ACE CULTURAL TOURS Group Sizes The majority of our 2021 tours have been designed for groups of approximately 20 participants, enabling everyone to make the most of our itineraries and of the insights of our expert Tour Directors whilst adhering to government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of our natural history tours are limited to 15 participants, ensuring all travellers have the best possible chance to engage with the flora and fauna on offer. Numbers on some of our cruises may be greater, in line with the capacity of the vessels used. In these circumstances, support is provided by additional Tour Directors, Tour Managers, guides or members of the crew, to ensure due attention is paid to the needs of all group members.
Am I Fit Enough to Travel? Our tours range from fairly strenuous and challenging departures to those with a more relaxed feel, particularly our cruises and gentler tours. Regardless of the type of tour, it is important that our clients meet minimum fitness criteria to ensure that the enjoyment of the rest of the group is not compromised. Most days on tour will involve a considerable amount of walking, perhaps visiting galleries, archaeological sites on rocky terrain, or simply exploring the cobbled streets of hilltop towns and villages. Walks on natural history tours are typically 3–5 miles in length, often in hilly or mountainous regions. Gentler Tours Our gentler tours have been created specifically by ACE for travellers who prefer a more laid-back, less physically demanding itinerary while retaining the same high level of academic content. Information regarding the fitness requirements for all our tours is available throughout this publication and on our website. For those concerned about their suitability to travel, our Sales & Reservations team, contactable via email or over the phone, are always happy to advise on the specifics of individual tours.
01223 841055
Value for Money Generally, our tours are very comprehensive and there are few personal expenses apart from some meals and drinks. Customers have frequently complimented us on the value for money offered by our tours, and our policy of including gratuities for most services as standard has proven particularly popular. Our brochure descriptions give a clear indication of what is included for each tour. Accommodation and Food We work closely with the hotels we use to ensure that facilities, cleanliness and comfort levels are up to expected standards. In selecting accommodation for our tours, we strive to achieve a balance between factors such as accessibility, location and costs. We also recognise that the opportunity to sample different cuisines is an integral part of the cultural experience, so when travelling overseas we like to give you the chance to try traditional dishes. When travelling off the beaten track it is sometimes necessary to use simpler accommodation.
Responsible Tourism We are proud to be the preferred travel provider for people who are committed to supporting local communities in the countries they visit. Each year, the trustees of the ACE Foundation (the Association for Cultural Exchange), an educational charity founded in 1958 which owns ACE Cultural Tours, support charitable and educational projects all over the world in the regions we visit. These include international conservationist and research projects, as well as work closer to home at Stapleford Granary, our base near Cambridge. A Commitment to Excellence The feedback provided by ACE customers is invaluable in helping us to continue delivering a first-class experience, or helping to identify areas that could be improved for the future. In 2020, ACE Cultural Tours was awarded the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award. This is an independent accreditation awarded to businesses that consistently deliver exceptional experiences, as rated by real customers. We are very grateful to those of you who take the time to give us feedback, and are committed to continuing to improve the service we provide.
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