Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Ireland!

Day 2: Belfast, Ireland

On arrival at Belfast Airport, rent a car and drive to The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn as your base of operations for touring C. S. Lewis's Ireland.  After lunch at The Old Inn, where C.S. "Jack" Lewis honeymooned with Joy Davidman Gresham, follow The C. S. Lewis Trail, including stops at Jack's birthplace, St Mark's Church, Little Lea, Campbell College and the C. S. Lewis Memorial Statue in Strandtown.  Return to the Old Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: The Antrim Coast

It has been said that the scenery of Ireland served as a model for the landscape of Narnia. Decide for yourself as you drive through the countryside and along the coast today. Visit Carrickfergus Castle, the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, the magical Giant's Causeway and battle-scarred Dunluce Castle.  There are plenty of choices for lunch along the way.  Return to the Old Inn for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: To England
 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before flying to England.  Rent a car at Heathrow and drive to Great Malvern.  Stay at the Foley Arms, a favorite dining spot of the Lewis brothers.

Day 5: Malvern

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Cherbourg House and Malvern College, where Jack attended school from ages 12-15. Visit the Priory Church where the Lewis brothers once enjoyed an Easter service.  Hike up to the British Camp, one of Jack's favorite walks. Return for dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: To Oxford

After breakfast at the hotel, head in your rental car for the "dreaming spires" of Oxford and your first stop: The Bodleian Library. Enjoy lunch at The Eagle and Child pub, a meeting place of The Inklings. After lunch tour St. Mary the Virgin Church where Lewis delivered his famous sermon The Weight of Glory, stroll around Addison's Walk and tour Magdalen College.   Attend Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral.  Check into the Eastgate Hotel where Lewis first met Joy Davidman.  After dinner at the hotel why not visit the Trout Inn, another one of Jack's favorite pubs?

Day 7: Oxford

After breakfast at the Eastgate explore the many Oxford shops along the High Street, Cornmarket and the Covered Market.  There are many wonderful restaurants where you can have a delicious lunch.  In the afternoon head out to Headington Quarry and visit Holy Trinity Church, tour The Kilns, visit Joy Davidman's former home and the Oxford Crematorium where Joy's ashes are interred.  For something different, drive out to the Studley Priory Hotel in Horton-cum-Studley for dinner, where Jack and Joy often enjoyed a meal together. Return to the Eastgate for the night.

Day 8: To Cambridge

After breakfast at the Eastgate, checkout and drive to Cambridge, to check in to the University Arms. In the afternoon drive out to charming Grantchester for tea at The Orchard. Spend the rest of the day exploring Cambridge on foot.  Enjoy dinner in the elegant dining room of the University Arms.

After breakfast at the hotel tour Magdalene College where Lewis served as Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English Literature. After lunch at any one of Cambridge's many restaurants continue to explore Cambridge on foot. A highlight of any visit to Cambridge is Evensong at King's College Chapel; don't miss it! Enjoy dinner again at the hotel and overnight in Cambridge.

After breakfast at the hotel depart for London to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Tour Westminster Abbey before checking in to the Rembrandt Hotel in the heart of London. In the afternoon explore nearby Harrod's department store or the Victoria and Albert museum.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel and then be sure to take in one of the excellent theatrical opportunities in London.  For an interactive tour of London with audio commentary click here: http://www.comeawaywithme.co.uk/LondonAudioGuide.