Sailing from Mapledurham near Reading, the African Queen, a spacious converted barge over 100 ft long with a large deck, was once moored in Holland and also Ireland, from where the owners bought her.
Featuring a new itinerary for 2013, this cruise reveals a magical stretch of Britain's most celebrated waterway. Sailing through the heart of Wind in the Willows country, you'll explore historic riverside towns such as Mapledurham, Wallingford and Caversham, glide past the picturesque Chilterns and stop at some lovely waterfront inns. You'll also cruise through eight locks.
The holiday includes an excursion to the 18th-century mill theatre in Sonning to see a show and an optional visit to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-upon-Thames.
Just as memorably, you'll have the chance to experience life aboard a real riverboat. You and your fellow guests can look forward to excellent hospitality, including delicious food, a BBQ, a quiz night and a special Cape Malay dinner.
Please note: Departures in 2012 follow a different itinerary. Please call for details.
See the sights at a laid-back pace. On these tours you'll rarely spend more than three or four hours travelling a day and there will usually be a few days for you to simply stay put and relax. Typically, any walking during the excursions will be at a leisurely pace and will amount to just a few hours of the course of the day.
This morning, African Queen will cruise to the quintessential riverside town of Henley-on-Thames. Here you can explore independently or join an optional excursion to the River and Rowing Museum, which tells the colourful story of Henley and its famous Royal Regatta.
You can also learn about Toad, Mole and Ratty at a 3D exhibition dedicated to Kenneth Grahame's novel The Wind in the Willows. This evening, enjoy an on-board BBQ and test your wits in a Saturday night quiz.