SCOTLAND! With Pastor Wayne Alloway April 20-29, 2020 Dear Friends, St. Mark s United Methodist Church and Pastor Wayne Alloway are excited to invite you to join an exceptional tour to Scotland. Just a tad smaller than South Carolina and an enthralling destination for history lovers, culture fans, romantic souls, adventure seekers, and those just wanting to enjoy its unspoiled scenery and beauty, Scotland will take your breath away. A brew of stunning landscapes from the North Sea to the Irish Sea, from the Highlands to the Lowlands, you will be surprised with its large diversity for such a small place. Encompassing the northern part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has a rugged beauty, sometimes stark and often mysterious. Shimmering lochs and meandering canals, majestic mountains and glacial glens, craggy castles and lush woodlands, along with hundreds of islands... all included in this once-in-a-lifetime trip. The birthplace of Rabbie Burns and Harry Potter, golf, bagpipes, tartans, drams of whisky, scottish woolen sweaters and tweeds, steeped with a spectacular heritage...the Scottish are a proud nation, and no wonder: Scotland has fuelled the passions of artists, writers and adventurers for centuries. Now it s your turn to be inspired and we hope you will join us on this wonderful tour. Guaranteed is an investment in life that you will never forget. Sincerely, Pastor Wayne Alloway St. Mark s United Methodist Church Call Executive Travel s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited.
April 20, 2020 Monday Our wonderful adventure begins as we meet at St. Mark s United Methodist Church s parking lot to transfer to the Omaha airport for our overnight flight to Edinburgh. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you start your dream vacation. April 21, 2020 Tuesday - Edinburgh - Glasgow Welcome to Scotland! We are met by your guide and driver at Edinburgh Airport and we are off to Glasgow with some exciting stops along the way! First stop is The Kelpies, the largest equine sculptures in the world. Standing at 100 ft tall and weighing more than 300 tons each, the magical Kelpies are a man-made wonder and a feat of engineering. The works of art, created by artist Andy Scott, have become iconic on the landscape after being modelled from real-life icons of times gone by. Just a few minutes down the road is the Falkirk Wheel, the world s only rotating boatlift. The Falkirk Wheel is a magnificent, mechanical marvel which has been constructed to 21st century, state-of-the-art engineering. It is already being recognized as an iconic landmark worthy of Scotland s traditional engineering expertise. Make sure to take plenty of photos! Upon arrival to Glasgow we enjoy a walking tour highlighting Glasgow s outstanding architecture, as well as some free time for lunch in the city center. We will visit the famous Kelvingrove Gallery with the renowned Salvador Dali masterpiece Christ of St. John of the Cross. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. B (during flight) D April 22, 2020 Wednesday - Loch Lomond - Inveraray - Glencoe - Fort William After a hearty breakfast we will leave Glasgow and travel towards the Highlands. Stop at Loch Lomond to take a short cruise and appreciate the beauty of this famous loch. You won t find a bigger loch or lake in the whole of Britain and you ll have a hard time finding a more beautiful one, too. We continue to Inveraray and make a stop to wander around this picturesque town and enjoy some free time for lunch, before taking a tour of the romantic Inveraray Castle, an example of Scotland s finest stately homes. We continue on via Glencoe, one of the most beautiful and other-worldly places in Scotland. It s even featured in films such as James Bond s Skyfall and several Harry Potter movies. Dinner and overnight in the Fort William area. B D April 23, 2020 Thursday - Isle of Skye (optional: the Harry Potter Train) - Inverness This morning we will head to one of Scotland s largest islands: Isle of Skye, with great opportunities to stop for photos at the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle. Although now a ruin, this is one of the most important castles in Scottish history. We will also make a stop at the Glenfinnan Monument on the way to the ferry in Mallaig. Option: Board the Jacobite Train (the Harry Potter train ) from Fort William to Mallaig for a breathtaking experience (see separate insert to this tour brochure). Board the ferry from Mallaig to Skye. Visit the Clan Donald Centre near the ferry port, and discover 1500 years of history at the spiritual home of Clan Donald. Isle of Skye has countless ways to enchant you with its mountain ranges, miles of dramatic coastline, and captivating history. Drive through part of the island, enjoying a lunch stop on the way, and return to the mainland by bridge, stopping for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Then drive along the beautiful shores of Loch Ness, famous for its monster. We arrive at our hotel in Inverness in the late afternoon where we will later have dinner at our hotel. B D April 24, 2020 Friday - Balmoral Castle - Cairngorms National Park - Pitlochry Visit Culloden Battlefield in the morning, the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. We may have an opportunity to enjoy a sheepdog demonstration at a nearby farm, depending on the busy lambing season. We head south towards Pitlochry and make a stop at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore: 80 acres of living history
