C.S. Lewis Study Program
Canterbury Cathedral Christ Church, Oxford Stratford-upon-Avon Martyr's Memorial
Students from Virginian Wesleyan University are invited to join the C.S. Lewis Summer Study Program led by Professor Terry Lindvall. According to C. S. Lewis, the task of the modern educator is “not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” Our pilgrimage to Canterbury, Oxford, and beyond seeks to awaken the imagination of students who will see literature come to life and the past spring into their present experience. Touring the various colleges of Oxford, students will vicariously taste the lives of Lewis, Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, and many other very odd characters as they wander down alley ways, through wardrobes, into rabbit holes, and through secret gardens (not to mention pubs and inns on the Thames). Our study is on the faith and literature of one of the greatest University towns of history and to come away refreshed, renewed, and transformed by those who encountered God and translated His grace through words and images. As Yeats mused, “I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember.” We hope to irrigate the deserts of parched imaginations and enjoy the fruit of dreaming of Oxford spires and merry wanderings through Middle Earth.
Professor Lindvall has occupied the C. S. Lewis Chair of Communication and Christian Thought at Virginia Welseyan College, since 2006. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, his MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary, and his BA in Literature/Biology from Vanguard University; he has taught at Azusa Pacific University, Wheaton College, and Regent University. He was also a Visiting Professor at Duke University School of Divinity and the Walter Mason Fellow in Religious Studies at the College of William and Mary.
Day 1: Saturday, March 16, 2019: Depart
We will leave Norfolk, VA for our overnight flights to London. (IF)Day 2: Sunday, March 17, 2019: Canterbury, Oxford
On arrival in Heathrow, we will board our bus and travel to Canterbury, where we’ll attend the Sung Eucharist at the Cathedral. This is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. We will explore the cathedral after the service, then enjoy a group lunch. in the afternoon we will have a guided tour of Canterbury, then continue on to Oxford and check-into our hotel. (IF/L)Day 3: Monday, March 18, 2019: Oxford
We will begin our first full day in Oxford with a tour of Christ Church College and the Bodlian Library. Lunch will be at the Turf Taven and the rest of the day is at leisure. In the grounds of the Magdelene college is a picturesque footpath called Addison Walk. C. S. Lewis would walk along this path by the river in conversation with J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson, which played a significant role in him coming to faith. (B)Day 4: Tuesday, March 19, 2019: Headington, Oxford
C. S. Lewis lived in the Kiln’s in Headington with his brother and we will tour his home. This is now the C.S. Lewis Study Centre at The Kilns and is a place of Christian hospitality, study, reflection and learned conversation between Christian scholars, artists, and laity the world over. We will also visit Holy Trinity Church nearby where the Lewis brothers worshipped for over 30 years. Inside the church, designed by the celebrated architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, we will see the Narnia Window. We will have lunch together, then tour Magdalene College, followed by the Botanical Gardens. Our evening meal will be at the Eagle and Child Pub. (B/D)Day 5: Wednesday, March 20, 2019: Oxford
We will begin the day with lectures. In the afternoon we will have a guided tour of colleges in Oxford, including Merton, New, Somerville and Balliol. We will walk to the Trout Pub in the evening and transfer back to the hotel. (B)Day 6: Thursday, March 21, 2019: Stratford-upon-Avon
Today’s day trip is to Stratford-upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare. We have tickets to the matinee The Taming of the Shrew, in the Royal Shakespeare Theater. We will have free time to enjoy Stratford-upon-Avon before we return to Oxford. (B)Day 7: Friday, March 22, 2019: Oxford
Oxford is the setting for many well-known fictional stories, such as Morse, Inspector Lewis, etc. We will see places from popular TV shows, as well as Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter sites. We’ll then have a pleasant time punting on the river. In the afternoon we will visit the Ashmolean Museum, which was founded in 1683. The world-famous collections range from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art, telling human stories across cultures and across time. Dinner tonight will be in the Head of the River Pub. (B/D)Day 8: Saturday, March 23, 2019: Return
We will transfer to Heathrow for our return flights to Norfolk. (B)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!
Oxford, England
March 17-23, 2019
Royal Oxford Hotel
Park End Street
Oxford OX1 1HRGroup flights on American Airlines are included for this tour.
Flight No. Date From To Departs Arrives AA 3846 March 16 Norfolk JFK 1:57 PM 3:26 PM AA 100 March 16/17 JFK Heathrow 7:40 PM 6:50 AM AA 731 March 23 Heathrow Charlotte 12:30 PM 5:50 PM AA 5369 March 23 Charlotte Norfolk 7:50 PM 8:54 PM What’s included in the land and air price of *$2,700?
*Price based on a minimum of 20 participants
Your Tour Includes
• Air transportation and related taxes and fees from Norfolk, VA
• Ground transportation: via private, deluxe air-conditioned motor coach
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in centrally located 3-star hotel
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Entrance fees included as per itinerary
• All transfers, as a group
• All taxes and tips except as indicated belowYour Tour Does Not Include
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Single supplement ($500)
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Optional Insurance (group insurance available)
• Gratuities for driverPayment Schedule
Payments for this tour will be made through Virginia Wesleyan University.
Insurance
We offer the Professional Plan offered by Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company. We include $500 coverage in your tour price and you are welcome to upgrade to cover the full tour premium. The cost of the tour insurance is the tour cost (minus $500) x 6.14%. A quote will be automatically be added to your invoice.
BENEFITS TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE
Trip Cancellation Up to 100% of Trip Cost Trip Interruption Up to 150% of Trip Cost Trip Interruption (Return Air Only) $750 Missed Connection $500, after a 3+ hour delay Trip Delay $200 a day, after a 6+ hour delay, up to $1,000 total maximum Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains $500,000 Emergency Accident and Sickness $50,000 max/$750 max for dental/ No deductible Security Assistance Services $100,000 Baggage / Personal Effects - Lost, Stolen or Damaged No deductible, $250 per article limit, combined limit of $500 for valuables, $1,000 total limit. Baggage Delay $300, after a 12+ hour delay Accidental Death or Dismemberment 24 Hours $10,000 Worldwide Travel Assistance, Business and Concierge Assistance Included Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Waiver (Must insure full, non-refundable cost of Trip) Must be purchased within 21 days after your initial trip deposit. Cancellations
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 100 days before departure: $100
From 99-15 days prior to departure: $350 plus any non refundable deposits
14 days or less prior to departure: No refund– 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.Please note this is a private tour for students at Virginia Wesleyan University.
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