Compare The Spirit of Oxford by Road Scholar vs Israel: Modern Life & Ancient History by Sky Vacations

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Arrival Day
Oxford L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Lunch: In the hotel dining room for those arriving by lunchtime. A light lunch with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Afternoon: Arrivals continue, with free time for those who have already arrived. At 5pm we will have an Orientation in the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. This program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a Study Leader who will lecture, conduct field trips and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: A seated dinner will be taken in the hotel dining room with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: After dinner take an orientation walk.

Day 3
Classical and Gothic Oxford
Oxford B,L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room. A breakfast buffet with a range of hot and cold items, as well as coffee, tea, water and fruit juices.

Morning: We begin our educational adventure as your Study Leader lectures on “The Architecture of Oxford”, before visiting the Bodleian Library for an expertly-led look at one of the oldest libraries in Europe.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: Take a walk of Classical and Gothic Oxford. Enjoy a guided walk of the centre of Oxford showing examples of Gothic and Classical styles and explaining not only the difference between them but the reasons for them. Mention will also be made of the Codrington library at All Souls which has a Gothic exterior and a Classical interior. Buildings visited will include the Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre, the Clarendon Building, the Divinity School and St. Mary’s Church. Radcliffe Square is surrounded by one of the most amazing collections of Gothic and Classical buildings which somehow seem to harmonise. The walk includes entrance to Exeter College, the fourth oldest of the Oxford colleges, founded in 1314. A lively College, it is in the centre of Oxford and Exeter’s exquisite Chapel, tranquil Fellows’ Garden and terrace overlooking Radcliffe Square are famously beautiful. The College is full of history; J.R.R. Tolkein was an undergraduate here, as were Alan Bennett, Martin Amis and former President Kufour of Ghana. Other former students include two Supreme Court judges (one from Australia and another from Canada) as well as Nobel Laureate Sydney Brenner. Phillip Pullman, another Exonian, based his fictional Jordan College on Exeter and the fictitious Inspector Morse collapsed on the lawn in the front quad. Exeter College Chapel and the whole of Keble College provide beautiful reminders of the impact of the Oxford Movement’s Anglo-Catholicism and the mid-19th Century Gothic revival.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: This evening watch a DVD of “The Dead of Jericho”, based on the Inspector Morse novel set in the area which we shall be visiting tomorrow.

Day 4
Tolkien and the Jericho area of Oxford
Oxford B,L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Lecture on the Oxford Don and author of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien.

Lunch: In the hotel.

Afternoon: A field trip explores the Jericho area of Oxford – an area between Walton Street and the Oxford canal which was developed for print workers. It is here that the hero of Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure lodged and where Colin Dexter’s The Dead of Jericho was located. The Oxford University Press is also located in this area. With individual shops and cafes, the area has a close community spirit and a refreshing, bohemian air. Most famous in the area is the massive Church of St. Barnabas, built by the canal in 1868. Its impressive High Anglican gilt interior is further evidence of the 19th Century nostalgia for the religion of the Middle Ages.

Dinner: Taken at the Old Bookbinders Ale House, a Jericho institution since 1869.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Inspector Morse
Oxford B,L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: This morning guest lecturer Dr Anthony Richards will talk on the subject of Inspector Morse.

Lunch: In the hotel.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Oxford at your leisure.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Enjoy a DVD, “Desperate Romantics” – a drama about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Day 6
The Pre-Raphaelites and Dinner in the Ashmolean Museum
Oxford B,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Lectures in the hotel on “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Pre-Raphaelites”.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: A free afternoon to explore Oxford at your leisure.

Dinner: Take a special dinner in the world famous Ashmolean Museum.

Evening: At leisure after dinner.

Day 7
Blenheim Palace
Oxford B,L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Field trip to Blenheim Palace. Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a World Heritage Site. The Palace was originally a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough following his famous victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Visit the gilded State Rooms, which house one of the finest collections in Europe, and the fascinating visitor experience “Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story”. The Churchill Exhibition includes the room where Sir Winston Churchill was born in 1874. Situated in Woodstock, just 8 miles from Oxford, the Palace is surrounded by over 2,000 acres of “Capability” Brown landscaped parkland, the great lake and beautiful formal gardens.

