin Initiative project on the taiga forests in Siberia, a project on sustainable forest use in the Ecuadorean Amazon with the Yachana Foundation, and ran National Tree Week in the UK for 13 years. He is President of the Cambridge Natural History Society.

Caroline Hannah Caroline Hannah, BA, has a degree in English Literature & History of Art as well as a university-accredited Garden Design Qualification from the University of Essex/ Writtle University College. For many years Caroline ran her own garden design business, and has undertaken both commercial and residential projects. She has given talks on garden design, and also conducted a live question and answer session on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Philip Kenrick Philip Kenrick, MA, DPhil, is an archaeologist who gained his doctorate on pottery from British excavations at Benghazi. Philip has worked in Libya, Sicily, Italy, Turkey and Jordan, and is a former treasurer of the Society for Libyan Studies, as well as the author of two Libya Archaeological Guides and co-author of Classical Antiquities of Algeria: A Selective Guide.

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.

Stella Lyons Stella Lyons, BA, MA, is a freelance art history lecturer accredited with the Arts Society, lecturing regularly throughout the UK, Europe, and in Asia. Stella studied at the universities of Bristol and Warwick, and also spent time at the British Institute of Florence and in Venice. Her particular interests include 19th century British art, and the Italian Renaissance.

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, studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and City University, London. For several years he was a specialist in Byzantine and Russian icons at the Temple Gallery, London, before working as a curator at the V&A Museum. Andrew was subsequently Programme Director at Christie’s Education, and has been leading tours across Europe for over 20 years.

Martin Symington Martin Symington is one of Britain’s most prolific travel journalists, regularly contributing to The Times, The Daily Mail and Wanderlust.

Born and brought up in Oporto, he is the author of the Dorling Kindersley guidebook to Portugal and the AA Essential Guide to Portugal.

Adam White Adam White, PhD, is an art historian and curator with expertise in country house collections. He studied at Oxford University and the Courtauld Institute of Art, and is one of Britain’s leading authorities on English sculpture of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. He has held the position of Hon Curator of Collections at Lotherton Hall in Yorkshire.

Andrew Wilson Andrew Wilson, BA, BD, FSAScot, is a specialist in archaeology and ancient history with a particular interest in Roman frontier systems and Byzantine mosaics. Andrew is a member of the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He is also a member of the Hadrianic Society and the Pictish Arts Society.

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2022 Schedule Overview Some details may be subject to change. Please visit www.aceculturaltours.co.uk for more information.

January

28–04/04 Art Treasures of St Petersburg

17–21

Wildlife of Suffolk: Minsmere & Orford Ness

Mozart Festival in Salzburg

February 09–12

Somerset Levels in Winter

17–20

Bath Bachfest

21–26

Early Christian & Medieval Rome

Elgar, Birmingham & Worcester

March 01–07

Venice: The Triumph of Light & Colour

07–12

Aquileia: City of Antiquity

07–14

Art on the Côte d’Azur

14–18

Roman & Byzantine Ravenna

14–26

Algeria: Rome Meets the Sahara

21–24

Art Collections of Liverpool

28–04/04 Roussillon 28–07/04 Jordan: Kingdoms of the Desert 28–08/04 Jazz: From New Orleans to Memphis

