A Classic Christmas

December 2021

4 days from £449pp

Set sail onboard the award-winning African Queen for a truly memorable Christmas on the Thames. Spend Christmas Day in charming Mapledurham, tuck into a traditional Christmas dinner and take a Boxing Day cruise along the Wind in the Willows route.

Enjoy a welcome Christmas Eve party with a glass of bubbly & a delicious buffet supper
Tuck into a traditional Christmas day lunch, followed by cheese and biscuits
Visit the quaint village of Mapledurham
Cruise along the Wind in the Willows route on Boxing Day

This charming 100-foot barge is the ideal setting for a quintessential Christmas, where you can enjoy cosy nights in the middle of the English countryside, followed by days filled with tradition and festivity. The African Queen is truly unique – a floating hotel on a peaceful stretch of the Thames, and owners Andy and Bonny take great pride in looking after their guests, with warm hospitality and mouth watering meals; and the festive season is particularly special, as they host a Christmas Eve party along with a traditional Christmas Day lunch and a sumptuous Boxing Day Cape Malay dinner. So join us for a Christmas like no other, combining beautiful scenery with all the comforts of home, except that you get to enjoy the worldly pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.

Day 1: Christmas Eve
Make your own way to the country estate of Mapledurham near Reading and step aboard the African Queen where you will receive a warm welcome with a glass of bubbly. Shortly after, we enjoy a delicious buffet supper as part of our onboard Christmas Eve party.
Day 2: Christmas Day
Merry Christmas! Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then choose from a number of options: you can join a guided walk to the Folly, visit St Margaret Church for the Christmas Day service, or take some time out to explore the area on your own. We return to the African Queen for a lovely afternoon which starts with our traditional Christmas day lunch. Cheese and biscuits are served later on in the evening.
Day 3: Boxing Day
Sit back and relax as we enjoy a cruise along the Wind in the Willows route (weather permitting), for the perfect way to spend Boxing Day. A two-course lunch is served onboard, and later we indulge in a Cape Malay dinner followed by an evening of games.
Day 4: Return Journey Home
We bid a fond farewell to our hosts and disembark the African Queen.

Listed below are our flexible travel options that give you the choice of different ways to travel to your cruise.

Meet us at the ship

For complete flexibility, make your own transport arrangements to and from the ship. We will provide you with times and locations as well as some useful information for you to make your own arrangements to join your cruise.

If you require any further information to assist with your travel plans, please contact our Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help.

Overview

Beautifully converted by its loving owners, the award-winning African Queen is one of only a handful of floating hotels that sails along the River Thames. Formerly a working Dutch barge, African Queen is simply bursting with character. The lower deck has eight cosy cabins accommodating 14 guests, whilst the upper deck has a small sun deck with seating, an attractive dining area and bar for socialising. The owners, both an excellent skipper and charming hosts, are warm and welcoming - creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere on board.

See more Ship info

A Classic Christmas

December 2021

4 days from £449pp

Your Accommodation

African Queen

Overview

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