Lunch: Taken in Blenheim Palace.

Afternoon: The field trip continues.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: DVD showing of “Shadowlands”, a 1993 British biographical film about the relationship between Oxford academics C.S Lewis and American poet Joy Davidman, her tragic death from cancer, and how this challenged Lewis’ Christian faith. It is directed by Richard Attenborough with a screenplay by William Nicholson.

Day 8
Christ Church, an Oxford college
Oxford B,L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Lecture on The Inklings, Oxford and C.S Lewis.

Lunch: Taken out at the Mitre in Oxford. The present Mitre Inn dates from around 1630, but there has been an inn on this site since around 1300. It has always belonged to Lincoln College, and its name probably derives from the College coat of arms, which depicts the mitre of the Bishop of Lincoln. It was an important coaching inn and, as early as 1671, there were coaches running between London and the Mitre on three days a week. It is a Grade II* listed building.

Afternoon: This afternoon’s field trip reveals the grandeur of Henry VIII’s Christ Church. Founded in 1546 and one of the largest Oxford colleges, Henry’s Lord Chancellor Thomas Wolsey planned the impressive Great Quadrangle, the Tudor kitchen and the Great Hall. Subsequent centuries have added to this architectural heritage and the Cathedral now houses some splendid medieval, 17th Century and Pre-Raphaelites stained glass. Christ Church is, uniquely, the Cathedral seat of Oxford and occupies a 150 acre site in the centre of the city. This includes the Meadow, a tranquil area of pasture bounded by the rivers Isis and Cherwell. Continue then onwards to Manchester College to view the Pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows in its Chapel.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
The Cotswolds, Burford and Bibury
Oxford B,L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Field trip out of Oxford into the picturesque Cotswolds countryside. The trip will include the villages of Burford and Bibury, called by William Morris “the prettiest village in England”.

Lunch: Taken out at Huffkins in Burford.

Afternoon: The field trip continues.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: A lecture from your Study Leader on William Morris.

Day 10
Kelmscott Manor
Oxford B,L,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Today we have a full day to Bampton, the village location for Downton Abbey, and Kelmscott Manor – William Morris’ Thames-side home. The interior is furnished with his own textiles, wallpapers and a portrait of his wife Jane, painted by Rossetti. Morris was a student of Exeter College, Oxford and became part of the group known as the “Pembroke Set”. He went on to be associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement.

Lunch: At Kelmscott Manor.

Afternoon: The field trip continues.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Enjoy a special guest lecture.

Day 11
Farewell Dinner in the Cherwell Boathouse
Oxford B,D Linton Lodge Hotel
Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Lecture: "The Spirit of Oxford".

Lunch: Excluded to give you more free time on your last day in this great city.

Afternoon: Free time.

Dinner: Dinner out in the Cherwell Boathouse. The Cherwell Boathouse is an iconic Oxford punt station and restaurant on the banks of the river Cherwell.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12
Oxford B
Breakfast: In the hotel depending on departure times. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

DAY 1: WELCOME

Welcome to Israel!  Upon arrival you’ll be met by our Sky Vacations ambassador who will meet you and will take you to your hotel in Tel Aviv. After a welcome drink, you’ll enjoy delicious dinner at one of the trendy Tel Aviv restaurants followed by a gentle stroll along Tel Aviv beach boardwalk.

DAY 2: TEL AVIV / JAFFA

The streets of Tel Aviv are full of both history, and modern culture, architecture, art, restaurants and bars. We’ll begin the tour from the Clocktower in Jaffa, and walk to the Neve Tzedek neighborhood which was the first Jewish community established outside of Jaffa, and eventually became part of the city of Tel Aviv in the early 20th century. With a stunning range of architectural styles, every alleyway and street has something to offer, and many cafes, restaurants and bars fill the old Bauhaus style buildings which have survived the recent gentrification of the neighborhood.

