DAY 1: DEPART USA
We depart USA en route to Glasgow, with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
DAY 2: ARRIVE GLASGOW / EDINBURGH
Upon our arrival in Glasgow we are met by our Catholic Travel Centre representative and enjoy an orientation tour of Glasgow, a city rich in history, steeped in culture and alive with its own unique character. We will see many points of interest including the University, Victoria Park and the Botanic Gardens, Mungo’s Cathedral and Provand’s Lordship, which is the oldest house in the city and reputedly built in 1471. We then drive the short distance to Edinburgh, Scotland’s exciting capital city, for a Welcome Dinner and overnight. (D)
DAY 3: EDINBURGH: VISIT OF THE CITY
Our morning sightseeing tour of this charming city will include a visit to Edinburgh Castle which commands a strategic position on Castlerock, overlooking the city, and dominates the skyline. We also visit the Palace of Holyrood House, the Queen’s home while in Edinburgh, and St. Giles Cathedral with its famous Thistle Chapel. See the Scott Monument, prestigious Edinburgh University, Greyfriars and the Mound. The afternoon is at leisure for independent activities. Tonight we enjoy a Scottish evening, with dinner and entertainment. (B, D)
DAY 4: EDINBURGH / PETERBOROUGH / WALSINGHAM AREA
This morning we transfer to Edinburgh station where we board our train for a 9:30 am departure to Peterborough, arriving at 1:00 pm. We board our motor coach and drive to Walsingham, known as England’s Nazareth. We visit the remnants of the former priory and its church; today there is once more a place of pilgrimage with an Anglican shrine Church built in 1931. A few miles away Roman Catholics consecrated the Slipper Chapel in a 14th century building, taking it’s name from the age old custom of removing one’s shoes a mile or so before reaching the Shrine. Dinner and overnight are at our hotel in the area. (B, D)
DAY 5: WALSINGHAM AREA / ELY / CAMBRIDGE / LONDON
We depart the Walsingham area and drive through rural Norfolk intothe county of Cambridgeshire. In Ely we stop to visit the magnificent Cathedral. In 673 St. Etheldreda, Queen of Northumbria, founded a monastery in the center of the Fens on the Isle of Ely where she was Abbess until her death in 679. Some 400 years later, in 1081, work on the present building was begun under the guidance of Abbott Simeon. It was completed in 1189 and the Cathedral now stands as a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture. We then drive to the world famous university town of Cambridge with its stately colleges and the River Cam. Our walking tour will introduce us to the University and we will be able to watch as the lazy punts glide down the river, visit Kings College (if open) and view some of the other colleges and their gorgeous gardens as well as “The Backs”. We then drive swiftly to England’s exciting capital city of London for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
DAY 6: LONDON: VISIT OF THE CITY
We start our morning with Mass at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart & Tyburn Martyrs in Hyde Park Place. We then continue with our morning city sightseeing tour which will include Mayfair, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard ceremony (if held), the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. A highlight will be a visit to the impressive Westminster Abbey and then Westminster Cathedral, the Catholic Cathedral of London. This afternoon is at leisure for independent activities – you may care to visit an art gallery or museum, shop or stroll in one of London’s many beautiful parks. Dinner is on our own. (B)
DAY 7: LONDON: EXCURSION TO CANTERBURY & CHARTWELL
This morning we drive out of London and through the Kentish countryside to Canterbury, the most important ancient city in England and traditional home of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1170, Thomas a Beckett was murdered in his own cathedral by the Knights of Henry II; he was canonized shortly after and for centuries pilgrims have flocked to his shrine. As well as a detailed visit to the Cathedral, we will also see the fine medieval walls of the city before driving to Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill. He bought the estate in 1922 and, except for the war years, spent as much time as he could here. Rooms in the house reflect the heyday of the family’s life at Chartwell in the 1920’s and 30′ s, while fresh flowers, daily newspapers and the occasional cigar add their special atmosphere. We visit the house, gardens and studio before returning to our hotel for dinner on our own. (B)
DAY 8: LONDON: DAY AT LEISURE
Today is at leisure in this exciting city. Dinner and overnight are at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 9: LONDON: EXCURSION TO STONEHENGE & BATH
Today we drive out of London and head westwards to Stonehenge to visit the ancient monoliths placed in position nearly 2000 years before the birth of Christ and which were once used to calculate the eclipses and equinoxes. We then cross Salisbury Plain on our way to Bath, one of the most beautiful Georgian cities in England. It is named after the hot springs first used by the Romans and in the 18th century was a fashionable spa where almost everyone who enjoyed prominence visited “to take the waters”. We visit the Roman Baths, view the Abbey and see the charming squares and crescents as well as the River Avon and delightful Pulteney Bridge. We return to London for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
DAY 10: LONDON / OXFORD / COTSWOLDS / STRATFORD UPON AVON
This morning we travel to Oxford, “city of dreaming spires”, centre of scholarship for over 1000 years. We visit the ancient university and hear about its history and traditions. Then we head into the beautiful and enchanting area of the Cotswolds, passing through the villages of Mickleton, Chipping Camden and Moreton in Marsh. We continue to Stratford upon Avon, where we visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the birthplace of his wife. Dinner and overnight are at our hotel. (B, D)
DAY 11: STRATFORD / LONDON
Today is at leisure in Stratford with time to walk, shop and explore on our own. At 4.00 pm we start our journey back to London. (B)
DAY 12: LONDON: EXCURSION TO YORK
An early start as we make our way to King’s Cross Station for 6.30 am to board our train to York. York is a medieval walled town, with its magnificent Minster with majestic towers and priceless stained glass windows. Our sightseeing tour takes us through the medieval streets where the upper stories of houses lean precariously across the roadway towards each other. The names are fascinating – Stonegate, Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate and Shambles, the old butchers quarter and York Minster, the largest medieval church north of the Alps and famous for its stained glass windows. There will be some time to explore on our own before returning to the railways station for our train back to London. (B)
DAY 13: RETURN USA
We transfer to the London airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)
NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.
