Leiden Harbor Ha'Penny Pier, Harwich St. Botolph's Church Lincoln Cathedral, viewed from the Castle Scrooby Church Gainsborough Old Hall Stratford-upon-Avon Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth Bayard's Cove Tudor House, Southampton London
Boston
Dartmouth
You are invited to join David Furlow and his wife Lisa Pennington on a 14-day Mayflower heritage tour to the Netherlands and England.
We will see some of the most important places in the history of American and Atlantic civilization. The places we will see and the experiences we will share are about faith, family and fortitude, about a group of people much like us who sought to build a new world and succeeded. We’ll visit the churches where they worshipped, see the places they lived and worked, and develop a sense of what they feared, hoped for and valued.
Highlights include:
A message from David and Lisa: In a sense we’ve been preparing for this teaching and sharing experience all our lives. In college David spent a year preparing summaries of all of the Great Power wars in Europe from 1500 to 1950 for use by the U.T. Government Department and the Department of Defense. That experience taught me about the religious wars that shaped the Pilgrims’ lives in the Netherlands, culminating in the Thirty Years War, beginning in 1618, that they sought to avoid by crossing the Atlantic. Read More
In law school, in 1983, we spent six weeks studying law at King’s College in the heart of London, where we first became familiar with many of the British churches, theaters, libraries, battlefields, houses and museums we’ll visit on this tour. We have both traveled back several times since, studying 16th and 17th century religious, political and economic history in Colchester, Ipswich, Norfolk, Boston, Lincoln, Nottinghamshire, Stratford, Bristol, and Southampton, while also working on History Channel documentaries broadcast in 2006 and 2016. During the past two decades we have published historical journals and spoken at historical, archaeological, and legal history conferences in ten states so we could understand the times and write a book about the Allerton and Brewster families. But we learned and published about the other Mayflower Pilgrims while doing so. Lisa has served as GSMD Executive Committee Member at Large since 2017 and Governor of the Houston Colony throughout the last decade. David was elected to the Board of Pilgrim Hall in 2018 and became a member in Plymouth’s Old Colony Club in 2019. He has recorded a podcast at Plimoth Plantation, presented Pilgrim programs at Pilgrim Hall, the Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, Plimoth Plantation, twice at the Jamestown Archaeological Conference, twice at the New Netherland Institute, three times at the Swedish American Museum, thrice at New Castle, Delaware Archaeological Symposia, once at the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Museum and once on the President’s Committee of the Society of Historical Archaeology at its Annual Meeting in Baltimore. They are both happy to recommend reading lists and show you both the Mayflower Pilgrims’ stories and the deep archaeology and history of the places we visit. Any questions? They will be happy to answer them and guide you to see wonderful things. David and Lisa Furlow
IF = In-flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Friday, June 10, 2022: Departure
We will depart from the USA today. Flight bookings and pre-tour arrangements can be made through Reformation Tours. (IF)
Day 2: Saturday, June 11, 2022: Arrival in Amsterdam, The Hague
On arrival in Amsterdam, we will travel to the Hague and check in to our hotel. In the afternoon, we will visit the American Pilgrim Museum (subject to availability), which tells the stories of the founders of New England. It features furnishings from Pilgrim times, as well as maps and engravings from the 16th and 17th century. The Pieterskerk was founded in 1121 and has a small exhibition about the Pilgrims. John Robinson is buried in this church and we will see his home nearby, marked with a plaque. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Sunday, June 12, 2022: Delfshaven, Scheveningen, The Hague
This morning we will visit the Pilgrim Fathers’ Church for the morning service (in Dutch) and then explore the harbor district, the departure point for the Speedwell. We will have a traditional Dutch lunch in Scheveningen, then return to The Hague. In the afternoon we will have a guided tour of the Mauritshuis to see stunning Dutch art including Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. The rest of the day will be at leisure. (B/L)
Day 4: Monday, June 13, 2022: Amsterdam, The Hague
We will take a day trip to Amsterdam today with a local guide. We will enjoy a narrated canal excursion, passing gabled warehouses, noble mansions, arched bridges, and colorful houseboats. We will have lunch together, then stroll through the Begijnhof, one of Amsterdam’s best-known almshouses. There will also be an option to visit the Anne Frank House (subject to availability). After some free time to explore, we will return to our hotel. (B/L)
Day 5: Tuesday, June 14, 2022: Leiden, Harwich, Colchester
We will take a morning flight to Stansted Airport, England and transfer to Harwich. This is the port town where Captain Christopher Jones was born and we will tour his house and the Guildhall, as well as the Ha’penny Pier. We will check in to our hotel in the Colchester area and dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)
