Sail aboard Her Majesty’s royal barge, the Spirit of Chartwell, as it cruises along the ‘River of Gold’ through the vineyards and historic towns of Portugal’s northern valleys.

This unique cultural cruise is new for 2014 from ACE Cultural Tours. The Spirit of Chartwell was recently refurbished to host Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip during the Diamond Jubilee pageant along the River Thames in 2012. Now based in Portugal, the royal barge is spacious and sumptuous, fully equipped with a restaurant, piano bar, and observation deck.

Every cultural tour from ACE is led by an expert Tour Director who is not only a specialist in their field, but a convivial host. We are joined along the Douro by Martin Symington, of the famous Portuguese family that owns the Graham’s Port Lodge business. The cruise includes an exclusive tour and tasting at Graham’s Port Lodge, a vintage port wine celebration one evening on board ship, and a private visit to the Factory House (Association of Port Wine Shippers) in Oporto.

Our excursions include the UNESCO World Heritage city of Salamanca, the mediaeval hill-top town of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, and the pilgrimage town of Lamego.

Douro River Cruise on the Royal Barge, October 18–25, 2014.
Cost of £2420 per person includes return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board with unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee, sparkling wine with breakfast, shore excursions & admissions, music recitals, crew gratuities.

For more information please visit our website: http://www.aceculturaltours.co.uk/tourdetails/4209

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NOTES TO EDITORS

• Established in 1958, ACE Cultural Tours is the most experienced cultural tours travel operator in the UK, offering more than 200 worldwide tours annually.
• Owned by the charitable organisation, the ACE Foundation, all of our surplus is used to support educational projects in the UK and worldwide.
• Our ATOL number is 10204, and our ABTOT number is 5237.
• Visit the ACE Cultural Tours website here: www.aceculturaltours.co.uk
• Visit the ACE Foundation website here: http://www.acefoundation.org.uk
• Contact: Kate Price Thomas, kate@aceculturaltours.co.uk