Historic Highlights Tour

Enjoy fantastic sites and breathtaking views while traveling with Alumni & Friends of Olivet in late July 2026.

Jul 26 – Aug 6

England & Scotland

Alumni, Travel With Olivet


Register

July 26 – August 6, 2026

Travel With Olivet

Take in the rich history and traditions of England and Scotland while making the occasional stop at some of the most formative sites in Christian heritage. We will get a glimpse of many formative moments of our faith in retracing our protestant heritage in the UK. Enjoy fantastic sites and breathtaking views while traveling with Alumni & Friends of Olivet.

We will be guided through the UK by Ann Carr who draws on thirty years of experience and tourism. Her travel mantra is inspired by the final lines of the poem Leisure: “A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.” We are also honored to have Dr. Kent & Beth Olney joining the group. Dr. Olney will provide commentary and insights into the life of John Wesley and provide moments of spiritual teaching during our tour. Dr. Olney is an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and is Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Olivet.

This trip will sell-out quickly, so register online today. For questions, call 815-939-5258 or email alumni@olivet.edu.

Tour Highlights:

  • Edinburgh Castle – Explore Scotland’s iconic hilltop fortress with sweeping city views.
  • Royal Mile – Stroll Edinburgh’s historic street stretching from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with shops, and centuries of Scottish history.
  • Palace of Holyroodhouse – Visit the official Scottish residence of the monarch at the end of the Royal Mile, featuring historic royal chambers and abbey ruins.
  • Giles’ Cathedral – Visit Edinburgh’s historic cathedral with its beautiful stained glass and rich history.
  • Historic Hotels – Stay in iconic properties full of character and history, including The Royal Horseguards Hotel and Manor House Hotel.
  • Changing of the Guard – Watch the traditional ceremony at Buckingham Palace with music and marching guards.
  • Westminster Abbey – Tour the historic church of coronations, royal weddings and famous tombs.
  • Windsor Castle – Visit the world’s oldest occupied castle, featuring royal state rooms and St. George’s Chapel.
  • Afternoon Tea – Enjoy a classic British tea with sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
  • Sung Eucharist at St. Paul’s – Experience a worship service inside London’s famous cathedral.
  • S. Lewis Sites – Discover locations connected to the author of The Chronicles of Narnia.
  • John Wesley Sites (Oxford & London) – Visit meaningful locations tied to the life and ministry of John Wesley.
  • Bunhill Cemetery – Visit the resting place of writers like John Bunyan and Daniel Defoe.
  • Oxford Tour – Stroll through the historic university city known for its architecture and academic legacy.
  • Blenheim Palace – Tour the grand birthplace of Winston Churchill with stunning gardens and interiors.
  • Cotswold Villages – Explore charming countryside villages known for stone cottages, historic churches, rolling hills and timeless English character.

Lodging:

  • Edinburgh | Monday, July 27 – Thursday, July 30
    • Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club: Edinburgh, Kirknewton EH27 8EB, UK
  • London | Thursday, July 30 – Monday, August 3
    • The Royal Horseguards Hotel: 2 Whitehall Ct, London SW1A 2EJ, UK
  • Moreton-in-Marsh | Monday, August 3 – Thursday, August 6
    • The Manor House Hotel: High St. Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0LJ, UK

Cost & Additional Information

The total trip cost is $5,950 per person (double occupancy). Includes tour transportation, hotels, all meals, gratuities and more. Estimated flight cost of $1,194 per person.

Single occupancy supplement of $2,150.

For best assistance, inquiries or to request a call, please email eproehl@olivet.edu. You may call or text Erinn Proehl at 740-352-4278.

To contact the Office of Alumni Relations, please call 815-828-5553 or email alumni@olivet.edu.

Terms & Conditions

Itinerary

Day 1: Sunday, July 26: Group Flight
The group will depart in the afternoon for a flight from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Edinburgh Airport.

Day 2: Monday, July 27: Flight Arrival, Panoramic Tour, Palace of Holyroodhouse
We will head straight into the heart of Scotland’s capital to enjoy this hilly and historical city. We start with brunch at Luckenbooth’s in the center of Old Town. After our Full Scottish Breakfast, we will take a orientation walk, rambling down the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scotland residence of His Majesty The King of England. We finish outside of the city at our castle stay to check-in before enjoying a bagpipe concert and dinner.

