Curated Collection 2025 | February 2025

ACE CULTURAL TOURS 2025 CURATED COLLECTION

Travel for the Culturally Curious

Welcome

We are delighted to be able to share this curated selection of highlights from our 2025 programme and look forward to welcoming you on an array of adventures, including both new destinations and popular returning departures.

In May, Tour Director and artist James Winnett will lead our Glasgow: Patrons, Art & Innovation tour, which will explore the varied collections to be found in the city while tracing the work of key figures including Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Later in the year, Tour Director Sandy Burnett will lead a journey through the age of jazz and beyond, inviting travellers to enjoy both music and dance in the comfort of the four-star Hintlesham Hall Hotel, classically decorated and boasting a beautiful Salon in which all of our performances will take place.

Further afield, our Chinese Civilisation tour will delve into a rich historical tapestry of over 5000 years focusing on traditional architecture, garden design, calligraphy and regional culture. In India, we are also delighted to return to Rajasthan to visit some of the finest havelis, traditional townhouses and mansions of the region, and celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light, during our stay in the desert city of Jaisalmer.

Under a September sun, we look forward to becoming immersed in the history of the Dodecanese, particularly in Rhodes, where old and new blend during visits to the ancient city of Kamiros and medieval Lindos. Suzannne Fagence Cooper, meanwhile, will take us on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Swiss alps and the art they inspired, including works by Klee and Picasso.

Limited spaces remain on a number of departures for Spring 2025. Further information can be found on pages 3–5 or on our website at aceculturaltours.co.uk

Our complete 2025 schedule can be found on pages 58-60 as well as on our website. For departures in both 2025 and 2026 not yet on sale, we invite you to register your interest by completing the form on our website or by contacting the ACE Cultural Tours office on 01223 841055 or emailing: sales@aceculturaltours.co.uk By registering your interest you will receive the full details by email as soon as they are available.

Above & Cover: The Roman Theater at Taormina by Louise-Joséphine Sarazin de Belmont, 1828 NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Late availability

A number of ACE tours departing in Spring 2025 have limited spaces remaining, from exploring coastal lagoons, cork oak woodland and karstic mountain landscapes in Sardinia to unearthing hidden details in the churches of Romney Marsh or discovering the cultural legacy of Portugal’s ‘River of Gold’ on our Douro Cruise

Full details, including the itineraries and information about Fitness and Practicalities, are available on the ACE website, (aceculturaltours.co.uk). To enquire about availability please contact our office on 01223 841055 or email sales@aceculturaltours. co.uk

GERMANY

Art Treasures of Berlin: Historical Riches

April 7–13, 2025 with Tom Abbott

Discover Berlin’s fascinating art museums and architecture, with a focus on its historical collections

Enjoy an extended visit to the Gemäldegalerie, part of the Kulturforum

Visit the royal hunting lodge in the Grunewald, Berlin’s oldest existing palace building

Berlin, once variously known as the ‘Athens of the North’ and the ‘Sparta of the North’, is rightly famed for the wealth of its historical art collections.

We will spend a full day immersed in the Gemäldegalerie’s captivating assembly of 13th to 18th century paintings, ranging from early German and Flemish painting to 17th century Dutch art and works by the Italian Old Masters.

Berlin’s world-famous Museum Island comprises several important museum buildings established by the Prussian rulers. We will explore the Altes (Old) Museum, which opened in 1830 and houses ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan artefacts, and the Neues Museum, originally built as an extension to the Altes Museum.

A further highlight will be a visit to the Humboldt Forum, located in the reconstructed Berlin Palace and home

to a collection of non-European art. Meanwhile, the Bode Museum, the ‘moated castle’ on the River Spree, proudly accommodates the world’s largest assemblage of ancient sculpture.

Our tour concludes with a visit to the Schloss Charlottenburg, a magnificent Baroque palace, where we will discover both the Altes Palace and the New Wing.

This tour will be based at the comfortable three-star Martas Hotel Albrechtshof in Berlin, conveniently situated within walking distance of Museum Island.

Cost of £3295 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, one light lunch, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £395. TOUR CODE: ABL125

Wild & Ancient Sardinia

The Death of Mary by Hans Multscher, 1437

Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge

April 11–18, 2025 with Marie-Anne Mancio

Sail aboard the Spirit of Chartwell, formerly the Royal Barge, as it cruises along the ‘River of Gold’

Take in the vineyards and historical towns of Portugal’s northern valleys

Visit the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis in Porto, Portugal’s first public art museum

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.

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

ITALY

Wild & Ancient Sardinia

April 22–29, 2025 with Mark Welch

Discover Sardinia’s wonderful flora and fauna in a variety of habitats

The lagoons at Mari e Pauli and Sale Porcus offer opportunities to see uncommon water birds

Examine the island’s Bronze Age civilisation through its characteristic circular towers –Nuraghi

Based in the lakeside town of Cabras, where local fishermen still set out to sea in traditional reed boats, and Cala Gonone, bordering one of the most scenic stretches of the Mediterranean, this tour takes in Sardinia’s coastal waters and rugged interior on an exploration of its natural history and archaeology.

At the lagoons of Marina di Torre Grande, we are likely to see flamingos, stilts and ospreys, and our visit to Mari

e Pauli and Sale Porcus could provide glimpses of water birds like the purple gallinule, great white egret and redcrested pochard.

While this tour primarily concentrates on Sardinia’s natural history, it also incorporates some of the island’s fascinating archaeological remains. The most striking evidence that survives of the indigenous Bronze Age Nuraghic civilisation that once existed here are the

We will learn about the fascinating winemaking heritage of the area, with a tour and vineyard walk at a Quinta, and an opportunity to go behind the scenes at a port lodge, to discover and taste some fine vintages.

We will also enjoy some traditional music during the tour, as well as opportunities to learn about local cuisine during an onboard culinary demonstration.

Cost of £4195 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board with unlimited tea & coffee (whilst on board), wine, beer, soft drinks served with meals, shore excursions & admissions, all gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, supplement for the Royal Suite £475 per person, cabin for single use supplement £1995 (on request).

TOUR CODE: DRR125

circular stone towers – Nuraghi – that are dotted across the landscape.

Furthermore, we will discover the substantial Punic and Roman ruins at Tharros, standing high above the Mediterranean, and the UNESCOprotected complex at Su Nuraxi di Barumini.

In Cabras we will stay at the three-star Villa Canu, a small and simple familyrun hotel, and in Cala Gonone at the three-star Hotel Bue Marino, located on the seafront.

Cost of £2995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, one packed dinner (day 1), six dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £295. TOUR CODE: SARD25

The Spirit of Chartwell on the Douro River © DOUROAZUL

Gesturi

Lycian Cruise

April 26 – May 10, 2025 with Gillian Hovell

Explore ancient cities containing fascinating classical remains on a voyage around the coast of southwest Turkey

Journey inland to discover 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.

Our private voyage on board the beautiful MS Lycian Queen, a traditional

Myra

Turkish gulet, will begin with a cruise to Gemiler, where the vestiges of the oncethriving 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.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The cruise along the Bay of Fethiye to the ancient hilltop settlement of Lydae is always inspiring. 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 BCE.

Cost of £4495 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 & all taxes.

Not included: visa, travel insurance, master cabin supplement £390, cabin for single use supplement £1495 (on request).

TOUR CODE: LYC125

Great Art Collections of Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington

April 30 – May 8, 2025 with Sarah Burles

Explore superlative museums and galleries along America’s East Coast

Experience great works of art by European masters, from Rembrandt to Picasso, and American artists

Discover the extraordinary collectors whose wealth and philanthropy shaped these collections

The rich holdings of paintings, sculpture and works of decorative art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Baltimore Museum of Art are a must-see for any art lover.

Philadelphia’s Museum of Art is home to a significant collection of works by Cézanne, Thomas Eakins, Marcel

Duchamp and Cy Twombly, while the Rodin Museum contains one of the world’s greatest collections of the artist’s work.

The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is one of America’s most distinctive museums, while Washington’s Renwick Gallery displays American craft and decorative arts from the 19th to the 21st

centuries. Works by Berthe Morisot, Frida Kahlo and Louise Bourgeois can all be seen at the National Museum for Women in the Arts.

Our accommodation will be in superior standard hotels – the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown and Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC – chosen for their high quality and excellent locations.

Cost of £6495 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities for group services & all taxes.

Not included: ESTA, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £1175.

TOUR CODE: GPBW25

Wickford Harbor, Rhode Island by William J. Glackens, c 1909

ART

ETHIOPIA

Letters from Ethiopia

By Paul Brooke Barnes

In the autumn of 2025 ACE Cultural Tours is delighted to be making a return visit to the roof of Africa, Ethiopia. As we put the finishing touches to the itinerary, we invite you to explore our provisional tour details on pages 8-9 alongside an evocative account of Managing Director Dr Paul Brooke Barnes’s experiences in the country a few years ago.

We are meeting in the shade of a small clump of trees. Not just any trees, for we are standing in the School Under the Trees, and this dappled patch of scu ffed earth is the classroom. We are in the Tigray region in the north of Ethiopia and I am here with Asrat Kahsay, ACE’s agent in Ethiopia, who has helped put together our tour itinerary and manages our ground arrangements.

A few minutes earlier, we had parked up our Land Cruiser and continued on foot along the deeply rutted track, climbing up the hill to emerge onto a small plateau. In the distance are the Adwa mountains, dark and forbidding, but here we are surrounded by fields all wet with rain after an autumn shower, glittering in the afternoon sun, the reddish ochre soil contrasting with the vibrant greens of tef, the delicate local grain which sways in the gentle breeze. Scattered along the path are the cactuslike Euphorbia Abyssinica, standing sentry with their candelabra branches.

The clearing before us is the school playing ground and up ahead, in the shade of the acacias, warkas and junipers, a simple blackboard demarcates the classroom. Asrat is quietly charismatic and an inspiration. He and his family have su ffered much, but he loves his country and is determined to help it improve. As a small boy he had to trek scores of miles to reach safety with his family, escaping war and famine, crossing mountains and rivers by mule. Today, he works hard to share the benefits of tourism, improving education and providing clean water supplies. He received a very generous donation from a German family and as a result an actual school building is now taking shape. Progress is good, there are walls and a roof, but, as yet, only an earth floor and no water or electricity. We are soon joined by the headmaster, the local priest (dressed in the flowing white robes of a holy man and wielding a dignity stick), and a gaggle of school children. A couple more teachers join us, conversation flows and Asrat translates. I ask what are the three most important things required for the school’s development. The answer surprises me, for, in order, they are fencing, water and electricity. Water and electricity I can understand, but why fencing?

This is a rural area. I look around but there are no villages or towns in view, and precious few buildings of any kind. But if you stop by the roadside in Ethiopia, no matter how remote the area seems, people start appearing, ghostly shapes slowly emerge from fields, woods or ravines, gradually taking corporeal

form. It’s the same here – farmland, scrub and small copses extend to the slopes of the distant mountains. But there are no tractors, no farm machinery. The fields and the animals are all tended by hand and the children of farming families walk to the school from miles around. There are precious few hedges and walls, the fields flowing seamlessly together, scant barriers to wandering goats and cattle. Agreement therefore needs to be reached on the extent of the school grounds and fences constructed to keep farm animals out. I decide I can’t help with that issue, but ask about water supplies. Asrat had previously negotiated with the government for a water pipe to be installed along the valley, about a mile away, and there is sufficient capacity that we can tap into it. The cost? About $2000, not a lot to supply a school of 80100 kids. I consult Asrat as I’m uneasy being a foreigner and have concerns about the nature of aid. The locals are a proud people, determined and hardworking, and not looking for hand-outs. We agree that fair trade and mutual respect are the best basis for future development and so I’m happy to say on ACE’s behalf that we would like to fund the water supply. There’s plenty more to do, so if you would like to join us in supporting the School Under the Trees, please see below.

We say our farewells and return to the car. Along the path we are accompanied by the chatter of firefinches and redcheeked corden-bleu and continuing our journey we pause to admire a weaver bird constructing its intricate nest. It is an easy place to linger. Much of Ethiopia

A typical field of teff

© PAUL BROOKE BARNES

ETHIOPIA

is on a plateau, 6-8000’ in height, and it is not for nothing that the country is known as the ‘roof of Africa’. The altitude makes for a pleasant climate, at sea level it might be 40°C but up here we relax in the mid 20s, breathing in the country air.

Later, as the sun begins to fall, we sit on a rocky outcrop with wonderful views of the mountains in all directions. Asrat unwraps freshly-baked ambasha, the Ethiopian wheaten bread. His aunt made it an hour or so ago and it is still warm. We pour on rich, locally made honey, the bees having collected their treasure from an abundance of wildflowers. It’s delicious and makes a pleasant change from the ubiquitous injera, a spongy bread made from tef, that is a staple part of the diet and a wonderful accompaniment to spiced stews and shekla tibs.

This is a region steeped in history. To the west lies the ancient city of Axum, centre of the Axumite empire, once considered alongside Rome, Persia and China as one of the four great empires of the world, with its impressive steles and the ark of the covenant that no mere mortal can view. Not far away is the site of the Battle of Adwa, where the invading Italian army was defeated by an Ethiopian force led by Emperor Menelik II in 1896. And if you head east, your journey will take you to Yeha, with its 2,700 year old Great Temple, where, if you are lucky, a priest from the neighbouring monastery may draw from an old wooden chest a remarkable array of illuminated manuscripts.

Tigray is also famous for its rock hewn churches, often located in spectacular positions at the top of extraordinary rock formations. Maryam Korkor is

The School Under the Trees is truly a grass-roots project. There are no charities, agencies, NGOs or any other organisations involved. If you are interested in supporting the school, please get in touch with the ACE office and we can help you make a donation.

We are also very pleased to be supporting Partners for Change Ethiopia, a UK-based charity working with a number of partners and projects in Ethiopia. The Breakfast Club programme at Cholle school in Debre Birhan has provided nutritious meals to 90 students from vulnerable backgrounds. Additionally, 60 parents and guardians received support to start income-generating activities,

a favourite, but it’s a strenuous, steep climb to reach the top. Abuna Yemata is strictly for those with a head for heights, half way up a sheer cli ff face. But there are a host of more accessible churches, many with wonderful wall paintings and intriguing architectural features. They can be places for quiet reflection, but the services should also be experienced – long, full of music, chanting, and bursting with life.

We also reflect on more recent history. This tranquil setting was once a turning point in the war against the Derg, the murderous regime that ruled Ethiopia in the Red Terror. A small Tigrayan force defeated a government battalion on the slopes below, and field by field, hill by hill, the Derg were driven out. The relationships between the regions and the central government have never been easy. After all, this was an empire ruled by an Emperor, with many competing dynasties, ethnicities and religions. There has been too much conflict, but tonight is for dreams. The air becomes cooler and crepuscular and Asrat talks about his plans for the future. He reveals that he owns this site and that his dream is to build an eco-hotel here, nestled into the hill’s embrace. It is a long term project, but I hope it will succeed. He talks passionately about his love for the country and his delight in welcoming visitors.

A journey to Ethiopia is not easy. It can be tiring, uncomfortable, frustrating, noisy, tranquil, wretched, beautiful, inspiring, sublime. But I have come to love Ethiopia and I hope one day you will too.

including business training and a seed capital. These families have engaged in various businesses, such as poultry farming, vegetable selling, local alcohol distillation, and baking injera.

PFC Ethiopia is co-chaired by John Binns, our Tour Director, who first visited Ethiopia in 1993 and has been working on projects in the country ever since, returning to the country many times. He was previously vicar of the university church in Cambridge and is the author of The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia: A History.

If you are interested in supporting the work of PFC Ethiopia, please visit: pfcethiopia.org/donate/

Ethiopian illuminated manuscript

Paul and Asrat Kahsay visiting The School Under the Trees

© PAUL BROOKE BARNES

© PAUL BROOKE BARNES

Ethiopia: History, Culture & Landscape

November 17 – December 2, 2025

Journey to the roof of Africa to discover a country brimming with ancient history and diverse landscapes

Learn about Ethiopian Christianity and Islam with visits to Axum, the rock churches of the Gheralta mountains, and the sacred walled city of Harar

Explore prehistoric archaeology, dramatic mountain vistas, lakeside monasteries and a wealth of birdlife

“Ethiopia is a fast developing and vibrant nation whose people are warm and welcoming, and it is they above all who will make our visit a wonderful and unforgettable experience”

– Tour Director John Binns

On the roof of Africa, source of the Blue Nile, lies an ancient country whose Orthodox church plays a guiding role in the history and culture of the second oldest Christian nation in the world. The church exhibits colourful ceremonies and traditions influenced by Judaism as well as historical links with Islam, with which it

This tour will be led by Rev John Binns , PhD, who will be joined by wildlife expert and conservationist Kevin Hand , MSc, MCIEEM.

John has researched and lectured in a variety of Eastern Orthodox countries, including Russia, Israel/Palestine and Serbia. He is Visiting Professor at the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge and a Research Associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He has visited Ethiopia many times, and his publications include The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia: A History (I B Tauris, London 2016) and An Introduction to the Orthodox Christian Churches (Cambridge University

has coexisted in Ethiopia for hundreds of years. Exploring this distinctive past, our tour will reveal the country’s wonderful tradition of rock-hewn churches alongside important Islamic sites, complemented by explorations of the country’s remarkable natural landscape and wildlife.

We begin in Addis Ababa, the cosmopolitan capital and administrative centre of the African Union, a growing modern city with dramatic new buildings, parks and museums. Here we will visit the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to important archaeological collections and the skeleton of 3.2 million year old ‘Lucy’, one of our earliest bipedal ancestors. Later in the tour returning to Addis, we will stop at the remarkable

Press, 2002). He is also chair of trustees of Partners for Change Ethiopia, a community development agency based in Addis Ababa, with a UK office in Cambridge.

Kevin is a conservationist and environmental consultant with a special interest in birds, mammals and ecotourism. He has led many projects linking nature and communities, including a Darwin Initiative on the taiga forests in Siberia and a programme to identify sustainable use of forest resources in the Ecuadorian Amazon. He was a Director of the Tree Council and ran National Tree Week in the UK for 13 years. Kevin has led several tours to Ethiopia and accompanied John on ACE’s latest tour there in January 2020. He is looking forward to introducing another group to some

prehistoric sites at Tiya and Melka Kunture.

From Addis we journey east. Ethiopia is home to the oldest Islamic community outside Arabia, which looks back to the flight of a group of followers of the prophet who took refuge from persecution in Mecca. The uniquely characterful walled city of Harar is often described as “the fourth holiest city of Islam” and houses myriad mosques, shrines and striking houses amongst a labyrinth of narrow streets. The inclusion of Harar in our tour is a particularly special opportunity, and our Tour Director will spend time introducing and expanding on Ethiopian Islam and Christianity as we progress.

of the wildlife and landscapes of this fascinating country.

Tour Direcctor John Binns says: “Our journey is a full and wide ranging introduction to the landscapes, buildings and culture of this beautiful and extraordinary country. From Axum and Harar to the Bala Mountains and Lake Hawassa, we will experience a country which has the second largest population in Africa, is home to over eighty different ethnic groups, is the only truly mountainous country on the continent, and is the place where the human race began. As Brian Cox put it, we are all Ethiopian if we look back a mere 200,000 years. It’s no exaggeration to say this will be a truly unique experience.”

Bale Mountains National Park

ETHIOPIA

The lakes and mountains south of Addis of the Rift Valley offer a contrasting experience to the busier centres. In the Bale Mountains we will discover an abundance of bird and animal life in a beautiful setting, while the nearby lakes of the valley – among them Hawassa, the capital of the southern region –will surround us with further natural wonders. Here we will visit some of the innovative development projects based in the country, revealing another side of Ethiopian life as local communities provide mutual support and effective action for overcoming poverty.

Finally we journey north, into a dramatic highland landscape containing a fascinating array of monuments, many of them UNESCO World Heritage sites. The giant stelae – spectacular monolithic obelisks – royal tombs and palace remains at Axum speak of a once powerful kingdom, which stretched from Southern Arabia to Meroe in northern Sudan; in the 3rd century it was considered one of the four great empires of the world, alongside Rome, Persia and China. The Axumites adopted Christianity in 340 AD, and the Ark of the Covenant is claimed to be one of the many treasures housed in the compound of the Church of St Mary of Zion. We are delighted to be here during the festival of Hidar Tsion, which celebrates the arrival of the Ark of the Covevant among other historical events.

Equally absorbing is the diverse landscape surrounding these cultural sites. Within the dramatic mountainous region of Tigray, we will encounter the traditional style of rock church, visiting a selection of the many sacred spaces excavated in

caves or carved out of solid rock, often in dramatic locations.

We shall complete our tour as we began, in Addis Ababa, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner before taking an evening flight home.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note this tour concentrates on a number of diverse regions within Ethiopia. Taking full advantage of the country’s stunning natural environment, our itinerary includes several long journeys as well as a number of internal flights. Some days will be long, and temperatures could be hot. Our route passes through highland areas – Addis Ababa itself is 7200 ft above sea level – and while the elevation makes for a generally agreeable climate a very good level of fitness is required throughout. Travellers should be prepared for a lower overall standard of accommodation than we would expect in western Europe; our hotels will be chosen to be as comfortable as possible while remaining consistent with the objectives of a cultural tour. Overland travel will be made by comfortable minibus, with a second vehicle used to transport luggage and food for our journeys, with meals provided by a group chef. We have designed this tour to be dynamic and well balanced: the major centres of Addis Ababa, Harar and Axum are likely to be busy, interspersed with quieter periods spent in the natural Ethiopian landscape. In particular, we will be in Axum during the colourful festival of Hidar Tsion, and participants should expect some areas of the city to be crowded.

ITINERARY

Please note the below itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change. Local conditions can be unpredictable so travellers should anticipate a certain degree of flexibility.

Day 1 Overnight flight from London to Addis Ababa.

Day 2 Arrive Addis Ababa and check in to hotel for overnight stay. Free morning followed by afternoon visits to the cathedral and National Museum of Ethiopia (archaeological collections, Sabean artefacts, skeleton of 3.2 million year old ‘Lucy’). Introductory talk and welcome.

“The Tour Director enthused us with his love of the country”

– ACE customer on a previous tour to Ethiopia led by John Binns

Day 3 Morning flight to Dire Dawa followed by a short drive to Harar. Evening lecture: Ethiopian Islam. Two nights in Harar.

Day 4 Whole day exploring Harar (ancient Islamic city recognised as the fourth holiest city in the world for Muslims, surrounded by defensive walls), including its mosques, shrines, museum and city walls.

Day 5 Transfer to Dire Dawa for morning flight to Addis Ababa. Drive to Lake Hawassa (superb wildlife including hippos and a wide variety of waterbirds). Two nights in Hawassa.

Day 6 Whole day exploring Lake Hawassa, including visits to local development projects.

Day 7 Drive into the Bale Mountains National Park. Evening wildlife talk. Two nights in the national park.

Day 8 Whole day exploring the Bale Mountains (beautiful and dramatic landscape), with their abundant bird and animal life, including a visit to the Saneti Plateau.

Day 9 Drive to Lake Langano (mineral rich waters) for a relaxing afternoon and evening. Overnight in Lake Langano.

Day 10 Drive to Addis Ababa, visiting the fascinating prehistoric sites of Melka Kunture and Tiya en route. Evening lecture: Introduction to the Church and its Architecture

Day 11 Morning flight from Addis Ababa to Mekele, followed by transfer to the Gheralta Mountains. En route visits to Adi Qosho Medhane Alem and Petros Paulos (time permitting). Two nights in Hawzen.

Day 12 Whole day exploring the rock churches in the Gheralta mountains, including Wukro Abreha we Atsbeha and Debre Tsion Abraham.

Day 13 Transfer to Axum via Yeha and Adigrat, passing the site of the Battle of Adwa and visiting the Temple of the Moon at Yeha. Two nights in Axum.

Day 14 Hidar Tsion Festival. Whole day exploring Axum, site of a once powerful kingdom considered one of the four great empires of the world. Visits to stelae (spectacular monolithic obelisks), churches (including St Mary of Zion) and architectural sites.

Day 15 Flight to Addis Ababa. Summary lecture and farewell dinner before evening flight from Addis Ababa to London Heathrow.

Day 16 Arrive London Heathrow.

Full details, including the tour cost, will be released in spring 2025. Please contact the ACE office or visit our website to register your interest. TOUR CODE: ETHI25

Stelae Park Obelisks

Wonders of Georgia: Archaeology, Culture & Landscape

May 6–20, 2025

Undertake a once-in-a-lifetime adventure journeying from Tbilisi to Batumi via Bolnisi, Mtskheta, Kutaisi and Mestia

Highlights will include the fascinating Ananuri Fortress Complex, the medieval Gelati Monastery and Nokalakevi archaeological site

Visit Ushguli, one of the highest continually inhabited settlements in Europe, surrounded by Georgia’s awe-inspiring landscape

In May 2025, ACE invites you to join our newly crafted cultural adventure exploring the breathtaking country of Georgia. Designed to give travellers the very best experience of this rich and wonderful land, there is no more comprehensive tour, which weaves together Georgia’s ancient history and archaeology, art and architecture, modern history and cultural and religious heritage – from gastronomy to music.

Spending our first five days in and around the capital, we will delve into

This tour will be led by Ian Colvin , an expert in the late Roman and Byzantine history of the Caucasus regions. Ian has extensive experience leading tours to Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and the southern Balkans. He trained as a historian and Byzantinist at Oxford in the 1990s, specialising in late Antiquity and the Roman Eastern Frontier. He later moved to the University of Cambridge to become a researcher with the Cambridge School Classics Project, before establishing an archaeological excavation at Nokalakevi in collaboration with the Georgian National Museum, which continues to this day.

Tbilisi’s fascinating historical quarters – from the ancient bathhouse district to Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral, resplendent with traditionally-inspired decoration.

We will make a day trip to the Kakheti region for the Tsinandali Estate, nestled in Georgia’s wine-making country, an industry dating back over 8000 years. The Palace of King Erekle II served as the royal residence in the 17th and 18th centuries and now houses an impressive museum. Another day trip will take us to Bolnisi, home to the oldest dated Christian structure in Georgia as well as an excellent new museum showcasing the country’s ancient history from the Chalcolithic to the Middle Ages.

Our journey then takes us north to the village of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), renowned for its stunning mountainous backdrop and 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church, which famously gazes out across the clouds and snow-capped Caucasus. Returning south, we will stop at the fascinating Ananuri Fortress Complex, a classic example of Georgian architecture located at the crossroads of trade routes, and the ancient rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe.

Following an overnight stay at Nika Vacheishvili’s charming guest house and winery, we continue west to Kutaisi for Gelati Monastery – one of Georgia’s first monastic complexes, typifying the

‘Georgian Golden Age’ – and Bagrati Cathedral. We will also discover the archaeological site of Nokalakevi, occupied during the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.

UNESCO-recognised Ushguli comprises several ancient villages and is surrounded by an astoundingly beautiful landscape. While in Mestia, in the country’s northwest, we also hope to experience an evening of Georgian polyphony performed by the Svan, an ethnic subgroup living mainly in this part of the country.

Our tour ends in Georgia’s second largest city of Batumi, with an excursion to the settlement of Gonio and its Roman fortress.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A very good level of fitness, mobility and stamina is required for this tour, and participants should meet ACE’s fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Some visits will involve moderate amounts of time spent walking, including up steps and over uneven ground, including on our tour of Tbilisi and at the archaeological site of Uplistsikhe (although there is an option to remain in the museum if preferred). Customers should also be comfortable undertaking some long coach journeys and days spent travelling, including (but not limited to) the day excursion to Bolnisi, and riding in 4x4s for certain visits. The ACE office is happy to provide more detail if you wish.

Ananuri Fortress

Smaller group – limited to 20 guests

GEORGIA

ITINERARY

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

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 0655 on Lufthansa via Munich, arriving Tbilisi 1720. Transfer to Tbilisi Marriott Hotel for five nights.

Day 2 Welcome and introductory lecture, followed by walking tour of Tbilisi including Metekhi, Abanotubani, Old Tbilisi, caravanserais, Sioni Cathedral, Bridge of Peace and Anchiskhati Basilica. Afternoon: Sameba Cathedral and private performance of Georgian polyphony.

