FRIENDS OF BRUTON 11 Day Tour of Scotland and England June 17-27, 2016

Transcription

1 FRIENDS OF BRUTON 11 Day Tour of Scotland and England June 17-27, 2016

2 Dear Friend: We are eagerly anticipating this faith-based excursion to the U.K. The Friends of Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg, Virginia is sponsoring the pilgrimage. The Friends of Bruton has led a previous pilgrimage and the positive response to that trip encouraged us to organize another. Knowing that Bruton Parish Church is one of the most historic parishes in the country, you can expect an emphasis on history. Looking at our itinerary, I hope you recognize the opportunity to tell significant stories of history and faith. We will have a tour leader, who will ground us in points of interest and facts. As our spiritual guide, I will do a number of reflections to open our hearts to things of the Spirit. We are in the midst of conversations with our Church of England family for some behind the scenes peeks into the special places we are set to visit. Again, reflecting upon our schedule and the sites we will visit, this is a unique tour for those seeking something more than your typical English tour. From Iona to York, you will experience a different side of the U.K. My hope is to gather together a group of individuals and facilitate our development as a community. It will be my pleasure and privilege to be with you as we discover another side of the U.K. Faithfully, The Revd Christopher L. Epperson Rector ITINERARY DAY 1: Friday, June 17 - Washington, DC/En Route Depart from Washington, DC for your overnight trans-atlantic flight to Edinburgh. DAY 2: Saturday, June 18 Edinburgh L,D Welcome to Scotland! You will be met at the airport and transferred to the city center. AM: Panoramic City Tour of Edinburgh Discover Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland, with a panoramic city tour. From the historical closes of the Old Town to the large avenues of New Town, explore an outstanding city of contrasts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along its main thoroughfare, Princes Street, you will witness the most unique sight of Edinburgh Castle, majestically dominating both Old and New Town. See Calton Hill and its National Monument, rightfully giving Edinburgh its nickname: the Athens of the North. Lunch: Enjoy a Welcome Lunch at the Scottish Malt Whisky Society.

3 PM: Visit Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh s Castle rock has been a stronghold for over 3000 years. In its dominating position overlooking the capital city, the grandeur and historical significance of Edinburgh Castle has made it a globally famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Sited on top of an extinct volcano, gaining stunning views across the City of Edinburgh, the castle has witnessed many of the defining events of Scottish history and has dominated its surroundings with majesty for centuries. Captivating visitors with its ancient buildings and marvelous views, it continues to spellbind with its wonderful story. Dinner: Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the hotel. DAY 3: Sunday, June 19 - Edinburgh B,D Visit St. Giles Cathedral Founded in the 1120s, St. Giles Cathedral was the church of John Knox during the Reformation and is often referred to as the Cradle of Presbyterianism. One of the highlights of the Cathedral is the beautiful stained glass windows. The impressive Rieger organ was installed in 1992 and the famous Thistle Chapel, home of the Knights of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland s great order of chivalry designed by Robert Lorimer for the Order of the Thistle, was added in St Giles is situated on the historic Royal Mile, halfway between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty The Queen s official residence in Scotland, stands at the end of Edinburgh s Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur s Seat. At the Palace of Holyroodhouse you can explore the 14 historic and State Apartments and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. Best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, today the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for State ceremonies and official entertaining. The Queen is in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse during Holyrood week, which usually takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July. Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia The Royal Yacht Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years, sailing over 1,000,000 miles around the world. Now berthed in Edinburgh, you can follow in the footsteps of royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences. Discover what life was like on board The Queen s floating royal residence. You can follow in the footsteps of world leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Rajiv Gandhi. Starting at the Bridge, explore the State Apartments, Crew s Quarters, and finish at the Engine Room. Dinner: This evening enjoy Scottish dinner and entertainment at Prestonfield House or similar. Now featuring a nightly performance by the acclaimed Three Scottish Tenors, Scotland s most famous evening of traditional Scottish music, bagpipes, fiddles, and dance is not to be missed. Enjoy exceptional entertainment with wine and a gourmet dinner served by their kilted waiters. A delicious 4-course dinner of Angus beef and Orkney salmon with wine and taste of haggis accompanies this unmissable evening of traditional hospitality and entertainment. DAY 4: Monday, June 20 - Edinburgh/Oban B,D AM: Visit Stirling Castle This morning you will depart Edinburgh and travel to Oban. En route you will visit Stirling Castle. 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 Situated on a volcanic outcrop guarding the lowest crossing point of the River

