Three Spring 2014 Magna Carta cruises feature visits to Highclere Castle

- location for the ever-popular TV series Downton Abbey -

Down the Thames to "Downton Abbey" with luxury hotel barge operator European Waterways:

Meandering down the famous River Thames between Hampton Court and Henley, cruises aboard luxury hotel barge, the 8-passenger Magna Carta feature royal adventures to majestic castles, palaces and cathedrals that are literally "fit for kings and queens".

On only three departures next Spring on Magna Carta's classic cruises, European Waterways is offering guests a rare excursion to visit Highclere Castle, setting for the renowned period drama series, "Downton Abbey". The hugely-impressive Victorian castle sits on a 1,000 acre estate and is the iconic home of the fictional Crawley family on the show. The "real" Downton Abbey has been owned by the Carnarvon family since 1679, where Lord and Lady Carnarvon still live today.  

"Passengers aboard Magna Carta enjoyed the tour to Highclere Castle so much this year, we decided to bring it back for the Spring itinerary," said Derek Banks, managing director of European Waterways. "It's a very popular tour, but fortunately we were able to secure admission for two departures.  It's a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of 'Downton Abbey' that allows them to walk the real-life setting made famous by their favourite television drama.

"Highclere Castle, with its massive architecture and elegant surroundings, is truly a sight to behold. Passengers will feel as if they stepped onto the set of 'Downton Abbey' itself," noted Banks. "But it is just one of many memorable experiences included in the Magna Carta itinerary. On every departure, our guests will enjoy a relaxing vacation cruising along the Royal River Thames, combined with impeccable service, fine wines, gourmet cuisine, and an attentive crew, offering a taste of the grace and elegance that was 'fit for royalty' in the bygone age."

Rates for Magna Carta's 6-night, 13 and 20 April and 4 May 2014 departures start at £2,650.00per person, and include all meals, wines, an open bar, daily escorted excursions and local transfers and admissions. Rates are based on double occupancy. Whole boat charters are also available starting at £19,400.

The cruise itinerary also features a private tour of Dorney Court, a beautiful Tudor home on the banks of the Thames, where "Elizabeth", "The Other Boleyn Girl", and Agatha Christie's series "Poirot" were all filmed.  The cruise concludes with a tour of Christ Church, one of the most prestigious colleges at the University of Oxford and one of the settings for Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".  An excellent video of European Waterway's Magna Carta cruise in England is available on Youtube

About European Waterways

The hotel barging experience is different from large vessel river cruising. It offers a slower paced, "gentle voyage of discovery" along the more intimate canals and waterways of Europe, allowing a small number of guests to become more fully immersed in the culture, history and gastronomy of the region. European Waterways is Europe's largest all-inclusive luxury hotel barging company, offering vacations in nine countries and carrying over 2,000 passengers a year. Founded nearly 40 years ago, they own, operate and market a private fleet of luxury hotel barges with cruises in France, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.  Pioneers in hotel barging, they were the first company to operate a hotel barge on the Upper Nivernais in Burgundy, and the "real" Loire Valley. It is also the only cruise company offering barge cruises in Scotland and in the Venetian lagoon and River Po valley. Please visit www.gobarging.com for more information. 

 Follow European Waterways on Facebook and Twitter and view their YouTube channel.

Full details: www.gobarging.com:                          
Tel: +44(0) 1753 598555

For press information:

Jill Faulds, JF Associates, + 44 (0) 1795 536446; jill@jfapr.co.uk

Or:  Chris Gant, European Waterways, + 44 (0) 1753 598555; chris@gobarging.com