Our Accommodation

Echoing the breadth and richness of the tour’s content, our itinerary includes six different hotel stays of a high quality and character. Opened in 1915, the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel is an outstanding five-star property with a beautiful façade, located next door to the National Gallery. In Kazbegi we will stay at Rooms Hotel, a luxurious four-star establishment offering wonderful views. Nika Vacheishvili’s Guest House in Didi Ateni is tucked away between mountains and vineyards: this small family-run winery will make for a charming oasis for our overnight stay near Gori. We will stay in hotels of a four or five-star quality in our final three centres of Kutaisi, Mestia and Batumi.

Day 3 Morning visits in Tbilisi: Open Air Museum of Ethnography and Georgian National Museum (Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia). Free afternoon with option to visit the National Gallery. Evening: private classical concert at the Mose Toidze House Museum.

Day 4 Whole day excursion to the Kakheti region (via Gombori Pass): Tsinandali Estate (lunch and wine tasting) and Telavi for Palace of King Erekle II and History Museum.

Day 5 Whole day excursion to Bolnisi including basilica and museum. Afternoon visit to Betania Monastery (time permitting).

Day 6 Transfer to Kazbegi via Jvari Monastery and Mtskheta (Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro Convent). Two nights at Rooms Hotel, Kazbegi.

Day 7 Morning: Gergeti Trinity Church (by 4x4s). Afternoon: Darial Gorge and Sioni Church. Evening lecture: Georgia & the Eurasian Steppe.

Day 8 Ananuri Fortress Complex, Uplistsikhe and Stalin Museum, Gori. Overnight at Nika Vacheishvili’s Guest House.

Day 9 Visit to Ateni Church, followed by Kutaisi for Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral. Two nights at hotel in Kutaisi.

Day 10 Optional early morning walking tour of Kutaisi city centre and market, followed by visits to Vani Archaeological Museum and Nokalakevi.

Day 11 Transfer to Mestia via Enguri hydroelectric dam and Matskhvarishi Church, Lalati. Two nights at hotel in Mestia.

Day 12 Morning visit by 4x4s to Ushguli: Lamaria Church. Afternoon: Mestia Museum. Evening performance of Georgian polyphony by the Svan people (based in northwest Georgia).

Day 13 Transfer to Batumi via Dadiani Palace Museum, Zugdidi. Two nights at hotel in Batumi.

Day 14 Walking tour of Batumi followed by excursion to Gonio for Apsarus. Concluding lecture: 12 influences that made Georgia.

Day 15 Depart Batumi 1035 on Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, arriving Heathrow 1505.

Cost of £6795 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, fourteen breakfasts, eleven lunches, fourteen dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £845. TOUR CODE: GEOR25

Bagrati Cathedral

Ushguli

Japan in Springtime: History, Art & Landscape

May 13–29, 2025

Japan in Autumn: History, Art & Landscape

October 21 – November 6, 2025

Gain a comprehensive understanding of historical and contemporary Japanese art and culture

Visit fascinating temples, including Horyu-ji, Japan’s oldest surviving temple

Experience beautiful Japanese garden design and breathtaking natural scenery

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

Japan’s history is palpably experienced at castle sites such as Inuyama, Himeji and Edo. Vernacular building traditions survive in the form of traditional farmhouses in mountain settlements like Shirakawa-go: we hope to include an overnight stay in a historical building of this type during our tour.

The richness of Japanese garden design is evident at temple and castle sites but especially at the large-scale strolling gardens of the Edo period, such as Kenroku-en in Kanazawa, Ritsurin in Takamatsu and Koraku-en in Okayama. Koraku-en is regarded as one of Japan’s best landscape gardens, with its winding paths, ponds and views of the

This tour will be led by art historian, experienced tour leader and accomplished linguist Alex Koller, PhD. As a result of his travels to the Far East, Alex has developed a keen interest in Buddhist art and architecture.

reconstructed Okayama Castle serving as ‘borrowed scenery’.

We will delve into the rich heritage of Japanese applied arts, with visits to a Kutani kiln and a gold leaf demonstration in Kanazawa, and experience a diversity of beautiful scenery during our journeys – from cedar forests to mountains and coastline.

This tour also offers an opportunity to get a feel for life in contemporary Japan and enjoy local cuisine.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This comprehensive tour requires a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina. Participants should be prepared for a significant amount of walking and standing, and be aware that it is customary to sit on the floor at times in Japan. Some visits involve walking over uneven or gravelled ground, uphill and up narrow steps. At Tosho-gu Shrine, there are 207 steep stone steps leading to the Inner Shrine, without handrails, and some temple interiors are dimly lit. Participants must meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions. The tour also features several hotel changes and some long coach journeys of up to 3 hours in duration. We will make use of the Shinkansen (bullet train) high-speed rail network, and buses in Kanazawa, an efficient way to travel around the city.

Yakushi-ji Temple, Nara

Lake Ashi

JAPAN

ITINERARY

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

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1320 on British Airways.

Day 2 Arrive Tokyo 1055 and transfer to Tokyo Prince Hotel (spring tour) / Asakusa View Hotel (autumn tour) for three nights. Some time to rest followed by visit to Edo Castle site and garden.

Day 3 Whole day excursion to Nikko: Taiyuin in Reibyo, Futarasan Shrine (exterior) and Tosho-gu Grand Shrine. Optional afternoon

Accommodation

We hope to include a special opportunity on this tour to stay overnight at a traditional house in the mountain village of Shirakawa-go. This will involve sharing Japanese-style rooms with futons, split by gender, with 3-4 people per room. The facilities comprise shared bathrooms and toilets, separated by gender. This authentic and immersive experience will offer an opportunity to see Shirakawa-go without the crowds, and enjoy dinner served at the houses in Japanese style. This accommodation will be confirmed nearer to departure. We will stay at hotels of three and four-star standard during the rest of the tour.

visit to Rinno-ji or some free time in Nikko. Free evening in Tokyo.

D ay 4 Visits in Tokyo: Ueno Park, Tosho-gu Shrine, Tokyo National Museum, Mei-ji Shrine, Hama-rikyu Garden and Asakusa Kannon Temple.

D ay 5 Transfer to Kamakura for Engakuji Temple, Kencho-ji Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine, Hase-dera and Daibutsu. Continue to Hakone, close to Mount Fuji, for overnight at Prince Hakone Ashinoko Hotel.

D ay 6 By coach and bullet train to Inuyama. Continue to Shirakawa-go for overnight at a traditional house (subject to confirmation).

D ay 7 Morning walking tour of Shirakawa-go and visit to Gassho-zukuri Minkaen open-air museum. Continue to Toyama for visit to Zuiryuji. Afternoon: transfer to Kanazawa for two nights at ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa Hotel and visit to Samurai district.

D ay 8 Visits in Kanazawa: Myoryu-ji, Kutani Kosen kiln, Kenroku-en Garden, optional walk around Kanazawa Castle site, visit to Higashi Chaya ‘Geisha area’. Free evening.

D ay 9 Transfer by bullet train to Kurashiki via Himeji for two nights at Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel. Evening lecture.

D ay 10 Cross over the Inland Sea to island of Shikoku. Visit to Shikoku-mura (open-air museum), followed by Yashima-ji, Ritsurin Garden and Zentsu-ji. Return to Kurashiki.

D ay 11 Morning: Ohara Museum of Art followed by free time for independent exploration of Kurashiki. Transfer by coach and train to Nara via Okayama for Koraku-en Garden. Two nights at Hotel Nikko Nara.

D ay 12 Morning visits in Nara: Todai-ji, Kofukuji, Nara National Museum. Free afternoon or optional visits to Hokke-do, Kasuga Taisha and Shin Yakushi-ji. Free evening.

D ay 13 Morning temple visits: Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji, Horyu-ji. Afternoon: Uji Byodo-in. Continue to Kyoto for three nights at Noku Hotel.

D ay 14 Visits in Kyoto: Nijo Castle and garden, Heian Shrine, Ginkaku-ji, Nanzen-ji, Ninna-ji and Ryoan-ji. Free evening.

D ay 15 Excursion to Mount Hiei followed by Ohara for Sanzen-in and tea drinking at subtemple of Hosen-in. Return to Kyoto via Shisendo. Optional scenic walk through Kyoto suburbs to Manshu-in.

D ay 16 Free time in Kyoto for optional independent visits. Flight to Tokyo for overnight stay at Villa Fontaine Grande Haneda Hotel (airport hotel).

D ay 17 Depart Tokyo 1305, arriving Heathrow 1955 (spring tour) / Depart Tokyo 0945, arriving Heathrow 1545 (autumn tour).

Cost of £8995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room (except overnight stay in Shirakawa-go), fifteen breakfasts, five lunches (one light), eleven dinners with water & tea/coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement (except overnight stay in Shirakawa-go) £895 (spring tour) / £1395 (autumn tour). TOUR CODE: JAA125 / JAA225

Ritsurin Garden

Uzbekistan: Cities of the Silk Road

October 10–21, 2025

Journey to the heart of Central Asia to discover an extraordinary civilisation

Visit the Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand

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

Uzbekistan has long been a prized territory: in the 4th century BCE Alexander the Great married the daughter of a local chieftain, and in the 13th century CE Genghis Khan waged war over the region. It was Timur, better known to us as Tamerlane, who finally overpowered the Mongols and established Samarkand as the glittering capital of an empire encompassing much of Central Asia.

Our tour begins in the modern capital, Tashkent, where the exhibits of the city’s museums will set our investigations in context. We will explore Khast-i-Imam, an extraordinary architectural complex in the heart of the old city that forms the spiritual centre of Tashkent. From there, we head to the oasis town of Khiva –

“The

once the final stopping-point of caravan trains before they set out on the long journey across the desert for Persia. The inner citadel of Ichan Kala, surrounded by huge crenellated clay walls, was the first site in the country to be listed by UNESCO. Architectural delights include the Juma Mosque, with its forest of carved wooden columns – the oldest of which date from the 10th century.

We will traverse the Kyzylkum desert to Bukhara, a centre of culture and civilisation from the 6th century BCE. The armies of Genghis Khan left little intact from the city’s earliest days, with a notable exception being the perfectly preserved 10th century Ismail Samani Mausoleum.

Founded as early as the 7th century BCE, the city of Samarkand is one of the oldest in all of Central Asia. Captured by Alexander the Great in 329 BCE, it passed through the hands of successive civilisations before reaching its zenith as the capital of the Timurid Empire.

The archaeological site of Afrasiab is preserved, along with astonishing frescoes bearing testimony to the vanished Sogdian civilisation that dominated trade along the Silk Road for centuries.

Although the city walls of Samarkand are gone, the medieval layout remains in the narrow streets and many traditional houses. A highlight of our visit here will be the awe-inspiring Registan Square, bordered on three sides by elaborate madrasas and one of the most important complexes of Islamic architecture in the world. Our tour will also include an excursion to Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Timur himself and recipient of his considerable architectural patronage.

Registan Square, Samarkand

Khiva

visits to the fabulous World Heritage sites were wonderful”

– ACE customer on a previous Uzbekistan: Cities of the Silk Road tour

We will stay at comfortable three or fourstar hotels close to the key sites on our tour, and our visits will be complemented by regular talks given by our Tour Director.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of general fitness and stamina is required for this tour, and participants should meet ACE’s minimum fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions. The tour involves very full days of sightseeing as well as some long and tiring coach journeys (for example, the journey from Khiva to Bukhara takes eight hours with two stops en route), and there are poor road conditions in places. Some visits involve traversing steep steps and uneven ground.

We will also make two journeys by train, and participants should also be prepared for basic facilities at certain sites and during some of the journeys. The hotels have been chosen to

This tour will be led by Steve Mastin , MA, PGCE, FHA, who studied history and classics before working as a school teacher for 17 years. He has 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.

carefully balance character, location, service and comfort levels, however please note that sometimes the standards are simpler than those found at typical Western hotels.

ITINERARY

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

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1620 on Uzbekistan Airways.

D ay 2 Arrive Tashkent 0310 and transfer to hotel for early check in and time to rest. Afternoon: Khast-i-Imam architectural complex (spiritual centre of Tashkent) in the heart of the old city, followed by brief visit to Museum of Applied Art. Evening introductory lecture. Overnight in Tashkent.

D ay 3 Morning: visits including short stop in Independence Square to view an example of Tashkent’s stunning underground metro stations, followed by State Museum of History of Uzbekistan (archaeological and ethnographical) — time permitting. Domestic flight to Urgench and transfer to city of Khiva for two nights.

D ay 4 Khiva: Ichan Kala (ancient citadel surrounded by crenellated clay walls), Juma Mosque, Kunya Ark Fortress, Kalta Minor Minaret and Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasa. Evening lecture.

D ay 5 Drive through the Kyzylkum Desert, occasionally sighting the River Oxus (now the Amu-Darya) crossed by Alexander the Great in 329 BC. Three nights in Bukhara.

D ay 6 Bukhara: Poi-Kalyan architectural complex, Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, Kalyan Mosque and Minaret, Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasas. Afternoon: Lyabi-Hauz and madrasas. Evening lecture.

D ay 7 Bukhara: Tchor Minor Mosque, Sitora-i-Mokhi Khossa, 10th century Samanid Mausoleum, Chasma-Ayub Mausoleum (‘Job’s Spring’), Bolo-Hauz Mosque and Ark Citadel. Evening lecture.

D ay 8 Free morning to explore local sites and markets. Afternoon: transfer by train to Samarkand. Three nights in Samarkand.

D ay 9 Samarkand: famed Registan Square with 15th and 17th century madrasas, Guri Amir Mausoleum (burial place of Timur), Bibi Khanum Mosque and colourful Siyob Bazaar.

D ay 10 Excursion to Shakhrisabz, hometown of Timur: Portal of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble.

D ay 11 Samarkand: Shakhi-Zinda tiled funerary complex, observatory built by Ulugh Beg. Afternoon at ancient site of Afrasiab (rare Sogdian fresco) followed by train transfer to Tashkent for overnight.

D ay 12 Depart Tashkent 1110 on Uzbekistan Airways, arriving Heathrow 1450.

Cost of £3995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, full board with water & tea, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £595. TOUR CODE: UZBK25

Juma Mosque, Khiva

Chinese Civilisation

October 11–28, 2025

Discover the history of over 5000 years of Chinese civilisation, exploring the extraordinary traditional architecture, fine art, garden design and calligraphy

Visit several of China’s ancient and modern capitals, including Xi’an, Luoyang, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Beijing

Highlights will include the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army, as well as many lesser-known sites

While in English the term ‘civilisation’ denotes social organisation into cities, the Chinese term wen hua – which is usually translated as ‘civilisation’ – is strongly connected with the idea of a written culture. It is through the development of writing, and the pictograms which contain a wealth of layered meaning dating back thousands of years, that the world is understood.

During our journey we will explore the early dynasties of China – once believed to be mythical. We will travel along the Yellow River Valley, often considered to be the cradle of Chinese civilisation, from Xi’an to Luoyang and Zhengzhou, all of which enjoyed the status of capital city at different periods in Chinese history. From the early elaborate bronzes to the world of the modern Chinese artist, by way of architecture, sculpture, porcelain, garden design and the fast and furious martial arts of Shaolin monks, we will encounter the many facets of Chinese art and creativity.

This tour will be led by Elizabeth Morrell , BA, a sinologist and Chinese speaker who has been visiting China since 1976, when she studied modern Chinese literature at Fudan University in Shanghai. Elizabeth wrote one of the earliest guidebooks to China, published in 1984.

Our tour will encompass traditional Chinese architecture, as well as fine art in many forms, which will be represented in the rare Song dynasty sculptures at the Jinci Temple and the painting and calligraphy collection at the Shanghai Museum, while modern art is found at the 798 Art District in Beijing and the Zhejiang Art Museum in Hangzhou. Shanghai Museum and the Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum at Hangzhou will introduce us to beautiful porcelain, while elegant Chinese garden design awaits us in Suzhou, where the classical gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our journeys will be undertaken using a mixture of the extensive high-speed rail network and private coach, depending on which is most comfortable and efficient for each journey.

We will stay in comfortable modern hotels of a four and five-star standard; please note hotel details may be subject to adjustment.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This is a comprehensive tour, designed to make the most of our stay in China and introduce travellers to the rich variety of sites and experiences at each of our stops. In line with this, travellers should be prepared for a considerable amount of walking, particularly as many historical sites are spread over extensive areas (e.g. the Forbidden City). Some buildings have lots of steps and uneven surfaces. Our tour includes several long journeys by rail and coach. Station platforms are long and the coach will not always be able to stop close to the station entrance, so travellers should be comfortable walking longer distances here too. There will be several early starts, and certain sites can become crowded during busy periods. Participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria, outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

The Great Wall of China

Pudong, Shanghai

CHINA

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Some visits also may be weather dependent. Please see the ‘Travelling in China’ section for more information.

Travelling in China

Like many countries around the world, China continues to be marked by the effects of the pandemic, and international tourism is only just beginning to re-establish itself. Some areas are quieter, while others remain busy, particularly with local visitors. Travellers should be prepared for more flexibility than usual. Many key tourist sites now offer free entry for everybody, however tickets for both these and our train journeys are released shortly before our intended visits, and for many sites advance group bookings are no longer available. Therefore, some visits will only be fully confirmed nearer to departure, and the itinerary may need to be adjusted or reordered on the ground. Sites can also sometimes close at short notice. Bag/luggage checks, ID checks and body scans are all part of the routine of accessing key sites and museums, as well as at railway stations and on trains. The experienced Tour Personnel will advise you further during the tour, but if you have any questions in advance, please consult the ACE office.

“We were expecting a high quality and Elizabeth Morrell delivered in spades. She is also charming, personable and a pleasure to travel with”

– ACE customer on a previous tour led by Elizabeth Morrell

D ay 1 Flight from London to Beijing.

Day 2 Arrive Beijing and transfer to Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing for three nights. Lunch with a Beijing family. Afternoon: Hutong area and Drum Tower (optional climb). Evening introductory talk.

Day 3 Whole day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, returning via 798 Art District. Free evening.

D ay 4 Whole day excursion to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Free evening.

Day 5 By high-speed train to Taiyuan. Afternoon: Jinci Temple for Song dynasty sculptures. Two nights at Yun Jin Cheng Hotel, Pingyao.

D ay 6 Pingyao old town: Confucian Temple, city wall, barbican, bank and Temple of the City God. Free evening.

D ay 7 By high-speed train to Xi’an. Afternoon: Xi’an Museum and Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Two nights at Titan Times Hotel. Evening talk.

D ay 8 Whole day excursion to Terracotta Army site outside Xi’an. Return via Gao’s Mansion (calligraphy class), Drum and Bell Towers, market. Free evening.

D ay 9 By high-speed train to Luoyang. Afternoon: Longmen Buddhist Grottoes. Overnight at Ramada by Wyndham, Luoyang Downtown. Free evening.

D ay 10 White Horse Temple and Shaolin Temple. Continue for overnight at Hilton Zhengzhou.

D ay 11 By train to Nanjing on Yangtze River. Afternoon: Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling. Two nights at Jinling Mandarin Garden Hotel Nanjing. Free evening.

D ay 12 Nanjing Museum, Zhonghua Gate and Yangtze River. Optional visit to Confucius Temple. Free evening.

D ay 13 By train to Suzhou for overnight at Scholars Hotel. Suzhou: Garden of the Humble Administrator, boat ride on canal, silk museum. Free evening.

D ay 14 Transfer to Hangzhou on West Lake: tea plantation, Zhejiang Provincial Museum and West Lake (boat ride). Two nights at Lakeview Hotel.

D ay 15 Hangzhou: Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum, Grand Canal Museum and Temple of the Soul’s Retreat. Free evening.

D ay 16 By train to Shanghai: walking tour of Bund area and Yuyuan Garden. Two nights at Yangtze Boutique Shanghai. Free evening.

D ay 17 Morning: Shanghai Museum in Pudong, further exploration of Pudong area. Free afternoon in Shanghai before farewell dinner.

D ay 18 Flight from Shanghai to London.

Cost of £5995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, sixteen breakfasts, fifteen lunches, six dinners with soft drinks, beer or Chinese tea, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: visa, travel insurance, single room supplement £995. TOUR CODE: CHIN25

Garden of the Humble Administrator, Suzhou

Havelis: Painted Mansions of Rajasthan

October 13–27, 2025

Visit some of the finest havelis, the traditional townhouses and mansions of Rajasthan, renowned for their graceful architecture and fascinating interiors, and meet some of the people behind their restoration

Stay in a selection of characterful heritage properties

Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light, during our stay in the desert city of Jaisalmer

With archaeological evidence of multistorey and courtyarded structures dating back more than 5000 years in Rajasthan, grand townhouses and mansions have long been status symbols and showcases for the artistic taste of the region’s wealthy elite. The form reached its aesthetic zenith from the 17th to the 19th centuries, as, through centuries of Mughal and colonial rule, rich merchants, nobles and minor royals, even temple elders creating ‘homes’ for their deities, outdid one another in the scale, form and artistic exquisiteness of their havelis.

The classic havelis of the period are built from local red sandstone, three or four storeys tall, with an outer and inner courtyard. The façades teem with bays and balconies, sunshades and screen windows, fluted pillars and intricately patterned carvings. Within, the bustle of the city is forgotten, recalling the Persian origin of the word ‘haveli’, meaning ‘enclosed place’. Cool and peaceful, set around fountains and sacred tulsi plants, the outer courtyards were originally for men, the inner courtyards for women. Vibrantly colourful frescoes adorned the walls, depicting folk tales, the daily life and travels of the owners, even erotic scenes. Guest rooms were lavish showcases for the work of the most skilled local craftspeople, in wood, stone and precious metals.

Following independence in 1947, when the Princely States were merged and the jagirs (fiefdoms) abolished, special privileges and the Privy Purse were

“We learned much about Indian life, history, architecture and culture”

“Exceeded expectations”

“Rima is extremely knowledgeable, and generously shared information”

“Warm, experienced professional who gave us amazing insights into many wider cultural aspects”

“Unbelievable knowledge”

– ACE customers on the 2024 Havelis: Painted Mansions of Rajasthan tour with Rima Hooja

withdrawn from the erstwhile ruling families, and the lesser nobility found their extravagant homes a huge financial liability. Thousands were abandoned, left to become derelict over decades, even centuries, until enterprising pioneers saw the opportunity to restore them to their former beauty and repurpose many as heritage hotels, ranging in size from the intimate to the palatial. The artistic riches that were once reserved for the private guests of the wealthy are now available for intrepid enough travellers to enjoy. Today, these beautiful buildings comprise one of the most important aspects of India’s cultural heritage, and form the

focus of this memorable tour. We will stay in several characterful heritage properties, including The Claridges in New Delhi; the meticulously restored, 33-room Vivaana Culture Haveli near Mandawa; RANVAS, part of Nagaur’s historic fort; and the 1920s Daspan House in Jodhpur. These lovely properties make a great base for exploring the finest havelis in the region, and there will be the chance to speak to some of the people who directed and undertook the restoration work.

Rajasthan is the classic destination for an introductory tour of India, and first-time visitors need not worry about missing any of the iconic highlights of the area, which feature alongside a superb selection of havelis in this unique itinerary. We will have the opportunity to experience the colonial grandeur of Lutyens’ New Delhi; the capital’s spectacular 17th century Jama Mosque; and Humayun’s Tomb, architectural inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Furthermore, it will be possible to marvel at Jodhpur’s sea of blue houses; the intricately beautiful Jain temple complex of Ranakpur; majestic Jaisalmer Fort, rising dramatically from the sands of the Thar Desert; and the fairy-tale lake palaces of Udaipur. We will also be privileged to join Diwali celebrations during our stay in Jaisalmer, which is famous for its Festival of Light lanterns, colourful costumes and evening parade.

Jaswant Thada with Mehrangarh fort in the background

This tour will be led by Rima Hooja , PhD (Cambridge). Rima is an archaeologist, historian, heritage specialist and educationist who lives and works in Jaipur, and is an experienced tour leader and lecturer. Rima’s many hats include being Managing Trustee of the Jaipur Virasat Foundation, Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, President of ICOMOS India, Founder-member of Bhopal Literature & Art Festival, former Member of the National Monuments Authority, Hon Director of MSMS II Museum City Palace Jaipur, and Visiting Professor for School of Planning & Architecture Delhi. Her books include Maharana Pratap, Crusader for Self-rule , Rajasthani Stories Retold, Rajasthan: A Concise History and History of Rajasthan

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Participants should have a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina for this tour, which involves a significant amount of travel by coach, as well as time spent walking and standing, including over rough and uneven ground, and up steps. The coach journey from Nagaur to Jaisalmer will be approximately 7 hours and the journey from Delhi to Mandawa and Jaisalmer to Jodphur will be approximately 5.5 hours. Other coach journeys will be around 2-4 hours. All coach journeys will have comfort stops. This tour involves 7 separate hotel stays to make the most of our time in Rajasthan and include a variety of haveli-style accommodation. Please be aware some sites may be crowded, for example during Diwali, however from experience we have found that this is a very special time of year to visit, with fewer western tourists and an opportunity to enjoy the unique festival atmosphere. The rickshaw ride in Delhi is also an iconic experience, however participants are free to opt out if wished. The older havelis and fort hotels include some trip hazards, low parapets on some balconies and rooftop terraces, and steps leading to rooms.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Some visits may be dependent on local conditions, and the Diwali celebrations may fall on a different evening, depending on local plans.

Day 1 Depart London arriving Delhi late evening. Transfer to The Claridges, Delhi, for two nights.

Day 2 Visit to Humayan’s Tomb, the tranquil Mughal inspiration for the Taj Mahal, Lutyens’ New Delhi and the vast Jama Mosque. Walking/ rickshaw tour of Old Delhi. Dinner and cultural show at Kathika Haveli.

INDIA

Day 3 Hundreds of painted havelis are dotted across the semi-desert Shekhawati region located between Delhi, Jaipur and Bikaner, once a key stop on the silk route between China and the West . Exploration of the havelis and bazaars of Mandawa today. Three nights at Vivaana Culture Haveli.

Day 4 Visits to some of the finest havelis in the towns of Mukundgarh and Nawalgarh, with the opportunity to see ongoing restoration and meet some of the people responsible for preserving these beautiful buildings.

Day 5 Continued exploration of the Shekhawati region, visiting some glorious historical treasures.

Day 6 Morning: transfer to Nagaur, an important centre of Sufism with a rich history including mention in the Mahabharata.

Afternoon: leisurely walking tour of the historic fort (part of which has been converted to a comfortable hotel – RANVAS – where we spend two nights) and surroundings. Dinner of Rajasthani cuisine.

Our Accommodation

This tour features an exceptional array of heritage hotels, and in 2024 participants found these to be among the most impressive on any ACE tour. The hotels’ captivating architecture and support for local conservation, intertwined with high levels of service, dining, comfort and facilities, made for a truly special experience: “Possibly the most wonderful place I have ever stayed!”, “Such a privilege to stay in the fort and have the freedom to explore it at leisure and with no crowds” (RANVAS, Nagaur); “A superb venue, the dinner in the desert was a wonderful experience” (Suryagarh Jaisalmer); “Beautifully furnished rooms”, “The Stepwell dinner was a magical experience” (Rawla Narlai). We look forward to returning to these remarkable buildings in 2025.

Day 7 A day at leisure in Nagaur to relax, or explore independently (with suggestions from the tour personnel).

Day 8 Drive deep into the Thar Desert to the sandstone splendour of Jaisalmer. Two nights at the luxury Suryagarh Hotel. This evening is Diwali, and we will witness the festivities before taking dinner at the hotel

Day 9 Exploration of Jaisalmer, including its breathtaking fort, and lovely havelis and temples. Sunset private dinner on the dunes.

Day 10 Transfer to Jodhpur, second largest city of Rajasthan and world-renowned for its splendid blue houses, via the abandoned village of Kuldara. Walking tour of the old town (to get a feel for the arts and crafts in which Jodhpur excels). Two nights at the heritage boutique Daspan House Hotel.

Day 11 Morning: half-day tour of colossal Mehrangarh Fort and the royal cenotaph of Jaswant Thada. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 12 Travel to Narlai by way of the stunning 15th century temple complex at Ranakpur, one of the best preserved and holiest places of Jain pilgrimage. Overnight stay at the heritage Rawla Hotel, evening walk around the village and private dinner in a traditional stepwell.

Day 13 Early departure for Udaipur (tour of the iconic City Palace and lunch at Amet Haveli). Overnight stay at the Taj Fateh Prakash Palace.

Day 14 Domestic flight to Delhi and connecting overnight international flight to London (day use of hotel rooms at Delhi Airport included).

Day 15 Arrive London.

