The Chronicles of C.S. Lewis Tour

May 13, 2025 – Tuesday (BELFAST)

• Arrival in Belfast: Today you are free to relax or time permitting, explore sights in this city including the Titanic Museum.
• We will meet you at Fitzwilliam Hotel for check in.
• Dinner will be on your own.
• Overnight in Belfast

May 14, 2025 – Wednesday  (BELFAST)

After breakfast we will visit many important Lewis sites including:

• C.S. Lewis Square
• Mark’s Church and Rectory, Dundela – Lewis’ grandfather’s church
• Dundela Avenue – early childhood home location
• Drive by Little Lea – Lewis’ childhood home
• Campbell College, where Lewis attended
• Lunch: The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn, where Lewis often stayed
• We will end our day driving by the Customs House and other places of interest in Belfast
• Return to hotel for dinner and overnight in Belfast

May 15, 2025 – Thursday (BELFAST)

Today after breakfast we will:

• Drive along the beautiful Antrim Coast, a favorite of Lewis
• Visit Magheracross viewpoint for lovely picture of Dunlace Castle
• Tour the ruined medieval Dunluce Castle, which inspired Cair Parival in Narnia
• Lunch: Old Inn, Bushmills
• Visit the Giant’s Causeway, the 4th greatest natural wonder in UK
• Experience the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Return to hotel for dinner and overnight in Belfast

May 16, 2025 – Friday (BELFAST/DUBLIN)

After breakfast we will:

• Take a scenic drive through South Downs
• Visit St. Patrick’s grave
• Drive to Mourne Mountains
• Hike to Cloughmore Stone and C.S. Lewis Bench (1.5 miles) for Narnia view
• Lunch: Rostrevor Inn, where Lewis’ family often stayed
• Walk Narnia Trail in Rostrevor
• We will end our day driving to Dublin for overnight.
• Dinner at Clontarf Castle
• Free night in Dublin
• Overnight Dublin

May 17, 2025 – Saturday (DUBLIN/LONDON/OXFORD)

This morning after breakfast, we will leave for Dublin Airport for flight to London. We will then travel by bus to the beautiful medieval city of Oxford.

• Lunch: Eastgate Hotel, a favorite of Lewis
• Visit Lewis’ church, Holy Trinity Church and Lewis’ grave
• The Kilns – C.S. Lewis House
• Oxford, United Kingdom
• Overnight in Oxford

May 18, 2025 – Sunday (OXFORD)

Today after breakfast we will visit more significant sites in Oxford including:

• The Kings Arms, Eagle and Child, The Mitre Inn, all Lewis’ favorites
• Tour Magdallen College, where Lewis taught
• Addison’s Walk
• Lunch: King’s Arms, a gathering place for Inklings
• Drive by Tolkein’s House
• Tour other significant Oxford sights, such as Bodlian Library and Christ’s Church
• Overnight in Oxford

May 19, 2025 – Monday (OXFORD/CAMBRIDGE)

After breakfast we will travel to lovely Cambridge, where Lewis spent his final years.

• We will see Magdalene College, Cambridge, where Lewis taught
• Visit King’s College Chapel and other significant Cambridge sights
• Meal at Pickerel Pub, Lewis’ favorite
• Overnight in Cambridge

May 20, 2025 – Tuesday (CAMBRIDGE)

After breakfast we will:

• Take a lovely countryside walk to Granchester for tea and scones at The Orchard Tea Garden, another place Lewis frequented
• The afternoon is free for punting on River Cam and exploring the city
• This evening we hope to attend the Evensong at Magdalen College
• Overnight in Cambridge

May 21, 2025 – Wednesday (CAMBRIDGE/SURRY/LONDON)

After breakfast, we will journey to the charming countryside of Surrey.

• We will take a leisurely walk in the Banstead Wood & Chipstead Downs Nature Reserve
• Here we will see the Narnia Trail
• Visit Bookham Railway Station where Lewis’ found MacDonald’s Phantastes
• We will end our day with a drive to London and dinner at our hotel.
• Overnight in London

May 22, 2025 – Thursday (LONDON)

Today is our exciting tour of London. After breakfast we’ll enjoy:

• Boat cruise on River Thames
• Kings College
• Westminster Abby – Viewing Poet’s Corner and Lewis’ Memorial
• Big Ben
• Tower of London
• Paul’s Cathedral
• Dinner and overnight in London

May 23, 2025 – Friday (FLY HOME)

After breakfast, we will conclude our tour, reflecting on our journey and treasuring all we have learned about our friend in faith, Clive Staples Lewis.

