Itinerary

Friday, September 19

Depart the U.S.

Our spiritual adventure begins as we depart from the U.S. for our long-awaited destination!

Belfast

Saturday, September 20

Welcome to Belfast

Your Day Includes

  • Arrive Belfast (BFS or BHD) - you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel

Overnight

Titanic Hotel Belfast – Belfast

Queen’s University

Sunday, September 21

The Early Years

Your Day Includes

  • C.S. Lewis Square - the square features bronze sculptures inspired by characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a life size sculpture of C.S. Lewis, and a plaque which marks the spot of Lewis’ birth
  • Dundela Villas - although the original Dundela Villas are no longer standing, the area gives a glimpse into the birthplace and earliest memories of C.S. Lewis’ life
  • Little Lea - Lewis’ beloved childhood home, of which he wrote in his spiritual memoir, Surprised by Joy
  • St. Mark’s Church - C.S. Lewis’ family church and the location of his baptism in 1899, which houses the stained glass window dedicated to Lewis’ parents
  • Queen’s University Belfast - the alma mater of Flora Lewis, C.S. Lewis’ mother, and Northern Ireland’s largest university, this thriving campus includes botanical gardens, churches, coffee shops, and the C.S. Lewis reading room in the large McClay Library accessed through a wardrobe door
  • Crescent Church - a large sandstone church in the heart of Queen’s University referenced by Lewis in a reflection about his father
  • Upper Crescent and College Park - the two nursing homes where Albert Lewis, C.S. Lewis’ father, spent the last years of his life
  • The Narnia Trail - an enchanting walk in the Mourne Mountains of Rostrevor Forest, an area C.S. Lewis frequented on holiday and described as “…my idea of Narnia”

Overnight

Titanic Hotel Belfast – Belfast

Giant’s Causeway

Monday, September 22

Stories from the Sea

Your Day Includes

  • Dunluce Castle - the medieval castle that served as inspiration for Cair Paravel in Narnia, first introduced in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and later described in Prince Caspian
  • Giant’s Causeway - a unique geological formation of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that may have been inspiration for the giants of The Silver Chair
  • Titanic Quarter - the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, which explores this unique part of Belfast’s history
  • The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn - this historic inn was a favorite haunt of C.S. Lewis and the location of his honeymoon with his wife, Joy

Overnight

Titanic Hotel Belfast – Belfast

Kensington Gardens

Tuesday, September 23

The Orangery

Your Day Includes

  • Fly to London
  • Afternoon Tea in Kensington - a royally-inspired afternoon tea at The Orangery at Kensington Palace

Overnight

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge – London

London Eye

Wednesday, September 24

A Day in London

Your Day Includes

  • Free Day in London - step back in time at the Churchill War Rooms, admire the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, or ride an iconic double-decker bus as you enjoy a free day in this bustling city

Overnight

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge – London

Punting

Thursday, September 25

Surprised by Joy

Your Day Includes

  • Magdalene College - the college where C.S. Lewis held the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English for the last nine years of his life
  • G. David Bookseller - the very shop that captivated the attention of C.S. Lewis – perhaps pick up some inspiration of your own
  • Mill Lane Lecture Rooms - the lecture rooms where C.S. Lewis taught from 1955 – 1963
  • Magdalene Street and Bridge Street - this scenic route that C.S. Lewis took on his way to give lectures is lined with quaint shops and views of the River Cam
  • King’s Parade - a stroll down this famous street in the heart of Cambridge offers the opportunity to pass by popular bookstores and cafes as you enjoy the stunning architecture of the city
  • King’s College Chapel - built between 1446 and 1515, the grand chapel of King’s College is considered one of the finest examples of late Perpendicular Gothic English architecture and features the world’s largest fan vault
  • Punting - a unique tour of Cambridge as you go punting on the River Cam, a quintessential British experience dating back to the mid-1800’s
  • The Orchard Tea Garden - a historic tea garden a stone’s throw from Cambridge that has been serving visitors for over 125 years

Overnight

The Randolph Hotel – Oxford

Magdalen College

Friday, September 26

Into the Wardrobe

Your Day Includes

  • The Eagle and Child - also called “The Bird and Baby,” this pub was the typical gathering space of the Inklings, a group of writers who gathered to critique and encourage one another in their literary endeavors
  • Sheldonian Theatre - a theatre and gathering place for the University’s congregations and graduations, operating since 1669
  • Bodleian Libraries - the University of Oxford’s libraries which house more than 13 million items, including several of Lewis’ manuscripts
  • Picnic Cruise - a relaxing picnic lunch as you float down the River Thames and soak up the sights of the city
  • Magdalen College - the college grounds where C.S. Lewis was a Fellow and Tutor of English from 1925 to 1954 and wrote many of his most well-known books, including The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and the Narnia series.
  • Addison’s Walk - the path where C.S. Lewis considered the truth of Christianity as he strolled with J.R.R Tolkein and other members of the Inklings
  • University Church of St. Mary the Virgin - featuring the famous lamppost and lion’s head on the door, this church in the heart of Oxford is where Lewis gave several sermons
  • University College - the 13th century college where C.S. Lewis studied between 1917 and 1923

Overnight

The Randolph Hotel – Oxford

The Kilns

Saturday, September 27

Lewis' Oxford

Your Day Includes

  • Churchill Hospital - the hospital where Lewis married Joy Davidman during her battle with cancer
  • Holy Trinity Church - the church of the Lewis brothers where they worshipped for more than 3 decades and where they were laid to rest
  • The Kilns - the iconic home of C.S. Lewis where he lived for more than 30 years
  • Farewell Dinner - a special dinner to rejoice and reminisce over the extraordinary days spent together

Overnight

The Randolph Hotel – Oxford

Sunday, September 28

Homeward Bound

With heart-changing memories of our walk in the footsteps of history, we arrive back home. May we never be the same!

*Itinerary is subject to change. To best serve the group, the schedule may be altered or substitutions made at the discretion of your tour leader and guide.