Cost of £6995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a superior twin or double bedded room, twelve breakfasts, one lunch with water & tea/coffee, seven dinners with water & tea/ coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: visa, travel insurance, superior double room for single use supplement £1795. TOUR CODE: HAVR25

Udaipur Palace

Mekong Cruise

October 16–31, 2025

Join this brand new ACE cruise exploring the fascinating history and culture of the Mekong Delta

Travel from the vibrant urban hubs of Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh along the lush Mekong to tranquil villages and the extraordinary temples of Angkor

Myriad themes, from archaeology, history and architecture to local customs and gastronomy, combine to create an in-depth impression of Southeast Asian culture

This exciting new cruise offers travellers unique insights into the cultural world of the Mekong Delta of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

Our tour begins in the lively city of Ho Chi Minh, before cruising towards My Tho and Cai Be along the magnificent

Cho Gao Canal, with an excursion by riverboat to Thoi Son Island, including a ride in sampans (traditional boats) along picturesque narrow waterways.

En route to the prosperous city of Chau Doc, where we will explore Ba Chua Xu Temple and the Tay An Pagoda, we will visit Tan Chau to experience the floating houses of a fishing farm on a special tour by boat.

A whole day will be dedicated to exploring Phnom Penh, including an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of its troubling recent past.

We will also visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 under King Norodom, to experience Khmer architecture and the Silver Pagoda, named after its floor, which is covered with over 5000 silver tiles.

Traditional crafts and produce will form a focal point of our tour. Further

Our Vessel and Accommodation

Our vessel for the cruise will be the RV Indochine, measuring 51 metres long and housing 24 spacious (16 square metre) airconditioned cabins over two decks. Boasting beautiful wood panelling, the ship offers a restaurant on its upper deck, large picture windows and a sun deck with lounge and bar area. Either side of the cruise, we will stay at hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap of a luxurious five-star quality.

highlights will include a cruise on Tonlé Sap Lake, and a visit to Kampong Chhnang, a region known for producing fine traditional pottery.

Banteay Srei was built in the late 10th century and dedicated to Shiva; its pink limestone walls contain what are arguably the best bas-reliefs of any temple at Angkor. The site has recently been redeveloped with sustainability at the forefront.

Following the cruise, we will spend several additional days in Siem Reap, visiting Angkor Thom and the breathtaking Angkor Wat, built as the funeral temple for Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1112 to 1152.

Cuisine on board will be of an excellent standard and varied, showcasing both local and international dishes, and there will also be opportunities to enjoy cookery demonstrations.

Angkor Wat

VIETNAM | CAMBODIA

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A very good level of fitness, mobility and stamina is required for this tour. Participants should be prepared to spend on their feet in hot weather, on walking tours and at archaeological sites. The most physically demanding element of the tour is at Angkor, where there are steep steps to access the top level, as well as uneven stone floors and rough ground with roots and fallen stones to navigate, so care must be taken. Participants

This tour will be led by Moira Tait , MA, FRAS, who read archaeology at the University of London before gaining an MA in the archaeology of Southeast Asia from SOAS. She excavated several Iron Age sites in Thailand, exploring the transition from prehistory to city states such as Angkor. Moira has led tours to destinations including Southeast Asia for many years, and undertook a research recce on the Mekong to devise this new itinerary for ACE.

ACE Tour Director and wildlife expert Kevin Hand , MSc, MCIEEM, will join Moira, assisting primarily as Tour Manager while also contributing his knowledge on the landscape and wildlife where appropriate.

The group will also be joined by local guides along the way, who will share their own unique insights into local life.

should feel comfortable getting on and off the RV Indochine, riverboats and traditional sampans; depending on the tides, this can be challenging, so a good level of balance and agility is necessary, although staff will be on hand to help. There are no long overland journeys, but if water levels are too low towards the end of the cruise, the group will make the final journey to Siem Reap by coach (approx five hours, with two comfort stops en route). Visits and excursions will be balanced with some relaxed periods of cruising, and leisurely lunches on board. There will also be some options to take a morning or afternoon off to relax on board.

This tour features some upsetting and disturbing content, particularly our visits to Tuol Sleng Prison and Choeung Ek (‘killing fields’) in Phnom Penh. While very important for an understanding of Cambodian history, we appreciate that some customers may prefer to opt out of these visits. Some of our evening film screenings will also contain upsetting details – these will be highlighted ahead of time so customers can make the best choice about whether to attend.

Please note this group will comprise approximately 34 participants plus staff. Participants will be divided into smaller groups for many visits.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements, including our sailing schedule, may be subject to reordering or confirmation nearer the time, or dependent on local conditions on the day. Travellers should expect to be flexible about arrangements, and sites may close at short notice.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1125 on Singapore Airlines via Singapore.

Day 2 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City 1055. Transfer to Mai House Saigon Hotel for overnight.

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City: Jade Emperor Pagoda, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Cholon and Ba Thien Hau Pagoda. Embark Indochine I for eight nights. Welcome and introductory talk.

Day 4 Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels followed by Ho Chi Minh City: Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Hotel de Ville, Opera House, Majestic Hotel, Caravelle Hotel and Hotel Continental (exteriors). Evening cruise towards My Tho.

Day 5 Morning talk as boat cruises along Cho Gao Canal. Afternoon excursion by riverboat to Thoi Son Island, including ride in sampans (traditional boats) along narrow waterways with visits to beekeeping centre and brick and pottery factory. Continue to Cai Be, located between two arms of the Mekong, for visit to a sugar factory and Bac Duc Ancient House (subject to final confirmation).

Day 6 Morning visit to Sa Dec to see the former house of Huynh Thuy Le and explore the lively market. Free afternoon cruising towards the prosperous city of Chau Doc on the border with Cambodia. Evening talk.

Day 7 Morning in Tan Chau: fishing farm tour by small boat. Continue by minibus to Chau Doc for Ba Chua Xu Temple and Tay An Pagoda. Afternoon cruise towards Phnom Penh with talk and optional cookery demonstration.

Day 8 Whole day coach tour of Phnom Penh: Tuol Sleng Prison, Choeung Ek, Royal Palace and National Museum.

Day 9 Morning: Koh Chen. Afternoon: Udong (base of mountain, optional walk of 500 steps to local temple). Cruise to Kampong Chhnang.

Day 10 Morning in Kampong Chhnang (subject to confirmation). Free afternoon on board while boat cruises on lake. Evening cocktail reception.

Day 11 Cross Tonlé Sap Lake. Disembark for afternoon visits to Lolei and Bakong (the latter subject to completion of restoration works).

Four nights at Treeline Urban Resort, Siem Reap. Evening talk.

Day 12 Morning: South Gate of Angkor Thom and temples of Bayon, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper King. Afternoon: Banteay Srei.

Day 13 Morning: Angkor Wat. Afternoon: Beng Mealea.

Day 14 Ta Prohm, Neak Poan, Angkor National Museum.

Day 15 Depart Siem Reap 1650 via Singapore.

Day 16 Arrive London Heathrow 0725.

Cost of £5695 includes: return airfare, accommodation onboard RV Indochine based on sharing a main deck twin cabin, full board cruise (except one independent lunch on day 8 in Phnom Penh) with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, four or five-star hotel accommodation for five nights including three lunches and five dinners with wine, water, tea & coffee, excursions & admissions, all gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, visa, hotel & main deck twin cabin for single use supplement £1295, hotel & upper deck twin cabin for single use supplement £1795. Twin upper deck supplement of £395pp (based on sharing a cabin). TOUR CODE: MEKO25

Stupa of King Norodom Suramarit and Silver Pagoda

Mahler Festival in Amsterdam

May 8–14, 2025 with Russell Keable | May 13–19, 2025 with Michael Downes

Two tours cover the first and second halves of this celebration of Mahler’s music, each encompassing five symphonic concerts at the Royal Concertgebouw, performed by renowned orchestras, conductors and soloists

Attend daytime recitals featuring up-and-coming young artists

Explore Amsterdam’s artistic and architectural treasures

We invite you to join us as we journey to Mahler’s ‘second musical homeland’ for one of the world’s biggest celebrations of his orchestral works and songs. The return of the Amsterdam festival is particularly highly anticipated after its cancellation in 2020, and our two consecutive tours will, between them, cover every festival concert.

Our first departure will take in Symphonies 1-5, performed by an eminent line-up of orchestras and conductors including Klaus Mäkelä and the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Budapest Festival Orchestra under

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

The second tour will be led by Michael Downes , MA, MPhil, DPhil, a conductor and writer who has lectured for most of the UK’s leading opera companies. Michael has held the position of Director of Music at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and at the University of St Andrews.

Tickets

Tickets for the main concerts will be Category 1, and tickets for the recitals Category 1+, providing the highest quality listening and viewing experience.

Iván Fischer and the NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo under Fabio Luisi.

Our second departure will take in Symphonies 6-9, in addition to the Adagio from the incomplete Symphony No 10. These will be performed by artists including Jaap van Zweden with an “impressively large” Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Klaus Mäkelä and the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic (once led by Mahler himself) under both Kirill Petrenko and Daniel Barenboim.

Top category seats will allow us to appreciate the Royal Concertgebouw’s magnificent acoustics as Mahler himself once did; while the concerts will provide a glimpse into the life and development of the composer’s own musical style over time.

Our daytimes will also be filled with the music of Mahler and other composers, performed by prize-winning artists. Furthermore, the tour will encompass visits to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Our Lord in the Attic Museum.

Our first tour will be based at the luxurious five-star Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park, and the second tour at the four-star NH Amsterdam Leidseplein Hotel.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note, this tour requires a good level of fitness, and participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Time will be spent on foot and we will also use some public transport (trams).

ITINERARY – TOUR 1

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1145 on British Airways, arriving Amsterdam 1405. Transfer to Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel for six nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 Morning lecture and short orientation walk. Early afternoon festival performance at Royal Concertgebouw (Recital Hall) featuring Catriona Morison (mezzo soprano), James Newby (baritone) and Julius Drake (piano): Mahler Drei Lieder, Lieder und Gesänge (Vol 1), Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Rückert-Lieder Free afternoon followed by evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Concertgebouw Orchestra under Klaus Mäkelä: Mahler Symphony No 1 in D.

D ay 3 Morning visit to Rijksmuseum. Early afternoon festival performance at Concertgebouw (Recital Hall) featuring Ema Nikolovska (alto), Jusung Gabriel Park (bass baritone) and Julius Drake (piano): Mahler Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Free time and late afternoon lecture. Evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Budapest Festival Orchestra and Netherlands Radio Choir under Iván Fischer, with Christiane Karg (soprano) and Anna Lucia Richter (mezzo soprano): Mahler Symphony No 2 in C minor.

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

D ay 4 Morning festival performance at Concertgebouw (Recital Hall) featuring Chianti Ensemble: Mahler Piano Quartet in A minor; Webern Langsamer Satz ; Dvořák Piano Quintet No 2 in A, Op 81. Free time and late afternoon lecture. Evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, Women of the National Radio Choir and National Children’s Choir under Fabio Luisi, with Olesya Petrova (mezzo soprano): Mahler Symphony No 3 in D minor.

D ay 5 Morning visit to Van Gogh Museum. Free time and late afternoon lecture. Evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo under Fabio Luisi, with Ying Fang (soprano): Mahler Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Symphony No 4 in G.

Day 6 Morning visit to Our Lord in the Attic Museum. Some free time, late afternoon lecture and evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer, with Anna Lucia Richter (mezzo soprano): Mahler Kindertotenlieder, Symphony No 5 in C sharp minor.

D ay 7 Free morning. Depart Amsterdam 1505, arriving Heathrow 1520.

ITINERARY – TOUR 2

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1145 on British Airways, arriving Amsterdam 1405. Transfer to NH Amsterdam Leidseplein Hotel for six nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 Morning lecture and short orientation walk. Early afternoon festival performance at Royal Concertgebouw (Recital Hall) featuring Feride Büyükdenktas (mezzo soprano), Stuart Jackson (tenor) and Julius Drake (piano): Mahler Das Lied von der Erde. Free time and evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Jaap van Zweden: Mahler Symphony No 6 in A minor.

D ay 3 Morning visit to Rijksmuseum. Early afternoon festival performance at

Concertgebouw (Recital Hall) featuring Fleur Barron (mezzo soprano), Laurence Kilsby (tenor) and Julius Drake (piano): Mahler Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Lieder und Gesänge (Vols 2 and 3) and Kindertotenlieder. Free time and late afternoon lecture. Evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Jaap van Zweden: Mahler Symphony No 7.

D ay 4 Morning visit to Our Lord in the Attic Museum. Free time and late afternoon lecture. Evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Concertgebouw Orchestra, National Radio Choir, Laurens Symfonisch, Chœur de l’Orchestre de Paris and National Children’s Choir under Klaus Mäkelä: Mahler Symphony No 8 in E flat.

D ay 5 Morning visit to Van Gogh Museum. Early afternoon festival performance at Concertgebouw (Recital Hall) featuring Axelle Fanyo (soprano), Raoul Steffani (baritone) and Julius Drake (piano): selection of songs by Alma Mahler, Zemlinsky, Berg, Schönberg, Webern, Pfitzner, Korngold, Krenek and Stravinsky. Free time and late afternoon lecture. Evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Berlin Philharmonic under Kirill Petrenko: Mahler Symphony No 9 in D.

D ay 6 Late morning festival performance at Concertgebouw (Recital Hall) featuring Thomas Beijer (piano): Janáček Piano Sonata in E flat minor 1.X.1905; Mahler Ruhevoll (poco adagio) from Symphony No 4 in G; Zemlinsky Fantasien über Gedichte von Richard Dehmel, Op 9; Brahms Vier Klavierstücke, Op 119. Free time and late afternoon lecture and evening festival performance at Concertgebouw featuring Berlin Philharmonic under Daniel Barenboim: Mahler Adagio from Symphony No 10, Das Lied von der Erde

D ay 7 Free morning. Depart Amsterdam 1505, arriving Heathrow 1520.

For those wishing to join both tours and experience the full range of Mahler’s symphonies, take in all ten main evening performances by combining both Mahler tours with a reduction of £400 per person, based on sharing a room, and £500 per person for single occupancy.

TOUR 1

Cost of £5495 includes: return airfare, accommodation at the Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits based on sharing a luxury twin or double bedded room, performances as described (5 main concerts category 1, 3 recitals category 1+), six breakfasts, one lunch, six dinners (one light) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, luxury double room for single use supplement £995.

TOUR CODE: MAH125

TOUR 2

Cost of £5295 includes: return airfare, accommodation at the NH Amsterdam Leidseplein Hotel based on sharing a standard twin or double bedded room, performances as described (5 main concerts category 1, 4 recitals category 1+), six breakfasts, one lunch (light), six dinners (one light) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £975.

TOUR CODE: MAH225

The Royal Concertgebouw

Prague Spring Festival: 80th Anniversary Tour

May 14–21, 2025

Experience the 80th anniversary celebrations of this illustrious classical music festival

Take in works by Brahms, Bach, Rachmaninoff and Mahler

Enjoy exclusive recitals with our Tour Directors in historical settings

The Prague Spring Festival ranks as one of the most prestigious events on the classical music calendar, and the 80th anniversary offers a particularly spectacular line-up of concerts.

The NHK Symphony Orchestra will bring us works including Brahms’s Symphony No 4 and Alban Berg’s haunting Concerto for Violin and Orchestra ‘To the Memory of an Angel’. Festival Artist-in-Residence Patricia Kopatchinskaja will take listeners on a fascinating journey through six centuries of music in a programme combining string orchestra, world music and medieval mass. We will also enjoy an evening performance of Stravinsky, Bartók and Milhaud, alongside the pivotal 20th century work by Arnold Schoenberg, Pierrot lunaire.

The Wihan Quartet will be marking their own 40th anniversary with a programme juxtaposing the last string quartets by Mozart and Beethoven. Later, a very special concert to mark the 90th birthday of composer Arvo Pärt will be given by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. We build towards Mahler’s monumental Symphony No 6,

This tour will be led by Emilie Capulet , MA, MMus, PhD and Nicholas Wearne , BA (Hons), MPhil (Oxon). Emilie is an award-winning concert pianist, lecturer and musicologist. Nicholas is an organist and Senior Tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Jaap van Zweden for which we have premium category tickets.

Complementing the festival concerts, we will enjoy two exclusive private recitals given by our Tour Directors, as well as visits to the excellent Dvořák Museum and Strahov Monastery.

We will stay at the elegant and comfortable Hotel Josef, a four-star establishment in the heart of Prague’s medieval Old Town.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: While this tour is not expected to be particularly strenuous, participants should be comfortable exploring Prague on foot, including to and from the concert venues and during city-based walking tours. Participants should also feel confident navigating uneven, potentially slippery surfaces at some sites, and with ascending and descending stairs and steps, which may not always have handrails. Please note that some sites will be crowded and interiors may be dimly lit. All participants should meet our fitness requirements as detailed in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that while we will endeavour to deliver the itinerary in full, some elements, including the visits and musical programmes, may be subject to change.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1325 on British Airways, arriving Prague 1625. Transfer to Hotel Josef for seven nights. Welcome and introduction to the tour.

D ay 2 Morning walking tour of the Old Town. Afternoon: some free time followed by lecture. Evening festival performance at the Rudolfinum (Dvořák Hall) featuring NHK Symphony Orchestra with Fabio Luisi (conductor) and Akiko Suwanai (violin): Tōru Takemitsu Three Film Scores; Alban Berg Concerto for Violin and Orchestra ‘To the Memory of an Angel’; Brahms Symphony No 4 in E minor, Op 98.

D ay 3 Morning visit to the Mucha Museum. Afternoon visit to a private collection (subject to final confirmation) – please note if this is not possible, we will instead visit National Gallery

Prague. Late afternoon lecture and evening festival performance at the Rudolfinum featuring Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin, director) with Camerata Bern: John Zorn ‘Kol Nidre’; Karl Amadeus Hartmann Concerto funebre; J S Bach Selection of chorales; Guillaume de Machaut ‘Kyrie’ from Messe de Notre-Dame; Frank Martin Polyptyque; Luboš Fišer Crux

D ay 4 Morning lecture followed by festival concert at St Agnes Convent featuring Jan Čmejla (piano): Chopin Berceuse in D flat major, Op 57; Adam Skoumal Berceuse; Leopold Godowsky Study in E flat minor after Op 10, No 6, Study in A flat after Op 25, No 1; György Ligeti Études; Rachmaninoff Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op 22. Free afternoon. Evening festival performance at the Rudolfinum featuring artists including Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin, recitation): Stravinsky L’Histoire du soldat (suite) for clarinet, violin and piano; Milhaud Jeu for clarinet and violin; Bartók Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano; Schoenberg Pierrot lunaire, Op 21.

D ay 5 Morning visit to the Dvořák Museum, including private recital featuring Emilie Capulet (piano) and Eva Garajová (mezzo-soprano) –subject to final confirmation. Some free time followed by short afternoon lecture and early evening festival performance at the Carolinum featuring Wihan Quartet: Mozart String Quartet No 23 in F, KV 590; Jindřich Feld Laus cantus , Chinese Folk Songs, Four Songs about Happiness (world premiere); Beethoven String Quartet No 16 in F, Op 135. Free evening and independent dinner.

D ay 6 Morning lecture followed by guided tour of Municipal House. Afternoon: visit to Strahov Monastery and private recital with Nicholas Wearne (organ) – subject to final confirmation. Evening festival performance at the Rudolfinum featuring the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tõnu Kaljuste (choirmaster) and Kadri Toomoja (organ): selection of works by Arvo Pärt including Summa, The Deer’s Cry and Vater unser

D ay 7 Morning lecture followed by guided tour of the Jewish Quarter including Spanish Synagogue. Free afternoon. Evening festival performance at Municipal House (Smetana Hall) featuring Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Jaap van Zweden (conductor): Gustav Mahler Symphony No 6 in A minor ‘Tragic’.

D ay 8 Depart Prague 1250, arriving Heathrow 1405.

Cost of £4995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described, seven breakfasts, one lunch, six dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £875. TOUR CODE: PSIF25

Bedrich Smetana Museum, Prague

Wildlife & Walking in Extremadura (Relaxed Edition)

May 21–28, 2025

Explore the rolling plains of Extremadura with its cork and holm oak dehesas in one of the most untouched areas of Spain

Spend a day immersed in the the Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, seeking birds of prey from eagles and owls to vultures and raptors

Journey to the beautiful Sierra de Gredos to stay at the very first Parador in Spain, surrounded by forests, mountains, and awardwinning night skies

With its wild mountain ranges and limitless rolling plains, Extremadura boasts an enticing variety of landscapes. In the springtime the region’s cork and holm oak dehesas are abundantly carpeted with rock roses and cistus, while the grasslands boast mile after mile of catchfly and marigold.

When summer guests such as the lesser kestrel and pallid swift arrive, the Parque Natural de Monfragüe can justifiably lay claim to be the finest raptor-watching site in Europe. At Los Barruecos (where “Spain was born”, according to the locals) storks nest on huge granite boulders strewn beside remote paths.

Our tour will also unravel Extremadura’s fascinating regional history. The medieval quarter in the UNESCO-protected town of Cáceres ranks among Spain’s finest, whilst Trujillo, boasts a wealth of medieval and Renaissance buildings and a rich Córdoban and Almoravid history.

New for our relaxed edition, the latter part of our tour will take us just beyond the boundaries of Extremadura and into the cooler climes of the Sierra de Gredos, to stay at the very first Parador hotel established in Spain (in 1928). Surrounded by mesmerising scenery – from pine forests and snow-tinged mountains to bright starry skies – we hope to discover local residents including citril finch, Pyrennean oak, rock thrush, alpine accentor and northern wheatear; as well as rare butterflies, alpine flowers

and Iberian ibex. The hotel is also close to several charming historical towns and villages.

We will spend our first four nights in Cáceres at the four-star Hotel NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo, a converted 16th century palace just moments away from the ancient walls. We will then journey to the beautiful Sierra de Gredos to stay at the Parador de Gredos, a wonderfully characterful building with a fascinating history of its own.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: We are now offering active (March) and relaxed (May) editions of this popular tour. Relaxed editions follow much the same itineraries as the active editions, but walks are typically shorter, with more time to rest and appreciate our surroundings. Sometimes there will be itinerary differences between the relaxed and active editions, and the Tour Director may also be able to offer different walking options depending on your abilities and preferences. We advise you to consult the advertised itinerary carefully and contact the ACE office if you would like any further detail. Please note that participants for both tours should still meet ACE’s general fitness requirements (outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions).

On this tour walks will typically be within 3 and 5 miles in length, often over uneven and rocky ground. The routes on the plains are over gently undulating ground, whilst in the Monfragüe National Park there are a number of steep ascents.

This tour will be led by conservationist, ornithologist and environmental consultant Kevin Hand , MSc, MCIEEM, who has taken tours for ACE since 1992. In 2017 he was appointed President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and continues to act as Vice President. He currently also chairs the Newmarket Chalk Streams Trust. Kevin has a special interest in birds and ecotourism, and has carried out extensive fieldwork in the UK and abroad, making him an ideal director for this Spanish tour.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer and some elements may be subject to change particularly due to wildlife movements and weather conditions.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 0820 on Iberia, arriving Madrid 1150. Transfer to Cáceres for four nights at Hotel NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 Morning walks in the llanos (plains) and steppe landscape around Cáceres with visit to roller nesting area. Afternoon in Cáceres (World Heritage site with huge colonies of swifts, storks and lesser kestrels).

D ay 3 Whole day in Parque Nacional de Monfragüe (birds of prey). Walk through rare Mediterranean woodland to Monfragüe Castle and Peña Falcón Rock (vulture and raptor nesting areas).

D ay 4 Morning: walks in the llanos de Belen and around Trujillo. Afternoon: guided walking tour in Trujillo.

D ay 5 Transfer to the Parador de Gredos (pine forests, stunning mountain views, award winning night skies) for three nights, stopping in the Monfragüe National Park and the historical town of Béjar (Iberian Bluethroat) en route.

Cost of £2995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, five lunches (some packed), six dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £395. TOUR CODE: EXT225

D ay 6 Day spent exploring the hotel’s beautiful natural pine forest surroundings (citril finch, Pyrennean oak and broom) and the Plataforma de Gredos (possible sightings of rock thrush, alpine accentor, northern wheatear, rare butterflies, alpine flowers and Iberian ibex).

D ay 7 Visit to the town of Arenas de San Pedro (historical monuments including castle and 16th century church) and wildlife walk.

D ay 8 Free time in the morning to relax and explore. Transfer to Madrid for 1755 flight, arriving Heathrow 1925.

Bee-eaters

GERMANY

Shostakovich Festival in Leipzig: Anniversary Tour

May 23–30, 2025

Experience a rich spectrum of works including orchestral and operatic masterpieces, song cycles and string quartets

Attend a staging of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Visit a range of cultural sites in the city of Leipzig

We are delighted to announce that for the first time, ACE Cultural Tours will attend a festival dedicated to the music of Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975). 50 years after his death, this highly anticipated event will take place amidst the outstanding acoustics of Leipzig’s Gewandhaus.

Contributors include the Gewandhaus and Boston Symphony Orchestras, both under Andris Nelsons, for whom Shostakovich’s music has been hugely impactful. We will also hear from awardwinning Latvian violinist Baiba Skride and the much admired Quatuor Danel.

Shostakovich famously grappled with the political and international circumstances of his time, much of which was powerfully conveyed in his music. Satirical, thrilling and horrifying in equal measure, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk is a famous example of this and continues to resonate with audiences today.

Daytime visits include the Schumann House Museum, Mendelssohn House Museum and Bach Archive, and an excursion to Dresden.

Our base is Leipzig’s four-star Seaside Park Hotel, within easy walking distance of the Gewandhaus.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour involves walking tours and excursions to museums, so participants should feel comfortable on their feet for extended periods of time. Not all sites have lifts, and it is necessary to negotiate stairs including at the Gewandhaus. Please consult the fitness requirements in our Booking Terms and Conditions. Evening performances typically start at 1930. Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk will be sung in Russian with German surtitles; the Tour Director will deliver a lecture about the opera in advance, and summaries of each act will be available.

Tour Director Richard Wigmore MA, AGSM, is a broadcaster, lecturer and former professional singer who writes for Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine.

ITINERARY

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

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

D ay 2 Morning lecture and short walking tour of Leipzig. Afternoon festival performance featuring Quatuor Danel: Shostakovich String Quartets No 6 in G, Op 101; No 11 in F minor, Op 122; and No 8 in C minor, Op 110. Evening festival performance featuring Festival Orchestra, Gewandhaus Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra with Andris Nelsons (conductor): Shostakovich Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op 110a; Symphony No 7 in C, Op 60 ‘Leningrad’.

D ay 3 Morning lecture and festival performance featuring MDR Rundfunkchor with Maki Namekawa (piano), Dennis Russell Davies (piano) and Philipp Ahmann (conductor): Shostakovich Loyalty – Eight ballads for men’s chorus, Op 136; Concertino for two pianos in A minor, Op 94; Antiformalist Rayok – satirical cantata for four voices, chorus and piano; Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms (version for mixed choir and piano fourhands by Shostakovich). Afternoon: Schumann House Museum.

D ay 4 Morning: Mendelssohn House Museum. Afternoon lecture. Evening festival performance featuring Elena Stikhina (soprano), Marina Prudenskaya (alto), Bogdan Volkov (tenor), Günther Groissböck (bass) and Elena Bashkirova (piano): Shostakovich Satires (Pictures of the Past) – Five romances for soprano and piano; Song cycle ‘From Jewish Folk Poetry’. Suite on verses of Michelangelo Buonarroti for bass and piano.

D ay 5 Short morning lecture and excursion to Dresden. Evening festival performance featuring Elena Stikhina (soprano), Marina Prudenskaya (alto), Bogdan Volkov (tenor), Sebastian Breuninger (violin), Christian Giger (cello) and Elena Bashkirova (piano): Shostakovich Six romances on texts by Japanese poets, Op 21a; Six poems of Marina Tsvetayeva, Op 143; Gaetano Braga Serenade – based on Chekhov’s The Black Monk ; Seven romances on poems by Alexander Blok, Op 127.

D ay 6 Morning: Bach Archive Museum. Afternoon lecture and evening festival performance featuring Gentlemen of the MDR Rundfunkchor, Leipzig Opera Chorus and Gewandhaus Chorus with Michael Schönheit (organ), Baiba Skride (violin), Günther Groissböck (bass) and Andris Nelsons (conductor): Shostakovich Passacaglia from Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk , Op 29 (version for organ); Violin Concerto No 2 in C sharp minor, Op 129; Symphony No 13 in B flat minor, Op 113 ‘Babi Yar’.

