This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, This earth of majesty . . .
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea . . .
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. "

--Shakespeare, from Richard II

Discover England & Scotland, June 29-July 9, 2009

Itinerary (for information beyond intinerary, contact Mr. Darling in Room C335 or at ext. 2253)

Day 1: Overnight flight to Great Britain

Day 2: Arrival in London; Walking tour of London -- Stroll through the heart of London on a walking tour that begins along the banks of the River Thames. These shadowy waters gave the city its name, which derives from Llyn-Dyn, Celtic for "city of the lake." Walk along the Strand and see the spot considered to be London's geographic center; all measurements of distances to London end here. Enter Trafalgar Square and pause at Nelson's Column, built to commemorate his 1805 victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. Continue to Leicester Square, where duelists once fought to the death. Then, saunter through London's tiny Chinatown. Your walk ends at the chic Covent Garden, where you'll enjoy watching street performers (or "buskers") amuse the crowds. (The exact walking route may vary, depending on your hotel location and the day's other activities.)

Day 3: Guided sightseeing of London -- A local guide leads you on a panoramic tour of London. Begin in Grosvenor Square, which is sometimes called "Little America" because it's the site of the U.S. embassy. Continue to Hyde Park Corner, located at the southeast corner of Hyde Park, one of London's largest parks. At Piccadilly Circus, the intersection of five busy streets, check out the bright lights and big-city displays, before heading to Trafalgar Square. Pass Speaker's Corner, where anyone with something to say is invited to speak his or her mind. Snap a photo of the Houses of Parliament and continue along London's South Bank for views of the famous Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Stroll across the Millennium Bridge for an orientation of St. Paul's Cathedral, the magnificent 17th-century Baroque church designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Finally, witness a London tradition -- the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (subject to scheduling). Then, journey to Windsor Castle for a guided tour of the Royal Family's retreat. Begun by William the Conqueror in 1070, the castle has undergone many renovations over the past 800 years, as each new monarch has added a tower here and a wing there. Legend holds that the castle's Round Tower was built on the site where King Arthur sat with his Knights of the Round Table. Priceless objects reside in the State Apartments, ranging from paintings by Rubens and Holbein to Henry VIII's sword and suit of armor. Time permitting, visit Queen Mary's dolls' house and St. George's Chapel, final resting place of many monarchs, including Henry VIII and Charles I. On the rare occasion that Windsor Castle is closed, you'll instead visit Henry VIII's extravagant retreat at Hampton Court.

Day 4: Optional excursion to Stonehenge and Bath -- This full-day guided excursion takes you through the English countryside to visit two historical landmakrs that together span 4,000 years of English history. First, you'll visit Stonehenge, England's most mysterious landmark. The origin and purpose of this ring of stones, which dates from the Neolithic period, is unknown, though most believe it to have been a temple and observatory. Before returning to London, you'll also visit Bath, famous for its Georgian architecture, a lasting reminder of the world described in so many Jane Austin novels. This spa was a favorite vacation spot of early Romans and 18th-century English aristocracy alike. Visit the Roman baths, built by the Romans in the 1st century to enjoy the hot spring, and today these baths remain the finest Roman ruins in Britain. You'll also have free time in London on this day.

Day 5: London-Stratford Region -- Travel through the Chiltern Hills to ivy-draped Oxford. A mecca of learning for more than 800 years, Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Alumni include 14 prime ministers, and President Bill Clinton spent a term there as well. Walk through the peaceful quads and cloisters of Brasenose College, and gaze up at the town's "dreaming spires." You'll also tour Stratford-on-Avon, home of William Shakespeare. Step back into the home in which the Bard was born, as well as peruse the gardens of the Anne Hathaway Cottage, a picturesque thatched farmhouse where Shakespeare's wife spent her childhood.

