historic British reformation tour
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive in London, England
We recommend using this day to visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Harrods Department Store, and Piccadilly Circus area on your own. Meals: D |
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Day 2 - London
See the costumed Beefeaters guarding the Tower of London. As a Royal Palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, Royal Zoo and jewel house, it has witnessed many great events in British history. See the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Nelson's Column at the center of Trafalgar Square. For your lunch plans, you may want to make a reservation for traditional afternoon tea in one of London's fine hotels or take an optional private afternoon tea class and tour of an 1860s Victorian home. We will then head to Bunhill Fields Cemetery, known as the "cemetery of Puritan England." Walking through the cemetery, you will see the graves of John Bunyan—Pilgrim's Progress, Isaac Watts—noted hymn writer, Daniel Defoe—Robinson Crusoe, Susannah Wesley—mother of John and Charles as well as members of the Cromwell family. Across the street, we'll visit the Wesley Church located at the Wesley House and Museum and the location of John Wesley's gravesite. Meals: B, D |
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Day 3 - London
After a full breakfast we will depart for Windsor Castle, the world's largest inhabited castle and Queen Elizabeth II's favorite residence. From the castle ramparts, you have excellent views of the famous Eton College, an independent school for boys. Watch for students wearing their uniforms: black tailcoats, pinstriped trousers and white ties. After lunch, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of London & tour of Westminster Abbey, the site where the Westminster Confession of Faith was written. It is also the location of many of the graves of many of the world's most famous people including many of the early Kings and Queens of England. Continue to St. Paul's Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and then enjoy the evening on your own. Meals: B |
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Day 4 - Cambridge/York
After a full breakfast, we will begin an early journey to Cambridge. We will take a short trip to the village of Elstow, passing by the birthplace of John Bunyan, the author of The Pilgrim's Progress, the most widely read book in the world after the Bible. Entering the university city of Cambridge, we will take a walking tour of Cambridge and tour King's College Chapel, one of England's architectural gems. The Chapel houses Rubens's The Adoration of the Magi. We will then head to our hotel in York for Dinner. HOTEL: Four Star Accommodations while in York. Meals: B, L, D |
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Day 5 - York
You will have free time this morning to explore the walled Viking city of York and enjoy shopping in the many unique shops. We will attend the Evensong service at York Minster and tour England's largest medieval church. It boasts the largest collection of medieval stained glass windows in Great Britain. We will finish with a buffet dinner at the hotel. Meals: B, D |
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Day 6 - Edinburgh, Scotland
Leaving York, we will ride north through the countryside. If time allows, we will visit Durham Cathedral, which provides the best look at Norman architecture in England. We'll cross the England/Scottish border and will immediately see the beautiful hilly fields and streams of Scotland. We will stop at Jedburgh Abbey, literally a shell of its former self, but still providing a great view. We arrive in downtown Edinburgh relax at our luxurious hotel for dinner. Meals: B, L, D |
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Day 7 - Edinburgh, Scotland
After a full Scottish breakfast, we will visit the historic Edinburgh Castle. Parts of the castle date back to the 11th century. The castle includes the apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots and James IV's 16th century great hall. Within the castle grounds is the Stone of Scone, upon which Scottish kings were crowned since time immemorial, and the Scottish Crown Jewels. We will tour the nearby John Knox House/Museum before enjoying lunch. After lunch, tour the Holyrood Palace, Queen's official residence in Scotland. The afternoon will provide time for rest, sightseeing or shopping for Scottish woolens and other gift items. This evening, we'll enjoy a delicious traditional Scottish dinner. After dinner we will head to St. Giles Cathedral where the Reformer, John Knox, preached powerful sermons. Once at St. Giles, we hope to enjoy a private message for our group at the cathedral. Meals: B, D |
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Day 8 - Edinburgh, Scotland
After breakfast, we will depart for one of Scotland's grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture, Stirling Castle commands the countryside for many miles around. It towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland's past including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace's victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314. Continue to St. Andrews, where the city juts out into the North Sea and is known throughout the world as the home of golf. Visit the ruins of the cathedral which was destroyed during the Reformation. The evening ends with a spectaular experience in Edinburgh where we will witness the world famous Military Tattoo. Meals: B, D |
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Day 9 - Edinburgh, Scotland
After enjoying a continental breakfast, Sovereign's Guardian Angels will assist all of our guests to their departures from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Meals: B |
Please Note: Ligonier schedule of tour events is subject to modification. |