D ay 7 Short morning lecture and festival performance featuring MDR Rundfunkchor with Andris Nelsons and Anna Rakitina (conductors): Shostakovich Symphony No 2 in B, Op 14 ‘To October’; Symphony No 3 in E flat, Op 20 ‘First of May’; Symphony No 1 in F minor, Op 10. Short afternoon lecture and early evening festival performance featuring Gewandhaus Orchestra, Leipzig Opera Chorus and soloists with Andris Nelsons (conductor): Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk , Op 29.

D ay 8 Transfer to Berlin Airport via Köthen Castle (special private opening – subject to final flight times). Depart Berlin 1640, arriving Heathrow 1740.

Cost of £3995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, performances as described (category 1), seven breakfasts, seven dinners (five light) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, small double room for single use supplement £315.

TOUR CODE: SHOS25

Andris Nelsons conducting the Gewandhaus Orchestra

Roussillon

June 2–9, 2025

Explore the fascinating medieval architecture and modern art to be found in this beautiful region of France and across the border in Spain

Visit the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes and view its remarkable Romanesque architecture

Discover Céret, home to iconic 20th century artists such as Picasso, Braque and Matisse

Nestled between France and Spain, Roussillon – a former county of the Principality of Catalonia – boasts diverse landscapes and a unique identity. It is particularly noted for its fascinating medieval history, but this French gateway to Spain also inspired and welcomed several artists from the 20th century avant-garde, such as Picasso, Miro, Matisse, Dalí and Braque.

Our stay in Roussillon will enable us to study Romanesque architecture and sculpture in depth. Highlights include Serrabone Priory, the Musée du Maître de Cabestany and the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes – decorated by the Maître de Cabestany’s workshop in the 12th century.

The Musée d’Art Hyacinthe Rigaud in Perpignan encompasses fine examples of regional art from the Gothic period through to modern times. The village of Céret drew Picasso, Braque and Matisse, and this creative emulation led to the foundation of a rich Musée d’Art Moderne.

This tour will be led by Hugh Doherty, DPhil, a Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. A medievalist with broad historical interests, Hugh studied at King’s College London before gaining his MPhil at the University of Cambridge and DPhil at the University of Oxford.

Crossing into Spain, we will view the restored stone-built town of Besalú with its complex fortified bridge, and explore Dalí’s theatrical works in his purposebuilt Teatro-Museo in Figueres.

Our accommodation is at the simply furnished three-star Hotel Les Jardins du Cèdre just outside the fishing port of Port Vendres, chosen for its location and sea views.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour involves a significant amount of walking on cobbled and uneven surfaces, so care must be taken. The visit to St Pere de Rodes involves a walk of approximately 1 km from the coach to the entrance, and paths are narrow in places. This and several other sites have stone steps without handrails, and steps can be of differing sizes and depths. Lifts are not available at many sites and interiors can be dimly lit. The longest coach journey is 3 hours and some roads are narrow and winding. The weather at this time of year should be comfortably warm, with temperatures averaging in the mid-20s Celsius; there is the possibility of warmer temperatures. Participants must have a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina, and meet ACE’s usual fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Historical sites may close at short notice for restoration works, and some visits may be time permitting.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1400 on British Airways, arriving Toulouse 1645. Transfer to Hotel Les Jardins du Cèdre, Port Vendres, for seven nights.

D ay 2 Introductory lecture followed by visits in Collioure: harbour and Church of Notre-Damedes-Anges. Continue to Elne (pre-Roman Iberian citadel of Ilíberis).

D ay 3 Morning: Prats de Molló and riverside town of St Joan de les Abadesses. Afternoon: stone-built town of Besalú in Spain.

D ay 4 Whole day excursion to Catalonia: Sant Pere de Rodes and Figueres (Dalí Museum).

D ay 5 Morning: Chapelle St-Genis-desFontaines and Church of St-André-de-Sorede. Afternoon: Céret for the Musée d’Art Moderne and Church of St-Martin-de-Fenollar.

D ay 6 Morning: Serrabone Priory followed by walking tour of Villefranche-de-Conflent. Afternoon: Abbey of St-Michel-de-Cuxa (subject to confirmation).

D ay 7 Maître de Cabestany Museum followed by Perpignan for Musée d’Art Hyacinthe Rigaud.

D ay 8 Transfer to Toulouse for 1730 flight, arriving Heathrow 1820.

Cost of £2875 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a deluxe (with sea view) twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, seven dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, comfort (with partial sea view) room for single use supplement £225.

TOUR CODE: ROUS25

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

GREECE

Northern Greece

June 9–21, 2025

Explore the untamed landscape, history and fascinating architecture of northern Greece

Learn about the region through visits to Byzantine churches, sanctuaries and monasteries

Uncover the ancient treasures of Vergina, Macedonia’s first capital

Locked between the Ionian and Aegean Seas lie the untamed mountains of northern Greece. Ancient magic lingers where myth and history collide and gods, heroes and emperors once trod. It was here, too, that Philip of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great, held an indomitable sway.

Our itinerary will touch both coastlines as we immerse ourselves in the histories as well as the natural landscape of Macedonia, Thessaly and Epirus.

Consecrated as the ‘Garden for the Virgin Mary’, twenty grandiose monasteries dominate the slopes of Mount Athos, which we will view as we cruise down the western shore of the peninsula. Thessaloniki, meanwhile, is home to an unforgettable array of Byzantine churches, featuring important early Christian mosaics.

Continuing towards Pella, capital of Philip’s empire and birthplace of Alexander, we will walk in the footsteps of emperors while revelling in the natural beauty of the northern Greek peninsula. Antiquities galore await discovery in Vergina, first capital of the kingdom of Macedonia and site of Philip of Macedon’s burial and Alexander’s coronation, and we will celebrate victory at Nikopolis, founded by Augustus after the Battle of Actium.

We will also join the realm of the gods as we marvel at the oracle site in Dodoni and the ancient village of Dion.

First inhabited in the 11th century, nature, history and architecture interweave at the frescoed monasteries of Meteora. From the Greek word meaning ‘suspended in air’, these enigmatic

monasteries, perched on towering pillars of natural sandstone, unveil man’s desire to connect to the divine.

We stay in comfortable hotels of three to four-star quality, chosen for their convenient and peaceful locations.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is designed to make the most of our stay in northern Greece with a wide variety of visits. The itinerary contains some longer days with a significant amount of coach travel and walking, so participants should have a good overall level of fitness, mobility and stamina. At some sites the ground is uneven or hilly, and there are steps to navigate. Please note that some archaeological sites are exposed, and the weather will be warm. For ACE’s minimum fitness criteria, please see the Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that the below itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and certain visits may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Some sites in Greece can close at short notice, so minor adjustments may be made.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 0715 on British Airways, arriving Thessaloniki 1235. Transfer to Hotel Royal for four nights. Welcome and introductory talk.

D ay 2 Whole day cruise along western shore of Mt Athos peninsula. Evening lecture: Middle Byzantine Thessaloniki.

D ay 3 Thessaloniki: Byzantine Walls, Agios Dimitrios and the Archaeology Museum – some visits time permitting. Evening lecture: Roman Thessaloniki.

D ay 4 Along Via Egnatia to Pella (birthplace of Alexander the Great): peristyle houses, palace complex and museum, followed by ancient sites of Edessa. Afternoon: Lefkadia to visit Macedonian tombs. Evening talk: Royal Drinking Parties.

D ay 5 Morning: Vergina (former capital of Macedonian empire) for visits to new museum and royal tombs. Two nights at Hotel Chloe.

D ay 6 Visits to Kastoria including churches, Byzantine Museum and Folk Museum.

This tour will be led by Rita Roussos , PhD. Rita was born in Athens, and read Ancient Greek and Latin at the University of California, Berkeley, before gaining her PhD in History of Art at London’s prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art. Rita has worked on archaeological projects in the Peloponnese and taught archaeology and art history at the American University of Athens. Rita’s research interests range from the place of women in Ancient Greece and Rome to 4th century BCE Greek sculpture.

D ay 7 Visits in Ioannina including medieval castle, mosques and Silversmiths Museum –some visits subject to confirmation. Four nights at Hotel du Lac, Ioannina.

D ay 8 Whole day excursion to Kassopi (4th century BCE Hippodamian grid plan town), Nikopolis (built by Augustus to celebrate his victory at the Battle of Actium) and Roman aqueduct at Agios Georgios.

D ay 9 Visits by boat to Nisaki (island monasteries), Monodendri (Byzantine monastery) and majestic Vikos Gorge. Evening lecture: Dodoni.

D ay 10 Visit to Dodoni (sanctuary and theatre) followed by the Archaeological Museum, Ioannina. Free afternoon.

D ay 11 Whole day at Meteora (‘monasteries in the air’, 16th century frescoes) via Metsovo. Transfer for overnight at Hotel Amalia, Kalambaka.

D ay 12 Visits to Dion at the foot of Mt Olympus including sanctuaries of Isis and Demeter. Transfer to Thessaloniki for overnight at Hotel City and visit to Museum of Byzantine Culture.

D ay 13 Thessaloniki: Rotonda, Arch of Galerius and Agias Sophia (time permitting). Depart Thessaloniki 1545, arriving Heathrow 1720.

Cost of £4495 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, twelve breakfasts, twelve dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £595. TOUR CODE: NGRE25

Theatre at Dodoni

Hungary: Kingdom of the Magyars

June 23 – July 1, 2025

Explore the churches, synagogues and galleries of Budapest and journey through western Hungary on an unrivalled exploration of the country’s rich cultural history

Visit Esztergom, Hungary’s ecclesiastical centre, and the rural palace of Széchenyi

Enjoy views over the Danube Valley in Visegrád and discover the picturesque area around Lake Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe

Hungary occupies a special place in European history, and this comprehensive tour, encompassing not only Budapest and the Danube Bend but travelling further afield, provides a rich and varied introduction to its fascinating culture.

The Magyars were latecomers to the scene in the political and ethnic upheavals that followed classical antiquity, and they also stand out for their uniquely non-European l anguage among the Central European people. The different parts of the Magyar world experienced vastly diverging historical and cultural developments, as they came temporarily under the control of foreign powers, in particular the Ottomans and the Habsburgs.

Today’s Hungary bears traces of the medieval kingdom that adopted Christianity under the sainted King Stephen in the year 1000, as well as the later expanded realm within the Habsburg Empire. The Ottomans account for the introduction of features like Hungarian bathing culture, while the variety of people that used to live under the Crown of St Stephen is expressed in the Serbian quarters of towns like Szentendre and Székesfehérvár. The glories of the Buda Renaissance court can still be appreciated in the ruins of Visegrád.

Our tour will explore these overlapping narratives, through visits across Buda and Pest, along the Danube Bend, in the Lake Balaton area and further into

western Hungary. Excursions to palaces, churches, synagogues and galleries will illuminate our understanding of this rich and remarkable historical tapestry.

The restoration of Hungarian self-rule in the 19th century brought about the architectural ensemble of Budapest, which celebrated the confidence of the resurgent nation in monumental structures like the famous Parliament Building and Heroes’ Square. Together with the Danube River and the rocky outcrops on the Buda side, they form one of the most scenic and impressive compositions in any European capital.

Our tour begins with four nights in Budapest at the four-star Continental Hotel, an elegant oasis of calm in the heart of the city, followed by two nights at the four-star Anna Grand Hotel, located just north of picturesque Lake Balaton and two nights at the four-star Sopron Monastery Hotel, an elegantly converted former 12th century monastery.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This study tour has a comprehensive itinerary to make the most of our time in Hungary and visit a breadth of sites, so a good level of fitness, stamina and mobility is required. Participants should be prepared for a significant amount of time spent on foot, walking and standing in cities, towns and at historical sites, where the ground may be steep, uneven, slippery or cobbled. Some sites also have steps to navigate (not necessarily with handrails) or are dimly lit. Please consult ACE’s fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Cost of £4695 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, eight breakfasts, seven dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £795. TOUR CODE: HUKM25

This tour will be led by Alex Koller, PhD, an expert in art and architectural history. Born in Vienna, Alex has lived and studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge, gaining his PhD in History of Art from Magdalene College, where he has also lectured and supervised.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change, confirmation or reordering nearer the time. Historical and religious sites can close at short notice for restoration works or services.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 0925 on British Airways, arriving Budapest 1255. Transfer to Continental Hotel, Budapest, for four nights. Orientation walking tour and introductory lecture.

D ay 2 Visits in Budapest: Hungarian Parliament; St Stephen’s Basilica; Dohány Street Reformed Synagogue, Jewish Museum and Rumbach Orthodox Synagogue; Fine Arts Museum (time permitting).

D ay 3 Morning exploration of Buda: Mátyás Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and National Gallery. Afternoon in Pest: St Michael’s Church, Váci utca, Franciscan Church, Belvárosi Plébánia Templom, Danube Embankment and Gellért Baths.

D ay 4 Excursion to the Danube Bend: Szentendre, Esztergom (ecclesiastical centre of Hungary) and Visegrád (views over Danube Valley, remains of Royal Palace). Free evening in Budapest.

D ay 5 Depart for Győr (Church of St Ignatius, Great Synagogue) via Zsámbék (ruins of Romanesque Premonstratensian abbey church). Afternoon: Pannonhalma Abbey. Continue to Lake Balaton area for two nights at Anna Grand Hotel, Balatonfüred.

D ay 6 Excursion to Székesfehérvár (St Stephen’s Cathedral), Veszprém (castle hill, cathedral) and Tihany Abbey.

D ay 7 Keszthely (Festetics Palace). Continue to western Hungary via Sümeg (church with frescoes), Türje (rare brick church) and Szombathely (cathedral, exterior views of early Christian ruins). Continue to Sopron for two nights at Sopron Monastery Hotel.

D ay 8 Morning: Széchenyi Palace and Eszterházy Palace, Fertőd. Afternoon: historical walking tour of Sopron (churches, patricians’ houses, Old Synagogue – exteriors).

D ay 9 Transfer to Vienna for 1645 flight, arriving Heathrow 1805.

Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma

IRELAND

Ireland’s Ancient Heartland

July 20–26, 2025

Walk in the footsteps of gods and kings as we explore Ireland’s ancient landscapes

Discover the remarkable passage tombs of Newgrange, which predate the Pyramids of Giza

Visit evocative monastic sites, including Monasterboice with its exquisite high crosses

Our explorations will be based in the Boyne Valley and County Meath, the birthplace of Ireland’s ancient east. The region is home to a wealth of historical sites from prehistory to the modern era illuminating Ireland’s past.

The Hill of Tara was the neolithic political centre of ancient Ireland. Termed the ‘Mound of Hostages’ and the ‘Royal Seat’, Tara’s landscape hides a breadth of ritual, religious and ceremonial usage.

Ringed by megalithic carvings, the mastery of the Newgrange Passage Tomb’s architecture inspires both wonder and curiosity about its role in Irish history, folklore and legend. Part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage site, archaeoastronomy enthusiasts will marvel at the tomb’s celestial alignment, as Newgrange is regarded as the oldest solar observatory.

The unassuming grounds of Monasterboice include three 10th century high crosses, among them Muiredach’s High Cross, richly decorated with biblical carvings and widely regarded as the finest monument of its kind in Ireland.

Clonmacnoise boasts the ruins of a cathedral, several churches, round tower and high crosses; while Old Mellifont Abbey was the first Cisterician abbey and example of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture built in Ireland. In Kells, we will linger at the evocative 10th century oratory named after St Columba.

In the later medieval period, we will explore the remains of Trim Castle,

the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland and once used as a centre for administration for the Lordship of Meath. We will also learn more about this region’s role in early modern Irish and British history at a museum dedicated to the Battle of the Boyne.

We will stay at the historical Headfort Arms Hotel in the heritage town of Kells, chosen for its proximity to sites, local charm and community feel.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour involves many visits to outdoor archaeological sites or ruins. Participants should therefore have a good level of overall fitness and mobility, and be comfortable navigating uneven and sometimes rugged ground. Some sites involve inclines to reach them. The interiors of the tombs are dimly lit, low and narrow; those who feel uncomfortable going inside have the option to remain outside. We advise participants consult our minimum fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

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

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1035 on British Airways, arriving Dublin 1200. Transfer to Kells for six nights at the Headfort Arms Hotel. En route visit to Hill of Slane including shrine, friary church and medieval college. Introductory lecture: Passage Tombs & the Prehistory of the Boyne Valley.

D ay 2 Morning: Hill of Tara. Afternoon: Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre (exhibitions) and guided visit to Newgrange. Evening lecture: Art of the High Crosses.

This tour will be led by Mike King , BA, MA, a museum professional for over 30 years who has worked in both Northern Ireland and Scotland. Mike lectures, guides and publishes widely, and looks forward to introducing another ACE group to Ireland’s Ancient Heartland in 2025.

D ay 3 Visits to Monasterboice, Old Mellifont Abbey and Bective Abbey.

D ay 4 Morning: introduction to high crosses and exploration in Kells, including high crosses, round tower and St Columba’s House. Afternoon: Cavan County Museum. Evening talk: Irish Monasteries & Abbeys.

D ay 5 Morning: Fore Abbey. Afternoon: Clonmacnoise Monastery and optional visit to the Nun’s Church. Evening talk: Medieval to Early Modern Meath.

D ay 6 Morning: Trim Castle. Afternoon: Duleek including high crosses, and Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre.

D ay 7 Morning visits to Trinity College, Dublin, to view the Book of Kells, and National Museum of Ireland (subject to final flight arrangements). Depart Dublin 1550, arriving Heathrow 1710.

Cost of £2275 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, one light lunch, six dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £275. TOUR CODE: IRAH25

Newgrange

Schubert in Schwarzenberg: 50th Festival Tour

August 22–29, 2025

Relax in this beautiful part of Austria while attending recitals from world-class musicians including the Pavel Haas Quartet, Hagen Quartet, Andrè Schuen and Sabine Meyer

Enjoy performances of Schubert’s famous Die schöne Müllerin, Winterreise and ‘Trout’ Quintet

Visit the Kunstmuseum

Liechtenstein and beautiful Baroque library in St Gallen

Each summer, amidst the tranquil mountain scenery of the Bregenz Forest, a select group of excellent musicians gather to present a dynamic selection of Schubert’s timeless music alongside works by other composers in the surroundings of the Angelika Kauffmann Hall, one of the best places to hear chamber music in the country.

Lieder naturally forms a core focus: we will open with a recital featuring internationally acclaimed baritone Andrè Schuen and pianist Daniel Heide; while baritone Konstantin Krimmel and pianist Ammiel Bushakevitz will perform Schubert’s song cycles Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise.

Chamber highlights will range from Schubert’s Sonata in A minor, his ‘Trout’ Quintet and Haydn’s String Quartet in A to a performance of Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Quintet in A.

We will stay at the four-star Hotel Die Wälderin, a luxurious modern hotel situated in scenic surroundings. Rooms are of a premium standard with balconies.

Tour Director

Nicholas Wearne , BA, MPhil, is an organist and international competition prizewinner. He currently holds the position of Senior Tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour, which involves walking for up to 90 minutes at a time. Please consult ACE’s fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Participants should feel comfortable ascending stairs, as lifts are not available at some visits and restaurants. This tour also involves walking over cobbles (which may be slippery when wet), and negotiating occasionally steep inclines and rugged terrain. Our tour includes a ferry crossing. The journey to and from Zurich Airport takes approximately 2.5 hours.

ITINERARY

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

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 0845 on SWISS, arriving Zurich 1140. Transfer to Mellau for seven nights at Hotel Die Wälderin. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 Guided walking tour of Schwarzenberg and visit to Angelika Kauffmann Museum. Afternoon lecture followed by song recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Andrè Schuen (baritone) & Daniel Heide (piano): ‘Dreams & Nightmares’ – works by Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner & Alexander von Zemlinsky. Evening chamber concert at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Pavel Haas Quartet & Boris Giltburg (piano): Schubert String Quartet in D minor, D 810 ‘Der Tod und das Mädchen’; Brahms Piano Quartet in G minor, Op 25.

D ay 3 Morning lecture followed by piano recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Paul Lewis (piano): Beethoven Sonata in C minor, Op 10/1; Mozart Sonata in C, KV 330; Brahms Three Intermezzi, Op 117; Schubert Sonata in B flat, D 960. Afternoon chamber recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Simply Quartet, Dominik Wagner (double bass) & Lukas Sternath (piano): Haydn String Quartet in A, Op 20/6; Schubert Sonata in A minor, D 821 ‘ArpeggioneSonate’, Piano Quintet in A, D 667 ‘Trout’. Evening song recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Konstantin Krimmel (baritone) &

Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano): Schubert Die schöne Müllerin, Op 25 (song cycle based on poems by Wilhelm Müller), D 795.

D ay 4 Free morning to relax or explore locally. Afternoon lecture followed by recital by the Tour Director in Mellau Church. Evening song recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Sophie Rennert (mezzo-soprano), Ludwig Mittelhammer (baritone) & Joseph Middleton (piano): works by Schumann & Schubert.

D ay 5 Morning: Rieger Orgelbau workshop. Afternoon lecture followed by song recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Patrick Grahl (tenor) & Daniel Heide (piano): works by Mendelssohn, Johann Vesque von Püttlingen, Schubert & Schumann.

D ay 6 Morning excursion to Vaduz, Liechtenstein for Kunstmuseum and optional visit to St Florin’s Cathedral. Evening song recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Konstantin Krimmel (baritone) & Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano): Schubert Winterreise (lieder cycle based on poems by Wilhelm Müller), D 911.

D ay 7 Relaxing excursion to Lake Constance area, including picturesque town of Lindau (by ferry). Evening chamber recital at Angelika Kauffmann Hall featuring Hagen Quartet & Sabine Meyer (clarinet): Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A, KV 581; Schubert String Quartet in G, D 887.

D ay 8 Morning: Baroque library at the Abbey in St Gallen. Continue to Zurich for 1830 departure, arriving Heathrow 1920.

Cost of £4495 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a premium twin or double bedded room, performances as described, seven breakfasts, four lunches (three light, one packed), seven dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, premium double room for single use supplement £245. TOUR CODE: SCSC25

Angelika Kauffman Hall

GREECE

The Dodecanese Islands

September 12–21, 2025

Become immersed in the islands’ history, from Kos and Kalymnos to Nisyros and Symi

Trace the stories of the Trojan War from Homeric epics and the Iliad

Discover Rhodes, where old and new blend

The Dodecanese archipelago encompasses a dozen large islands and many smaller ones. As a major trade and sailing route between Greece and the southern and western Mediterranean, their past is interwoven with stories of occupation, from ancient Greek Minoans, Mycenaeans and Dorians to the Byzantine and Ottomans Empires.

Inhabited since the early Helladic period, Kos, the third largest island and where we begin our journey, has a long and interesting history. The island’s Asklepieion, an ancient medical centre built after the death of Hippocrates, dates from the 3rd century BCE. We will also explore the old town with its Ottoman mosques, and view the Art Deco buildings that speak of the island’s Italian occupation in the 20th century.

Away from the tourist path, the islands of Kalymnos and Nisyros parallel the history of the archipelago. Kalymnos was occupied since early antiquity, and is characterised by its rugged beauty and rich history. Visits to the ‘Lady of Kalymnos’ at the archeological museum, a 3rd or 4th century BCE bronze statue

This tour will be led by Rita Roussos , PhD. Rita was born in Athens, and read Ancient Greek and Latin at the University of California, Berkeley, before gaining her PhD in History of Art at London’s prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art. Rita has worked on archaeological projects in the Peloponnese and has taught archaeology and art history at the American University of Athens.

depicting a garbed noble woman, as well as an exploration of monasteries and architecture, will illustrate this island’s place within the Aegean waters.

Nisyros possesses a unique volcanic terrain. With obsidian helping the island thrive in antiquity, the stunning landscape and volcanological museum capture the ways in which the geology of the Dodecanese has shaped their history and culture.

In Rhodes, we will delve into the old and medieval town as well as make excursions to the ancient sites of Ialysos and Kamiros. We will also visit Lindos, once one of the three most powerful cities of ancient Rhodes.

Symi is an enigma amongst the Dodecanese with little known about this island before the 14th century. With stunning mountains sloping into a scenic harbour village, we will be beguiled by the island’s traditional stone houses painted in an abundance of colours.

We will spend five nights at Hotel Alexandra on Kos and a further four nights at Hotel Mediterranean on Rhodes. These comfortable four-star hotels have been chosen for their convenient locations allowing for full exploration of the islands.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour involves substantial amounts of walking, including across rough, rugged and slippery ground as well as the occasional climb, for example at Lindos. Many of the islands have volcanic and mountainous terrain, so suitable footwear must be worn as well as care taken when navigating through sites.

In recent years, many islands in the Dodecanese have suffered natural and economic disasters. Particularly on Kos, semi-regular, low magnitude earthquakes are common, as are forest fires in the height of summer. These events, whilst rarely causing harm to people, have resulted in many

sites needing to undergo restoration. Please be reassured that all visits are carefully risk assessed, and we will endeavour to deliver all visits as advertised, but some sites may have varying opening hours and our itinerary may need to be adjusted on the ground.

Please note we also make several ferry transfers and that the hotels do not always offer porterage. Participants should therefore have a high overall level of fitness, mobility and stamina. Please consult our Booking Terms & Conditions for more details about our minimum fitness requirements.

ITINERARY

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

D ay 1 Flight from London Gatwick to Kos. Transfer to Hotel Alexandra for five nights. Welcome and introductory talk.

D ay 2 Depart by ferry for whole day excursion to Kalymnos: archaeological museum, Agios Savvas (hilltop monasteries), Basilica and Sanctuary of Delion Apollo (exterior).

D ay 3 Exploration of Kos town: views of Ottoman mosques, Art Deco buildings of the Italian occupation, Plane Tree of Hippocrates, archaeological museum and Casa Romana. Evening lecture: Ancient Greek Medicine.

D ay 4 By ferry for whole day on Nisyros: archaeological museum, Spilani Monatsery and island tour (Stefanos Crater, volcanological museum).

D ay 5 Visits on Kos: Asklepieion, churches and monasteries. Evening lecture: Ancient Greek Pirates.

D ay 6 Morning: Free time on Kos. By ferry for transfer to Rhodes for four nights at Hotel Mediterranean.

D ay 7 Ancient Ialysos and Kamiros followed by Rhodes medieval town (archaeological museum). Evening informal talk: Rhodes & Demetrius Poliorketes.

D ay 8 By ferry to Symi: archeological museum and Monastery of Panormitis.

D ay 9 Lindos followed by further visits in Rhodes old town (Palace of the Grand Master, Stadium and Temple of Apollo).

D ay 10 Flight from Rhodes to Gatwick.

Cost of £4195 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, nine breakfasts, nine dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £565. TOUR CODE: DODE25

Lindos

GREECE

Wild & Ancient Crete

September 16–23, 2025

Absorb captivating views across the Cretan landscape from the beautiful Lassithi Plateau, where raptors glide in the valley below

Explore fascinating archaeological remains at Gournia and Malia

Look out for waders, migrant pipits and larks in the coastal town of Elounda

Its mountains and gorges alive with wildlife, Crete is one of the most exceptional botanical areas in the Mediterranean, boasting a superb flora containing at least 160 endemic species, including ebony, rock lettuce and birthwort; while in September, the landscape comes alive with cyclamen, autumn crocuses and sea daffodils.

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. Near the evocative Minoan Palace of Malia, we will enjoy additional walks in the beautiful natural landscape; while at the head of the Samaria Gorge, where centuries-old cypresses stand sentinel, we will seek out mountain plants such as aubretia and yellow Star-of-Bethlehem.

On our arrival in Omalos, we will embark on an introductory walk around the edge of the stunning plateau, past orchards and sinkholes, looking up at the mountains

Tour Director 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 and ran National Tree Week in the UK for 13 years. In 2017 he was appointed President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and continues to act as Vice President. He currently also chairs the Newmarket Chalk Streams Trust.

that we will explore the following day and spotting birds that may be resting here during their migration south.

Our first five nights are spent at the 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, for two nights. This hotel offers a simpler, more basic standard of accommodation, however the surroundings and welcome make for a special atmosphere.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note that all participants should meet ACE’s general fitness requirements. A number of visits will involve negotiating rugged, uneven or uphill terrain, and this tour also involves a boat trip.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Changing local conditions may also affect our itinerary and cannot guarantee the presence of all wildlife mentioned.

