England and Wales 2008 Itinerary

Roads to Appalachia through England and Wales
June 19-30, 2008

Day 1, Thursday, June 19 - Departure from Washington-Dulles airport on Virgin Atlantic #56 at 10:22 p.m. Dinner and Breakfast on board

Day 2, Friday, June 20 - Arrival London-Heathrow airport at 11:20 a.m. local time. Transfer to the BRITISHMUSEUM to see the Rosetta stone, Elgin marbles, and Egyptian mummies. Arrival at hotel late afternoon for check-in; Early dinner at hotel; Optional theater tickets to see Billy Elliot. Independent transfers to/from theater via the London Tube.

Day 3, Saturday, June 21 - Departure from London to WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL and the GREAT HALL of Winchester (Arthur's Round Table). On our way to the city of Bristol, we try to figure out the mystery of prehistoric STONEHENGE. Overnight in either Bristol or Bath (FB D)

Day 4, Sunday, June 22 - Travel through "King Arthur Country" to visit Glastonbury, Somerset, the supposed last resting place of King Arthur, and Cheddar Gorge with its caves and limestone cliffs. Also, we will visit the Roman Baths and sites in Bath, plus the SomersetRuralLifeMuseum. (FB D)

Day 5, Monday, June 23 - Early morning departure to visit TINTERN ABBEY, the magnificent Cistercian Abbey immortalized by the poet, Wordsworth. We continue to Bleanavon where we visit the BIG PIT COAL MUSEUM. Next, we enjoy a guided tour of TREDEGAR HOUSE, set in a beautiful ninety acre park. It is one of the best examples of a 17th century Charles II mansion in all of Britain. It is the ancestral home of the early Morgans of western Virginia. Our final stop on this busy day is in Caerleon to visit the ROMAN LEGIONNARY AMPHITHEATRE, otherwise known as "King Arthur's Round Table." Overnight in Cardiff or Newport (FB D)

Day 6, Tuesday, June 24 - Morning transfer to St. Fagan's National History Museum with afternoon for Welsh cultural and genealogical research (These research arrangements will be made by Dr. Judy Byers and Noel W. Tenney of the Gabor WV Folklife Center at Fairmont State University for the university students and other interested researchers). All other tour participants will have a full afternoon of leisure in Wales. Tonight, WELSH EVENING banquet with wine and entertainment included in this uniquely Welsh experience. Tour of CARDIFFCastle is also included. (FB D)

Day 7, Wednesday, June 25 - Full day's excursion to Swansea, birthplace of Dylan Thomas, the national poet of Wales. Visit the SWANSEAMUSEUM and the NATIONALWATERFRONTMUSEUM. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (FB D)

Day 8, Thursday, June 26 - Travel to Aberystwyth to see the University of Wales. Time is allowed to visit the campus. Travel through the beautiful countryside on our way to Chester, England. Overnight and dinner in Chester (FB D)

Day 9, Friday, June 27 - This morning depart for SnowdoniaNational Park. VisitCAERNARFONCASTLE and travel on the scenic FFESTINIOG RAILWAY between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog before returning to Chester for overnight. (FB D)

Day 10, Saturday, June 28 - Depart for Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit ANNE HATHAWAY'S COTTAGE, SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE and HOLYTRINITYCHURCH where Shakespeare is buried. This evening we see a performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" at the GLOBE THEATRE. Dinner and overnight in Stratford (FB D)

Day 11, Sunday, June 29 - This morning's focus is on Oxford, city of dreaming spires, where a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain's elite receive their outstanding education. VisitCHRISTCHURCHCOLLEGE to admire the architecture of Christopher Wren (subject to availability) Continue on to London where our farewell dinner and cruise awaits us. Tonight, a TASTE OF LONDON This guided evening excursion includes a tasty four-course dinner with wine at a first class restaurant near the famous TowerBridge. Following dinner is an illuminated cruise on the River Thames, taking in many well-known landmarks. (FB D)

Day 12, Monday, June 30 - Departure around 9:00 a.m. for a guided sightseeing tour of the city. Included in this tour are the famous landmarks of Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey. A visit to ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL is included. We end our tour by visiting Prime Minister Brown's house at 10Downing St. and Whitehall's mounted horse guards. After our tour, we transfer to London-Heathrow airport for check-in with Virgin Atlantic. Flight #55 departs at 5:30 p.m. arriving in Washington-Dulles at 8:55 p.m.