of this region. We stop to visit Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home to the royal family. We will enjoy a visit to the grounds, gardens and the Grand Ballroom. The castle also offers a great gift shop. Free time for lunch before we continue through The Cairngorms National Park, voted one of the top 20 places to visit in the World by National Geographic Traveller Magazine. Dinner and overnight in the charming riverside town of Pitlochry. B D April 25, 2020 Saturday - Blair Castle - Blair Athol Distillery Today we will visit the top two attractions of the nearby area. Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and home to Europe s last remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Highlights include the Victorian Ballroom which is decorated with 175 pairs of antlers, the Entrance Hall which features weapons used at the Battle of Culloden, the classic Georgian styling of the Picture Staircase and the grandeur of the Drawing Room and the State Dining Room. Next, visit Blair Athol Distillery, one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. After enjoying a leisurely conducted tour, you can mull over the distinctive character of the finished article as you sip your dram of 12 Year Old Blair Athol (tasting not included). Return to Pitlochry to spend the afternoon at leisure. Dinner is served in Pitlochry. B D April 26, 2020 Sunday - Glamis Castle - St. Andrews - Edinburgh Today we will make our way to the Scottish capital, but first explore Glamis Castle, the legendary setting for Shakespeare s Macbeth, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. Next, we head to St. Andrews and enjoy a panoramic tour of this fascinating city, known as the home of golf. You will also have the opportunity to visit the majestic ruins of St. Andrews Castle and Cathedral. Free time for lunch in St. Andrews. Arrive in Edinburgh in the afternoon. Tonight we enjoy a traditional Scottish Evening with great food (including a taste of haggis) and Scottish entertainment. B D April 27, 2020 Monday - Edinburgh Today we will explore Edinburgh and see the striking contrast between the Georgian New Town (which was actually new in the 18th century!), a marvel of urban planning with its wide streets and elegant architecture, and the medieval Old Town, which is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards, all amazingly well-preserved and steeped in the city s history. We will tour the famous Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring at your own pace. Splendid galleries and museums, as well as shopping along Princes Street and George Street, awaits! Option: Enjoy an exclusive, after-hours tour of Holyrood Palace, the Queen s official residence in Scotland! (see separate insert to this tour brochure). B April 28, 2020 Tuesday - Edinburgh This morning we take a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia as we follow in the footsteps of Royalty and explore this floating Royal residence. The Royal Yacht Britannia played host to some of the world s most famous people, but above all was home for the British Royal Family for over 40 years. The afternoon is free to continue exploring the city at your own pace. In the evening we will meet for a farewell dinner in a local pub to enjoy a 3-course dinner with a pint of beer. B D April 29, 2020 Wednesday - Traveling home All too soon, your vacation has ended. Transfer to Edinburgh airport in plenty of time to check in for our flight and clear security. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty-free stores before boarding and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States. Our private motor coach will transfer us back to Lincoln and St. Mark s United Methodist Church s parking lot. B Itinerary is subject to change. B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
To register contact: 1212 O Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: 402-435-8888 (ask for Group Department) Fax: 402-435-2735 GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com www.executivetravel.com ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK: executivetravel.com/st-marks-scotland-tour-2020 Package Price : Per person in shared double room: $2,595 Per person in single room: $3,495 (limited number of single rooms) We offer Pair & Share service. Ask us to assist finding your roommate! A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required upon signing up for the tour. Deposit can be paid by cash, check or credit card. Balance is due on January 21, 2020 and is non-refundable. Balance can be paid by cash or check. Credit card payment(s) (any payment applied to the tour after the deposit) will access a 3.5% processing fee. Please note: Optional tours are payable in full (nonrefundable) at the time of booking them. Limited space on the Harry Potter Train - first come, first served. We strongly recommend travel insurance, not only in the unfortunate event of cancellation prior to the departure, but also for full medical coverage while traveling in Europe. Base Plan coverage is offered from $171 per person (covers land up to a total of $3,000 per person). Please ask us for the details. Tour activities for this tour: Involves walking over relatively level terrain, some cobblestone, gravel and climbing some stairs (old castles). This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended. Air: Group airfare is offered by Executive Travel. We are able to reserve air by the beginning of June, 2019. All registered participants will be informed of the airfare once available and your travel insurance can be upgraded to include the airfare portion of the trip. The price quoted within this brochure is based on a GBP/USD exchange rate of 1.35 (1 GBP = 1.35 USD). We reserve the right to adjust the price at final payment if the exchange rate increases above $1.35. This tour will be materialized with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 50 travelers. Should the number fall below 40, all funds paid to Executive Travel will be refunded 90 days prior to departure. Included: 8 nights in Scotland Porterage at hotels 8 x full breakfast 7 dinners (incl. a Scottish evening and a pub dinner with 1 pint of beer) Welcome drink on day of arrival All motor coach (private) transportation as per itinerary Sightseeing program as per itinerary All admissions as per itinerary Professional tour manager and local guides during entire program Executive Travel tour escort All local taxes and fees as per September 24, 2018 Tour host, Pastor Wayne Alloway Not Included: Airfare Additional baggage fees (first checked bag FREE, 50 lbs) Travel insurance Gratuities for local tour manager and driver (estimate $5-$8 per day) Personal expenses Meals other than mentioned in tour program Beverages at meals other than mentioned in tour program Entrances to monuments and/or museums other than mentioned Professional fee, $75 per person, due at time of registration Anything not mentioned in the inclusions Accommodations: Local 3-star superior and 4-star hotels. Final accommodations will be confirmed 90 days prior to departure. Forwarding registration and deposit signifies that you agree to the terms and conditions of this tour which can be found at http://executivetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/terms-and-conditions.pdf Call Executive Travel s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited. 10/11/2018