D ay 1 Depart London Gatwick 0710 on Easyjet, arriving Heraklion 1310. Transfer to Agios Nikolaos for five nights at Miramare Resort & Spa.

D ay 2 Morning talk followed by visits to the 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 (autumn crocuses, birds of prey).

D ay 3 Minoan Palace of Malia (marsh shore with beautiful white sea daffodils). Afternoon: further walks in the vicinity of Malia.

D ay 4 Lassithi Plateau (large, fertile mountain plateau with panoramic views) for cyclamen, upland plants and fruit groves with optional visit to Dikteon Cave (birthplace of Zeus).

D ay 5 Morning: ruins of Gournia (unusual Minoan town), rocky coastline in search of

Wild & Ancient

This tour is part of ACE’s ‘Wild & Ancient’ series, designed to showcase the many interwoven aspects of the landscapes we visit. These tours usually focus on natural history (particularly flora and fauna, but often also geology and insect life), interpreting the landscapes, their ecology and their conservation. As part of this wider exploration, they also shed light on an array of fascinating historical sites, from the Bronze Age Nuraghi of Sardinia to the Neolithic monuments of Orkney.

ebony. Afternoon: gigantic gorge mouth at Monastiraki (chough, Alpine swift, eagles).

D ay 6 Transfer for two nights at Neos Omalos Hotel in mountains of western Crete. Afternoon walk around the edge of the Plateau of Omalos (orchards, sinkholes, sightings of birds that may be resting here during their migration south after breeding in mainland Europe).

D ay 7 Across Omalos Plateau to Samaria Gorge, exploring little-known paths, searching for mountain plants and centuries-old cypresses, with possible sightings of circling flocks of griffon vulture, rare bearded vulture and agrimi (wild goat).

D ay 8 Depart Chania 1435, arriving Gatwick 1635.

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

Not included: travel insurance, single room (Omalos) & double room for single use (Agios Nikolaos) supplement £210, double room for single use (throughout) supplement £230.

TOUR CODE: CRE225

Cretan

The granaries or ‘kouroules’ in the Palace of Malia, Crete

Prague & the Vltava Cruise: A Symphony of

History & Music

September 17–25, 2025

Explore the music, history and culture of Prague and the Vltava region on this spectacular tour, including a seven-day cruise

Enjoy private recitals alongside large-scale performances courtesy of the Dvoř ák Prague International Music Festival

Visit the newly-restored Dvoř ák Museum in Nelahozeves and explore Prague’s awe-inspiring Strahov Monastery on an exclusive guided tour

Join ACE for this brand new edition of our tour to Prague, including a sevenday stretch cruising along the Vltava (or Moldau) River and featuring multiple Tour Directors. Our tour coincides with the Dvořák Prague International Music Festival, and we plan to offer at least one festival concert in the famous Rudolfinum – home to the Czech

Tom Abbott , BA, MA, a proficient lecturer and tour leader, is an independent art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens.

Paul Jackson , MA, PhD, is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and formerly Head of Music and Performing Arts and Director of Music and Performance at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.

Emilie Capulet , MA, MMus, PhD, is an award-winning international concert pianist, lecturer and musicologist. She is the BMus (Hons) Programme Leader at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Philharmonic Orchestra – in addition to an opera in the city and piano recitals on board our privately chartered vessel.

Beginning with two days in Prague, the tour will offer illuminating glimpses into the country’s multi-layered history. We will explore the city’s old town and castle district, including St Vitus Cathedral, one of Europe’s most important Gothic cathedrals.

We then transfer to our charming paddleboat, the MS Elbe Princesse I, visiting several sites along the waterway and taking in the enchanting landscape of Central Bohemia during relaxed periods of cruising.

Our journey will take us south to the market town of Štěchovice before making an excursion to one of the country’s most important historical sites: Konopiště Castle. Established at the end of the 13th century – and frequently remodelled by its aristocratic owners – the castle was the final residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Returning to Prague through the stunning natural landscape around Slapy and Štěchovice, we will explore the city’s Jewish Quarter including the Spanish Synagogue with its breathtaking Arabic art-inspired interior. Strahov Monastery will welcome us for an exclusive guided

tour taking us ‘beyond the rope’ of the standard visitor route, including its famous Baroque library.

The final stage of our cruise whisks us north to the picturesque town of Mělník where the Vltava and Elbe meet. Litoměřice boasts a characterful centre of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, while Nelahozeves is the site of a Renaissance castle and a newly-restored museum dedicated to Dvořák.

Our Accommodation

We begin with a two-day stay at the five-star NH Collection Prague Carlo IV, a beautiful and welcoming establishment located a short walk from the city’s major monuments. The architecture is palatial both inside and out, with a perfect blend of heritage luxury and contemporary style. We then move onto a seven-day cruise on board the MS Elbe Princesse I, a paddle riverboat completely refurbished to five-anchor standard (similar to a good four-star hotel standard). There are 39 cabins, a lounge, restaurant, sundeck and terrace. As vessels on the Elbe/ Vltava are restricted in their overall dimensions, the cabins are slightly smaller than those on other ACE cruises, however they are comfortably designed with attractive regional décor and generous storage space.

Charles Bridge, Prague

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This is one of ACE’s larger cultural tours, including a significant cruising portion on board a privately chartered vessel. There will be a maximum of 50 participants, subject to final cabin allocation. The full group will be divided into two smaller groups for the majority of visits. The cruise portion will offer opportunities to relax on board; however, participants should have a good level of fitness and be comfortable ascending and descending multiple staircases, particularly at Konopiště and Nelahozeves, as well as walking around Prague. Some sites have uneven, slippery surfaces, and not all upper floors are accessible by lift. The approach to Konopiště is partly by small private eco-train, however visitors need to ascend the final 100 metres on foot. Some sites, including Prague Castle District, will be crowded. The boat’s dining room is on the main deck, accessed via a flight of steps, and there is no on-board lift. For our minimum fitness requirements, please consult our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Due to changing conditions associated with waterways,

“The whole tour was well organised and the ACE guides were very attentive and caring”

– ACE customer on a previous Vltava Cruise

the precise timings and order of visits may change nearer the time. In rare cases, portions of the cruise may not be possible, for example due to unforeseen maintenance works or extreme water level changes; if this is the case, we will undertake the advertised visits by private coach or substitute alternative visits. We plan to attend 2-3 public performances (including at least one festival concert) within Prague, however the final musical programme is subject to scheduling, and we may need to substitute on-board private recitals if a public performance is not possible.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1320 on British Airways, arriving Prague 1620. Transfer to NH Collection Prague Carlo IV Hotel for two nights. Welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 Morning lecture: The History of Prague followed by walking tour of Old Town. Afternoon: visit to Antonín Dvořák Museum including short private recital. Evening performance in Prague (festival concert or opera).

D ay 3 Morning: Castle District (St George’s Basilica, St Vitus Cathedral and Old Royal Palace). Transfer to MS Elbe Princesse. Welcome reception and introduction from crew. Evening recital on board with Paul Jackson: Pictures of Bohemia. Overnight in Prague.

D ay 4 Morning cruising towards Štěchovice with on-board lectures including an illustrated talk with Paul Jackson: A Musical Introduction to our Journey. Afternoon: Konopiště Castle. Evening recital on board with Emilie Capulet. Overnight in Slapy.

D ay 5 Day cruising through beautiful Bohemian landscape, with on-board lectures. Evening performance in Prague (festival concert or opera). Overnight in Prague.

D ay 6 Visits in Prague: Strahov Monastery (exclusive ‘beyond the rope’ tour) and Jewish Quarter including Spanish Synagogue. Evening recital on board. Overnight in Prague.

D ay 7 Morning cruising towards Mělník with on-board lecture. Afternoon: Nelahozeves for castle and Dvořák Museum (subject to final confirmation). Overnight in Mělník.

D ay 8 Excursion to Litoměřice: walking tour, All Saints’ Church and Diocesan Museum. Afternoon: Liblice Chateau (Baroque chateau located in its own park, belonging to the Czech Academy of Science) after leisurely lunch. Return to Prague. Evening: gala dinner and celebratory recital. Overnight in Prague.

D ay 9 Morning visit in Prague (final flight arrangements permitting). Depart Prague 1415, arriving Heathrow 1520.

Cost of £4795 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a main deck twin cabin, full board cruise with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, 5 star hotel accommodation for two nights including two dinners with wine, water, tea & coffee, two shore excursions & admissions, at least two public performances in Prague (including Dvo ř ák Festival performance with Category 1 tickets – final details subject to scheduling), all gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, hotel twin/double & main deck twin cabin for single use supplement £945. Upper deck supplements available on request. TOUR CODE: VLTA25

Strahov Monastery library Baroque ceiling

MS Elbe Princesse I

Art & Landscape in Switzerland

September 22–27, 2025

Explore a wealth of artistic treasures within Switzerland’s stunning natural and urban environments, including works by Klee and Picasso

Visit internationally important museums of fine art, including the Kunstmuseum in Basel

Be immersed in the beauty of the Swiss landscape

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 explores art within Switzerland’s beautiful surroundings, investigating how these twin themes are profoundly intertwined, and will particularly focus on the art of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Swiss capital, Bern, will be our base. Mountains watch over the medieval architecture of its UNESCO-listed old town, complete with Gothic-style Minster and 13th century Clock Tower. The city’s Kunstmuseum is the repository for an important collection of art dating from the 15th to the 20th century, including pieces by Monet, Picasso and Klee, as well as the famed 19th century Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler.

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

The Rosengart Collection in Lucerne features modern art by the likes of Bonnard, Braque, Picasso, Kandinsky and Klee, to name but a few, and the collection attests to the passion, taste and generosity of its founders.

Basel, a historically important city on the Rhine, is renowned for its iconic architecture, world-famous ART Basel festival and wealth of galleries and art museums. We will visit the impressive Kunstmuseum, the world’s first public art museum. It is particularly rich in 19th and 20th century art, including pieces by the Impressionists and Expressionists.

Meanwhile, the most important global collection of works by Klee is to be found in a museum dedicated to the artist in Bern.

We also hope to include an opportunity, weather permitting, to become truly immersed in the Swiss landscape with an excursion by train to the picturesque mountain village of Grindelwald, which Turner visited on his first tour in 1802.

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. A Research Curator at York Art Gallery, Suzanne was previously a curator and Research Fellow at the V&A. She curated the 2019 exhibition Turner, Ruskin & the Storm Cloud at York Art Gallery, and is the author of To See Clearly: Why Ruskin Matters (2019).

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

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour, as it involves a significant amount of walking, including over cobbled streets, steps, inclines and uneven surfaces which can be slippery if wet. It is necessary to stand for prolonged periods at some of the sites; most galleries have stools but these cannot be guaranteed. The itinerary incorporates several journeys made by public transport, including train and tram, and care is needed when embarking and disembarking. The walk up the hill at Grindelwald is taken at a gentle pace but some paths are steep so participants are welcome to opt out and enjoy free time in Grindelwald if preferred. We hope to feature a cruise on Lake Lucerne. For ACE’s minimum fitness requirements, please consult the Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Our excursion to Grindelwald is weather permitting. We cannot guarantee the availability of all artworks mentioned.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 0925 on British Airways, arriving Geneva 1205. Transfer by train along the length of Lake Geneva and into the mountains to Bern for five nights at Best Western Plus Hotel Bern. Evening lecture: 19th Century Encounters with the Alps.

D ay 2 Morning walking tour of Bern: arcades, Rathaus, Zytglogge, Bern Minster and Bear Garden (exteriors). Afternoon: Kunstmuseum Bern.

D ay 3 Whole day excursion by train to Basel: Kunstmuseum, Minster (exterior) and Jean Tinguely Museum.

D ay 4 Whole day excursion by train to Lucerne: Rosengart Collection and cruise on Lake Lucerne. Free evening in Bern.

D ay 5 Morning lecture: 20th Century Modernism Excursion by train via Interlaken to Grindelwald for optional walking tour or free time.

D ay 6 Morning: Paul Klee Museum. Depart Geneva 1800, arriving Heathrow 1845.

Cost of £2995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a double bedded room, five breakfasts, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £395. TOUR CODE: ALSW25

Toggenburg landscape with grey house, Hans Brählmann,1909

Turin: Art & Architecture of the Kingdom of Savoy

September 29 – October 4, 2025

Trace the history of Turin, Italy’s ‘first capital’, through visits to churches, galleries and palazzi

Visit the Palazzo Reale, with its Royal Armoury, Galleria Sabauda and chapel housing the Turin Shroud

Enjoy excursions to view masterpieces by Juvarra: the Basilica di Superga and Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

Now the capital of Piedmont, the city of Turin is one of Italy’s hidden treasures. It has its own distinct character and unique style, a consequence of both its geography and history.

Poised between France and the other Italian states, Turin became the capital of the Duchy of Savoy in the 16th century and later the Kingdom of Sardinia. The Dukes of Savoy employed leading Baroque architects to design elaborate churches, grand palazzi and elegant piazze.

Our itinerary takes us to the most important palazzi, churches and galleries in Turin, around its museums and galleries, as well as into the Piedmont countryside, to discover the beautifully preserved late Gothic painted hall of the Castello della Manta and the medieval town of Saluzzo.

In the 20th century, Turin was known as the Capitale dell’automobile (‘Capital of the car’). Fiat was founded here in 1899 and by 1916 the Lingotto factory was the largest in Europe. The building is now

This tour will be led by Sarah Burles , MA, an expert in art history who studied at Cambridge and UCL.

An experienced tour leader and lecturer, she spent time living in Italy before a career in museum and gallery education, including 12 years at the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Please note that owing to flight availability, this tour departs from London Gatwick airport and returns to London Heathrow airport.

home to Giovanni and Marella Agnelli’s superb collection of paintings, displayed in a purpose-built gallery designed by Renzo Piano.

We will stay at Turin’s elegant five-star Grand Hotel Sitea, a smart, classically decorated property ideally situated in the city.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness, stamina and mobility is required, as this tour involves a significant amount of time spent walking and standing. There are several long staircases to navigate (at the Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Carignano and to access the frescoes on the 2nd floor of the Castello della Manta) and lifts are not available at these sites. The ground can be cobbled, loose or uneven underfoot. Some destinations are hilly, with steep cobbled streets at Saluzzo, and a short uphill climb to Santa Maria del Monte. Some walking is in darkness (e.g. returning from local restaurants to the hotel), and churches may be dimly lit. Please consult ACE’s fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time, or time permitting on the day. Churches and heritage sites in Italy can sometimes close or change their opening hours at short notice, for example due to restoration works or services, so our itinerary may be adapted or certain visits reordered.

D ay 1 Depart London Gatwick 0805 on British Airways, arriving Turin 1105. Transfer to Grand Hotel Sitea, Turin, for five nights. Orientation walk: Piazza San Carlo, Via Roma, Piazza Castello, Duomo and Churches of San Carlo & Santa Cristina. Evening: welcome and introduction.

D ay 2 Morning lecture: The Architects of the House of Savoy followed by Palazzo Reale: Royal Armoury, Cappella della Sacra Sindone (Turin Shroud) and free time to visit Royal Gardens. Afternoon: Galleria Sabauda and free time to visit collections of classical art and archaeology or Royal Library.

D ay 3 Morning: Baroque quarter (churches designed by Guarini, Alfieri and Juvarra), Palazzo Madama. Afternoon: Palazzo Carignano (Prince’s Apartments), Chiesa Filippo Neri and free time for optional independent visit to Museo Egizio.

D ay 4 Morning: Monte dei Cappuccini (Santa Maria del Monte and views over city and River Po), Lingotto (Pista 500 and Pinacoteca Agnelli). Afternoon: Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi. Free evening.

D ay 5 Morning in Saluzzo: historical walking tour (Church of San Giovanni and Museo Civico Casa Cavassa). Afternoon: Castello della Manta. Return to Turin via Santuario del Valinotto.

D ay 6 Morning: Superga Basilica (designed by Juvarra) followed by Reggia di Venaria Reale (Church of Sant’Uberto, Juvarra’s Stables). Transfer to Milan for 1925 flight, arriving London Heathrow 2030.

Cost of £2995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, five breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £395. TOUR CODE: TURC25

Po River, Turin

Ancient Sicily

September 30 – October 9, 2025

Become immersed in the richly diverse history of Sicily

Uncover remarkable architectural fusions, from William II’s NormanByzantine Cathedral of Monreale to the Palatine Chapel in Palermo

Engage with a wealth of cultural delights at Syracuse including the archaeological park with its Roman amphitheatre, Greek theatre and forbidding quarries

As the largest island in the Mediterranean and a strategic crossroad, Sicily’s narrative is marked by trade and invasion, resulting in a richly diverse culture, history and people.

Beginning in Palermo, which became Sicily’s capital after the Norman conquest, we will delight in and absorb the monumental magnificence of Sicily’s classical heritage – from the extraordinary Arabo-Norman architecture displayed in sites such as Palermo Cathedral to the UNESCO-listed Norman-Byzantine Cathedral of Monreale, built by William II.

Palermo, like Monreale, reveals a fusion of Islamic, Byzantine, Norman and Romanesque traditions. The city’s Palatine Chapel in the Palazzo dei Normanni is distinguished, above all, by its overwhelming Byzantine mosaics, rivalled by the golden masterpieces on display in the cathedral in Monreale.

Roaming through the ancient area of Magna Graecia, a term used to refer to

This tour will be led by Gillian Hovell , BA (Hons). Gillian is a specialist in the ancient world and archaeology, known professionally as ‘The Muddy Archaeologist’. She has excavated at internationally important sites from the Neolithic through to Roman times and lectures widely, including at York University.

the heavy Greek influence on regions of southern Italy and Sicily, we will explore a variety of world-class archaeological sites that will illuminate Sicily’s story –from its early history at Segesta, to signs of Greek and Roman occupation at Syracuse, Selinunte and Naxos.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus at Agrigento was amongst the largest in the entire Greek world, presenting an astonishing display of wealth and power, while the Roman Villa del Casale at Piazza Armerina contains some of the finest mosaics in existence.

Syracuse, “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all” in the opinion of Cicero, conceals the Doric columns of the ancient Temple of Athena behind the Baroque façade of the cathedral. Its archeological park presents one of Sicily’s largest collections of antiquities.

We will stay in three four-star hotels throughout the tour, chosen for their beautiful and convenient locations.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour requires a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina as it involves a significant amount of walking and standing at archaeological sites, for up to three hours at a time. Please note that many sites are exposed and have steep, rough, uneven or loosely pebbled ground, or require walking through low-lying vegetation. In Palermo, some pavements are made from marble and can therefore be slippery even when dry. The tour involves coach journeys of up to three hours’ duration (with a stop en route). Please consult ACE’s fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions prior to booking.

ITINERARY

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

Please note that owing to flight availability, this tour departs from London Heathrow airport and returns to London Gatwick Airport.

confirmation nearer the time. Some historical sites can close at short notice or for restoration works so some visits may concentrate on exterior architecture.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow at 0725 on British Airways to Palermo arriving 1120. Afternoon walking tour and introductory talk. Three nights at Hotel Principe di Villafranca, Palermo.

D ay 2 Morning: Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo dei Normanni (Palatine Chapel). Afternoon: continue to Monreale for visit to cathedral.

D ay 3 Morning: churches of La Martorana and San Cataldo, Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita, Regional Archaeological Museum (subject to confirmation). Afternoon: Castello della Zisa and Duomo.

D ay 4 Morning: Segesta (including temple and theatre). Continue to Marinella for visit to Selinunte archaeological park. Transfer to San Leone for two nights at Hotel Costazzura Museum & Spa.

D ay 5 Visits in Agrigento: Temple Ridge, Archaeological Museum and adjoining excavation areas. Evening lecture.

D ay 6 Transfer to Piazza Armerina for Villa del Casale and Morgantina archaeological site. Continue to Syracuse for four nights at Hotel Palazzo Cavalieri. Free evening.

D ay 7 Morning: visit to Temple of Apollo followed by excursion to Noto (Sicilian Baroque architecture). Afternoon: Villa del Tellaro followed by free time. Evening: Sicilian puppet show (recognised by UNESCO as part of World Intangible Cultural Heritage).

D ay 8 Morning lecture followed by visits in Syracuse: Catacomb of San Giovanni, Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum and Archaeological Park. Late afternoon walking tour of Ortygia including sacred spring of Arethusa and Piazza Duomo (Temple of Athena) followed by free evening.

D ay 9 Whole day excursion to ancient Naxos (early Greek colony) and Taormina (GrecoRoman theatre with superb coastal views).

D ay 10 Depart Catania AIrport at 1205 on British Airways London Gatwick arriving 1425.

Cost of £4195 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, nine breakfasts, two lunches, seven dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £505. TOUR CODE: ANSI25

Taormina Theatre

Ancient Cyprus

October 30 – November, 2025

Delve into Cyprus’s fascinating ancient history with visits to an array of archaeological sites and museums

Examine the island’s historical role in the interaction between the cultures of Europe and the Middle East

Explore the UNESCO-listed southern sector sites of Paphos and Choirokoitia

Throughout its history, Cyprus has either been contested by invaders or influenced by traders from Anatolia, Greece, Syria, Phoenicia and Egypt. The activities of collectors and archaeologists have filled museums with a rich array of artefacts that reflect the island’s diverse history.

During the classical period, Cyprus was essentially Greek in character, and remained throughout the Roman era. With the advent of Islam, Cyprus became a contested border zone, and today a wide range of archaeological sites, monuments and museums represent the island’s varied heritage.

Our journey will begin in the southern (Greek) sector for visits including the exceptional classical remains at Kourion and Paphos, whose Roman mosaics are among the most impressive in the world.

From a base in Limassol, we will explore the site of Amathous, as well as the collections of the Limassol District Archaeological Museum, before making an excursion to Kalavasos-Tenta archaeological site and the neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia. Larnaca contains the Roman-style Ottoman Kamares aqueduct, and is home to the fascinating Kition archaeological site.

We will continue via the archaeological site of Tamassos to the divided capital Nicosia, enclosed in its ring of 16th century walls, to explore its monuments museums. As we venture further into the northern territories, we will discover the mountaintop St Hilarion Castle; the beautiful Bellapais Abbey, made famous

by the writing of Lawrence Durrell; and the fortified Kyrenia Castle on the island’s northern seafront (which also houses the famous Kyrenia ship of c 300 BCE). A second excursion to the Turkish-occupied sector will take us to the impressive site of ancient Salamis.

Our first base will be in Paphos, at the four-star Hotel Aquamare, located close to the beachfront. We will then move to the four-star Poseidonia Beach Hotel in Limassol and the comfortable three-star Centrum Hotel in Nicosia.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Please note that this tour requires a good level of fitness, as it will involve a significant amount of walking and standing, including over uneven terrain at archaeological sites. Care must be taken at the sites, particularly when traversing staircases and steps – in particular, at St Hilarion Castle, where the ascent to the uppermost parts involves long, steep flights of steps which can be slippery and do not always have handrails available. Weather conditions may be warm, and some days have longer coach journeys. Furthermore, some interiors can be dimly lit. Please consult ACE’s usual fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

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

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 0905 on British Airways, arriving Larnaca 1545. Transfer to Paphos for three nights at Hotel Aquamare.

D ay 2 Morning introductory lecture followed by visit to Paphos District Archaeological Museum. Afternoon: Archaeological Park in Paphos (Roman mosaics).

D ay 3 Morning in Yeroskipou: Ethnographic Museum. Afternoon: Kouklia (Old Paphos) archaeological site including Sanctuary of Aphrodite and museum, followed by Hellenistic ‘Tombs of the Kings’ in Paphos. Evening lecture: Hellenistic/Roman Cyprus.

This tour will be led by Gillian Hovell , BA (Hons), an ancient historian and archaeologist with expertise spanning the Neolithic to Roman Britain and the Greek and Roman Mediterranean. Gillian actively digs at major sites in the UK and Europe, from Orkney to Pompeii, and is also an experienced tour leader and lecturer.

D ay 4 Kourion archaeological site, Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates and stadium followed by Kolossi Castle (former headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller in Cyprus). Transfer to Limassol for three nights at the Poseidonia Beach Hotel.

D ay 5 Morning: Amathous archaeological site. Afternoon: Limassol District Archaeological Museum. Evening lecture: Neolithic Cyprus.

D ay 6 Morning: Kalavasos-Tenta archaeological site. Afternoon: Choirokoitia Neolithic settlement (UNESCO World Heritage site).

D ay 7 Transfer to Larnaca for District Archaeological Museum and Kition archaeological site. Afternoon: Tamassos archaeological site. Continue to Nicosia for four nights at Centrum Hotel.

D ay 8 Visits in Nicosia: Cyprus Museum, Church of Agios Ioannis, House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios, Selimiye Mosque (formerly Cathedral of St Sophia - exterior; possible restricted view as under restoration), Bedesten (Church of St Nicholas – exterior) and Büyük Han (Ottoman caravanserai).

D ay 9 Northern Cyprus: St Hilarion Castle (mountaintop fortress) and Bellapais Abbey (probably the finest surviving Gothic monument in Cyprus). Afternoon: Kyrenia (castle and shipwreck museum).

D ay 10 Morning: ancient Greek city of Salamis. Afternoon: Enkomi ancient site.

D ay 11 Morning visit to Pieredes Museum, Larnaca (nation’s oldest private museum, with exhibits ranging from the Bronze Age to Greek and Roman glassware – visit subject to final flight times). Depart Larnaca 1750, arriving Heathrow 2050.

Cost of £3495 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, ten breakfasts, eight lunches, ten dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £335. TOUR CODE: ACY2-25

Bellapais Abbey

Arts & Crafts of Poland: Zakopane & Kraków at the Turn of the 20th Century

October 7–15, 2025

Explore Poland’s Arts & Crafts movement in the company of one of the leading experts in the field, art historian Julia Griffin

Gain an understanding of the movement’s rich decorative traditions and material culture across visits in Zakopane and Kraków, with privileged access to several sites

Explore the Silent Villa, the newly opened Wyspiański Museum and the famous Stained Glass Workshop and Museum

‘Young Poland’ (1890-1918) is one of the most wide-ranging and original movements within Polish art; characterised by the integration of fine and decorative arts, and a revival of handicrafts, it was part of the international Arts & Crafts movement that originated with William Morris, John Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelites.

Young Poland emerged as an expression of the Polish people’s yearning for political independence and a means of preserving their cultural identity; artists and designers created a new visual language inspired by their country’s history, nature and landscape, as well as vernacular craft and architectural traditions. Our tour will explore the theme of ‘beauty as a form of political resistance’ as we visit the key localities of Zakopane and Kraków.

In Zakopane, the Tatra Museum holds the most comprehensive collection of costumes and objects belonging to the Highlander shepherds, whose houses, carvings and embroideries were a major source of inspiration for Stanisław Witkiewicz’s Zakopane Style in architecture and interior decoration, admired by John Ruskin. We will visit Witkiewicz’s first major architectural commission, Villa Koliba, and his magnum opus, the House under the Firs, with a guided tour from a descendant of

Our tour is led by art historian and curator Julia Griffin , MA, PhD, a specialist in 19th and 20th century British and Polish art, design and cultural history. As Young Poland Project Curator at the William Morris Gallery, Julia co-curated the world’s first exhibition on the movement and co-edited the publication Young Poland: The Polish Arts & Crafts Movement 1890-1918 (2020). She is currently co-editing a book on Stanisław Wyspiański to accompany a show at the National Portrait Gallery in London, opening in March 2025.

the family who originally commissioned the house.

The privately owned Silent Villa, Karol Kłosowski’s studio house conceived as a ‘Total Work of Art’, will be a further highlight.

In Kraków, our tour explores the role of Jan Matejko, the innovative history painter and pioneering designer

“Brilliant… Some tours are a revelation and this was one”

– ACE customer on the 2023 Young Poland tour led by Julia Griffin

considered the father of Young Poland. We will also learn about his most famous student, the reformer Stanisław Wyspiański, Morris’s closest counterpart and subject of an upcoming exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery.