4 Forth, Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish Independence and a source of enduring national pride. The castle s long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland s past, such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. It has seen many royal dramas and witnessed the lives and deaths of almost every Scottish monarch up to the Union of the Crowns in Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel. DAY 5: Tuesday, June 21 - Oban/Iona/Oban B,D Today you will enjoy a daytrip to Iona. You will take the ferry from Oban to Mull and cross this island by motor coach. From Mull you will take the ferry to Iona. Visit Iona Abbey Iona is a holy isle, an enduring symbol of Christianity in Scotland. St. Columba and his followers came here from Ireland in AD 563 and founded a monastery that became the heart of the early Scottish Church. As a celebrated focus for Christian pilgrimage, Iona retains its spiritual atmosphere and remains an enduring symbol of worship. The abbey church was restored at the beginning of the 20th century, while work on restoring the living accommodation began in 1938, following the foundation of the Iona Community. Today, the Iona Community continues the tradition of worship first established by St. Columba 1450 years ago. Iona Abbey is one of Scotland s most historic and sacred sites. Return to Oban via Mull. Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel. DAY 6: Wednesday, June 22 - Oban/Glasgow B,D After breakfast at the hotel you will depart Oban and travel to Glasgow. En route you will enjoy a cruise on Loch Lomond, which has the largest surface area of fresh water in the United Kingdom. The Loch is 24 miles long and five miles wide and at its deepest point it is some 600 feet deep. On the Loch there are approximately 38 islands, some of which are inhabited. Loch Lomond is the world s most famous Loch and numerous verses and songs have been written about this area. It is renowned for its beauty and tranquility and offers picture postcard views around every corner. Continue to Glasgow. Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel. DAY 7: Thursday, June 23 - Glasgow/Durham B,D This morning you will depart Glasgow and journey South across the beautiful border region to Durham. Visit Durham Cathedral Upon your arrival in Durham you will visit Durham Cathedral, which is often thought to be the greatest Norman building in England, perhaps even in Europe. It is cherished not only for its architecture, but also for

5 its incomparable setting. For this reason it was inscribed together with the Castle as one of Britain s first World Heritage Sites. Durham Cathedral is the burial place of both St Cuthbert, a great northern saint, and the Venerable Bede, author of the first English history. Visit Durham Castle Durham Castle, together with the Cathedral, was awarded the status of a World Heritage Site in 1986 providing international recognition for this unique, historic and scenic site. Standing side by side on a prominent hilltop site and encircled by the wooded slopes of the meandering River Wear, the Castle overlooks the Medieval City of Durham with its fascinating narrow streets. Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel. DAY 8: Friday, June 24 Durham/York B,D AM: Visit Castle Howard This morning you will depart Durham and travel to York. En route you will visit Castle Howard. Castle Howard is a magnificent 18th century residence set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape in the Howardian Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of North Yorkshire. Enjoy world-renowned collections, stunning architecture, and inspiring family stories. Walking Tour of York Upon your arrival you will enjoy a walking tour of York. Since its establishment as a city by the Romans in 71 AD, York has played a pivotal role in the history of England and today showcases well-preserved remains that bring this history to life. Over the centuries York was a Roman garrison town, Viking stronghold, and prosperous Medieval city and aspects of all this can still be seen today. Walk along Medieval city walls, visit the ruined 11th century St. Mary s Abbey, and marvel at the exterior of the imposing Gothic cathedral. An essential York experience is a walk through the city center s maze of half-timbered houses that almost touch across the narrow, fascinatingly-named lanes like The Shambles and Whipma-Whop-ma-Gate. You will hear stories of the city and the people of York who experienced plagues, sackings, genocides, an unsuccessful civil war, and the coming-and-goings of Roman, Viking, Norman, and Scottish armies. Visit York Minster York Minster is a Medieval masterpiece of stone and glass at the heart of the historic city of York. Records of this much-loved cathedral date back to the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria in a wooden church on this site in the year 640. After several unfortunate events befell the original wooden and then stone structures on this site, the current Gothic incarnation came into being around 800 years ago and was added to over the following centuries. The Minster is now the seat of the Archbishop of York, the Head of the Northern Province of the Church of England and second only to the Queen. Dinner: This evening enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. DAY 9: Saturday, June 25 York/Lincoln B,D AM: Visit Lincoln Cathedral After breakfast at the hotel you will depart York and travel to Lincoln. Upon your arrival you will visit Lincoln Cathedral. One of Europe s finest Gothic buildings, once the tallest in the world, the Cathedral dominates Lincoln s skyline. With the Norman invasion of Britain in the 11th century, William the Conqueror commissioned the building of Lincoln Cathedral and in 1092 it was consecrated, becoming the head of the largest diocese in England, extending from the Humber to the Thames. After fires and earthquakes had demanded rebuilding of some of the Cathedral, it took on a Gothic style of architecture. When the central spire was eventually raised in 1300, it became the tallest building in the world, taking the mantle from the Great Pyramid of Giza. This lasted until 1549 when the spire collapsed. In spite of its size, the Cathedral is filled with intricate detail.