Scotland Optional Tours Please sign up for the optional tours at time of registration. Space is limited. Once reserved, these excursions are non-refundable. Jacobite Steam Train ( Harry Potter Train ): On day 4, April 23rd, you may board the Jacobite Steam Train ( Harry Potter Train ) from Fort William to Mallaig for a breathtaking experience. You will cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument. The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view. Once you stop at Glenfinnan station, there will be time to stretch your legs and, if you wish, visit the West Highland Railway Museum located in the restored station building. The train departs Fort William at 10:15am and arrives in Mallaig at 12:25pm, a 41 mile long journey. If you chose to join the Jacobite Train, you will not see Old Inverlochy Castle. Standard class tickets: First class tickets: $70 per person $100 per person 1st class seats are more comfortable and larger than the standard seats, giving you extra leg room. The carriage is more luxurious than the standard carriages. First Class passengers will receive one complimentary tea/coffee. Homemade snacks are available from the buffet (cash bar available). A range of souvenirs are available from the souvenir shop on board. Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh: On day 8, April 27th, enjoy an exclusive after-hours tour of Holyrood Palace, the Queen s official residence in Scotland! A behindthe-scenes tour with an expert guide reveals the Palace s dramatic history, while explaining the fascinating work of the Royal Household that ensures the smooth running of garden parties, investitures, audiences and receptions. The tour finishes with a glass of champagne and you will also receive a souvenir guidebook. The tour starts at 6:30pm and finishes at 8:30pm. The Holyrood Palace is located within a lovely 10-minute stroll from our hotel. We will walk to and from the Holyrood Palace. This tour will be materialized at minimum group size of 25 pax. Price: $70 per person 10/10/2018
April 29, 2020 Wednesday - Edinburgh - London This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Waverley Station in Edinburg, where you will take the train to London Kings Cross. You will travel first class to enjoy at the fullest! The train journey is approximately 4.5 hours. Upon your arrival to Kings Cross Station, your hotel, Crowne Plaza Kings Cross, is only a short 10 min. walk away (taxi service available at the station). Check in to freshen up. Waiting at the hotel will be your London Travel Pass - why not start exploring the city right away! Within a short 5-10 minute walk of your hotel are two fantastic museums, it s a great way to start exploring the city. The Charles Dickens Museum, the Victorian family home of Charles Dickens in London, and where the author wrote Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby. It s where he first achieved international fame as one of the world s greatest storytellers. Visit the Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, to explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, Britain s first home for abandoned children. The evening is at leisure. B April 30, 2020 Thursday - Private tour After a hearty breakfast, you will be met by your expert local driver-guide and taken on a half-day tour of London. The panoramic tour will highlight all the most iconic monuments of London and will London Extension leave you full of ideas for the afternoon! London is one of the most famous cities and capitals in the world. Take a journey through a history that goes back hundreds of years mixed with the modern world. It will seem that you are in two places at once. Tour includes: changing of guards at Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, River Thames, Trafalgar Square, Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park and much much more. The rest of the day at leisure - using your London Travel Pass you have a whole host of London attractions to discover! B May 1, 2020 Friday - London Breakfast is served and off you go to explore more of London. Your London Travel Pass offers you free entry to the city s top attractions, including Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul s Cathedral, Kensington Palace, London Zoo, a Thames river cruise...and many more! You may also shop till you drop!, or enjoy the unique London pub culture with great homecooked food! B May 2, 2020 Saturday - Traveling home After enjoying breakfast, your vacation has come to an end. Transfer to London Heathrow for your return flight back home. You will have plenty of time to check in and clear security. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty-free stores before boarding and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. B Pricing: Per person in shared double room: $1,895 Per person in single room: $2,495 If you book the London Extension, we will make sure to adjust the recommended travel insurance premium and your airfare. Please ask us for the details. Included in the London extension package: 3 nights in London in a 4-star hotel (Crowne Plaza Kings Cross or similar)* 3 x breakfast at the hotel Private transfer from your hotel in Edinburgh to Waverley train station 1st class train ticket from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross station 3-day London Pass with Oyster Card (GBP 25.00 credit) A half-day (4 hours) driver-guide service for touring London on April 30, 2020 Private transfer from your hotel in London to London Heathrow airport *Final accommodation will be confirmed 90 days prior to departure. Not included: Gratuities for local driver-guide Meals other than mentioned Entrances to monuments and/or museums, besides what is offered by your London Travel Pass Anything not mentioned in the inclusions Itinerary is subject to change. B = Breakfast 10/10/2018