The 8 passenger Magna Carta is one of the finest, most luxurious vessels cruising the British Isles. The ambiance created by combining a traditional barge hull (1936) and fine mahogany, teak and oak woods is outstanding. Magna Carta has the most sophisticated modern amenities, including air conditioning, underfloor heating, color tv/dvd and exceptionally spacious contemporary en-suite facilities in the four full width staterooms. The upper deck saloon and dining areas sport picture windows and stylish furnishings, and there is a jacuzzi on the upper sun-deck. Her experienced Captain knows the Thames well and your Master Chef will produce a range of mouth watering dishes, whilst you enjoy the sights of London and the home counties from your luxury floating hotel, navigating England's Royal River. Two house keepers complete the crew of four.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, 24th December: You are met by the Captain at The Stafford Hotel for afternoon tea and mince pies before transfer to Magna Carta moored in the spectacular setting of St Katharine’s Dock London. Meet the crew and discover your cabin before a festive Champagne welcome. Dinner on board. This evening after dinner aboard, we have a guest actor to read from A Christmas Carol while the saloon is candlelit and presents can be put around the Christmas tree. Optional midnight mass
Day 2, 25th December: After breakfast a choice of Christmas Day services including Westminster Abbey. We cruise today from Chelsea to Chiswick with mulled wine at hand and enjoy a wonderful Christmas feast in the afternoon. Present opening follows and the festivities continue into the evening which include a traditional English Christmas Tea.
Day 3, 26th December: For Boxing Day, we once again start with a morning cruise through beautiful Richmond, past the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and on through Teddington and up to Hampton Court Palace. After lunch we have a chance to continue a great British tradition and embark on a refreshing Boxing Day walk around nearby Bushy Park followed by a visit to a local English pub for a pint or two of beer. Dinner on board
Day 4, 27th December: This morning we have a chance to discover Hampton Court, the palace most famous as home to King Henry VIII and haunted by his fifth wife, Catharine Howard. After lunch we continue our cruising through the beautiful locks, which are a regular feature of the non-tidal Thames, and ever changing scenery to Shepperton, where we moor overnight. Dinner on board
Day 5, 28th December: Morning cruise through the countryside to our mooring at Runnymede. It was here in 1215 that King John sealed the document that was the first ever Bill of Rights and from where our barge got its name. In the afternoon we visit the Magna Carta memorial, the JFK memorial and the Commonwealth Air Forces memorial before visiting Savill Gardens, part of the Crown estate. Dinner on board
Day 6, 29th December: Above Runnymede the scenery becomes quite breathtaking as we continue on towards Windsor. The Thames forms a natural moat around the castle and so our view of this mighty fortress and royal home keeps changing. Our afternoon visit is the castle itself. The largest inhabited castle in the world, Windsor has been a royal home for 900 years. Dinner on board
Day 7, 30th December: The river just keeps on getting better! We leave Windsor and cruise through Bray and Maidenhead and into the spectacular Cliveden Reach. High on the wooded hill top we can see the magnificent former home of the Astor family and now one of the world’s finest hotels. We continue cruising into Cookham, which the late artist Stanley Spencer called a village “made in heaven”, and then we visit Stanley Spencer’s gallery by special arrangement. Dinner on board
Day 8, 31st December: A morning cruise as the Thames meanders through the open countryside of Bourne End and the delightful riverside town of Marlow where we can take time to stop and explore before continuing on to Hurley. In the afternoon the secrets of this tiny 11th century village reveal themselves and then there is time to rest before the New Year’s Eve celebrations begin. New Years Eve Celebration dinner followed by either a party aboard Magna Carta or we can join the villagers in one of their historic pubs. For charter groups other options can be made available.
Day 9, 1st January: Perhaps a slightly later start this morning! And a riverside walk before our chef provides a substantial brunch. Our final cruise takes us through unspoilt beauty into Henley-on-Thames, the last mile and a quarter being the actual regatta course for which Henley is so famous. Time to discover the town and the River and Rowing Museum before preparing for the Gala Captains Farewell Dinner aboard
Day 10, 2nd January: Depart for London or Heathrow at 9 am after breakfast.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Open bar
- Free wines
- Gourmet cuisine
- Entry fees to excursions
Suite per person $4,150
Single supplement $1,300
Charter 4 passengers whole boat $20,800
Charter 5 passengers whole boat $24,750
Charter 6 passengers whole boat $26,700
Charter 7 passengers whole boat $28,650
Charter 8 passengers whole boat $30,600
Charter 9 & 10 passengers whole boat – Prices on request
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
England
Christmas/New Year Tours
Boating and Sailing
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