Day 6: Wednesday, June 15, 2022: Colchester, Dedham
Colchester is England’s oldest recorded town and David Furlow will share about its fascinating history, with a particular emphasis on Queen Boudicca. The tour will include Colchester Castle. In the afternoon we will go to the delightful village of Dedham, made famous by the artist Constable. There will be an optional walk to nearby East Bergholt, of special interest to Allerton and Winslow descendants. It’s the perfect spot for afternoon tea, a walk along the river, or to browse the art galleries and boutique shops. We will dine in a restaurant this evening. (B/D)
Day 7: Thursday, June 16, 2022: Boston, Lincoln
Boston is a port town on the East coast. In 1607, a group of pilgrims walked 60 miles from Scrooby to Boston to meet a ship to take them to Holland. They were betrayed and instead of a new life, they were arrested and taken to the Guildhall. We will see the cells where they were held, as well as the new exhibit. St. Botolph’s Church, known as “Boston Stump,” is one of England’s largest parish churches. Rev. John Cotton urged members of his congregation to join the Massachusetts Bay Company, and he helped found the city of Boston in the 1630s. The Puritan Path leading to the church is in his honor. We will continue on to Lincoln and attend Evensong in the Cathedral. We will dine in our hotel in Lincoln. (B/D)
Day 8: Friday, June 17, 2022: Retford, Babworth, Scrooby, Gainsborough, Lincoln
This morning expert guide and researcher Sue Allan will take us on a tour of local sites that would have been very familiar to the Pilgrim Fathers. We will start at Babworth church where William Brewster and William Bradford came together under Richard Clyfton’s leadership. In nearby Retford, we will spend time at the newly opened Mayflower Gallery in the Bassetlaw Museum. We will view Scrooby Manor, Brewster’s home in Scrooby, as well as the village church. In Austerfield, we’ll enjoy lunch in the Mayflower Pub, then visit St. Helena’s church to see the font where Bradford was baptized and learn about his childhood. We will then continue on to Gainsborough, from where the Pilgrims set out on their final and successful escape attempt. We will tour the medieval Old Hall, home of a local puritan. After time to browse the excellent gift shop, we will return to Lincoln. (B/L)
Day 9: Saturday, June 18, 2022: Stratford-upon-Avon, Gloucester
After breakfast we will drive to Stratford-upon-Avon and have a tour of the top Shakespeare sites, such as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the Birthplace, and Trinity Church. Shakespeare was a contemporary of the Pilgrims and so it’s a good place to go to understand what their lives and language were like. We will then continue on to Gloucester to see the stunning Cathedral. The cloisters were used for filming scenes in Harry Potter. John Stafford Smith, the composer of the Star-Spangled Banner, was christened in this Cathedral. We will dine in a restaurant this evening. (B/D)
Day 10: Sunday, June 19, 2022: Plymouth
We will have breakfast in our hotel, then continue our drive to Plymouth. We will tour the city with a specialist guide who will tell the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the ship, and the voyage. We will view the Mayflower steps, the cobbled streets of the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, and have admission to the brand-new Box Museum. The evening will be at leisure. (B)
Day 11: Monday, June 20, 2022: Plymouth, Dartmouth, Winchester
After breakfast we will have a boat ride in Plymouth harbor, then travel to nearby Dartmouth, which is where the Mayflower and the Speedwell had to dock for repairs. The Pilgrims would still recognize the Tudor Bayard’s Cove Fort, St. Saviour’s Church, Smith Street and other areas around the waterfront. We will have some free time to explore on our own, before we continue on to Winchester, stopping along the way for an afternoon tea. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/AT/D)
Day 12: Tuesday, June 21, 2022: Southampton, London
Today, our local expert guide will take us on a guided walk describing Southampton as it would have been in 1620. We will hear about the provisioning of the Speedwell and Mayflower ships and see their departure point. This is now commemorated with a Pilgrim Fathers’ Memorial, which was unveiled in 1913. We will have a group lunch in the Tudor House and Garden, which existed at the time of the Pilgrims’ departure. We will continue on to London and check in to our hotel. The evening will be at leisure. (B/L)
Day 13: Wednesday, June 22, 2022: London
We will have a fabulous view of London from the London Eye this morning, followed by a round-trip cruise from Westminster Pier. The bus will then take us to lunch in the Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe. This used to be called the Shippe Inn and was well known to the crew of the Mayflower. We will see the original 1620s mooring point and we’ll have the opportunity to sign the Mayflower Descendants’ visitors’ book. The rest of the day will be at leisure. (B/L)
Day 14: Thursday, June 23, 2022: Departure day
After breakfast, we will travel to Heathrow, either as a group, or by separate transfers. Post-tour travel options are available. (B/IF)
Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!