We begin with three nights at the fivestar Aries Hotel & Spa in Zakopane, an elegant, centrally-located property, before moving to the charming four-star Hotel Francuski, built during the Young Poland period in a quiet part of Kraków’s Old Town.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This study tour has a full itinerary to make the most of our time in Poland, and participants should have a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina. It involves a significant amount of walking, including over uneven ground, paving slabs and cobbles. Many historical buildings do not have lifts so some visits involve navigating stairs (occasionally steep). At Weiss House, it is necessary to ascend slippery marble steps to the entrance without a handrail, so care must be taken. Some sites are dimly lit. Participants should be prepared for spending

At Bobbin Lacemaking (Legend) by Karol Kł osowski

POLAND

periods of time standing, as seats are not always available. This tour includes an optional ascent by cable car to view the Kasprowy Wierch peak followed by an optional mountain walk led by an experienced guide. This excursion involves walking across a meadow, over potentially slippery surfaces, rocks, stones and tree roots, and temperatures at the peak can be around 0 degrees Celsius; participants are welcome however to enjoy free time in Zakopane instead, or opt out of the walk and enjoy refreshments after the cable car journey. Full details of the options available will be given by the Tour Personnel. Please consult ACE’s minimum fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and owing to the special nature of certain visits, some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time, or may be time or weather permitting on the day. We cannot guarantee the availability of all artworks mentioned.

D ay 1 Depart London Gatwick 0925 on Easyjet, arriving Kraków 1255. Transfer to Zakopane for three nights at Aries Hotel & Spa. Welcome and introductory talk en route.

D ay 2 Morning lecture: Young Poland in Zakopane – Stanisław Witkiewicz’s Zakopane Style & Karol Kłosowski’s Ethos of Beauty in Daily Life. Visits to Tatra Museum, Museum of Zakopane Style, Koliba Villa and Madonna of Częstochowa Old Church.

D ay 3 Morning: House under the Firs and Chapel of the Sacred Heart. Afternoon: Silent Villa and Harenda.

D ay 4 Optional excursion to Kasprowy Wierch in Tatra Mountains (with early morning departure for visit to Highlander Shepherd’s cheese-making farm, cable car to the peak and optional mountain walk), or free morning in Zakopane. Afternoon: Oksza Villa. Continue to Kraków for five nights at Hotel Francuski.

D ay 5 Morning lecture: ‘A Kind of Polish William Morris’ – Stanisław Wyspiański & the Young Poland Movement in Kraków and visit to Franciscan Church. Afternoon: Medical Society and Wyspiański Museum.

D ay 6 Morning: Conference Room of the House under the Globe and Mehoffer House Museum. Afternoon: Wojciech & Irena Weiss House. Free evening.

D ay 7 Morning: former Museum of Industry & Technology (now Academy of Fine Arts). Afternoon and evening at New Manor House, Goszyce (private art collection, music recital, private dinner).

D ay 8 Morning lecture: Jan Matejko’s Legacy as the Father of Young Poland. Visits in Old Town: Sukiennice (Old Cloth Hall) Gallery, Stained Glass Workshop & Museum and Jan Matejko House Museum.

D ay 9 Transfer to Kraków for 1105 flight, arriving Gatwick 1235.

Cost of £3995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, eight breakfasts, two lunches, seven dinners (one light) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £595. TOUR CODE: ACPO25

Detail of the Fallen Angels wall painting in the Franciscan Church, Kraków

COURTESY OF JULIA GRIFFIN

The Riviera di Levante

October 9–16, 2025

Explore the Riviera di Levante, tracing the artistic legacy of the Italian city-states from Genoa to Pisa

Visit some of Italy’s most impressive architectural sites including Pisa’s baptistery and Campo Santo

Enjoy the picturesque towns and villages of the beautiful Italian coastline, including Portofino and Portovenere on the Cinque Terre

For centuries the maritime republics of Italy dominated the Mediterranean. These powerful city-states were fiercely competitive, and our tour will trace the history of their stormy rivalries as we make our way along the enchanting Riviera di Levante (‘coast of the rising sun’), travelling between Genoa and Pisa.

Genoa was one of the longest-lived of the maritime republics, its independence lasting until the threshold of the modern era. Today, the city’s historical heart preserves a fascinating labyrinth of medieval lanes and steps, studded with richly decorated churches and palaces, including the magnificent Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

We will travel down the spectacular Ligurian coastline, where picturesque towns cling to hillsides and reside in narrow valleys where the mountains meet

This tour will be led by Christopher Wellington , MA, a graduate in history from Cambridge University. Christopher’s specialisms range from history and the Church through to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. He has spent most of his career working in Italy, where he lives with his family in Piacenza, and is informed on the many aspects of Italian life and the ways in which they connect with the country’s history and art.’

“Well-organised, fascinating tour of Liguria. Wonderful works of art and architecture as well as stunning landscapes”

– ACE customer on a 2024 Riviera di Levante tour with Christopher Wellington

the sea. The area of the Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its combination of scenic beauty and human endeavour, and we will journey along the coast discovering Portofino and Portovenere.

The republic of Pisa fell to Genoa following the Battle of Meloria in 1284, but not before the city had developed one of the strongest architectural styles

in Italy. Our visit here will explore the strong influence of classicism combined with medieval models, which culminated in the magnificent complex of the Piazza dei Miracoli surrounding the cathedral. Splendid works of art, such as the intricate Pisano pulpit, adorn these buildings.

We will spend our first four nights in Santa Margherita Ligure at the four-star Hotel Continental, a refined, relaxing and comfortable hotel overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio and occupying an Art Nouveau building dating from the early 20th century. This will be followed by an overnight stay at the Hotel Paradiso in Portovenere, a simple but comfortable hotel overlooking the Ligurian Sea. Our final two nights will be spent in Pisa at the four-star Hotel Bologna, a charming

The Miracle of St Ignatius, c. 1615–1620, Peter Paul Rubens, Church of the Gesù, Genoa

hotel set in a traditional Tuscan building just a short walk from the historical centre.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This itinerary requires a good level of fitness, stamina and mobility, as we have some full days and several visits will be made on foot, as well as by train and by boat. There are numerous walks over cobbled streets, uneven surfaces and up steps, taken at a reasonable pace. Genoa’s old city has narrow streets and alleys, and some steep areas without handrails, and it is not always possible to take taxis. Some churches are dimly lit. Participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness requirements (outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions).

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Sometimes historical sites in Italy can undergo closures with little or no notice, for example for restoration works.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1035 on British Airways, arriving Milan Linate 1335. Transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure for four nights at Hotel Continental. Evening introductory lecture

D ay 2 Genoa: cathedral, old port, National Gallery of Palazzo Spinola, Palazzo San Giorgio

(exterior), Santa Maria di Castello, Church of Gesù, Palazzo Ducale (exterior).

D ay 3 Morning: former abbey of La Cervara followed by Portofino. By boat to San Fruttuoso (weather permitting). Evening lecture.

D ay 4 Excursions to Chiavari and the Basilica dei Fieschi. Afternoon: walking tour of Santa Margherita Ligure. Free evening.

D ay 5 By train to Monterosso al Mare with time to visit the town. Transfer by boat along the Cinque Terre to Portovenere: Gothic Church of St Peter and Romanesque Church of St Lawrence followed by some free time. Overnight stay at Hotel Paradiso.

D ay 6 Morning: fortress town of Sarzana (cathedral). Continue via Fantiscritti for the Carrara marble quarries and Museo Walter Danesi to Pisa for two nights at Hotel Bologna.

D ay 7 Pisa: Campo Santo, cathedral and baptistery (subject to opening). Some free time. Evening lecture

D ay 8 Depart Pisa 1220, arriving Heathrow 1345.

Cost of £3395 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, six dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £585 TOUR CODE: RIV125

Portovenere

Details of the Pisa Baptistery architecture

Al-Andalus: Córdoba & Granada

November 6–12, 2025

Discover the legacy of Al-Andalus as we explore the architecture of Córdoba and Granada

Highlights include the Great Mosque of Córdoba and Granada’s famous Alhambra and Generalife –all UNESCO World Heritage sites

Learn about the wider heritage and context of this beautiful region of Spain

In 711, Tariq ibn-Ziyad crossed the Straits of Gibraltar, quashing the previous Visigothic rule, sweeping through the Iberian peninsula and establishing AlAndalus: Islamic Spain. With its regional capital in Córdoba, advancements in many fields – such as science and culture – ensued. Medicine, astronomy, literature, music and philosophy saw rise through the region, while expansions in art and architecture are still visible today in the stunning buildings, mosques and gardens to be found throughout the region.

Our journey begins in Córdoba, where the archaeological museum, built over the remains of the Roman theatre, illuminates the city’s history from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages.

At the heart of Córdoba’s Islamic inheritance lies one of Europe’s greatest buildings: the Mezquita, the Great

This tour will be led by Isaac Nugent , MA, an art historian who holds an MA in Cultural Intellectual and Visual History from The Warburg Institute and an MA in Art and History of Art from the University of Edinburgh. Isaac is currently pursuing an AHRC-funded PhD at the University of York. He has worked as a Curatorial Assistant and gallery educator at the National Gallery, and writes book and exhibition reviews for a range of publications including the Burlington Magazine.

Mosque, with its forest of columns under double-tiered arches, superb mihrab and series of domes. It was transformed into a cathedral during the 13th century. We will learn about the golden age of Al-Andalus when the Great Mosque was built in Córdoba.

At the behest of Abd ar-Rahman III, the huge fortified palace city of Madinat al-Zahra was founded on the hills outside Córdoba, with building beginning in 940. Meanwhile a visit to the Alcázar will reveal delightful Moorish-design gardens, containing cypresses, orange and lemon trees and water features.

We will then continue to Granada, a major city during the 11th century and home to the famed Alhambra of the Nasrid Sultans and the adjoining Generalife with its evocative gardens. In the 13th century, Granada became the capital under Nasrid rule and was the last Islamic-ruled state in the Iberian peninsula.

A visit to the Renaissance cathedral and Royal Chapel, where we will see the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, will emphasise the blending of Islamic and Christian traditions in the region. Built by Queen Isabella after the conquest of Granada, the cathedral is located on the former site of the ancient mosque.

In Córdoba our base will be the fourstar Hotel NH Collection Amistad, a smart, well-located hotel occupying 18th century mansion buildings, while in Granada we will stay at the four-star Hotel Barceló Carmen, a comfortable, well-appointed property in the heart of the city.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour, as a number of visits will be made on foot, and participants should be aware that walking around the historical cities and sites involves traversing uneven ground, cobbled streets and some uphill sections with at times demanding gradients. For instance, the site of Madinat al-Zahra is exposed, with uneven terrain, steps and inclines. For more details on ACE’s minimum fitness requirements, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Archaeological sites and religious centres can close or change their opening times at short notice; therefore, some visits may be reordered.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 1025 on British Airways, arriving Málaga 1425. Transfer to Córdoba for three nights at the Hotel NH Collection Amistad Córdoba. Welcome and introductory lecture: Al-Andalus Spain.

D ay 2 Walking tour of Córdoba including Synagogue, Jewish Quarter and Calleja de las Flores followed by visit to Archaeological Museum. Afternoon: Great Mosque. Evening lecture.

D ay 3 Madinat al-Zahra, Alcázar (gardens), optional walking tour by the Guadalquivir River and to Calahorra Tower, Plaza del Pozo and Museo de Bellas Artes. Free evening.

D ay 4 14th century Alcazaba and Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor (innovative Renaissance church). Continue to Granada for three nights at Hotel Barceló Carmen. Evening lecture.

D ay 5 Excursion to the Alhambra: Nasrid Palace, Museo de la Alhambra, citadel of the Alcazaba and Generalife (gardens).

D ay 6 Walking tour around medieval Granada: Corral del Carbón (Islamic caravanserai), Alcaicería (recreation of the silk bazaar), madrasa, 11th century Islamic baths, Casas del Chapiz (time permitting). Afternoon: guided tour of Renaissance cathedral and Royal Chapel (tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella).

D ay 7 Transfer to Málaga (visits to Alcazaba and Renaissance Cathedral – time permitting). Depart Málaga 1220, arriving London Heathrow 1425.

Cost of £3195 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, one lunch, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £495. TOUR CODE: ALAN25

The Alhambra, Granada

Venice: The Triumph of Light & Colour

November 11–17, 2025

Explore Venice’s mosaics, monasteries and magnificent artistic creations

Visit the beautiful Ca’ Rezzonico, a museum of 18th century art and furniture housed in a palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal

Enjoy a visit by private boat to the island of San Francesco del Deserto for a guided tour of the monastery

This exploration of Venice, one of Europe’s richest cultural cities, will take in a wonderful array of art and architecture, across palazzi, galleries and churches.

Located in the middle of the Venetian Lagoon, the city today bears witness to its heritage as the Republic of Venice – a major financial and maritime power lasting from medieval times, through the Renaissance, until the 18th century. We will begin with a tour of the Doge’s Palace – where the work of the Venetian administration was carried out, and where the architecture and adornments speak of its function as a symbol of the city.

The Galleria dell’Accademia, located in the Dorsoduro district, houses the largest single collection of Venetian art, including a range of paintings showcasing the Venetian masters’ accomplished use of colour.

Our exploration of the richness of the Venetian palette will continue as we discover the city’s fine churches. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco contains

superb decorative schemes by Tintoretto, a notable member of the Venetian school, while the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni is home to an exquisite cycle by Carpaccio, a student of Gentile Bellini.

We will also enjoy excursions by boat to the islands of Burano, San Francesco del Deserto and Torcello: the latter is home to vivid Byzantine mosaics in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

This tour will be based at the fourstar Hotel Ca’ dei Conti, housed in an elegant 18th century building located in the heart of Venice, a stone’s throw from the Piazza and Basilica San Marco, and adjoining a canal.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour, as many of our visits will be made on foot and will involve navigating steps, narrow streets, cobbles and bridges, which can be steep or without handrails. Visits will involve spending time standing, as seats are not always available. A number of journeys will also be made by boat, so participants must feel comfortable on water and when embarking and disembarking vessels, which may feel unstable. Participants should meet ACE’s fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to confirmation nearer the time. Historical buildings in Italy sometimes undergo restoration at short notice, and we cannot guarantee the availability of all artworks listed.

D ay 1 Depart London Heathrow 0840 on British Airways, arriving Venice 1200. Transfer by water taxi to Hotel Ca’ dei Conti for six nights. Afternoon: orientation walking tour followed by welcome and introduction.

Our Tour Director, Tom Abbott , BA, MA, is an independent art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens. Tom is an accomplished lecturer and tour leader, with extensive experience directing cultural and art tours in Europe including in Italy. His expertise ranges from the medieval to the modern, and he is particularly fascinated by the Baroque and Rococo.

D ay 2 Morning visits to Doge’s Palace and Museo di San Marco (famous bronze horses and Treasury). Afternoon: San Giorgio Maggiore for Palladio church (Tintoretto) and Church of San Sebastiano (Veronese). Evening lecture: Venice –A History of Art & Architecture.

D ay 3 Morning: Galleria dell’Accademia (largest single collection of Venetian art). Afternoon visits to Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni (paintings by Carpaccio), Dominican Church of Saints Giovanni & Paolo (San Zanipolo, fine altarpieces) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (exquisite early Renaissance church).

D ay 4 Santa Maria Assunta (stunning Baroque interior) and Gothic Church of Madonna del Orto followed by walking tour of old Jewish Quarter. Some free time followed by free evening to explore Venice independently.

D ay 5 Morning: Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (Franciscan church, Titian and Bellini altarpieces), Scuola Grande di San Rocco (Tintoretto). Free afternoon.

D ay 6 Island of San Francesco del Deserto for guided tour of Franciscan monastery, followed by island of Torcello for Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (vivid Byzantine mosaics). Afternoon on island of Burano: Lace Museum and Church of San Martino (Tiepolo). Independent dinner followed by private evening visit to Basilica di San Marco (subject to confirmation).

D ay 7 Morning: Ca’ Rezzonico (beautiful museum of 18th century Venice). Transfer by water taxi to Venice airport for 1755 flight to Heathrow, arriving 1915.

Cost of £2995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £415. TOUR CODE: VEN225

Grand Canal at sunrise

Vienna 1900

November 25–30, 2025

Observe the shifting attitudes to art, design and urbanism at the turn of the 20th century

Explore the transformation of Vienna into a metropolis of international standing

Experience both the classics of early modern Vienna and some hidden gems like Wittgenstein’s house

As the 20th century commenced, Vienna witnessed an intense outburst of creative and intellectual endeavour, with extraordinary innovations in art, architecture, literature, music and science. Our tour takes as its focus this rapid transformation. Classics like Otto Wagner’s Postsparkasse and Steinhof Church and Klimt’s major works at the Belvedere will be visited as well as less frequented places like Wagner’s Villa in Hütteldorf on the edge of the Vienna Woods.

From 1867 Vienna became the capital of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The city responded with unparalleled public projects like water works and public transport, which created a feverish atmosphere of competition and innovation that was soon to express itself in art, architecture, literature, music and science.

In 1897 the leading names of the Vienna Art Nouveau broke away from the Society of Vienna Artists (Künstlerhaus) to establish the ‘Secession’, modelled on the eponymous association in Munich. Not only did the Secession open Vienna to artistic trends from all over Europe, it also gave rise to the foundation of the Wiener Werkstätte, an association of architects, artists, designers and artisans, which created a new formal vocabulary in a variety of genres. From posters to monumental architecture, the signature of the Vienna Secession also became symbolic of a silver age of literature, music and science, not least psychoanalysis.

More radical approaches, associated with names like Hoffmann and Loos, had begun well before the First World War and continued beyond it. This will be particularly visible in the revolutionary housing project at the Werkbundsiedlung or in Ludwig Wittgenstein’s house in Landstrasse.

We will stay at the four-star Hotel Johann Strauss, a comfortable and traditionally decorated hotel housed in a grand Art Nouveau building in Vienna. There will also be the opportunity to visit some of Vienna’s famous Christmas markets, which light up the city streets during the time of our tour.

Cost of £2595 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, five breakfasts, coffee & cake on arrival at the hotel on day 1, one light lunch, four dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £435. TOUR CODE: VIEN25

This tour will be led by Alex Koller, PhD. Alex 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.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Participants should have a good level of overall fitness, mobility and stamina for this tour. The tour involves using public transport, including getting on and off trams, and walking around the city, including uphill and up steps. The walk to the Steinhof Church is steep (partly sloped and partly with steps). Participants should meet our usual fitness requirements, as described in our Booking Terms and Conditions.

ITINERARY

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. Our itinerary may also be adjusted further on the ground.

D ay 1 Depart London 0715 on British Airways, arriving Vienna 1030. Transfer to Hotel Johann Strauss for five nights. Visit to St Stephen’s Cathedral and walk around the city centre.

D ay 2 Morning in ‘Old Vienna’: Hofburg complex (Imperial Library and Treasury). Afternoon: architectural tour of Ringstraße, including Sigmund Freud Museum, Votive Church and opportunity to visit the Christmas markets. Free evening.

D ay 3 Upper Belvedere with major works by Klimt, Wittgenstein house, Museum of Applied Art, Otto Wagner’s Postal Savings Bank and city railway stations.

D ay 4 Residential architecture on Wienzeile (exteriors), Secession Building with Klimt’s Beethovenfries, Leopold Museum, Museum of Furniture. Some free time.

D ay 5 Tour of Vienna suburbs with houses by Loos and Hoffmann (exteriors), Wagner’s and Plečnik’s churches at Steinhof and Schmelz, Wagner’s Villa, opportunity to visit the Christmas markets in the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, ‘Red Vienna’ housing project and KarlMarx-Hof.

D ay 6 Visit to the Arsenal for Museum of Military History with relics of Sarajevo 1914 (time permitting). Depart Vienna 1405, arriving Heathrow 1535.

Detail of Steinhof Church

Glasgow: Patrons, Art & Innovation

May 13–19, 2025

Visit the recently refurbished

Follow the work of key figures including Robert Adam and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and explore the worlds of the Glasgow Boys and Glasgow Girls

Take a trip to the Isle of Bute for the lavish Victorian Mount Stuart, and explore Dumfries House, a Palladian mansion housing fine furniture

Glasgow has established itself as a vibrant cultural city, and several of the region’s museums and great country houses have benefitted from major conservation programmes.

The magnificent Burrell Collection, amassed by Sir William Burrell (18611958), was bequeathed to the City of Glasgow. Its purpose-built home in Pollok Country Park has recently undergone a major refurbishment, and the wide-ranging and eclectic collections of fine and decorative art – which include late Gothic and early Renaissance European art, important stained glass and 19th century French painting – have been beautifully redisplayed.

Further highlights range from the modern Riverside Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid, to the little-known neoclassical interiors of Holmwood House. Dumfries House, rescued from

sale and the dispersal of its contents through the intervention of His Majesty

The King, then Prince of Wales, is a little-altered gem designed by Robert Adam and home to Chippendale furniture made specifically for the house.

Mount Stuart, on the Isle of Bute, was built for the vastly wealthy 3rd Marquess of Bute, and the interiors reflect his distinctive taste and the influence of his friend, the architect William Burges.

We also look forward to a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, focusing on the works of the Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists, and tea at the beautifully restored ‘Mackintosh at the Willow’ tearooms.

This tour will be led by James Winnett , BA, MFA. James studied at Oxford Brookes University and Glasgow School of Art, where he became a Master in Fine Art in 2012. A resident of Glasgow for several years, James is a guide lecturer with a specialist interest in the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Arts & Crafts Movement, early medieval stone carving and the history of Glasgow. James is also a practising artist, with a studio located next to the House for an Art Lover.

Our base is the refurbished four-star Radisson Blu Hotel, conveniently situated in the city centre.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Glasgow is hilly and this tour involves daily city-based walking, including some steeper sections near to our hotel. Many sites have lifts or ramps but not all, so participants should be prepared for traversing steps as well as uneven ground. The tour involves a moderate amount of time spent standing in museums (up to 2 hours at a time); folding seats are often available but cannot be guaranteed. Our visit to Mount Stuart will involve travel by ferry. Please consult ACE’s fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions prior to booking.

ITINERARY

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.

D ay 1 Tour assembles 1400 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, for six nights. Afternoon: Riverside Museum. Welcome and introductory lecture.

D ay 2 Whole day excursion to Dumfries House. Evening lecture: Glasgow Girls.

D ay 3 Morning: House for an Art Lover (subject to confirmation) and Holmwood House. Afternoon: Burrell Collection.

D ay 4 Morning: Hill House (temporarily preserved by an innovative ‘box’ enabling the exterior to be explored from roof to ground level during restoration project). Afternoon: Mackintosh Queen’s Cross and Tenement House.

D ay 5 Morning: Hunterian Art Gallery, Mackintosh House (subject to confirmation) and Hunterian Museum. Afternoon: tea at ‘Mackintosh at the Willow’ tearooms. Free evening.

D ay 6 Whole day excursion by coach and ferry to the Isle of Bute for Mount Stuart (guided tour followed by free time to explore gardens).

D ay 7 Morning: Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (focusing on the Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists followed by some free time to look around independently). Tour disperses approx 1230 at Glasgow Central Station, approx 1245 at Glasgow Queen Street Station and approx 1330 at Glasgow International Airport.

Cost of £2295 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, tea at ‘Mackintosh at the Willow’ tearooms, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £495. TOUR CODE: GLAS25

Burrell Collection

The Sleeping Princess, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, 1906

TONY HISGETT / CC BY 2.0 DEED VIA FLICKR

Churches of Herefordshire & Shropshire

June 2–6, 2025 | September 15–19, 2025

From a base in historical Ludlow, explore some of the finest churches of Herefordshire and Shropshire in the company of expert medievalist Imogen Corrigan

View examples of the work of the famous Herefordshire School of Architecture, including the celebrated 12th century fonts at St Mary Magdalene in Eardisley and St Michael & All Angels in Castle Frome

Visit the unique Church of St John the Evangelist in Shobdon, a rare example of a church interior designed in the Rococo Gothic style

ACE is delighted to present this brand new tour in our popular series exploring the churches of some of England’s most picturesque counties. On the border with Wales, Herefordshire and Shropshire are known for their idyllic countryside, dotted with a wealth of churches offering fascinating art, architecture and history.

This tour will be led by Imogen Corrigan , BA, MPhil, FRHistS, FRSA, a proficient lecturer on medieval history and particularly church art and architecture, accredited with the Arts Society. Following nearly 20 years in the British Army, Imogen studied Anglo-Saxon and Medieval History at the University of Kent before gaining an MPhil from the University of Birmingham. Her book Stone on Stone: The Men Who Built the Cathedrals was published in 2019.

Our tour is based in the medieval market town of Ludlow, where our explorations begin with a visit to St Laurence’s Church with its hexagonal porch. The building is notable for featuring the remains of the only known example in England of a ‘Ten Commandments’ window, dating from the 15th century.

Highlights will include St Mary Magdalene in Eardisley, containing a fine Norman font by the famous

Herefordshire School of Architecture, and the church at Leominster, founded around 660 AD by St Edfrith, a missionary from Lindisfarne. Refounded as a priory in 1125 and dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, this church underwent many changes across the following centuries, including a restoration by George Gilbert Scott in Victorian times.

Shobdon Church has been described as “a wonderful building, of unique architectural interest” by His Majesty King Charles III and “a complete masterpiece” by Simon Jenkins. Its delightful interior provides a rare example of well-preserved church design in the Walpolean ‘Strawberry Hill Gothic’ style. The church’s original Romanesque interior arches, carved by the Herefordshire School, were removed and repurposed as an outdoor folly in 1756.

On a day excursion to Shrewsbury, we will explore the Abbey, originally founded in 1083 by Sir Roger de Montgomery as a Benedictine Monastery, as well as St Mary’s Church, dating from Saxon times with additions from the 12th century onwards. St Mary’s features one of the tallest spires in England.

Ludlow

The present-day Church of St Chad was built in the round at the end of the 18th century by George Steuart. It is notable for having been the site of Charles Darwin’s baptism in 1809.

We will also pay a visit to Hereford Cathedral, built in the Gothic style from the 11th century, and home to the medieval Mappa Mundi. The Church of St Mary & St David in Kilpeck, meanwhile, was described by Pevsner

as “one of the most perfect Norman churches in England” and contains fine carvings in local red sandstone as well as a remarkable corbel tray.

Our base for this tour is the Feathers Hotel & Restaurant, occupying a Grade I listed property in the heart of Ludlow. Behind its Tudor half-timbered façade, the hotel enjoys recently refurbished rooms and an AA Rosette award-winning restaurant.

“Really wonderful Tour Director who immersed us in the Middle Ages and delivered the information about the venues in an exceptionally engaging way”

– ACE customer on a previous churches tour led by Imogen Corrigan

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour requires a good level of fitness and mobility, and participants should meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Due to narrow lanes, the coach is not usually able to drop off the group directly outside the churches, so some walking will be involved to access them, including over tracks and up and down grassy slopes. Furthermore, the ground can be uneven underfoot (including inside the churches). In particular, the walk to Shobdon Arches is uphill and can be muddy; at Moccas it is necessary to climb a grassy bank to access the church; and Shrewsbury is hilly. Participants should be prepared for navigating steps (sometimes steep or without handrails), as well as dimly lit areas. Please be aware that not all of the churches have facilities.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. If it is necessary to substitute a particular church due to access reasons, we will endeavour to replace it with another of equal historical interest.

D ay 1 Tour assembles 1330 at the Feathers Hotel & Restaurant, Ludlow, for four nights. Welcome and introductory lecture followed by visit to St Laurence’s Church and some free time to explore Ludlow.

D ay 2 Excursion to Shrewsbury for St Chad’s Church, St Mary’s Church and Shrewsbury Abbey, followed by Battlefield for St Mary Magdalene Church (subject to confirmation).

D ay 3 Morning: St John the Evangelist Church, Shobdon Church and Arches followed by St Mary Magdalene Church, Eardisley. Afternoon: Church of St Michael & All Angels, Moccas and St George’s Church, Brinsop (subject to confirmation).

D ay 4 Morning: St Peter’s Church, Rowlestone and Church of St Mary & St David, Kilpeck. Afternoon: Hereford Cathedral and St Michael & All Angels’ Church, Castle Frome.

D ay 5 Visits to Heath Chapel (subject to confirmation); St Peter’s Church, Diddlebury and Leominster Priory Church of St Peter & St Paul. Tour disperses approx 1430 at Ludlow Station followed by the hotel. We recommend organising onward trains departing from 1445 onwards.

