DAY 1: NEW YORK/LONDON
Depart on an international overnight flight to London. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.
DAY 2: LONDON
Upon arrival in London, we are met by our tour guide, and next board our deluxe motorcoach for a half day panoramic tour of the city of London. Discover the iconic landmarks, architectural and cultural diversity, and fascinating history that makes London the most visited city in the world. Our London sightseeing tour takes us on a non-stop precession of recognizable landmarks, including The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column, Marble Arch and much more. Dinner and overnight in London. (D)
DAY 3: LONDON/CANTERBURY
After breakfast we leave London and head for Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way we stop in Rochester for a short visit to the Rochester Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. We finally reach Canterbury, the most important ancient city in all of England. In 560 it became the center of English pilgrimage, and the Kingdom of King Ethelbert and his wife Queen Berta who was a Christian. Upon arrival we take a walking tour of the cobblestoned city, stopping by quaint shops and the Canterbury Cathedral built in 1070 by Archbishop Lanfranc and considered the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Dinner and overnight in Canterbury or the area. (B/D)
DAY 4: CANTERBURY/SALISBURY AREA
We depart Canterbury this morning and journey to Wiltshire. We stop in Winchester which was the capital of England for almost 250 years. We visit the Winchester Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint Swithun; one of the largest medieval cathedrals in Europe. Many great English saints such as St. Swithun, St. Ethelwold, and St. Dunstan (Abp. Of Canterbury) are associated with Winchester. Our next stop is Salisbury where we visit Stonehenge, the site of the prehistoric stone circle monument dating back to the Bronze Age. Dinner and overnight is Salisbury or the area. (B/D)
DAY 5: SALISBURY AREA/SWINDON
In the morning we tour the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the seat of the Bishop of Salisbury. We see the famous Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in the history of human rights and democracy signed by King John of England in 1215. Then we travel to the town of Glastonbury to see the ruins of its famous Abbey. Legend connecting St. Joseph of Arimathea to the Holy Grail and the burial of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere gave Glastonbury Abbey its great importance. Next, we head for Bath which began as a Roman Spa more than 2000 years ago. We visit the Roman Baths and continue to Swindon. Dinner and overnight in Swindon or the area. (B/D)
DAY 6: SWINDON/CAMBRIDGE
In the morning we depart Swindon and travel to Oxford, the “City of Dreaming Spires,” and home to one of the most celebrated universities in the world. We tour the Historic City Center and the High Street with its famous colleges. We stop at the Christ Church Cathedral dating back to the 12th century, the smallest cathedral in England. We continue to Cambridge. Dinner and overnight in Cambridge or the area. (B/D)
DAY 7: CAMBRIDGE/YORK
In the morning we visit the 15th century King’s College Chapel, the most iconic building in the city, and the site of the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. Next, we stop at Ely Cathedral. We end today’s journey in York. Dinner and overnight in York or the area. (B/D)
DAY 8: YORK
In the morning we enjoy panoramic tour of the city. This walled city was once the Roman provincial capital called “Eboracum” in AD 71. The Archbishop of York holds the title “Primate of England” and is second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. We tour the massive York Minster, the pride of this city and the largest medieval cathedral in England. Spend the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in York or the area. (B/D)
DAY 9: YORK/LONDON
We leave York in the morning and travel to Lincoln to visit the magnificent Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral has been said to be “the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles”. Next, we travel back to London. Upon arrival we have some time at leisure to pursue our own interests. Dinner and overnight in London. (B/D)
DAY 10: LONDON/NEW YORK
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight back home arriving the same day. (B)
* (B,L,D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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