The Hague, Netherlands
June 11-14, 2022
The Marriott
Johan de Wittlaan 30,
2517 JR Den Haag
Colchester England
June 14-16, 2022
St. Nicholas Hotel
High St.
Colchester, Essex
CO1 1DN
Retford, England
June 16-18, 2022
Best Western West Retford
24 North Rd
Retford DN22
Gloucester, England
June 18-19, 2022
Holiday Inn
Crest Way
Barnwood, GL4 3RX
Plymouth, England
June 19-21, 2022
The Crowne Plaza
Armada Way
Plymouth PL1 2HJ
Southampton, England
June 21-22, 2022
Jurys Inn
Charlotte Pl
Southampton SO14 0TB
London, England
June 21-23, 2022
Holiday Inn Bloomsbury
Coram St
London WC1N 1HT
Various flight booking options are available for this tour. We will offer a group air option if we have a minimum of 10 traveling together. Please read our printable guide to booking your flight to better understand these options.
Option 1: You may request a flight quote from us by filling out this form. Payment is due at the time of booking.
Option 2: You may book your own flights, making sure you arrive in Amsterdam by 10:00 AM on June 11, 2022. If you would prefer to arrive earlier, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel night in Amsterdam or The Hague. You are welcome to depart at any time on June 23, 2022. Please send us a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.
Please note that if you would like to use air miles you will need to book directly with the airline.
We can arrange pre- and post-tour nights, but due to the volume of tours in 2022, we are not able to arrange additional travel within Europe.
*Price based on a minimum of 30 participants.
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in 3-star and 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Guides will use Whisper Headsets throughout the tour
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• All transfers as a group
• Baggage handling when available (1 piece per person)
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below
• Pre-tour night in The Hague ($100 in double, $150 in single)
• Post-tour night in London ($150 in double, $285 in single)
• Round-trip air transportation (assistance available)
• Transfers, other than the main group transfers
• Single supplement
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Tips for tour director and driver
• Deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Please click here to pay by credit card or mail a check to Reformation Tours, 64 Fiesta Circle, St Louis, MO 63146
• Final invoices will be sent in February 2022
• Final payment is due on March 12, 2022
• Reservations will be accepted after March 12, 2022 subject to availability
We will continue to assist clients who have a current policy with Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company. Policies are now transferable to tours in 2021 and 2022.
If you don’t have insurance yet, we are now partnering with an award-winning company called Squaremouth, which helps travelers search, compare, and buy the best travel insurance for the lowest price. They offer excellent customer support and can help you find the best policy for your trip.
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs the following fees will apply, plus any non-recoverable expenses to our suppliers:
From time of deposit to until 3/11/2022: $100 plus non-refundable deposits
From 3/12/2022 – 4/10/22: $350 plus any non-refundable deposits
From 5/1/2022 no refunds guaranteed. Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour.
– Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period.
– For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply.
– Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.
– Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.
Reformation Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Reformation Tours.
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Please note that all travelers are required to be fully-vaccinated against Covid.
We look forward to welcoming you on the tour.
You can fill out your reservations online by clicking the “Book Now” tab
You can either send a check made payable to “Reformation Tours” to 64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146 or click here to pay by credit card (additional 3.5% fee).
We will continue to assist clients who have previously purchased Roam Right Insurance policies, which can be transferred to tours in 2021 and 2022. If you don’t have insurance, we are now offering clients the opportunity to compare and buy insurance directly:
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