Day 6: Stratford Region and Yorkshire -- Continue through "James Herriot country," the pastoral landscapes of Yorkshire. Arrive in York, an ancient town that once served as a Viking stronhold. Stroll along York's 14th-century medieval defense walls that encircle the city. Pass by Clifford's Tower, an imposing stone fortification and one of the last remaining structures of York Castle. Continue on through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the Old Town and venture down the Shambles, a street that was bustling meat market in 14th-century York. You'll see Great Britain's largest Gothic cathedral, York Minster. Constructed between 1220 and 1470, the Minster stands as a testament to medieval faith. Gaze up at the vaulted ceilings and stone pillars as you tour the cavernous interior of the cathedral. The Minster's east window, which depicts the beginning and end of the world in 100 individual scenes, is the largest piece of medieval glass in the world.

Day 7: Yorkshire and Edinburgh Region -- Enroute to Edinburgh, stop at Housesteads, site of one of the best-preserved forts along Hadrian's Wall. Emperor Hadrian visited England in A.D. 122 and ordered that a wall be build to prevent attacks from Scotland. It took the Romans only four years to complete the massive structure, which stretches from Bowness-on-Solway in the west to Wallsend-on-Tyne in the east. The wall also served as the northern border of the far-reaching Roman Empire, a border which spanned nearly 2,500 miles during the time of Hadrian.

Day 8: Edinburgh Region -- Enjoy a sightseeing tour that offers panoramic views of Edinburgh's New Town, constructed in the 18th century during a time of rapid expansion, known as the "Scottish Enlightenment." See Charlotte Square, the center of New Town, then pass by the homes of Alexander Graham Bell and Robert Louis Stevenson. View a monument to Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. Then, visit Calton Hill, which offers splendid views of the Firth of Forth to the Lomond Hills of Fife. Pass the Palace of Holyroodhouse, still the Royal Family's official residence in Scotland, and the city's monument to Lord Nelson. The guided tour also includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Situated atop an extinct volcano, the castle is the enduring symbol of Scotland's capital and home to many of the nation's storied events. Ownership of the fortress changed hands on numerous occasions over the centuries, from Scottish to English and back again. Mary, Queen of Scots, gave birth in the castle to James VI of Scotland, who would later rule England as James I. Enter the castle through the Esplanade and see the Stone of Scone, the coronation stone that was returned to Scotland in 1997 after 700 years of English possession. You'll also see tiny St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest part of the castle, dating back to the 11th century. You'll stroll down the Royal Mile and through Old Town of Edinburgh, a historic and romantic jumble of medieval buildings. As you make your way along the Royal Mile, the narrow alleyways -- known as closes -- will give you a real sense of what it was like to be a resident of Edinburgh in centuries past. You might be surprised to learn that Edinburgh provided the setting for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and that a local resident inspired the plot. Stroll down Princess Street, see the city's monuments to Sir Walter Scott, pass by the National Gallery of Scotland and the High Kirk of St. Giles, a historic cathedral built in the 12th century. Partake in a traditional Scottish Ceilidh featuring haggis, neeps and tatties, as well as authentic Scottish sword dancing.

Day 9: St. Andrews, Edinburgh Region -- Fore! If towns grow better with age, St. Andrews, the home of golf, might be Scotland's finest. It boasts a 13-century cathedral and castle, Scotland's oldest university (founded in 1410-11), and the famed St. Andrew's Links, where golf has been played since 1400. You'll see all of these venerable sights on the guilded walk. In the evening, take a guided Ghost Walk. Learn about some of Edinburgh's scariest moments in history -- complete with apparitions and visits from the grave -- as you wander through the winding streets of Old Town.

Day 10: Stirling Castle, The Trossachs -- Recall the long-ago days of Braveheart and Rob Roy on our excursion into the Scottish countryside. Drive up the Firth of Forth to Stirling's crag-top castle. Here, James VI once lived (along with three other royal Jameses). Stop at the William Wallace visitor center. Long before he was portrayed by Mel Gibson in Braveheart, William Wallace was a Scottish national hero. Pass through the scenic mountains and lochs of the Trossachs, gateway to the Scottish Highlands. You'll also see the banks of Loch Katrine, setting for Sir Walter Scott's The Lady of the Lake.

Day 11: Return home from Glasgow.