Day 1: Departure from the U.S.A.

Our tour begins with an overnight flight to London, England with complimentary

meals and beverages served on board.

Day 2: London (D)

Upon arrival in London we will be greeted by our local Christian Tour Escort & Guide for an orientation tour of the city, which includes views of Kensington and Knightsbridge, London’s West End, the Marble Arch, Hyde Park including its Speakers Corner, Pass Whitehall and Trafalgar Square with Nelson’s Column, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. Time at leisure to take in a museum, enjoy a shopping excursion, or simply sit quietly at an outdoor venue to absorb the energy and atmosphere of this “flower of all cities,” as described by William Dunbar. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel in the London area.

Day 3: London (B,D)

We begin the day with a tour of London including St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren (its enormous dome is among the highest in the world second only to St. Peter’s in Rome). We’ll visit Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Hall and St. Thomas More’s home and estate along the Thames and Upper Cheyne Row to see the Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer where St. Thomas More worshiped. We’ll also see St. Thomas More’s birthplace and the school where he studied law. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and another overnight stay in the London area.

Day 4: London (B,D)

Today we’ll first visit Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. We’ll also take in the Tower of London where famous figures including Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Elizabeth I were all held within its walls and some, including Thomas More and Anne Boleyn, were executed. After a full day and much to consider, we’ll gather for dinner and once again enjoy another overnight in the London area.

Day 5: Oxford (B,D)

Today we take a full-day excursion to ancient Oxford, the beautiful “City of Dreaming Spires.”We’ll visit Christ Church Cathedral, the smallest cathedral in England and the seat of the Bishop of Oxford. Originally St. Frideswide’s Priory, this cathedral played an interesting part in the series of events which would surround the life and death of Thomas More who was arrested for treason and executed for publicly refusing to uphold Henry’s annulment from Catherine of Aragon. After a full day in Oxford, we’ll return to London for dinner and another overnight stay.

Day 6: Winds or Castle (B,D)

Today we’ll visit Windsor Castle, a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the county of Berkshire. The Castle also includes the 15th century St. George’s Chapel. King John used the castle as his base during the negotiations before the signing of the Magna Carta. From Windsor Castle we’ll head to Hampton Court, a royal palace located 11 miles southwest of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London. Tonight we enjoy another dinner and overnight in London.

Day 7: Canterbury (B,D)

Today’s destination is Canterbury, thought by many as the spiritual capital of England. Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 598 and is considered the “Apostle to the English.” Experience the majestic architecture and rich history of Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. See the stained glass windows depicting the Miracles of St. Thomas Becket. St. Thomas Becket, another Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in the cathedral in 1170 at the hands of the king’s knights. Miracles were reported around his tomb almost immediately and it soon became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. We’ll also tour St. Dunstan’s Church, and Anglican parish church in Canterbury and the final resting place of the head of St. Thomas More. After our guided tour of the Canterbury Cathedral and St. Dunstan’s Church, we’ll have some free time to explore Canterbury before returning to London for a farewell dinner and our last overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8: Return Home

Historian Hugh Trevor-Roper said in 1977 that More was “the first great Englishman whom we feel that we know, the most saintly of humanists, the most human of saints, the universal man of our cool northern renaissance”. Our hearts are full of gratitude with a new appreciation for our patron Saint Thomas More and we will treasure these memories for a lifetime. We transfer to the London airport for our flight to the USA.