Art Treasures of Dresden: Porcelain & Paintings

April

May

03–07

Great Bardfield & Beyond: MidCentury Art & Design in East Anglia

06–12

Pompeii with Herculaneum

06–15

Ancient Sicily

09–13

The Vienna Secession

10–17

Isles of Scilly

11–18

Gardens of the Republic of Ireland

16–21

Dutch Masters: Van Gogh, Rembrandt & Mondrian

16–24

Great Art Collections of New England

01–06

Cornwall Calling: The Artists of Newlyn, Lamorna & St Ives

05–10

Flemish Painting: From van Eyck to Rubens

05–12

Sardinia: Birds, Flowers & Nuraghi

19–23

Mid-Century Modern in the Heart of England

16–26

19–26

Crete: Birds, Flowers & Minoans

Cyclades: Ancient Islands of the Aegean

17–21

Northamptonshire Country Houses

25–09/05 Lycian Cruise

Festtage: Music & Opera in Berlin

17–24

Art & Architecture of the Tyrol

Shakespeare at Stratford

18–25

Isle of Man: A Wild & Ancient Heritage

Isles of Scilly

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aceculturaltours.co.uk

Ancient Sicily

20–27

Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge

Buxton Opera Festival

23–26

Artists of the North

Hereford Three Choirs Festival

Verona Opera Festival

York Early Music Festival

24–27 The Pre-Raphaelites in Oxford

June 06–13

The Shetland Islands

13–20

Bach Festival in Leipzig

13–25

Northern Greece

14–20

Irish Houses, Castles & Gardens

14–29

Southern Russia: Kossacks, Kalmyks & the Caucasus

19–23

Gardens of the Cotswolds

20–25

Art & Landscape in Switzerland

21–26

Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design

29–04/07 Wagner in Leipzig

Aldeburgh Festival

July

August 02–05

Churches of Norfolk: An Appointment with Angels

08–12

Dorset Country Houses

08–12

Romney Marsh Churches

22–25

Artists’ Houses in Sussex

22–26

Northumbria in the First Millennium

21–30

Albania: From the Illyrians to the Ottomans

26–01/10 Aquileia: City of Antiquity

Edinburgh: Scottish Houses, Castles & Interiors

Mendelssohn in Scotland

Sibelius Festival in Finland

October 03–07

Bruges

13–19

Ancient Cyprus

17–27

Athens, Delphi & the Peloponnese

29–07/09 Danube River Cruise

18–03/11

30–03/09 Art Collections & Stately Homes of the West Country

Japan in Autumn: History, Art & Landscape

24–31

Piero della Francesca Glyndebourne

Wexford Opera Festival

International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate

Schubert in Schwarzenberg

September

November 07–14

Renaissance Florence: City of Wonders

12–28

Wonders of Southern India

16–20

Bath Mozartfest

02–09

Wild & Ancient Orkney

03–09

Swedish Palaces & Castles

05–09

Derbyshire Halls & Houses

04–11

Ireland’s Ancient Heartland

05–10

Isle of Wight

11–15

Churches of Suffolk

05–11

Oberammergau Passion Play

11–18

Wildlife of the Austrian Alps

12–16

Roman & Byzantine Ravenna

19–02/12 Archaeology of Morocco

12–19

Wild & Ancient Orkney

19–23

Music & Opera in Vienna

18–22

Prehistoric & Roman Anglesey & Snowdonia

Country Houses of North Norfolk

19–26

Art on the Côte d’Azur

Oxford College Chapels & Organs

19–30

Serbian Monasteries

20–26

Art & Architecture of Puglia

27–04/08 The Hanseatic League: An Artistic Legacy

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BOOKING PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS

Booking Procedure and Conditions Please complete the booking form and return Please complete the booking form and return it with the deposit required.

Alternatively, you can either book online or by telephone.

Upon receipt of your deposit we will send you a confirmation/invoice with, in most cases, a reading list. An itinerary, practical information and travel documents (if applicable) will be sent to you three weeks before the commencement of the tour.

INTRODUCTION 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 All tours and courses costing up to £250 per person must be paid in full at the time of booking.

If you are booking 10 weeks or more before departure, the following deposits are payable at the time of booking: £250 per person for UK tours. £350 per person for all European tours. £450 per person for Worldwide tours.

The balance must be received by us not less than 10 weeks prior to departure.This date will be shown on the confirmation invoice.

Reminders are not sent, so please 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.

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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): Notice period

Cancellation charge

70 days or more

Deposit only

69-29 days

60% of total booking value

28-15 days

90% of total booking value

14 days or less

100% of total booking value

COVID-19 If you have to cancel as a result of COVID-19 the above charges will not apply, subject to receipt of a medical note or other official proof of restriction of movement due to COVID-19.

