Day 1: Tuesday, June 2, 2009: Flight
We will depart from St. Louis to London, England and enjoy in-flights meals and entertainment. IF

Day 2: Wednesday, June 3, 2009: Arrival, Oxford
On arrival in London, our Reformation Tours Tour Manager will meet us at the airport and we’ll board our bus. Our first stop is the town of Beaconsfield, where we’ll visit St. Theresa’s Church. We’ll see G.K. Chesterton’s grave and see the memorial window in the church. We’ll then continue on to Oxford, where we’ll check into our hostel, after a visit to C.S. Lewis’ home, the Kilns. IF/D

 

Day 3: Thursday, June 4, 2009: Oxford
Our walking tour this morning will include the Reformer’s Monument and learn about Bible translator William Tyndale and Protestant martyrs Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley. In Merton College we’ll learn more about graduates J. R. R. Tolkien, John Wycliffe and T. S. Eliot. We’ll also visit the Holy Trinity Church where C.S Lewis is buried. After the tour we’ll have a traditional pub lunch at the Eagle & Child, which is where the Inklings met. After lunch we'll have free time. B/L

 

Day 4: Friday, June 5, 2009: Stratford-upon-Avon
After driving through the delightful Cotswold region, we’ll learn more about William Shakespeare. We’ll board the hop-on-hop-off bus with options to visit Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden's House, New Place, Nash's House and Hall's Croft. The Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried, the Old 15th Century Grammar School where Shakespeare was educated and Wilmcote, the village where Mary Arden's House (Shakespeare's mother) can be found. We’ll end the day with a live performance at the Theater performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. We’ll spend the night in Stratford-upon-Avon. B/D

Day 5: Saturday, June 6, 2009: Birmingham, Cambridge
Today we’ll meet with a member of the Tolkien Society (subject to availability) and visit many of the sites associated with J. R. Tolkien, including Sarehole Mill, Moseley and Moseley Bog, Edgbaston and the Oratory. Later in the afternoon we’ll make our way to Cambridge. We’ll have a walking tour of the city this evening. B/D

 

Day 6: Sunday, June 7, 2009: Cambridge, London
After attending a service at King's College, Cambridge where we'll worship in the beauty of this ancient, historic cathedral, we’ll drive to Windsor. Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. We’ll stay in London for the remainder of the tour. B/D

Day 7: Monday, June 8, 2009: London
In Westminster Abbey we’ll see not only the tombs of kings and queens, but also the famous “Poet’s Corner” with the tombs of many famous authors, musicians and poets. After our tour we’ll take the tube to Covent Garden and see St. Paul’s where G.K. Chesterton was a lay preacher. It’s now known as the “Actor’s Church.” Covent Garden is a delightful place to eat lunch and watch the many street performers. From here we’ll make our way to the British Museum, which is filled with treasures from all over the world. B/D

Day 8: Tuesday, June 9, 2009: London
Our first stop today is the Tower of London, where we’ll hear more about the British monarchy and see the Crown Jewels. We’ll then visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. In the evening we’ll attend a play in the Globe theater performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. B/D

 

Day 9: Wednesday, June 10, 2009: Canterbury
Today we have the option of a tour to Canterbury, including a guided tour of the Cathedral and a fun visit to the Canterbury Tales exhibit. We’ll return to London for our farewell meal. B/D

Day 10: Thursday, June 11, 2009: Return
We’ll transfer to the airport this morning for our flight back to St. Louis B/IF

Scotland Extension

Day 10: Thursday, June 11, 2009: Stirling, Oban
We’ll transfer to the airport this morning for our flight up to Scotland, where our coach will take us to Stirling to see the Church of the Holy Rude. It was here in 1566 that John Knox preached at the baptism of James VI. We'll also visit Stirling Castle where James VI was educated by the Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. Just south of Stirling, we'll visit the Bannockburn Heritage Center, which is on the site of the battlefield where Robert the Bruce defeated the English on June 24, 1314. After our castle visit, we’ll continue to Oban. B/D

Day 11: Friday, June 12, 2009: Mull and Iona
This morning we will board a ferry to the Isle of Mull then take another short foot passenger ferry from Fionnport to St Columba’s Island of Iona. Iona, the site of the first Christian settlement of Scotland, has been known as a place of spiritual power for centuries. It was founded in 563 by St. Columba (521-97) and was a leading center for Christian scholarship throughout Europe. Iona Abbey is the most visited sight and dates back to the 11th Century. On our return to the mainland, we’ll drive to Edinburgh. B/D

Day 12: Saturday, June 13, 2009: Edinburgh
This morning our tour will begin with a visit to Edinburgh Castle, perhaps the best known and most visited of Historic Scotland’s buildings. We’ll enjoy the stunning views from the castle before a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, often referred to as the "Athens of the North!" In the afternoon we'll visit the 15th century house where John Knox leader of the Scottish Reformation and founder of the Presbyterian Church lived for a short time before he died. Today it is a museum that holds an exhibition about his life. In 1560 Scotland formally ratified the Reformed religion. We will also visit St. Giles Cathedral to which Knox was appointed minister of the church. Tonight we have an opportunity to enjoy Evensong services. B/D

Day 13: Sunday, June 14, 2009: Return
We’ll transfer to the airport this morning for our flight back to St. Louis B/IF

ReformationTours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

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• Air transportation via scheduled air carrier from St. Louis and related taxes and fees
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Multi-bedded hostel accommodation (separate male and female rooms). The hotel upgrade is $500 per person for the main tour and $180 for the extension (double occupancy)
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Services of a professional Tour Director throughout the tour.
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Entrance Fees included as per itinerary
• All transfers, as a group
• Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest) if in hotels
• Flight back, neck wallet, luggage tags, name badge and trip journal

• Meals not included in itinerary
• Beverages except with breakfast
• Single supplement $365 (in hotels), double supplement $125 where available.
• Passports and visas
• Gratuities for Tour Manager and Driver (total of $7 per day recommended)
• Optional insurance for health, baggage and cancellation.