6 Visit Lincoln Castle Discover a world of rich history at Lincoln Castle, dating back to 1068 and home to one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 on a site occupied since Roman times, Lincoln Castle has dominated the Lincoln skyline for almost one thousand years. Inside the Castle walls is a Victorian prison that provides insight into crime and punishment in the Lincoln of the past. Dinner: This evening enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. DAY 10: Sunday, June 26 Lincoln/Cambridge B,D AM: Visit Ely Cathedral This morning you will depart Lincoln and travel to Cambridge. En route you will visit Ely Cathedral. The Cathedral has its origins in 672 AD when St. Etheldreda built an Abbey Church. The present building dates back to 1083, and cathedral status was granted to it in Architecturally it is outstanding both for its scale and stylistic details. Having been built in a monumental Romanesque style, the Galilee Porch, Lady Chapel, and Choir were rebuilt in an exuberant Decorated Gothic. Its most famous feature however, is the central Octagonal Tower, with a lantern above, which provides a spectacular internal space and, along with the West Tower, presents a unique exterior landmark that dominates the surrounding landscape. Continue to Cambridge. Visit King s College Upon your arrival in Cambridge you will visit King s College, which is a truly inspirational experience. It is the largest and most spectacular of the college chapels in Cambridge. The Chapel is the grandest and most beautiful building in Cambridge and ranks amongst the most important examples of perpendicular (late Gothic) architecture. Stone, wood, and glass combine with music to provide an unforgettable experience under Rubens Adoration of the Magi. The famous service of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been broadcast on the radio since The poet Rupert Brooke and the economist Maynard Keynes are former members of King s College. Dinner: Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Continue to your hotel near Heathrow Airport. DAY 11: Monday, June 27 - London/Washington, DC B AM: Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. You return with wonderful memories of a great travel experience and feeling culturally and spiritually enriched. B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner 30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 250 l Fairfield, NJ l P l F l

