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Great Britain

Canterbury Short Break

Canterbury, located in the southeast of England, is a city of deep spiritual significance, with a rich history that makes it an important pilgrimage destination. Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most famous Christian sites in the world.

It is the final destination of the medieval pilgrimage made famous in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. The cathedral is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The cathedral is a place of deep spiritual significance, where Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in 1170. His martyrdom turned the cathedral into a major pilgrimage site, attracting worshippers seeking to pay homage to his memory. Becket was canonized as a saint in 1173. Reculver offers breath taking views of the coastline, with the North Sea on one side and the Kent countryside on the other. Photo Credit: Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral 

Itinerary

  1. Travel to Canterbury

    Today marks the exciting start of our journey as we travel independently to the captivating city of Canterbury. Upon arrival, you'll have the opportunity to unwind and immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, an ideal haven for exploring this rich and historic city. After a delightful dinner, gather for a warm welcome and introductory talk, offering insights into Canterbury's fascinating past. The day will conclude with a peaceful night prayer, providing a moment of reflection and tranquillity before resting for the night.

  2. Canterbury

    Our first full day in Canterbury will be filled with discovery. We will have an extensive tour of Canterbury Cathedral. After lunch, we will visit St Martins Church, St Augustine's Abbey Ruins, Eastbridge Hospital (if possible) and the Franciscan Abbey Gardens.

    Later in the afternoon, we'll have the privilege of attending Evensong at 5:30pm in the majestic Canterbury Cathedral, a moving experience that will be enjoyed by all.

    Following this, we'll gather for a delightful dinner at our hotel, followed by Compline.

  3. Ramsgate and Reculver

    After a delightful breakfast, embark on captivating coach tour that will take you to the historic St Mary's Church in Minster in Thanet, where centuries of heritage await. Explore the ancient ruins of Richborough Roman Fort, stepping back in time to the dates of Roman Britain. Visit the iconic St Augustine's Cross, a symbol of England's Christian Heritage, before enjoying a delicious lunch in the charming seaside town of Ramsgate. Continue your journey with a visit to St Augustine's Church, a site steeped in history, and then marvel at the stunning views from Reculver. Return to your hotel for a relaxing dinner, followed by a peaceful Compline service to end the day on a serene note.

  4. Return Journey

    After a final, leisurely breakfast, we'll prepare for our departure, but not before ending the tour on a deeply spiritual note. At 11:00am, we'll attend the awe-inspiring Sung Eucharist service at the majestic Canterbury Cathedral, where centuries of history and tradition come together in a moving and peaceful farewell to this unforgettable journey.

Essential Information

The cost of this pilgrimage is from £1080 per person and includes most expenses. A number of single rooms are available for a supplement from £270 per person.

You will stay for three nights in Canterbury at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, which occupies a city centre site, and is close to the Cathedral.

Make your own way to Canterbury by car, train or coach. Canterbury Cathedral Lodge offers very limited on-site parking within the Cathedral grounds, so they recommend parking in a nearby city car park. 24 hour electronic parking permits for nearby city car parks are available at £13.50. These permits can be booked during check-in while dropping off luggage. Once activated with Canterbury City Council, you can proceed to the park outside the Cathedral grounds.

Three breakfasts, three dinners and two lunches are included, as are all entrance fees and gratuities, which the tour leader will disburse to those who help us on our journey.

A £500 per person non refundable deposit is payable now with the final balance due twelve weeks prior to departure.

Late Bookings

Please note that for bookings made within 12 weeks of departure, the price may increase due to fluctuating costs. If this arises, we will always discuss this with you before processing your booking.

Final Travel Documents

These will be emailed to you two weeks before departure.

Special Requests

Any special requirements, such as dietary needs, mobility requests, and any other requests should be noted at the time of booking.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. We require all travelers to have adequate cancellation and medical coverage for their journey. We recommend the policy with Holiday Extras who offer a comprehensive policy as well as yearly policies that also cover short UK overnight stays.

Mobility

Many of our tours and excursions are designed for those who are able to travel independently, or with the support of a companion who can assist during the trip. We recommend that participants feel comfortable with physical activity and are able to manage longer travel days, which may include early starts and extended periods on the road. We encourage you to consider your personal health and comfort when planning your adventure, and we're happy to help if you have any specific concerns or questions about the suitability of a tour for your needs.

Practical information

McCabe Pilgrimages

Our pilgrimage is being organised in association with McCabe Travel, a company well-known in church circles and recognised as Britain's foremost religious tour operator. McCabe has been responsible for organising hundreds of pilgrimages to the Bible lands with churches from all over Britain for 35 years. The company is a member for AITO and is fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority.

The McCabe Educational Trust

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travelers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust's work is added to every pilgrim's invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Financial Security

All monies paid are fully protected through McCabe's membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. In addition, McCabe are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abide by the Association's code of conduct.

This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. The McCabe ATOL number is 2920.

Holiday Insurance

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of out main priorities. That's why we have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance policy to protect you before and whilst you are travelling.

Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been independently rated 5-stars by defaqto.

For more information or to obtain a quote, please click here, www.holidayextras.com.

Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor

AITO Quality Statement

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain's leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association's code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito.co.uk. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280. This pilgrimage is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.

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