Pre-Tour

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Pre-tour day 1: Tuesday, June 24, 2025: Flight to Edinburgh
We will set off today on our overnight flights to Edinburgh, Scotland. (IF)

Pre-tour day 2: Wednesday, June 25, 2025: Edinburgh
When we arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland, we will transfer to our centrally located hotel and store our bags before check-in. The afternoon is free for shopping, strolling down the Royal Mile, or visiting the Museum of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Art Gallery has a significant art collection with a strong Biblical message. We will have an optional excursion to the royal palace of Holyrood, where, in 1561, John Knox had discussions about Christianity with Mary Queen of Scots. Our welcome dinner is at our hotel this evening. (IF/D)

Pre-tour day 3: Thursday, June 26, 2025: Stirling, Oban
We will begin our day at Stirling, where we’ll tour the magnificent Stirling Castle, where Scottish Reformer George Buchanan educated James VI. Nearby is the Church of the Holy Rude, once a royal cathedral where John Knox preached for James VI’s baptism in 1566. We’ll then visit a distillery and sample some Scottish whisky before we continue to Oban and check in to our hotel. (B/D)

Pre-tour day 4: Friday, June 27, 2025: Mull and Iona Islands
A grand day awaits us as we sail to Mull and then to St Columba’s Island of Iona, which was founded in 563 by St. Columba (521-97) and was a leading center for Christian scholarship throughout Europe. After visiting the Abbey and spending some free time, we will return to Oban. Dinner is on our own to sample from many of the delicious restaurants. (B)

Pre-tour day 5: Saturday, June 28, 2025: Edinburgh
We will travel back to Edinburgh this morning with a coffee break at Loch Lomond. We will meet those on the main tour in the hotel.

Trip Itinerary

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1: Friday, June 27, 2025: Flight to Edinburgh
We will set off today on our overnight flights to Edinburgh, Scotland. (IF)

Day 2: Saturday, June 28, 2025: Edinburgh
When we arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland, we will transfer to our centrally located hotel and store our bags before check-in. In the afternoon, we will tour St. Giles Cathedral, where John Knox first preached in 1559. It was reported that “he was so active and vigorous it looked as if he was about to break the pulpit in bits and fly out of it.” We will also visit the John Knox House, Greyfriars Church, Magdalene Chapel, and the Royal Mile. Our guide will tell us about the Reformation in Edinburgh: John Knox, the Covenanters, and how the saints stood strong for Jesus and true doctrine. We will dine in a restaurant this evening. (B/D)

Day 3: Sunday, June 29, 2025: St. Andrews, Edinburgh
We will attend the 9:30 AM service at St. Giles Cathedral, before we take an excursion to St. Andrews, a spiritual center in Scotland, for centuries. St. Andrews University was third in significance during the Reformation after Oxford and Cambridge. In the now ruined castle, we will see the Bottle Dungeon, where George Wishart was imprisoned before being burned at the stake, and pause at his martyrdom site, also remembering fellow martyr Patrick Hamilton. St. Andrews Cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland but fell into ruin after John Knox’s sermon, which was inspired by Wishart’s martyrdom. We’ll see a monument to Robert the Bruce, the first king to unite the Scottish people, and the wide sandy beach made famous in the film Chariots of Fire. We will return to Edinburgh for a tour of Edinburgh Castle (B/D)

Day 4: Monday, June 30, 2025: Lindisfarne, Durham
Lindisfarne, known today as Holy Island, is a tidal island off the Northumbrian coast. St. Aidan was sent here as a missionary from Iona and established a monastery in around 630 AD. Vikings destroyed the original monastery, and monks fled from the island. The present Lindisfarne Priory is a dramatic ruin modeled after Durham Cathedral. This is where the famous Lindisfarne Gospels were produced. Even secular historians consider Lindisfarne “the most holy place in England.” After seeing the 16th century castle, we will continue on to Durham, voted “Best city in the UK by Condé Nast’s Traveler magazine readers. Durham Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and regarded as the finest Norman building in Europe. We will attend Evensong at the cathedral at 3:30 pm, then tour the cathedral. We will spend the night in Durham. (B/D)

Day 5: Tuesday, July 1, 2025: Whitby, York
We will begin our day by driving to Whitby, a delightful seaside town with the best fish and chips in the UK. After we’ve had time for lunch, we will visit Malton, Yorkshire’s food capital. This small town has become popular due to its independent shops, artisan producers, and sense of community. After spending time browsing, we will continue to York and dine together. (B/D)

Day 6: Wednesday, July 2, 2025: York
On our morning walking tour of York’s quaint old town, we will walk atop the ancient city walls, and visit York Minster Cathedral, the biggest medieval church in England. Christianity has an early heritage in York. By 306 when Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor in York, it is believed there was a small Christian community. In 312, he issued a general edict of toleration for the Christian Church, and York became a center of Christianity. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B/L)

Day 7: Thursday, July 3, 2025: Bedford, Oxford
In Bedford, we will learn more about John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, the Christian allegory considered the most widespread book of all time, second only to the Bible. Originally a poor, barely literate Tinker (mended pots and pans), he became a popular preacher and author. Pilgrim’s Progress was written while he was imprisoned for 12 years for preaching without a license from the Church of England. We will arrive in Oxford in time to enjoy Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, before a group dinner. (B/D)