7 TOTAL PRICE FROM WASHINGTON, DC: $ p/person, double occupancy $ single room supplement The price includes all air taxes and fuel surcharges. COST INCLUDES Air: Round-trip airfare from Washington, DC, economy class Hotels: 9 nights in superior first class and deluxe hotels wherever available, all rooms with private facilities Meals: Breakfast and dinner daily, and 1 lunch Sightseeing: Extensive as per itinerary * All sightseeing in private deluxe motor coaches and includes the services of expert English speaking guides and entrance fees Tour Director: Experienced English speaking Tour Director will accompany group throughout Scotland and England Transportation & Transfers: In private deluxe motor coaches; Round-trip ferry from Oban to Iona Miscellaneous: Hotel taxes and service charges * Baggage handling and porterage at the hotels TOUR CONDITIONS TOUR PRICE: Tour price is based upon current tariff and exchange rates and is subject to change. It is based upon a minimum of 25 fully paid passengers. In the event this minimum is not met a surcharge will be levied. NOTE: Comprehensive insurance is available to cover trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, medical, accidental death & dismemberment and emergency evacuation and repatriation. A descriptive booklet will be mailed to you upon receipt of your deposit. are made by them as agents for the passenger upon the express condition that they shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect of any vehicle conveying the passenger or through the act of default or any company or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements of the tour, or otherwise in connection therewith, or of any hotel, or employee. FH and/or their agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due to delay or changes in schedules, defaults or overbookings by hotels, sickness, weather, strike, war, acts of terrorism or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger. Baggage is at "owner's risk" throughout the tour unless insured. FH reserves the right to withdraw the tour, or any part of it, to make such alternations in the itinerary as they deem necessary or desirable. FH has no special knowledge or information regarding any supplier insolvency, unsafe conditions, terrorist or social unrest, health hazards or weather hazards, other than what has appeared in the public media. For information about possible dangers at your destination please call the Travel Advisory Section of the State Dept. at (202) For medical information contact the CDC at (877) You hereby release FH from any claims arising from any causes not within our control. By using your tickets, you acknowledge that you have read the foregoing and agree to it. AIR TRANSPORTATION: Economy class via any regular IATA carrier. Any cancellation, itinerary change or failure to use confirmed air space may be subject to penalties levied by the airlines at the time of ticketing. Air tickets, once issued, are non-refundable. This is in addition to above "Cancellation Terms." AIRLINE CLAUSE: Any airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft. The airline tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between airline and the purchaser of these tickets/and or passenger. PASSPORT/VISA REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for all tour members. U.S. citizens do not require visas for travel to Scotland and England. If you are not a U.S. citizen call the Consulate of EVERY country you will enter (even in-transit when changing planes) to check on visa requirements. ALL passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date of the tour. Airline carriers reserve the right to change equipment and schedules without prior notice or passenger approval. We must agree to this upon acceptance of group contracts. We have the option of cancelling the contract without penalty, however, we would need to protect the group on alternate flights. This is not always possible as changes can occur up to the day of departure. REGISTRATION AND DEPOSITS: A deposit (by check) of $1000 p/person is required at time of registration, along with a signed registration form. You will be billed for the balance, which is due on or before April 15, 2016, either by check or money order. CANCELLATION TERMS: Cancellations received: From April 15-April 30, 2016: $500 p/person From May 1, 2016 onward: No refund All cancellations must be received in writing. TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Passport, visa, and insurance, All items of a personal nature, beverages and meals not included in the tour. Gratuities to guides, bus drivers, tour escort, and hotel and restaurant staff. Optional tours and excess baggage charges. There is no refund for unused land arrangements or any cost incurred through absence or deviation from the stated itinerary for any reason, including illness. RESPONSIBILITY: FAR HORIZONS, a division of Tzell Travel, and/or their agents, give notice that all tickets issued by them and all arrangements for transport or for hotel accommodations made by them, FAR HORIZONS 30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 250, Fairfield, NJ Phone: or , Fax: info@fhorizons.com 30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 250 l Fairfield, NJ l P l F l

8 FRIENDS OF BRUTON 11 Day Tour of Scotland and England June 17-27, 2016 RESERVATION REQUEST Send this form with a check payable to: TZELL TRAVEL and mail to: FAR HORIZONS, 30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 250, Fairfield, NJ Telephone: or , Fax: , info@fhorizons.com Enclosed is my/our deposit of $ p/person for the above tour to Scotland and England. Homeland Security rules require that you provide us with your exact name as it appears on your PASSPORT and your date of birth. Name: (1) Surname First Name Middle Name Date of Birth: (1) Name: (2) Surname First Name Middle Name Date of Birth: (2) Street: City: State: Zip: Tel: Fax: I would like to occupy a single room at an additional $1499. I plan to share a twin-bedded room with: I would like Far Horizons to select a roommate (if available) to share a twin-bedded room with me. If not available, I understand that I will be charged the single supplement. Your reservation will be considered official only after your full payment has been received. Should you cancel after your reservation has been received, the cancellation penalties in the "Tour Conditions" apply. I/We have read and agree to the terms and conditions which apply to this tour, especially noting the cancellation and responsibility clauses. Signature: Date: