The 11 passenger Actief was launched in Holland in 1907. Luxuriously converted to hotel use,
Actief's accomodation is beautifully presented in the style of an
English Country House.
The spacious flower lined sun-deck, and comfortable elegant
saloon are complimented by beautifully decorated cabins. Actief's
Sleeping accommodation comprises three suites - Astor, Wolsey and
Nelson - two twins and a single cabin.
Actief's crew of four are led by the Captain and include
an expert Chef and two Hostesses, all of whom are totally committed to
your enjoyment of your holiday.
Read on for cruise highlights and details of our cuisine and
fine wines, or use the side menu to explore the various cruise
itineraries on offer, check cruise rates and view our barge photo
galleries.
Or view our Actief Guestbook and read what our many
satisfied guests have to say about their Barging holiday on the Royal
river Thames in England.
Cruise Highlights
Cuisine Aboard
Regional Specialties
All-inclusive - open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry fees to excursions
Salami of Guinea fowl with Wild Mushroom, Roast rack of Lamb with
Aubergine puree, Sweet potatoes and Spinach, Golden Jubilee Chicken
(created for the Buckingham palace Jubilee)
Eton college, Britain's premier school and alma mater to
Princes William and Henry
wine cellar
Chateau Grandis 1996,
Beaune 1998, Chateau Pavilon de la Brie 2001
Waldorf and Nancy Astor's former home of Cliveden, stunning gardens and views
The enchanting medieval riverside villages of Hurley and Sonning
Henley's award winning and interactive River and Rowing
museum
Henley's award winning and interactive River and Rowing
museum
Henley's award winning and interactive River and Rowing museum
Beautiful Elizabethan Mapledurham House and Water mill
Christchurch College Oxford founded by Henry VIII in 1525
Optional Hot Air Ballooning
7 Day Itinerary
Sunday: Day 1
Private transfer from the Goring Hotel in London to our mooring
at Shillingford Bridge. After a traditional English cream tea
on arrival there is a late afternoon cruise and a chance to
settle in to your comfortable and attractive cabins. The evening
commences with a festive champagne reception followed by dinner
and your first night aboard.
Monday: Day 2
This morning’s cruise is through glacier formed hills to our mooring
alongside the 17th century Swan Inn at Pangbourne. After lunch
we visit Oxford - ‘City of Dreaming Spires’. View the grandest
of all Oxford’s Colleges, Christchurch, founded by Henry VIII
in 1525 and the setting for the tale of Alice in Wonderland.
This is followed by time for shopping and afternoon tea before
returning to Actief.
Tuesday: Day 3
This morning our cruise continues through sylvan countryside (setting
for Kenneth Grahame’s ‘Wind In The Willows’) to the picturesque
Mapledurham Estate. Here we privately visit Elizabethan Mapledurham
House, home to descendants of the same family since 1490, and
Mapledurham Mill, a 500 year old still working water mill (famously
used during the filming of ‘The Eagle Has Landed’). Afterwards
our cruise continues until reaching our overnight stop at Henley-On-Thames.
Wednesday: Day 4
A picturesque early morning cruise brings us to elegant Henley-On-Thames.
This morning we visit the spectacular new and interactive River
and Rowing Museum. No ordinary museum, this is a wonderful chance
to learn something of the secrets, mythology,history and traditions
of the River Thames. After lunch there is time to catch up on
some shopping in this fashionable town, home to the world famous
annual Henley Royal Regatta. A late afternoon cruise takes us
to the picturesque medieval village of Hurley.
Thursday: Day 5
A gentle walking tour around Hurley, home of Ye Olde Bell, reputedly
England’s oldest Inn founded for visiting monks in 1135, is
followed by a visit to Peter Freebody’s traditional boatyard.
Peter’s family has been involved in the river for 8oo years!
We then cruise to one of the most stunning reaches on the river
at Cliveden and our private mooring at this magnificent estate,
former home of the Astors. Our tour of the fabulous gardens
with breathtaking views is most memorable.
Friday: Day 6
A delightful morning cruise takes us to our final mooring below
magnificent Windsor Castle. After lunch we visit Eton College,
founded in 1440. The museum
of Eton Life gives a fascinating insight into the education
of Britain’s premier scions over the centuries. Following this
there is time for you to browse the many shops in Eton and Windsor.
Tonight the Captain hosts his farewell dinner, based on a period
banquet.
Saturday: Day 7
9:30am: Disembark and private transfer to London Heathrow Airport or
the Goring Hotel
NOTE: On alternate weeks, cruise will be in
reverse.
Contact us now to book this cruise or for more information Contact
2009 Departure Dates
April 5,12,19,26
Value
May 3,10,17,24,31
Regular
June 7,14,21,28
Regular
July 5,12,19,26
Regular
August 2,9,16,23,30
Regular
September 6,13,20,27
Regular
October 4,11,18,25
Value
Contact us for special pricing and to find out
more about our luxury barge cruise vacation on Actief on the upper Thames, England.
2009 Cruise Rates
Accomodation
Value
Regular
Stateroom Per Person
$2,930
$3,250
Suite per person
$3,450
$3,770
Single Cabin
$3,140
$3,450
Single Supplement- Stateroom
$1,460
$1,610
Single Supplement - Suite
$1,730
$1,880
Charter 6 Passengers
$24100
$25150
Charter 7 Passengers
$25570
$27250
Charter 8 Passengers
$27040
$29350
Charter 9 Passengers
$28510
$31450
Charter 10 Passengers
$29980
$33550
Charter 11 Passengers
$31450
$35650
Prices Do Not Include: Drinks or insurance.
For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the cruise line and the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.