Day 8: Friday, July 4, 2025: Oxford, London
Oxford is one of England’s famous university cities, with a rich reformation history. The early English reformer John Wycliffe was a professor at the university, and so was the famous Christian writer C.S. Lewis. Other well-known students included Bible translator William Tyndale and the great revivalist preacher George Whitefield, who was part of the “Holy Club” with Charles and John Wesley. Our walking orientation tour will include Christ Church College Cathedral and the Martyr Memorial. After time for lunch, we will drive to Hampton Court Palace, where James I commissioned the King James Version of the Bible during the Hampton Court Conference in 1604. We will continue to London and check into our hotel. We will dine in a restaurant this evening. (B/D)

Day 9: Saturday, July 5, 2025: Canterbury, London
Our tour of Canterbury will include the magnificent Cathedral, where we will hear about Thomas Becket’s murder in 1170 and see several royal tombs. The afternoon is free to explore this delightful town, take a boat ride on the river, or visit the ancient ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey. Canterbury also offers a Roman museum and a Canterbury Tales exhibit. We will return to London, and the evening is at leisure. Tickets for a West End play can be added. (B)

Day 10: Sunday, July 6, 2025: London
The morning is leisurely to attend the church of your choice or explore independently. In the afternoon, there is an optional (included) tour of the the Tower of London, including the magnificent Crown Jewels. We will sail down the Thames to Westminster Abbey, where most British Kings and Queens have been crowned since 1066. It’s the final resting place for many monarchs, heroes, and poets. We will join Evensong at 5:00 PM and then see fantastic views from the London Eye, before our final meal. (B/D)

Day 11: Monday, July 7, 2025: Depart
We will transfer to the airport to return to the USA. Additional days in London or other cities are available on request. (B/IF)

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

What are accommodations like?

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!

Edinburgh, Scotland
June 25-26, 2025
Radisson Blu Edinburgh
The Royal Mile, 80 High St.
Edinburgh EH1 1TH

Oban, Scotland
June 26-28, 2025
Knipoch House Hotel
Knipoch
Oban PA34 4QT

Edinburgh, Scotland
June 28-30, 2025
Radisson Blu Edinburgh
The Royal Mile, 80 High St.
Edinburgh EH1 1TH

Durham, England
June 30 – July 1, 2025
Ramside Hall Hotel
Ramside Hall, Carrville
Durham DH1 1TD

York, England
July 1-3, 2025
Radisson York
North Street
York, YO1 6JF

Oxford, England
July 3-4, 2025
Mercure Oxford Eastgate
73 High St.
Oxford OX1 4BE

London, England
July 4-7, 2025
Millennium Gloucester Hotel
4-18 Harrington Gardens
London, SW7 4LH

Arrival and Departure Transfers

Once the tour is a guaranteed departure our air team can assist you with booking flights and transfers. If you have booked your own flights, we can still provide transfers, as long as we have your flight details on file and a phone number to give to the driver. We will include your transfer information in your final packet. Transfers will be arranged for each arrival, so that you won’t have to wait for other tour members if their flight is delayed. Transfers can be arranged for the day of your choosing, but we can’t arrange transfers if you arrive or depart by train.

Please note that individual transfers are booked through a third-party and you will be responsible to communicate with the company in case of delays.

Flight Information

*Please do not book non-refundable flights until the tour is a guaranteed departure. Our air team will be happy to assist you with flights.

Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Edinburgh no later than 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 for the pre-tour, or Saturday, June 28 for the main tour.

Departure: You are welcome to depart from London at any time on Monday, July 7, 25, 2025.

Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.

What’s included in the tour price of $4,999 + air?

Scottish pre-tour is $1,499 per person.
The price is based on a minimum of 25 tour participants

Electronic Travel Authorization

Your Tour Includes

•   Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
•   Accommodations (double-occupancy) in 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
•   Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
•   All taxes and tips

Your Tour Does Not Include

•   Round-trip air transportation and related taxes and fees
•   Arrival and departure transfers
•   Single supplement ($1,560 for main tour, $600 for pre-tour)
•   Any meals not identified in itinerary
•   Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
•   Passenger trip cancellation insurance
•   Baggage handling (let us know if you need assistance)

Payment Schedule

•   The deposit of $350 per person is due at the time of booking through the registration system. As you register you will be given the option to pay by ACH (direct from your bank) or by credit card (3.5% fee). If you prefer, checks can be mailed to “Reformation Tours”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688.
•   Final invoices will be sent in February 2025
•   Final payment is due by March 26, 2025
•   Reservations will be accepted after March 26, 2025, subject to availability

Insurance

There are two levels of insurance offered. Click here to compare. When you fill out the registration form, you will be given quotes for both.

Standard is 4.55% of the trip cost and can be purchased up until 2 days prior to departure, although we recommend purchasing it before.

Enhanced is 7.6% of the trip cost and includes cancel for any reason benefits. It has to be purchased within 14 days of registration.

Cancellations

Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly, so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance:

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.

Terms and Conditions

Please click on the button below to register.

Register for Tour RSS25