Cost of £1695 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, four breakfasts, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £295. TOUR CODE: CHS125 / CHS225

DAVID ILLIF / CC BY-SA

VIA WIKIMEDA COMMONS

St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury

Carved capitals at Leominster Priory

MICHAEL

Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival

June 26–30, 2025

Take in the full programme of one of the UK’s most enchanting chamber music festivals

Enjoy a guest talk on the historical churches of Romney Marsh with medieval historian Imogen Corrigan

Visit Great Dixter House & Gardens, once home to celebrated gardener and garden writer Christopher Lloyd, and Lamb House in Rye

We are delighted to present an exclusive small-group opportunity to join ACE at the annual Peasmarsh Festival for the first time. Every year the festival brings world-class musicians to this historical and beautiful corner of rural East Sussex, allowing audiences to enjoy first-rate chamber music performances, featuring internationally celebrated musicians, in an intimate church setting.

Most concerts take place in the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Peasmarsh, located deep in the East Sussex countryside but within easy reach of the historical town of Rye.

Balancing tradition with a spirit of discovery, the programmes typically include masterpieces from the central chamber and keyboard repertoire, from Bach to Britten, alongside rarities from the 19th and 20th centuries and a smattering of modern works.

We are delighted to be attending all eight festival performances in 2025, as well as a festival drinks reception and dinner with other audience members between concerts.

Cost of £2395 includes: accommodation based on sharing a standard or family twin or double bedded room, performances as described, four breakfasts, three lunches (including one light & one packed), four dinners (two buffet) with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, standard double room for single use supplement £370.

TOUR CODE: PEAS25

Tour Director Richard Wigmore , MA, AGSM, is a writer, broadcaster, lecturer and former professional singer. He has lectured at Birkbeck College, the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music.

We will also delve into the region’s past with a historical walking tour of Rye; special guest talk from medieval historian (and regular ACE Tour Director) Imogen Corrigan; and visits to Great Dixter Houses & Gardens and Lamb House.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour requires a good overall level of fitness: participants should meet ACE’s minimum fitness criteria in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Travellers should be prepared for navigating uneven and grassy terrain, cobbles (especially in Rye), steps and staircases, and for staying on their feet for extended periods. At Great Dixter there are uneven paths (slippery when wet), and steps without handrails. There may also be uneven steps into the churches, without handrails. Churches can be dimly lit and chilly even in June. To take advantage of both the convenience and special festival atmosphere, some meals will take place in the audience marquee at Peasmarsh. We will use one or more smaller vehicles for the majority of the tour, as the sites – and Peasmarsh in particular – are not accessible by larger coach.

The itinerary features one late-night performance at Peasmarsh (c 2130-2230) on Day 3, preceded by an audience dinner; participants are welcome to return earlier to the hotel if wished.

Our Accommodation

We will stay at the historical threestar Mermaid Inn in Rye, dating back to 1156 and rebuilt in 1420. The inn boasts beautiful original features, while its modern facilities and welcoming service ensure a comfortable stay. Owing to its age, this hotel has uneven and sometimes creaky floors, multiple staircases, some low and sloping ceilings, and there is some variation across the rooms. There is also no lift on site and participants should be prepared for using staircases with uneven steps.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer. The festival programme details will be released in early spring 2025, and our itinerary will be updated on the ACE website once concerts are confirmed. Some elements, including the musical programme, may be subject to further change or confirmation nearer the time.

D ay 1 Tour assembles from mid-afternoon at The Mermaid Inn, Rye, for four nights. 1630 welcome and introductory lecture. Evening festival performance at Church of St Peter & Paul, Peasmarsh.

D ay 2 Morning walking tour of Rye, including Rye Castle, and festival performance in St Mary’s Church Square. Afternoon guest lecture with Imogen Corrigan: The Romney Marsh Churches , and lecture introducing this evening’s performance. Evening festival performance at St Mary’s Church, Rye.

D ay 3 Morning festival performance at Church of St Peter & Paul, Peasmarsh. Some free time and afternoon lecture followed by evening festival performances at Church of St Peter & Paul, Peasmarsh, including audience dinner.

D ay 4 Morning lecture followed by festival performance at Church of St Peter & Paul, Peasmarsh. Afternoon visit to Great Dixter House & Gardens (created by celebrated gardener and garden writer Christopher Lloyd, with a house restored by Edwin Lutyens). Early evening talk and festival closing performance at Church of St Peter & Paul, Peasmarsh.

D ay 5 Morning: Lamb House, Rye (former home of Henry James and E F Benson). Tour disperses approx 1430 at hotel.

Small Group Experience

This tour offers an exclusive small group experience of up to 15 guests. We recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.

The Norman Church of St Peter and St Paul

Hadrian’s Wall

June 30 – July 4, 2025

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

Explore the fascinating ancient forts, turrets and castles that line the wall and learn about its history and construction

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

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hadrian’s Wall is a formidable engineering achievement and spans over 70 miles of beautiful, often rugged countryside, sealing off ancient Britannia (modern day England and Wales) from ancient Caledonia (modern day Scotland). Whilst your first thoughts may stray to Pompeii or Herculaneum when considering preserved Rome, this wild northern outpost is home to astounding artefacts, and its remains illuminate much of Roman life in Britain.

Chesters, built to protect the passage of Hadrian’s Wall over the River Tyne, is Britain’s most imposing Roman cavalry fort and one of the most complete to survive today, with well-preserved baths, as well as a museum of Roman finds. Meanwhile, the ancient fort of Housesteads, perched high on a ridge overlooking wide expanses of Northumbrian moorland, is notable for its extensive barracks, granaries and hospital.

The garrison and civilian settlement at Vindolanda, where the eponymous wooden writing tablets were unearthed, is situated next to one of the best-preserved sections of the wall. Positioned on one of the longest stretches of the wall lies Birdoswald Roman Fort, where we will explore the on-site museum and wander the walls of bygone years.

As one of the earliest seats of Christianity, Hexham Abbey witnessed periods of turmoil and change. Its 7th century

Our Tour Director is ancient historian Eireann Marshall , PhD, who was raised in the Veneto and educated at Barnard College, Columbia University and the universities of Birmingham and Exeter. She is a Research Associate and Associate Lecturer with the Open University, as well as an experienced tour leader, having led many tours throughout Europe and North Africa.

Anglo-Saxon crypt, constructed almost entirely out of salvaged Roman masonry, is one of the oldest surviving sections of St Wilfrid’s Benedictine Abbey, which was granted to the saint by Etheldreda, Queen of Northumbria, over 1300 years ago.

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

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

“One

ITINERARY

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.

D ay 1 Tour assembles 1600 at Newcastle Station followed by 1700 at the Beaumont Hotel, Hexham, for four nights. Welcome and introductory talk.

D ay 2 Arbeia (Roman fort and museum), Chesters (fort, well-preserved bathhouse, sculptures, inscriptions and museum), Brunton Turret (built by men of the 20th Legion), Carrawburgh (Roman fort and 3rd century Temple of Mithras).

D ay 3 Housesteads (fort with museum, commandant’s house, headquarters, wellpreserved latrines), Vindolanda (ongoing excavations, museum with writing tablets).

D ay 4 Birdoswald (Roman fort situated on one of the longest stretches of Hadrian’s Wall, with exhibitions) followed by a walk along the wall.

D ay 5 Hexham Abbey (crypt) followed by the Roman town and military depot at Corbridge, including Lion of Corbridge (visit subject to confirmation). Tour disperses approx 1300 at the hotel followed by approx 1430 at Newcastle Station.

Cost of £1475 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, four breakfasts, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £220. TOUR CODE: HADW25

Praetoritum (Commandant’s House) at Housesteads Roman Fort

of the best holidays ever”

– ACE customer on the 2023 Hadrian’s Wall tour

Wild & Ancient Orkney

July 8–15, 2025

Enjoy the special Orcadian flora and fauna, from marine mammals and seabird ‘cities’ to the rare and delightful Scottish primrose

Explore some of the spectacular archaeological treasures of the Orkney Islands

Take ferries over to Rousay and other islands

Separated from the Scottish mainland by the stormy Pentland Firth, the Orkney Islands bristle with natural delights and UNESCO-listed Neolithic treasures. Chambered cairns, ceremonial stone circles and Neolithic villages scatter the peninsula while seabirds fly overhead and nest in rugged cliff edges.

While on the ‘Mainland’, we will visit a selection of cairns and Skara Brae. We will extend our reach to Scapa Flow, to learn about Orkney’s wartime heritage.

We will also take small ferries over to various islands, to understand some of the challenges in the extreme north of Britain, while exploring the fascinating wildlife and landscape – from lush marshlands to glacial erratics.

The waters around the islands are rich in marine life, supporting seals, cetaceans, and teeming seabird ‘cities’ of fulmars, puffins and guillemots. Inland, rich moorland and farmland are home to curlews and oystercatchers, as well as majestic birds of prey such as the rare hen harrier and short-eared owl. They also host one of the UK’s few endemic plants, the rare and delightful Scottish primrose.

We will stay at The Orkney Hotel in Kirkwall, ideally situated in the town centre. While the accommodation is of a

Please note travel to and from Orkney is not included in the cost of this tour as we find participants prefer a variety of different arrangements. Advice can be provided on travelling by ship and air – please contact the ACE office for further information.

more basic standard, the hotel provides a comfortable base close to Kirkwall’s amenities.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: At times this tour can be physically demanding and participants should have a good overall level of fitness, mobility and stamina. Please consult our Booking Terms & Conditions for general fitness guidance, and be prepared to pay careful attention to the guidance of the Tour Director. Conditions are often windy and some sites require walking on rough, often boggy ground, over slippery and/or broken paths, and near cliff edges, where care must be taken. Access to cairns can also be challenging. Please note The Orkney Hotel has no lift and all rooms are located on the 1st and 2nd floors, however staff will be on hand to help with luggage.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer. Ferry timetables and tides can affect travel, so some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. Wildlife can be unpredictable, and we cannot guarantee sightings of all species mentioned.

D ay 1 Check in to The Orkney Hotel, Kirkwall, for seven nights (tea and coffee available from 1600). Tour assembles 1815 at the hotel for welcome and introduction. Evening talk: Introduction to Orkney.

Wild & Ancient

This tour is part of ACE’s ‘Wild & Ancient’ series, unique products designed to showcase the many interwoven aspects of the landscapes we visit. These tours usually focus on natural history, interpreting the landscapes, their ecology and their conservation. As part of this wider exploration, they also shed light on an array of fascinating historical sites.

This tour will be led by Peter Exley, BSc, an ecologist, ornithologist and conservationist who works for the RSPB. He has led the communication and community elements of projects such as the reintroduction of cranes to Somerset.

D ay 2 Whole day tour of Neolithic Orkney: Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, Yesnaby and Stromness.

D ay 3 By ferry to Westray for tour of the island and wildlife.

D ay 4 Rennibister Earth House, followed by ferry to small island of Rousay: Taversoe Tuick and Blackhammer, optional visit to Knowe of Yarso. Afternoon: Midhowe Broch and Midhowe Cairn. Evening lecture: Island Wildlife

D ay 5 Visits in Kirkwall: St Magnus Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. Afternoon: Italian Chapel and Churchill Barriers followed by coastal walk to Deerness.

D ay 6 Iron Age Broch of Gurness, Marwick Head, Hillside, view of Earl’s Palace, Brough of Birsay and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

D ay 7 By ferry to Lyness, Hoy via Orphir Round Church. Morning visits to Dwarfie Stane and Rackwick dunes followed by afternoon visit to Scapa Flow Museum.

D ay 8 Tour disperses after breakfast at the hotel.

Cost of £2895 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, seven breakfasts, one lunch, seven dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: return travel, travel insurance, twin/double room for single use supplement £395.

TOUR CODE: ORKN25

Aerial view of Skara Brae

Smaller group – limited to 20 guests

Scottish Art & Craft in Edinburgh & Dundee

September 1–6, 2025

Explore Scottish art from Sir Henry Raeburn to the Scottish Colourists and Glasgow Boys

Visit Dundee, home to the impressive waterfront V&A Dundee and fascinating McManus Gallery

Delve into less well-known sites, including the Dovecot Studios, a world renowned tapestry studio and landmark centre for contemporary art, craft and design

From bases in Edinburgh and Dundee, this tour focuses on the arts and crafts of Scotland, exploring both famous galleries and some less well-known sites.

2023 saw the highly anticipated opening of new galleries at the Scottish National Gallery, following an ambitious construction project to create a home for the world’s greatest collection of Scottish art. We look forward to viewing works by Sir Henry Raeburn, Sir Edwin Landseer, the Scottish Colourists and Anne Redpath, amongst many others, displayed in beautiful new spaces.

The Kirkcaldy Galleries are home to one of the best collections of Scottish art held anywhere, ranging from still lifes by much-loved Scottish Colourist S J Peploe to landscapes and seascapes by William McTaggart.

It is an exciting time to visit Dundee, where a 30 year, £1 billion masterplan began in 2001 with the ambition of transforming the city into a new cultural centre. A new branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum opened in the city in 2018, providing Scotland with its first dedicated design museum.

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma took his inspiration from the cliff edges of eastern Scotland; the resulting building provides a remarkable new landmark on the city’s waterfront. We will contemplate the role of museums in urban regeneration projects, and delve into the collections, which celebrate Scottish design across the fields of fashion, textiles and theatre.

Our Tour Director is Sarah Burles , MA, who 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, including at the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Irish-born artist Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852-1936) achieved international recognition as an accomplished illustrator, painter and embroiderer in the Arts & Crafts movement in Scotland. We will see the murals she created, and enjoy a special guest lecture from Professor Elizabeth Cumming (Edinburgh College of Art), a historian of Scottish art and design whose book on Traquair was published in 2022.

Our first three nights will be spent at the four-star Malmaison Edinburgh City, occupying historical townhouses in the heart of the city. We will then spend two nights at the four-star Malmaison Dundee, a smart boutique property ideally situated opposite the V&A Dundee.

Cost of £2425 includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, five breakfasts, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £595. TOUR CODE: SAED25

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour requires a good level of fitness as we will be exploring Edinburgh and Dundee predominantly on foot, and the itinerary involves a significant amount of walking. Edinburgh is hilly and some terrain may be uneven or cobbled; the walking tour on Day 1 involves some steep climbs. Lifts are available at some sites but seats cannot be guaranteed. Participants should be prepared for navigating steps and stairs, and walking and standing for up to 2 hours. Some sites may be dimly lit. Please consult ACE’s fitness criteria in our Booking Terms and Conditions.

ITINERARY

The itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer. Owing to their special nature, some visits may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. We cannot guarantee the availability of all artworks mentioned.

D ay 1 Tour assembles 1500 at the Malmaison Edinburgh City for three nights. Orientation walking tour of Edinburgh.

D ay 2 Morning lecture: The Art of Scotland followed by Scottish National Galleries (old and new galleries). Afternoon: Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

D ay 3 Morning guest lecture with Professor Elizabeth Cumming (Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh): The Celtic Revival & Phoebe Anna Traquair followed by Song School at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral and Mansfield Traquair Centre. Afternoon: Dovecot Studios, Museum of Scotland and Scottish Textiles Showcase. Free evening.

D ay 4 Transfer to Dundee via Kirkcaldy Galleries and Falkland Palace and Garden. Two nights at Malmaison Dundee.

Day 5 Morning visit to the McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum. Afternoon: V&A Dundee.

D ay 6 Return to Edinburgh for Scottish National Galleries – Modern One and Two. Tour disperses approx 1230 at the gallery followed by approx 1300 at Edinburgh Waverley Station.

The Black Bottle by Samuel Peploe, 1905

Northumbria in the First Millennium

August 4–8, 2025 | August 11–15, 2025

Uncover the controversial ‘Dark Ages’ as we investigate the history of Northumbria during the Early Middle Ages

Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims, exploring the early Christian monasteries at Lindisfarne and Monkwearmouth-Jarrow as well as Escomb church

Marvel at the architecture of Durham Cathedral, containing shrines to St Cuthbert and St Bede

Travel back to the Early Middle Ages as we explore glittering Anglo-Saxon England, illuminated by artefacts and manuscripts as well as an abundance of personalities. Controversially termed the ‘Dark Ages’, the Middle Ages dominated the period between the fall of the Roman Empire in the west and the Renaissance, with Viking invasions from the east as

“It was all excellent. A wonderful itinerary, beautifully organised”

“Cannot praise the tour enough”

“Imogen was a fantastic lecturer in every way – informative and friendly. I would definitely travel with her again”

– ACE customers on previous Northumbria in the First Millennium tours led by Imogen Corrigan

well as the wider spread of Islam and Christianity. They encompassed the reign of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, as well as the lives of the Venerable Bede and St Cuthbert, who would become the most powerful saint in the north.

Our journey to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne will follow in the footsteps of pilgrims as we explore one of the most important centres of early Christianity.

Founded by St Aiden, the island was a Christian stronghold and bishopric seat housing many important figures, including St Cuthbert and St Wilfrid, until it became the first to succumb to Viking invasions.

Benedict Biscop founded the double monastery at Monkwearmouth-Jarrow, the second to be seized, and marked it as a centre of learning and scholarship. Its continued development produced one of the greatest Anglo-Saxon scholars, Bede.

From June 793, the Vikings inflicted terror and misery on the northern kingdom, but they also brought with them their own culture. It influenced church art until roughly 1200, and some of the results can still be seen today.

Our itinerary will unearth clues about our Anglo-Saxon past in a range of contexts, including at parish churches, such as Escomb – one of northern Europe’s finest

Lindisfarne Priory

examples of early Christian architecture. We will also spend time at the glorious cathedral in Durham, examining the building’s interior and exterior, and enjoying the cathedral’s collections in its dedicated museum.

We will stay at the four-star Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County, with splendid views of Durham’s cathedral and historical quarter.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: Some visits will involve walking over rugged, cobbled, uneven and occasionally steep ground, and church interiors may be dimly lit. To visit the crypt at Hexham Abbey involves a flight of steep stone stairs (with handrails), but this element of the visit is optional. Participants should have a good overall level of fitness and mobility and consult our general fitness requirements in our Booking Terms & Conditions before travel.

This tour will be led by medieval historian Imogen Corrigan , BA, MPhil, FRHistS, FRSA. Following almost 20 years in the Army, 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 first book, Stone on Stone: The Men who Built the Cathedrals , was published in 2019 by Robert Hale. She is an accredited Arts Society lecturer, and a Freeman of the Company of Communicators.

ITINERARY

Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. The timing of our excursion to Lindisfarne is subject to tides and local conditions, and our visits and excursions may be reordered accordingly. Please note that the order of visits may differ between both departures. Please refer to the website for full itineraries for each departure.

D ay 1 Tour assembles 1700 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County for four nights. Welcome and introduction. Evening lecture: Bede & the World in Which he Lived.

D ay 2 Visits to St Paul’s Church, Jarrow; St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth and St Mary Magdalene, Hart. Evening lecture: The Lindisfarne Gospels.

D ay 3 Morning excursion to Lindisfarne: St Mary’s Church (reputed site of original monastery) and Priory (home of St Cuthbert). Afternoon visit to Rothbury for All Saints’ Church (font stands on part of a 9th century Market Cross). Precise timings for this day will depend on tide times.

D ay 4 Morning visit to Escomb Church (dating from c 675). Return to Durham for afternoon at the cathedral (including museum).

D ay 5 Hexham Abbey followed by Chesterle-Street (St Cuthbert’s Church and Anker’s House Museum). Tour disperses approx 1600 at Durham Station followed by the hotel.

Cost of £1395 includes: a ccommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, four breakfasts, four dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £125. TOUR CODE: NFM125 / NFM225

Durham Cathedral

Lindisfarne Priory with Lindisfarne Castle in the distance

Jazz at Hintlesham Hall

October 6–9, 2025

Journey through the age of jazz and beyond with a superb array of artists, from jazz quartets and solo pianists to authentic six-piece bands and a celebrated vocalist

Enjoy a jazz and swing dance demonstration featuring professional dancer and writer Nikki Santilli

Explore the changing fashions of the ‘roaring twenties’ and ’30s with guest speaker Grace Evans, Keeper of Costume at Chertsey Museum

Whether you are new to jazz or well versed, our immersive residency-style tour will provide a feast for the ears and mind as we explore this dynamic musical genre and its wider cultural impact in the first half of the 20th century.

Emerging towards the end of the 19th century from a mix of African, European and wider musical influences (including marching brass bands), jazz quickly became a cultural phenomenon that spread all over the world. The Great Depression of the 1930s witnessed the development of swing – coupled with star solo performers such as Ella Fitzgerald and trumpeter Harry James – followed a decade later by more experimental forms, particularly Bebop. To learn about the age of jazz is to explore its impact on life, dance, fashion and entertainment.

A series of lively early evening performances will form the heart of the itinerary, whisking us through the music of the 1920s and ’30s and the British Trad Revival – courtesy of the Peter Rudeforth Jazz Club Four – to swing and the Bebop Era of the 1940s with Duncan Hemstock and his All Stars. The brilliant American vocalist Elise Roth, meanwhile, will present a sparkling performance of ’20s and ’30s jazz focusing on female voices.

Our daytimes will feature lectures, guest talks and demonstrations designed to enrich our understanding of the period

as well as entertain. Tour Director Sandy Burnett will ground our exploration of the music of the era and its changing character over time. He will be joined by versatile jazz pianist, composer and arranger Martin Litton, who will apply his historical expertise to the jazz piano of the 1920s during an illustrated discussion. Meanwhile Grace Evans,

Keeper of Costume at Chertsey Museum, will delve into the fascinating links between jazz and fashion in the ‘roaring twenties’ and ’30s. A particular highlight will be a jazz and swing demonstration courtesy of professional dancer and writer Nikki Santilli, ranging from early dance forms including the ragtime Turkey Trot of the early 1900s to the Jitterbug. An

Hintlesham Hall

Jitterbug dancers in 1938

Tour Director Sandy Burnett , MA, is a musician and broadcaster who spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3; highlights there included hosting the breakfast programme, presenting live broadcasts from the Proms and Edinburgh Festival, and interviewing many of the world’s finest musicians. As a double bass player, Sandy has performed, toured and recorded with many of the finest musicians, artists and ensembles from Britain and beyond. He is the regular bass player for Blue Harlem, the Hep Chaps, the Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra and for the American singer/songwriter Gerard Kenny; he has a Friday night residency at the Chelsea Arts Club, appears regularly at Ronnie Scott’s, and in 2016 his playing was featured in the National Theatre’s acclaimed revival of August Wilson’s play based around black American music-making in the 1920s,

excursion to a local art gallery will help to break up our musical treats, and we end with a morning round-up lecture before the tour disperses.

We will stay throughout at the beautiful four-star Hintlesham Hall Hotel, which enjoys classically decorated rooms and comfortable areas in which to relax, all located within 175 acres of Suffolk countryside. Lunches and dinners will be taken in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, which serves seasonal menus in elegant, traditionally decorated surroundings. All jazz performances will take place in the hall’s beautiful Salon.

FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour is not expected to be particularly strenuous, as all performances and talks will take place at Hintlesham Hall. However, please note that there is no lift at the hotel, so participants should be comfortable negotiating staircases on a daily basis. The majority of the bedrooms are on the first and second floors, with no lift access; a limited number of ground floor rooms are

“This trip was the best ACE tour I have done. Exceptional organisation, accommodation, and unforgettable musical performances”

– ACE customer on a 2024 music tour at Hintlesham Hall

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Conducting credits have included a complete cycle of Bach cantatas as well as work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre and in London’s West End. He is the author of the Idler Guide to Classical Music and he was appointed as the Hogwood Fellow of the Academy of Ancient Music for the 2018/19 season.

Sandy writes: “I’m so thrilled to be hosting this exciting jazz festival for ACE Cultural Tours at Hintlesham Hall; it will take us from the very earliest years of jazz right through the 1920s and ’30s to the outbreak of the Second World War. As well as my talks on the music of the era, there will be lectures on popular dance and costumes. And I’m delighted that several of my closest musical associates will be joining us to bring this music to life before our eyes.”

subject to availability. The visit will be a short coach ride away and will require some walking and standing on site – specific details will be confirmed nearer the time. The final group size will be limited to 43 participants to preserve an intimate atmosphere for this exclusive series of jazz performances.

ITINERARY

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

Day 1 1445 assemble at Ipswich Railway Station (for those travelling by train) and transfer to Hintlesham Hall for three nights. 1545 welcome and introduction, followed by a lecture with the Tour Director and early evening jazz performance featuring the Peter Rudeforth Jazz Club Four: Jazz from the 1920s and 1930s, and the British Trad Revival.

Day 2 Morning talk followed by illustrated lecture featuring Martin Litton (piano) in discussion with the Tour Director: Jazz Piano of the 1920s . Afternoon jazz and swing dance demonstration featuring Nikki Santilli: How they danced when the Band played Jazz! From Turkey Trot to Jitterbug. Early evening jazz performance featuring Elise Roth and Her High Standards: Personality Girls – Female Vocalists of the ’20s and ’30s.

Day 3 Morning talk followed by guest lecture with Grace Evans: The Roaring Twenties – How the Jazz Age changed Fashion, 1920s-’30s. Afternoon visit to a local art gallery – details to be confirmed nearer to departure. Early evening jazz performance featuring Duncan Hemstock and his All Stars: Jazz from the 1930s and 1940s –Swing and Bebop Era.

“Very knowledgeable and prepared and gave excellent lectures. Also good fun to be with”

“Sandy had an amazing depth of knowledge and was genuinely enthusiastic for everything musical”

“Made a big effort to engage directly with each of the participants”

– ACE customers on 2024 tours led by Sandy Burnett

Day 4 Morning round-up lecture with the Tour Director. Tour disperses approx 1200 at Hintlesham Hall, followed by approx 1230 at Ipswich Railway Station.

Cost of £1895 includes: accommodation based on sharing a large principal twin or double bedded room, performances & lectures as described, three breakfasts, two lunches with water & coffee, three dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.

Not included: travel insurance, classic double room for single use supplement £295, superior double room for single use supplement £495. Principal and Junior Suite upgrades available on request. TOUR CODE: JZHH25

Tour Director and jazz musician Sandy Burnett

SCHEDULE

Full 2025 Schedule

We are pleased to share an overview of our planned departures for 2025. To register your interest in a tour not yet on sale, we warmly invite you to visit our website or contact the ACE office on 01223 841055.