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: despite the fact that single rooms carry a supplement, such accommodation is sometimes not of the same standard as twin/double accommodation. Single rooms may not always be in the same area of the hotel as a twin/double and the single supplement does not necessarily mean a twin/double room will be provided for single occupancy. Please note that 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 2 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:// ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/ air-ban/search_en.

aceculturaltours.co.uk

BOOKING PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS 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 All tours involve a significant amount of walking, often over uneven paths, hillsides or steps.You should be prepared to walk at a reasonable pace for at least 60 minutes and additionally stand for at least 30 minutes without requiring a rest.

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.We are also happy to cater for vegetarians or pescatarians. It is not, however, possible to offer extensive choices at every meal to cater for food preferences 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.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS 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://www.ghic. org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do. 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.

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MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR DISABILITY We aim to provide authentic cultural experiences and to maximise the time spent on tour. 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/ 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.

INSURANCE We consider comprehensive travel insurance essential for all tours (UK and abroad), including cover for medical expenses, infectious diseases, 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 recommend that insurance premiums are paid as soon as possible 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 a satisfactory outcome between us, we will ask AITO’s Independent Dispute Settlement Service to find an amicable solution.

Our contract with you is subject to English law (and no other) and the jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales only.

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A C E C U LT U R A L T O U R S – B O O K I N G F O R M Tour Information Tour Code Tour Title

Booking Ref.

Deposit/Full Payments

Total First Participant

n Male

n Female

n Vegetarian

n Single Room

Title:............... Surname: ............................................................................. First & Middle Names:........................................................................................

(as shown in passport):

Known as:.........................................................................................................

(as shown in passport):

Passport details

(if different from first name and surname in passport)

(required for overseas tours only) We require a copy of the picture page of your passport for long haul tours and destinations requiring a visa.

Address:............................................................................................................

Nationality: ....................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

Passport Number:

...........................................................................................................................

Date of Issue (D/M/Y): / /

Tel/Mob:............................................................................................................

Date of Expiry

Email:.................................................................................................................

Date of Birth

/ /

(D/M/Y):

: / /

(D/M/Y)

Place of Birth: ....................................................................................................

Country of issue:.................................................................................................

Special dietary requests/allergies: ...................................................................

Second Participant

n Male

n Female

n Vegetarian

n Single Room

First & Middle Names:........................................................................................

Title:............... Surname: ............................................................................. (as shown in passport):

(as shown in passport):

Known as:......................................................................................................... (if different from first name and surname in passport)

Address:............................................................................................................

Passport details

(required for overseas tours only) We require a copy of the picture page of your passport for long haul tours and destinations requiring a visa.

Nationality: ....................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

Passport Number:

...........................................................................................................................

Date of Issue (D/M/Y): / /

Tel/Mob:............................................................................................................

Date of Expiry

Email:.................................................................................................................

Place of Birth: ....................................................................................................

/ /

Country of issue:.................................................................................................

Date of Birth

(D/M/Y):

: / /

(D/M/Y)

Special dietary requests/allergies: ...................................................................

Payment Instructions I wish to pay a deposit of £ by: (tick method of payment) Bank transfer : Sort Code 16 – 15 – 19 Account Number 10410774 Account name ACE CULTURAL TOURS LTD Please quote your family name and tour code/ booking reference.

Cheque: please enclose cheque payable to ACE Cultural Tours Ltd. Card payments: please telephone the ACE reservations team on 01223 841055

Booking Authorisation I agree to accept the booking conditions, including fitness criteria in section 4, on behalf of myself and others included on this form.

Please also see our Privacy Policy for information on how we handle your personal data. This is available on our website but if you require a hard copy please contact the office.

Signature ..................................................................................................................................................... Date.....................................................................................

Please return to: ACE Cultural Tours, Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, Stapleford, Cambridge CB22 5BP, England

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aceculturaltours.co.uk

ACE CULTURAL TOURS

ACE CULTURAL TOURS Stapleford Granary Bury Road Stapleford 01223 841055 CAMBRIDGE ace@aceculturaltours.co.uk CB22 5BP www.aceculturaltours.co.uk