Our evening, after dinner visit the world’s most ancient port cities in old Jaffa, where stone buildings, narrow passages, and picturesque courtyards recall the rich past of this charming city.  Hear about those who left their mark on the city such as Jonah and the Whale, Andromeda, Simon the Tanner, Napoleon and more.

Day 3: Rehovot / Tel Aviv

Today we’ll take a short journey south of Tel Aviv to Rehovot, and visit the world renowned Weitzmann Institute for meetings. If time permits, we can visit the Ayalon Institute, a secret underground ammunition plant, used to produce ammunition during the British Mandate. You can’t leave the desert before trying out a camel ride or partaking in a Bedouin feast together with an interesting presentation about new products made from camel and alpaca milk at the Desert Ship Khan (Sfinat Hamidbar).  We will return to Tel Aviv in the late evening.

Day 4: Tel Aviv

Meander the streets of  Rothschild Boulevard and learn more about the White City of Tel Aviv – a UNESCO World Heritage city. It is home to many artists, poets, and intellectuals. This area of Tel Aviv is named the ‘White City’ due to the large number of buildings built in the unique form of the Bauhaus architecture.

Day 5: Jerusalem

Today we will drive to Jerusalem via the scenic Jerusalem Hills. Our first stop will be Mount Zion to see King David’s Tomb and what is accepted as the site where the Last Supper took place known as The Upper Room. From here we’ll enter the Jewish Quarter via Zion Gate, just as Jewish warriors did through the ages, and visit the ancient Roman Cardo, a 1,800-year-old shopping street still active today and the Broad Wall, dating back to the First Temple Period. Our tour then takes us the spiritual heart of the old city, the Western Wall, where you can also see the Temple Mount and the famous Dome of the Rock. Next, we will carry on to the Muslim and Christian Quarters and walk through part of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. On the way enjoy the delights of the oriental bazaar – admire the wares, taste the delicacies, and smell the spices.

In the early afternoon, we’ll take you to Machne Yehuda Market. Here you will find many opportunities to taste local delicacies. It is both a regular fruit/veg market and culinary center with specialty stalls and restaurants. Here you can try a delicious falafel or shawarma, chocolate rogalach, bureka, halva, boutique cheeses, and more. If we are there on a Friday you can smell the freshly baked Challa bread being baked for Shabbat.

Day 6: Masada & The Dead Sea

Our day trip begins with an early start today as we travel to Masada and the Dead Sea. Masada is known as the last independent Jewish territory from the destruction of the Second Temple to the rebirth of the modern State of Israel.  Here we will explore the ruins of this ancient fortress built by King Herod and listen to stories of determination and heroism whilst enjoying the breathtaking views of the desert.  We’ll go down via the winding snake path or by cable car and then take a short drive to a private beach in Ein Bokek.

After a tasty lunch, you will have time to experience floating on your back on the lowest, saltiest body of water on earth. It is an incredible natural phenomenon and “swimming” in the Dead Sea is one of those experiences that cannot be put in words – you just have to try.

Make sure you relax on the drive back to Jerusalem because we have a special treat in store for the evening! The Tower of David Sound and Light Show. This magical experience combines the past and the present with bringing to life the Biblical stories of King David and Jerusalem using the most powerful modern technologies available.

Day 7: Herzliya

We leave Jerusalem today and head to the Mediterranean coastal city of Herzliya and enjoy the beaches and sunset by the Marina bay.

Day 8: Mount Carmel

The Druze are well-known for their hospitality and today we enjoy an authentic home-cooked lunch including all traditional Druze dishes. After lunch, we will drive further up Mount Carmel to for panoramic views of the magnificent Baha’i Gardens and the Haifa Harbor. On our way back to Herzliya we will stop at Caesarea – the magnificent ruins of Herod’s showcase port city. This magical place will transport us back to the ancient Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader eras. We will visit the extensive excavations of the site including the harbor, the Crusader City, the theater, Hippodrome and the Roman aqueduct. Back in Herzliya in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the popular beach restaurants.

Day 9: Farewell

Today you’ll be transferred to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for your flight and onward journey.