• Depart London for flights home.
  
  

*Every effort is made to execute the itinerary exactly as stated, but unforeseen events or last-minute opportunities may arise and cause slight changes or switching of days. If you have traveled with us before, we call this “JAZZ” and improvise as we need to make great music together!

• The total package price for this trip is $6,490.00 per person, double occupancy LAND ONLY (Local Flight Dublin to London included).
• INTERNATIONAL Flights are NOT Included and must be booked individually.
• Supplement for a single room – $2,200 (limited to 4 total).

Rates include:

• 10 overnights accommodations in first class four/ five-star hotels based on double/twin occupancy.
• Local flight from Dublin to London (but does NOT include International flights which travelers must book on their own)
• 10 continental buffet breakfasts at hotel
• 9 Dinners or Lunches (one per day excluding first night in Belfast)
• All entry fees detailed in the tour agenda
• Gratuities to guide, driver, restaurant staff, porters, etc.
• Porterage in/out service at all hotels
• Transfers and tour with private air-conditioned coach
• Local professional tour escort for 9 days

PLEASE NOTE:

• Package price does NOT include International Airfare arrival into Belfast, Ireland, or departure out of London, England.
• The group flight from Dublin to London during the trip is included in the trip package but each traveler is on their own to book their own international flights to join up with the group (on May 13, 2025 in Belfast, Ireland) and return home (on May 23, 2025 from London, England).
• Package price does NOT include lunches (or dinner if lunch is provided), special drinks at meals, extras at hotels, extra baggage fees, or any expense of a personal nature.
• Price is based on currency exchange rates at time of booking and may change based on foreign exchange rates at time of travel; currently priced at 1.27 USD = 1 GBP.
• Roommates: We have very limited space and only four single-supplement rooms available. Single travelers are encouraged to sign-up with a designated travel partner in order to reserve space on this tour.

• An initial trip deposit of $1000 per person is due upon registration.
• A second deposit of $2,500 per person is due by Jan 15, 2025
• A third and final payment of $2,990 per person is due by Feb 13, 2025. If traveling as a single supplement, additional payment of $2,200 is also due Feb 13, 2025.

All cancellations must be in writing to Abby Wallace at NCCC. The following cancellation fees apply regardless of reason including medical and family matters:

Before Dec 31, 2024 $750 Administrative Fee
Jan 16 – Feb 12, 2025 $1,250 Cancelation Fee
Feb 13 – Mar 7, 2025 30% Fee of total package
Mar 8 – Apr 7, 2025 70% Fee of total package
On or after Apr 8, 2025 No Refunds

For us to provide everyone with the most economical tour cost and flexible flight alternatives, we are giving you the opportunity to book your own flights for the CS Lewis Ireland/England Tour.  While this might seem challenging to a few of you, there are many advantages to booking your own flights, including:

• Picking your preferred city and airline to travel from and to
• Using up your free travel miles while you have them
• Selecting the ticket class and seating options upfront
• Full control of your ticket from beginning to time of travel
• Flying in early or extending your stay to see more of England, Ireland, or other parts of Europe!
• All the above options are not available to you when booking group air travel!

There are amazing rates currently available and encourage you to book now to get the best seats and flight options.  Our only requirements when booking your flights are the following considerations:

• Arrival into Belfast Ireland
  • No later than Tuesday, May 13, 2025
  • Transfer on your own to Fitzwilliam Hotel – Transfer options suggested below
  • Overnight on the 13^th IS included in the tour package price

• Departure out of London May 23, 2025
  • We will have ONE bus transfer available in the morning from the Canopy Hotel to London Heathrow
  • All other transfers are on your own

For those who would like a bit more guidance in flight options, here are a few for you to consider.

Air Travel Suggestions:

The easiest option is to find a direct non-stop round-trip flight into London from San Diego on Monday May 12, 2025 (returning on Friday May 23, 2025) and add a one-way flight to Belfast from Heathrow on Tuesday May 13, 2025:  (We have a flight from Dublin into London already included in the tour package).  