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

January

6–9 Winter at the Royal Shakespeare Company (Second departure)

6–19 Secret Treasures of Egypt with a Nile Cruise

13–16 Winter at the Royal Shakespeare Company (First departure)

24–30 Mozart Festival in Salzburg

27–31 Wildlife & Walking in Norfolk: Winter Tour

February

4–10 Venice: The Triumph of Light & Colour (First departure)

6–9 Cambridge College Chapels & Organs

10–17 Renaissance Florence: City of Wonders (First departure)

19–23 Bath Bachfest

24–3/3 Art Treasures of Naples: From the Romans to the Baroque

March

3–6 Art Treasures of Manchester (First departure)

3–7 Roman & Byzantine Ravenna (First departure)

3–10 Art on the Côte d’Azur (First departure)

10–15 Aquileia: City of Antiquity (First departure)

17–20 Art Treasures of Manchester (Second departure)

17–21 Stained Glass in England: Style, Technique & Colour (First departure)

19–26 Wildlife & Walking in Extremadura (active edition)

20–24 Fenland Abbeys

21–27 Pompeii with Herculaneum (First departure)

25–1/4 Music & Opera in New York

April

1–6 Flemish Painting: From van Eyck to Rubens

2–13 Algeria: Encounters between Rome & North Africa

3–6 The Rights of Man: Rebellion & Dissent in East Anglia

7–12 Cornwall Calling: The Artists of Newlyn, Lamorna & St Ives

7–13 Art Treasures of Berlin: Historical Riches

8–13 Yorkshire: From Arts & Crafts to Modernism

11–17 Music & Art in Provence

11–18 Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge (First departure)

22–29 Wild & Ancient Sardinia

26–10/5 Lycian Cruise (First departure)

28–2/5 Romney Marsh Churches

29–2/5 Spring at the Royal Shakespeare Company

30–8/5 Great Art Collections of Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington

Pompeii with Herculaneum

The Hanseatic League: An Artistic Legacy

SCHEDULE

May

5–10 Vienna: City of the Arts

6–10 Great Bardfield & Beyond: Mid–Century Art & Design in East Anglia

6–20 Wonders of Georgia: Archaeology, Culture & Landscape

8–14 Mahler Festival in Amsterdam (First departure)

13–19 Glasgow: Patrons, Art & Innovation

13–19 Mahler Festival in Amsterdam (Second departure)

13–20 Wildlife & Walking on the Isles of Scilly

13–29 Japan in Springtime: History, Art & Landscape

14–21 Prague Spring Festival: 80th Anniversary Tour

15–21 Art Deco in Belgium

16–21 Houses & Gardens of Northern Ireland

21–28 Wildlife & Walking in Extremadura (relaxed edition)

23–30 Shostakovich Festival in Leipzig: Anniversary Tour

June

2–6 Churches of Herefordshire & Shropshire (First departure)

2–9 Roussillon

3–8 Bauhaus: German Modern Art & Design

9–21 Northern Greece

12–18 Bach Festival in Leipzig

17–23 Aldeburgh Festival (extended edition)

17–24 Wild & Ancient Islay & Jura

22–28 St Magnus Festival on Orkney

23–1/7 Hungary: Kingdom of the Magyars

24–29 Art Treasures of Dresden: Porcelain & Paintings

24–30 East Neuk Festival: Celebrating 20 Years

25–2/7 Dingle & the Ring of Kerry

26–30 Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival

30–4/7 Churches of Suffolk

30–4/7 Hadrian’s Wall

July

3–10 Roman & Medieval Burgundy: From Vercingetorix the Gaul to Charles the Bold

5–9 Longborough Opera Festival

5–10 York Early Music Festival

7–11 Wildlife & Walking in Norfolk: Summer Tour

8–15 Wild & Ancient Orkney

8–18 Iceland: Forces of Nature

9–14 Verona Opera Festival

20–26 Ireland’s Ancient Heartland

21–24 Constable & Gainsborough in Suffolk

21–25 Houses & Gardens of Herefordshire & the Welsh Borders

21–26 Buxton International Festival

24–30 The Hanseatic League: An Artistic Legacy

29-3/8 Hereford Three Choirs Festival

SCHEDULE

August

4–8 Art & Ceramics of the Industrial Revolution

4–8 Northumbria in the First Millennium (First departure)

6–9 Sussex Modernism: Artists & Writers on the Downs

7–11 International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

11–15 Northumbria in the First Millennium (Second departure)

11–16 Dorset Country Houses & Churches

11–16 William Morris in the Cotswolds: From the Pre-Raphaelites to Arts & Crafts

12–15 Bayreuth Festival (Second departure)

19–25 Art & Ceramics in Copenhagen & North Zealand

21–24 Bayreuth Festival (First departure)

22–29 Schubert in Schwarzenberg: 50th Festival Tour

26–29 Churches of Norfolk: An Appointment with Angels

TBC Sibelius Festival in Finland: 160th Anniversary Tour

September

1–6 Scottish Art & Craft in Edinburgh & Dundee

6–13 Lycian Cruise (Second departure)

8–13 Aquileia: City of Antiquity (Second departure)

8–13 Isle of Wight

12–21 The Dodecanese Islands

15–19 Churches of Herefordshire & Shropshire (Second departure)

15–19 Roman & Byzantine Ravenna (Second departure)

16–23 Wild & Ancient Crete

17–25 Prague & the Vltava Cruise: A Symphony of History & Music

22–27 Art & Landscape in Switzerland

22–27 Country Houses of North Norfolk

22–29 Art on the Côte d’Azur (Second departure)

24–27 Sussex Modernism: Artists & Writers on the Downs (Second departure)

26–3/10 Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge (Second departure)

29–5/10 Art Treasures of Berlin: The Modern & Contemporary

29–5/10 Turin: Art & Architecture of the Kingdom of Savoy

30–9/10 Ancient Sicily

TBC Haydn in Eisenstadt: Herbstgold Festival

October

3–10 Wildlife & Walking in Albania

6–9 Jazz at Hintlesham Hall

6–11 Jane Austen at 250 (First departure)

6–12 Pompeii with Herculaneum (Second departure)

6–18 Bulgaria: Thracians, Ottomans & Painted Monasteries

7–15 Arts & Crafts of Poland: Zakopane & Kraków at the Turn of the 20th Century

9–16 The Riviera di Levante

10–21 Uzbekistan: Cities of the Silk Road

11–28 Chinese Civilisation

12–17 Palladio’s Villas in the Veneto

13–16 Connoisseur’s Cambridge

13–18 Jane Austen at 250 (Second departure)

13–27 Havelis: Painted Mansions of Rajasthan

16–31 Mekong Cruise

17–27 Athens, Delphi & the Peloponnese

20–24 Wexford Opera Festival

21–6/11 Japan in Autumn: History, Art & Landscape

27–31 Bruges

29–4/11 Hidden Athens

30–9/11 Ancient Cyprus (Second departure)

TBC Glyndebourne (First departure)

TBC Glyndebourne (Second departure)

TBC International Chopin Piano Competition

TBC Oxford International Song Festival

November

5–11

Everyday Life in Rome

5–11 Pompeii with Herculaneum (Third departure)

6–12

Al-Andalus: Córdoba & Granada

7–12 Bath Mozartfest (First departure)

10–16

10–17

From Bologna to Parma: A Feast for the Soul & Senses

Renaissance Florence: City of Wonders (Second departure)

11–17 Caravaggio in Italy

11–17 Venice: The Triumph of Light & Colour (Second departure)

11–14

Oxford College Chapels & Organs

12–16 Bath Mozartfest (Second departure)

17–21 Stained Glass in England: Style, Technique & Colour (Second departure)

17–24 Art & Architecture of Puglia

17–24 Piero della Francesca

17–2/12 Ethiopia: History, Culture & Landscape

22–3/12 Morocco: Archaeology of the Western Kingdom

25–30 Vienna 1900

TBC Music & Opera in Vienna

December

4–11 Ancient Treasures of Naples

TBC Ancient Egypt & the Nile: From Cairo to Aswan

TBC York Early Music Christmas Festival

Morocco: Archaeology of the Western Kingdom

REGIONAL CULTURE

Our Experts

Chosen not only for their specialist knowledge, but equally for the clarity and enthusiasm with which they communicate and impart their passion to others, our expert Tour Directors are personally involved in the creation and planning of our tours. Below you will find Tour Directors leading departures featured in this brochure. To view the full biographies of all our Tour Directors, please visit aceculturaltours.co.uk/tour-directors

Tom Abbott

Tom Abbott BA (Carleton College, USA) MA (Technical University Berlin) is an independent art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens. A resident of Berlin for over thirty years, he is a proficient lecturer and tour leader, with extensive experience directing cultural and art tours in Europe, to destinations including Germany, France, Italy, and Poland, for groups including the Arts Society (formerly NADFAS), the Victorian Society, and various universities. Tom has also studied at the Louvre School of Art History in Paris. His expertise concerning art and architecture ranges from the medieval to the current, and is highlighted in his knowledge and fascination with the Baroque and Rococo, the Romantic Movement, garden history and the musical heritage of Germany, as well as all aspects of European modern and contemporary art, architecture and history.

John Binns

Rev John Binns, PhD, has researched and lectured in a variety of Eastern Orthodox countries, including Russia, Israel/Palestine and Serbia. He is Visiting Professor at the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge and a Research Associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He has visited Ethiopia many times, and his publications include The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia: A History (I B Tauris, London 2016) and An Introduction to the Orthodox Christian Churches (Cambridge University Press, 2002). He is also chair of trustees of Partners for Change Ethiopia, a community development agency based in Addis Ababa, with a UK office in Cambridge.

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

A graduate of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, musician and broadcaster Sandy Burnett spent a decade as one of the core team of presenters on BBC Radio 3; highlights there included hosting the breakfast programme, presenting live broadcasts from the Proms and Edinburgh Festival, and interviewing many of the world’s finest musicians. Conducting credits have included a complete cycle of Bach cantatas as well as work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre and in London’s West End where he spent many years as musical director. Jazz and improvised music form another important part of his output; as a double bassist he collaborates with many leading musicians from the UK and beyond. He is the author of the Idler Guide to Classical Music and has recently been appointed as the Hogwood Fellow of the Academy of Ancient Music.

Emilie Capulet

Emilie Capulet, MA, MMus, PhD is an award-winning concert pianist, lecturer and musicologist. She performs worldwide in international music festivals and concert halls in Europe, the USA, Canada, Latin America and Asia. Emilie has recorded several CDs including the first recording of the complete piano music of the French-Corsican composer Henri Tomasi (1901-1971), in a critically acclaimed double album on the Calliope label. She has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio Canada, France Musique, Radio Télévision Suisse and Bayern Klassik. Emilie studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is the BMus (Hons) Programme Leader at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has published on many aspects of music history. She is currently the recipient of a prestigious Leverhulme Research Fellowship and will be a Visiting Fellow at Keble College, University of Oxford, in 2025.

Ian Colvin

Ian has long experience in leading tours to Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and the southern Balkans. He trained as a historian and byzantinist at Oxford in the 1990s, specialising in late Antiquity and the Roman Eastern Frontier. He moved to the University of Cambridge in the 2000s to become a researcher with the Cambridge School Classics Project. In 2001 he established an archaeological excavation at Nokalakevi in Georgia in collaboration with the Georgian National Museum, which continues training students and investigating sites in Western Georgia to this day. Among his current scholarly projects is the Rustaveli Foundation-funded History of Egrisi.

Tom Abbott John Binns Sarah Burles Sandy Burnett Emilie Capulet Ian Colvin

Imogen Corrigan Hugh Doherty

Imogen Corrigan

Imogen Corrigan, BA, MPhil, FRHistS, FRSA, spent nearly 20 years in the British Army and retired in the rank of Major before turning to a life-long interest in Anglo-Saxon and Medieval History, which she studied at the University of Kent. A proficient lecturer on medieval history and particularly church art and architecture, and accredited with the Arts Society, Imogen has also gained an MPhil from the University of Birmingham. Her book Stone on Stone: The Men Who Built the Cathedrals was published in 2019. In 2022 Imogen was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Imogen is the Memorials and Monuments Specialist for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for Canterbury.

Hugh Doherty

Hugh Doherty, DPhil, is a Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. He is a medievalist with broad historical interests, teaching classical and medieval history and publishing on knights and castles. Hugh studied at King’s College London before gaining his MPhil at the University of Cambridge and DPhil at the University of Oxford.

Michael Downes

Michael Downes, MA, MPhil, DPhil, is a conductor, lecturer and writer who has lectured for most of the UK’s leading opera companies and writes programme notes for organisations including Wigmore Hall and Snape Maltings. He collaborated with Nike Wagner, great-granddaughter of Richard, on the English version of her book about her family’s history, and his latest book, Story of the Century: Wagner and the Creation of the Ring was published by Faber & Faber in November 2024. Since 2008 Michael has occupied the post of Director of Music at the University of St Andrews, having previously held the same position at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and he led the project to build the £15m Laidlaw Music Centre at St Andrews.

Peter Exley

Peter Exley, BSc, is an ecologist, ornithologist and conservationist who works for the RSPB, where he has led the communication and community elements of projects such as the reintroduction of cranes to Somerset and the restoration of seabirds on islands. Before that Peter was a Director at nhbs.com, a global leader in supplying ecology, wildlife and conservation literature. He has also held posts with BirdLife International in South Korea, and the Albatross Task Force in South Africa. Peter has a strong interest in and experience of working with communities in island and natural landscapes. He has particular experience of interpreting landscapes from the perspective of ecology, history and community, and is one of the authors of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Interpretation Strategy. Peter has led and managed many ACE tours in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Algarve, New England, Madeira, the Faroes and Shetland.

Suzanne Fagence Cooper

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

Julia Griffin

Art historian and curator Julia Griffin, MA, PhD, is a specialist in 19th and 20th century British and Polish art, design and cultural history. As Young Poland Project Curator at the William Morris Gallery, Julia cocurated the world’s first exhibition on the movement in the context of the International Arts & Crafts and was joint winner of the Association for Art History’s 2022 Curatorial Award for best UK exhibition. She also co-edited the publication Young Poland: The Polish Arts & Crafts Movement 1890-1918 (Lund Humphries, 2020, shortlisted for the 2022 Alfred H Barr Jr Award, CAA). Julia has studied art and cultural history at the Courtauld Institute of Art, Central Saint Martins and the University of the Arts London. Her PhD explored Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Morris and Kelmscott Manor, and she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her services as Principal Curator of the Guildhall Art Gallery (2015). Julia is a contributor to numerous publications on British and Polish art and has also worked at the Society of Antiquaries of London and the Watts Gallery. Julia is currently co-editing a book on Stanisław Wyspiański with Dr Alison Smith, to accompany a show at the National Portrait Gallery in London, opening in March 2025.

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 as well as serving as President of the Cambridge Natural History Society. He currently also chairs the Newmarket Chalk Streams Trust, and recently took on the role of Reserve Biodiversity Surveyor for the RSPB.

Michael Downes Peter Exley Suzanne Fagence Cooper Julia Griffin Kevin Hand Rima Hooja Gillian Hovell Paul Jackson

Rima Hooja

Rima Hooja, PhD (Cambridge) is an archaeologist, historian, heritage specialist and educationist who lives and works in Jaipur, and is an experienced tour leader and lecturer. Rima’s many hats include being Managing Trustee of the Jaipur Virasat Foundation, Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, President of ICOMOS India, Founder-member of Bhopal Literature & Art Festival, former Member of the National Monuments Authority, Hon. Director of MSMS II Museum City Palace Jaipur, and Visiting Professor for School of Planning & Architecture Delhi. Her books include Maharana Pratap, Crusader for Self-rule , Rajasthani Stories Retold , Rajasthan: A Concise Histor y and History of Rajasthan

Gillian Hovell

Gillian Hovell, BA (Hons), is a specialist in the ancient world and archaeology. Known professionally as ‘The Muddy Archaeologist’, she has excavated at internationally important sites from the Neolithic through to Roman times. Ex-BBC, Gillian specialises and delights in bringing ancient cultures vividly and engagingly to life for diverse audiences in publications, lectures and events and in the media, and she has extensive experience lecturing on tours and cruises around the ancient world. She lectures at York University and is an accredited Arts Society lecturer.

Paul Jackson

Paul Jackson, MA, PhD, is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was, for over twenty years, Head of Music and Performing Arts and Director of Music and Performance at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Paul has also enjoyed an extensive career as a conductor of choirs, orchestras and opera, and as a solo and chamber music pianist, performing in the UK, Europe and America. Equally at home in music from the 19th century to the present day, Paul is an enthusiastic supporter of young and aspiring composers, and has commissioned and performed many new works for a variety of musical forces. He has published widely on the music of the Australian composer Percy Grainger, and is President of the Percy Grainger Society, New York.

Mike King

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

Alex Koller

Alex Koller, PhD, is an expert in art history and architecture. Born in Vienna, Alex has lived and studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge, gaining his PhD in the history of art from Magdalene College, Cambridge. Alex is an accomplished linguist and has travelled extensively throughout Europe and the Far East.

Marie-Anne Mancio

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

Eireann Marshall

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

Steve Mastin

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

Elizabeth Morrell

Elizabeth Morrell, BA, is a sinologist and Chinese speaker who has been visiting China since 1976 when she studied modern Chinese literature at Fudan University in Shanghai. A founding director of Voyages Jules Verne, Elizabeth wrote one of the earliest guidebooks to China, published in 1984.

Mike King Alex Koller

Marie-Anne Mancio Eireann Marshall Steve Mastin Elizabeth Morrell Isaac Nugent Alan Powers

Isaac Nugent

Isaac Nugent is an art historian, currently pursuing a PhD in Art History at the University of York. His AHRC funded PhD research project examines how Renaissance urban environments were reshaped through painted architecture between 1530-1630, an under explored aspect of the social and cultural history of this period. He also works as a gallery educator at the National Gallery, contributing to a programme of tours, talks and workshops for schools, young people and adults. Isaac has previously written book and exhibition reviews for a range of publications, including Burlington Contemporary, The Burlington Magazine and Dovetail. He holds an MA in Cultural, Intellectual and Visual History from The Warburg Institute and an MA in Art and History of Art from the University of Edinburgh. Before starting his PhD, he worked as a Curatorial Assistant for Modern and Contemporary Projects at the National Gallery. He was a Researcher on the [re]curated Lucian Freud, which reconstructed Lucian Freud’s groundbreaking 1987 ‘The Artist’s Eye’ exhibition through a digital rehang and audio commentary.

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

Rita Roussos

Rita Roussos, PhD, was born in Athens, grew up in California, and now lives in London. She taught archaeology and art history at the American University of Athens. She has worked on archaeological projects in the Peloponnese. Her research interests range from the place of women in ancient Greece and Rome to 4th century BCE sculpture

from Greece. She read ancient Greek and Latin at the University of California, Berkley and earned her PhD in History of Art at London’s prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London.

Moira Tait

Moira Tait, MA, FRAS, read archaeology at the University of London, focusing on Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Europe, and later gained an MA in the archaeology of Southeast Asia from SOAS. Moira has excavated several Iron Age sites in Thailand exploring the transition from prehistory to city states such as Angkor. Moira has directed tours to France and Southeast Asia for over 25 years, including numerous tours for ACE.

Nicholas Wearne

Nicholas Wearne, BA (hons), MPhil (Oxon), a former ACE Bursary student, is a Senior Tutor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His career as a solo organist has taken him all over the world and he is a previous winner of the Poul Ruders Prize at the Odense International Organ Competition. Nicholas has held a number of prestigious positions as Organist; he was an Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist at New College Oxford, and was Organist at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square.

Mark Welch

Mark Welch, PhD, was a research scientist in the Department of Earth Sciences at the Natural History Museum in London for over 25 years. He has a PhD in geosciences from Edinburgh University, and taught crystallography at Cambridge University for nine years. Mark has led many field trips in the UK as a geologist and naturalist, and is currently involved in surveying bees and flies for a wide range of sites in East Anglia.

Christopher Wellington

Christopher Wellington, MA, graduated in history from Cambridge University, but has spent most of his career working in Italy, where he lives with his family in Piacenza. He is a recognised guide in Emilia Romagna, and his professional interests include history, the Church, and art and architecture, especially of the Middle Ages.

Richard Wigmore

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

James Winnett

James Winnett, BA, MFA, studied at Oxford Brookes University and Glasgow School of Art, where he became a Master in Fine Art in 2012. A resident of Glasgow for several years, James is a guide lecturer with a specialist interest in the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Arts & Crafts Movement, early medieval stone carving and the history of Glasgow. He has a great passion for the city, its heritage, architecture and surrounding landscape, and for sharing this with tour groups. James is also a practising artist, stone carver and workshop leader interested in the crossovers between sculpture, archaeology, folklore and memory. Working primarily in sculpture with a focus on stone carving, he has developed a range of public art projects across the UK and Ireland, and has undertaken several commissions. James’s studio is located next to Glasgow’s House for an Art Lover, and he has led guided tours of this important Mackintosh site for over a decade, including for ACE groups.

Rita Roussos Moira Tait

Nicholas Wearne Mark Welch

Christopher Wellington Richard Wigmore

James Winnett

BOOKING PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS

Booking Conditions

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

If you are booking 10 weeks or more before departure, the following deposits are payable at the time of booking:

£300 per person for UK tours.

£400 per person for all European tours. £550 per person for Worldwide tours. £500 per person for all cruises.*

The balance must be received by us not less than 10 weeks prior to departure. This date will be shown on the confirmation invoice. We do send an email reminder but ask that you also make a note of the date in your diary.

If you are booking less than 10 weeks before departure, full payment for all tours must be made at the time of booking.

*In addition to the deposit at the time of booking all cruises require a further payment of £500 six months prior to sailing.

NO SURCHARGES

Tour prices are confirmed at the time of booking and thereafter will not be subject to any surcharge. We have forward purchase of currency and other precautions in order to guarantee your holiday is not affected by fluctuations in fuel or currency rates. In the event of extraordinary circumstances making the tour unviable we would offer you a full refund or credit note or an alternative tour.

CANCELLATION BY YOU

You may cancel your booking at any time before departure. Notice of cancellation must be in writing and because we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking, the following charges will apply (for which we suggest you purchase appropriate insurance):

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

70 days or more Deposit only

69-29 days 60% of total booking value

28-15 days 90% of total booking value

14 days or less 100% of total booking value

CANCELLATION BY YOU DUE TO COVID-19 OR OTHER ILLNESS

Please note that if you are personally prevented from travelling as a result of COVID-19 our normal cancellation charges will apply. For this reason we highly recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking that specifically includes cover in the event that you are personally unable to travel. In addition you should have insurance to cover additional accommodation/transport/repatriation costs incurred due to local/national quarantine requirements.

CANCELLATION BY US

We reserve the right to cancel your booking if there are insufficient bookings on your tour (this will depend on tour type and destination) or for other unforeseen operational reasons. In such an event, we will provide you with at least 70 days’ notice of cancellation and provide you with a full refund.

Very occasionally, due to extraordinary circumstances in the immediate vicinity of the destination, it may be necessary to cancel the tour with less than 70 days’ notice, in which case we will likewise provide you with a full refund.

Note that in either situation we cannot reimburse any incidental expenses you may have incurred (for example, train fares, additional accommodation or connecting flights). If you are buying your own flights, please liaise with the office before committing to significant expenditure.

CHANGES BY US

We do our utmost to ensure that all the arrangements and visits are as described. However, it is in the nature of travel that changes are sometimes inevitable, although most of these will be minor in nature. In the event that a particular visit is not possible, we will aim to replace it with another of equal interest. If we have to make more significant changes to the itinerary in advance of departure, we will provide you with a choice of a refund, credit note or an alternative itinerary.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation in hotels is in twin/double bedded rooms, the majority of which have private bath/shower and toilet.

On cruise ships, accommodation is in cabins with shower and toilet only.

Single rooms: As a general rule, we aim to provide our solo travellers with double/twin rooms for sole use. However, this is not possible on all tour departures, and occasionally, despite a supplement being payable, only single rooms may be available, and such accommodation may not meet exactly the same standard as double/ twin accommodation or be located in the same area of the hotel. ACE Cultural Tours very much welcomes single travellers and we make no profit from single room supplements. The costs are simply down to the economics of running a hotel. Porterage is included on overseas tours where available.

FLIGHTS & TICKETS

Specific instructions relating to the departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your air and/or other travel tickets approximately two weeks before departure. It is essential that you check your tickets carefully immediately upon receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. Occasionally carriers will make late changes to departure times but we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs.

We will always aim to provide you with the name of your likely airline and flight times when you make a booking. However, flight schedules are set by the airlines and outside our control. We therefore reserve the right to change the actual carrier and flight times for your tour.

In accordance with the regulations, we are required to bring your attention to the Community List of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the UK & EU: https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/ eu-air-safety-list_en

HEALTH & SAFETY

We operate a safety audit system and work hard with our suppliers to ensure the safety and comfort of our travellers. However, please note that some of the destinations to which we travel have lower requirements and standards than those of the UK. It is therefore essential that you follow any instructions and guidance provided by your tour manager or director.

FITNESS

The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature and, to make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy with visits every day. As such, they require a certain minimum level of mobility, physical and mental fitness, and stamina. Our visits may involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains, cruise vessels and even Zodiac dinghies. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm, and some tours may involve long coach journeys. All customers must be fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.

We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.

As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following selfassessment tests:

• Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest

• Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace

• Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes

• Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute

• Carry or otherwise move your own luggage

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS IN ADVANCE

Whilst we will provide details of any compulsory health requirements applicable to British citizens for your tour, it is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions in good time before departure. Please check with a doctor or clinic not less than ten weeks prior to departure to ensure that you have met the necessary requirements and have the applicable information.The following website may also be helpful: travelhealthpro.org.uk

For tours in the EU/EEA you should obtain an GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) prior to departure from https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start. Please note that an GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance.

You must be in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure (and pay for any related costs). We regret that we cannot accept any liability if you incur fees or are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry all required documentation.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS, OR REDUCED MOBILITY, OR DISABILITY

We aim to provide authentic cultural experiences and to provide excellent value for money. As a result, the majority of itineraries are quite intensive and can be tiring. They may involve a significant amount of walking, uneven surfaces at outdoor sites or in historic buildings, long journeys, and uncomfortable climatic conditions which might exacerbate existing medical or mobility issues. Destinations include many countries with lower standards of health and safety than the UK and limited adaptations for people with reduced mobility. Some destinations do not (and cannot reasonably be expected to) provide emergency and/or health care to the standard that travellers with mobility and/or health conditions may require in the event of any form of incident or emergency.

For the above reasons, our holidays may not be suitable for people with certain disabilities, medical conditions or significantly reduced mobility.

If you suffer from any medical condition, disability or reduced mobility (including any which affect the booking process) or have any special requirements as a result, please tell us before making your booking so that we can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and in order that we can assess the potential risks to your welfare and health and safety.

If we feel that we cannot reasonably accommodate your needs, we reserve the right to decline your booking or, if full details are not given at the time of booking or the condition of disability develops after booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.

When we refer to reduced mobility, this means any material reduction in mobility whether this is permanent or temporary and whether caused by age or by physical or mental disability or impairment or other cause of disability.

If you have a medical condition, disability or restriction (from whatever cause) which develops or becomes worse after booking your tour and before travelling, please let us know as early as possible so that we can discuss the situation including any new requirements. In certain such circumstances, we reserve the right to cancel your booking if we reasonably feel unable to accommodate your requirements or limitations.

DIETARY AND SPECIAL REQUESTS

Please advise us at the time of booking of any food allergies or special dietary requirements you may have for medical or religious reasons and we will do our very best to assist. Please note, it is important that you distinguish between food allergies and other dietary requirements which have or are likely to have medical consequences if they are not met and food or dietary preferences. It is your responsibility to ensure that requirements which have (or are likely to have) medical consequences if not met are clearly communicated in writing as such.

We are entitled to assume that failure to meet a request will not have medical consequences if the risk / likelihood of medical consequences is not made specifically clear in writing at the time the request is made. We may ask for independent verification of the medical consequences where we consider it appropriate to do so.

We are happy to cater for vegetarians or pescatarians. It is not, however, possible to offer extensive choices at every meal to cater for food preferences or requirements as many of our menu selections are fixed. Inclusion of the dietary or special request on your booking confirmation or any other documentation is not a guarantee that the request will be met. Food / dietary related requirements which have a medical consequence if not met must be discussed and specifically agreed with us at the time of booking to ensure we fully understand and can meet these requirements.

INSURANCE

It is a requirement of booking with Ace that all participants have comprehensive travel insurance for overseas tours, including cover for medical expenses, infectious diseases including Covid, quarantine, repatriation and personal liability, as well as cancelled, delayed and missed departure

and loss or damage to personal possessions. Whilst accidental damage is a rare occurrence, your insurance should also cover any damage or loss caused by you and cover any resultant claims made against you or us. For overseas tours, you must give us details in writing of your insurance, preferably on your booking form but in any case no later than before the departure date of your tour. If you fail to do so, we reserve the right to cancel your booking.

We strongly recommend insurance for our UK tours to cover cancellation for medical reasons.

We recommend that insurance premiums are paid as soon as you receive your booking confirmation as cover (in particular cancellation cover) will not be effective until you have done so. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs.

We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of this contract, for example, any additional services or facilities that you agree directly with a local hotel or other supplier. Please make sure you have adequate insurance to cover such services and the acts of other third parties.

CONSIDERATION FOR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

One of the great pleasures of ACE tours is meeting other people with shared interests and making new friends. This has always depended on mutual consideration for your fellow travellers. We therefore reserve the right that in the unlikely event you cause danger, upset or distress to any third party, we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate your tour without liability for any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

PASSPORTS & VISAS

Whilst we will provide guidance for each individual tour and help where we can, your specific passport, visa and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant embassy or consulate. In particular, if you are not a British Citizen or hold a non-British passport, you must check the requirements for all countries to or through which you are intending to travel. Requirements may change and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure.

For some tours and destinations we will require a copy of the picture page of your passport.

ISSUES

If you are unhappy with any element of your tour or the arrangements, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can attempt to resolve the issue. If you are on tour you should speak directly to your tour manager or tour director and not wait until you return home, when it may be impossible for us to help. In the unlikely event that we cannot agree on a satisfactory outcome between us, we will ask AITO’s Independent Dispute Settlement Service to find an amicable solution.

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

Quality Charter

AIR TRAVEL ORGANISER’S LICENSE

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

ABTOT

ASSOCIATION OF BONDED TRAVEL ORGANISERS TRUST LIMITED

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

• non-flight packages;

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

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

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

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

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

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

AITO

ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT TOUR OPERATORS

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

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

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP

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

FINANCIAL SECURITY

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

ACCURATE HOLIDAY DESCRIPTIONS

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS

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

MONITORING STANDARDS

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

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

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