Graphic of a map of northern Britain with a train traveling across the bottom and the words "Scotland, England, and France"
Scotland to France 2026

Scotland to France 2026

Trains and Treks across Scotland, England, and France

Trip Leaders: Dr. Kregg Fehr and Jessica Rogers

Leaving from Lubbock, Texas, class participants will begin their adventure by flying to Edinburgh, Scotland’s enchanting capital.  Here, they will marvel at the Stone of Destiny in historic Edinburgh Castle, explore the grandeur of Holyrood Palace—the official Scottish residence of the British monarchy—and stroll the iconic Royal Mile, where they will take in the vibrant sights the city and the sound of the pipes.  Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking the Salisbury Crags and ascending the ancient volcano of Arthur’s Seat, landmarks central to the birth of modern geology. 

The journey continues south by train to the ancient Roman city of York, renowned for its well-preserved medieval walls and the breathtaking York Minster Cathedral, where Constantine the Great was likely crowned emperor.  While in York, students can explore the rugged, yet serene, North York Moors National Park or visit Thirsk, home to the legendary Skeldale House, made famous by James Herriot’s veterinary tales.

Next, a train ride leads to Manchester, where history and modernity converge.  Participants will visit Chetham’s Library, the oldest public library in the English-speaking world, and will tour either Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium, iconic homes of Manchester’s legendary football clubs.  

From there, the group will travel to Grantham, where they will visit the childhood home of Sir Isaac Newton, including the famous apple tree that inspired his theory of gravity and sparked the Enlightenment

Students will proceed on the journey to Oxford, a city steeped in academic brilliance.  Learners will join the Oxford Literary Walking Tour, delving into the lives of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, and enjoy a meal at the legendary Eagle and Child Pub, where the Inklings literary group once met.

The adventure then moves to the heart of England: London, where students will spend nearly a week immersed in the metropolitan center classified as the “world’s most powerful city.”  Class members will take in iconic landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Other highlights include a visit to the Tower of London and the chance to see the Crown Jewels, the world’s largest cut diamond, and opportunities to further delve into history at the Florence Nightingale Museum, Alexander Fleming’s Laboratory, and the WWII bunkers of the Churchill War Rooms.  Fans of film will love the Warner Bros. Studio Tour—The Making of Harry Potter, while all will be tantalized by the culinary experiences afforded by afternoon tea, traditional English breakfast, and the search for the best fish and chips in Britain.  The stay in London will also boast a day trip to Canterbury, Leeds Castle, and the awe-inspiring White Cliffs of Dover.  

From London, members of the class will train under the English Channel and on to France and to Paris, the City of Light.  Here, students will ascend the Eiffel Tower, admire the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, and explore the grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe and glorious, inspired reverence at the newly reopened Notre Dame Cathedral.  Students will visit the Curie Museum and the Pasteur Museum, celebrating revolutionary breakthroughs in science.  And, of course, they will wander among the charming cafes, bookstores, and boutiques along the Sene River.  A final free day allows students to explore Paris at their leisure, savoring its rich culture, cuisine, and ambiance.

Returning to Lubbock, participants will bring home unforgettable memoirs of their immersive experience in the history, culture, and beauty of Western Europe.

Cities Visited
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • York, England
  • Manchester, England
  • Nottingham, England
  • Grantham, England
  • Oxford, England
  • London, England
  • Paris, France

Trip Highlights*

  • Edinburgh Castle, including the Crown Jewels of Scotland
  • Royal Mile with shops, street performers, St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Writers’ Museum
  • Salisbury Crags Hike in Holyrood Park,
  • Arthur’s Seat Hike with an extinct volcano
  • Holyroodhouse Palace: Historic, official residence of the British monarchs of Scotland
  • Victoria Street: Inspiration for Diagon Alley
  • Grassmarket Area
  • York Minster Cathedral and Tower (Coronation of Constantine the Great)
  • Medieval City Walls
  • The Shambles
  • Rowntree Park
  • Day trip to North York Moors National Park
  • The World of James Herriot: Award winning museum housed in Alf Wright’s Skeldale House
  • Manchester University
  • Chetham’s Library
  • Heaton Park
  • Mackie Mayor
  • Soccer Stadium: Either Old Trafford Tour (Manchester United) or Etihad Stadium (Manchester City)
  • Nottingham Castle
  • Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
  • Woolsthorpe Manor: Home of Isaac Newton
  • Oxford Literary Walking Tour
  • Eagle and Child Pub
  • Harry Potter Tour
  • Science Walk
  • London Eye
  • Big Ben
  • Parliament
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Piccadilly Circus, London’s Times Square
  • Covent Garden, Restaurants
  • Tower of London, including the British Crown Jewels and the world’s largest cut diamond
  • Tower Bridge
  • Borough Market
  • Florence Nightingale Museum
  • Churchill War Rooms
  • London West End, for a play, “Six” (if renewed)
  • Morning service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the church of the royal family
  • Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour London—The Making of Harry Potter/Harry Potter World
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Greenwich Observatory/Prime Meridian
  • Afternoon Tea
  • Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, and White Cliffs of Dover tour
  • Arche Triomphe
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Curie Museum
  • Pantheon, burial site for Marie Curie and other notable citizens of France
  • Sainte-Chapelle (stained-glass windows)
  • Notre Dame
  • Hotel de Ville, site of the city government of Paris, also the site of many duels
  • Pasteur Museum
  • Napoleon’s Tomb
  • Louvre Museum
  • Monet’s Home and Gardens, Foundation Monet, Giverny

*The above list is preliminary itinerary. Changes and substitutions may need to occur. 

Frequently Asked Questions