Direct Flights to London Heathrow: Leaving Monday, May 12, 2024

                British Air 0264: Depart San Diego at 4:40pm – Arrival Heathrow 11:25AM (+1day)

                British Air 0272: Depart San Diego at 7:50pm – Arrival Heathrow 02:20PM (+1day)

Heathrow to Belfast Flights one way: (Flight on Tuesday, May 13, 2025)

                British Air 1416: Departs Heathrow 2:15pm – Arrival Belfast 3:35pm

                British Air 1418: Departs Heathrow 4:05pm – Arrival Belfast 5:25pm

                British Air 1424: Departs Heathrow 5:20pm – Arrival Belfast 6:40pm

                British Air 1424: Departs Heathrow 7:25pm – Arrival Belfast 8:45pm

There are hundreds of flights alternatives leaving from San Diego, LAX, Orange County and connections through various cities.  Dan and Connie Anderson are happy to help anyone investigate, and book flights as needed.

Belfast Airport Transfer to Fitzwilliam Hotel:

• There are four transfer options available (Bus, Taxi, Rental Car, Town car) to consider and highlighted here:
• Is UBER and option?  Yes, but not really…it’s complicated…see this article to understand more

Please feel free to contact Dan Anderson with any flight, hotel transfer, or tour questions!  We are looking forward to seeing God move in an amazing way with this unique tour.  Space is extremely limited because of the more intimate nature of the spaces and places we are traveling.

Monday, May 12, 2025       Flight on own to Belfast

Tuesday, May 13, 2025       The Fitzwilliam Hotel – Belfast

Wednesday, May 14, 2025            The Fitzwilliam Hotel – Belfast

Thursday, May 15, 2025     The Fitzwilliam Hotel – Belfast

Friday, May 16, 2025                       Clontarf Castle Hotel – Dublin

Saturday, May 17, 2025      voco Oxford Thames Hotel – Oxford

Sunday, May 18, 2025        voco Oxford Thames Hotel – Oxford

Monday, May 19, 2025       The Varsity Hotel – Cambridge

Tuesday, May 20 2025        The Varsity Hotel – Cambridge

Wednesday, May 21, 2025            Canopy by Hilton London City – London

Thursday, May 22, 2025     Canopy by Hilton London City

Friday, May 23. 2025          Flight home on own out of London

By registering, passengers accept responsibility for being in good health and able to walk and travel on the tour. Many sites are not accessible to physically challenged and may limit the overall tour experience. Our tour partner does not provide additional assistance to passengers with physical or mobility limitations as tour itineraries require full mobility. Please advise us if you have any limitations that may impact your tour.

By modern motor coach including services of English-speaking guides and entrance fees to places included in the itinerary. Where available all groups will be provided with portable listening devices. Passengers are responsible for loss or damage of the device.

A valid passport is required for all passengers. and must be valid for 6 months after return date (Nov 23, 2025). There are no Visa requirements for US citizens on this trip. For all non-US citizens please consult the consulate for each country you will be entering as a Visa may also be required and will be the responsibility of each passenger to obtain.

All travelers will be required to read the following three books by CS Lewis prior to the trip:

• The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
• Mere Christianity
• Surprised by Joy

All travelers should mark their calendars for the following 3 trip meeting dates. Mark & Jan Foreman will host the trip meeting portion to review travel details and then after each meeting there will be a book discussion event open to the whole church. Please do your best to attend these meetings.

Meeting #1: Monday, Feb 10 

6:00-7:00pm: Trip Meeting in C-105

7:00-8:30pm: Book Discussion in Chapel (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe)

Meeting #2: Monday, March 24

6:00-7:00pm: Trip Meeting in Chapel 

7:00-8:30pm: Book Discussion in Chapel (Mere Christianity)

Meeting #3: Monday, April 28

6:00-7:00pm: Traveler Meeting in C-105

7:00-8:30pm: Book Discussion in Chapel  (Surprised by Joy)

Travel insurance is optional but highly recommended to protect yourself against any trip cancelation and loss of funds / penalty fees. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, you are assuming the risk responsibility to be completely yours for non- refundable fees paid per the cancelation section below and not hold NCCC responsible for any loss of funds.