Meals: Brunch & Dinner

Day 3: Tuesday, July 28: Panoramic Tour, Free Time, Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral
We start the day with the Panoramic Tour of Edinburgh. We will enjoy time & lunch on your own or an optional house tour of Scottish Reformer & Father of Presbyterianism, John Knox. We make our ascent to visit Edinburgh Castle, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age. Scotland’s crown jewels are among some of the national treasures on display. St. Giles cathedral, founded in 1124 by King David I, has been a working church for almost 900 years. It was the center of the Scottish Reformation as John Knox’s Parish Church. John Knox was a Scottish minister and father of Presbyterianism. We will enjoy another Scottish meal at Howie’s Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Wednesday, July 29 : Royal Yacht Britannia, North Berwick
Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia is the formal royal yacht of the British monarchy. She was in their service from 1954 until 1997. Follow in the footsteps of Royalty through the state apartments, see Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite room, and discover the below decks of the Crew’s Quarters. In the afternoon, travel to the coastal town of North Berwick, where you’ll enjoy a scenic cruise along the Firth of Forth. Experience the dramatic coastline and visit Bass Rock, home to thousands of nesting gannets, along with other seabirds in their natural habitat.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Thursday July 30: Mid-day flight to London from Edinburgh, Panoramic Tour, Covent Garden
After our final morning in Scotland, we make our way to London for our next four nights. The group will travel by plane and arrive in London in the afternoon. We will take a short panoramic tour of London before checking in to our historic hotel. Taking a short, orientation walk, we will end the day with Dinner in Covent Garden at the Palm Court Brasserie.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Friday, July 31: Buckingham Palace, Changing of the Guard, Free Time
We will make haste with our visit in London starting with the Changing of The King’s Guard near Buckingham Palace. We will then slip inside Buckingham Palace for a guided tour of the State Rooms. You will be standing in awe of the White Drawing Room, Throne Room, Ballroom, Grand Staircase and more. You will then have free time in London to visit Churchill War Rooms, take a bus tour, enjoy a play in the West End, or rest.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Saturday, August 1: Museum of Methodism, Westminster Abbey
Starting the day at the Bunhill Field Cemetery where John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, Susanna Wesley, & Isaac Watts are buried. After the cemetery we cross the street to the Museum of Methodism where we take an in-depth look at the life of John Wesley. Wesley’s Chapel was built by John Wesley in 1778 as his London base. The chapel is considered the Mother Church of the World of Methodism and has a thriving, cosmopolitan congregation. Charles Wesley’s organ is in the “new” Foundry Chapel. Wesley’s house is open for viewing and is a snapshot of day-to-day life in Wesley’s time. Following this uplifting time together we have a quick lunch and visit Westminster Abbey, a royal church in the center of London with over a thousand years of history. It is a stunning example of Gothic architecture replete with soaring buttresses and beautiful stained-glass windows. We will stay at Westminster Abbey for the Evensong service. Afterwards we walk to our Fish & Chip Dinner at The Clarence.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Sunday, August 2: Sung Eucharist at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London
We join in with others this morning for the Sung Eucharist service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Considered the grandest of services at St. Paul’s cathedral with music from the choir, sermon, and communion. Following the service together, we will enjoy the traditional Sunday Roast before visiting the Tower of London. From the Crown Jewels to the infamous Tower ravens, we will experience the history of where it all happened at the iconic tower. The tower has played a prominent role in English history. You will tour the grounds on your own or with one of the Yeoman Warders, more famously known as Beefeaters.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Monday, August 3: Windsor Castle, The Cotswolds
We will make an early start for the Cotswolds, renowned for its wealth of picturesque villages, each one with its own unique character and architectural splendor. On the way, we will stop at a tour highlight, Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century it has been the home of 40 monarchs. St. Georges chapel was founded in the 14th century by King Edward III. Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Princess Margaret, and George VI are buried in the King George VI memorial chapel. After our visit to Windsor Castle, we will head to the thriving market town Moreton-in-Marsh for our manor stay and welcome dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Tuesday, August 4: Cotswold Village Tour – Free Day
Take your time in the morning and perhaps enjoy a stroll through broad High Street (under your feet is the Fosse Way, a major roman road from the south coast to Lincoln). We will hop from village to village today or perhaps enjoy time on your own in Stratford or other places nearby.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Wednesday, August 5: Oxford
After a stop in another picturesque Cotswold village, we head to Oxford for a tour of the university and town. Founded in the 8th century, the town is home to University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. We will have a time of reflection in the Wesley Memorial Church before our walking tour of Oxford. We will visit sites frequented by the likes of C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and John Wesley. Following our time in Oxford, we return to the Manor House Hotel for a celebration dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12: Thursday, August 6: Departure
The group will depart for London’s Heathrow Airport.

Meals: Breakfast