“I really believe I shall always be talking of Bath…I do like it so very much. Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath…” wrote Jane Austen in Northanger Abbey and today, these immortal words still ring true for thousands of visitors to this enchanting town.

Following breakfast we will depart from Oxford immediately for Bath, a World Heritage Site and undoubtedly one of Britain’s most beautiful cities. It was first put it on the map in the 1st-century by the Romans, when they built a temple here in honour of the goddess Minerva, and indeed were the first to recognize the unique quality of its waters. We will embark on a tour of the sophisticated network of baths that takes advantage of the mineral springs which gush forth from the earth at temperatures upwards of 116 degrees F. During the 18th-century, the hot water springs attracted the wealthy Georgians who transformed Bath into one of the most fashionable and famous cities in Europe, so well described in the novels of Jane Austen, who lived in the city. Acclaimed architects built the squares and crescents, most notably the breathtaking Royal Crescent – in the local ochre stone. Today little in Bath has been changed. It is a lively cosmopolitan with superb shopping, particularly for fashion and antiques. The city also boasts a plethora of galleries and restaurants.

We will have free time for lunch, shopping and further exploration of the city before we board the coach to drive to Stonehenge, England’s most enigmatic and celebrated prehistoric monument. Despite the “definitive” books written on the subject, its original purpose remains a mystery. Was it an astronomical observatory for a sun-worshipping cult? Perhaps it is some kind of Neolithic ‘computing device’ capable of predicting eclipses? The medieval phrase “Stonehenge” translates to “hanging stones”. This ‘circle of stones’ represents an amazing engineering feat since many of the boulders, the famous ‘bluestones’ in particular, were transferred from as far away as Wales. The labour involved in quarrying, transporting, and carving these immense stones is astonishing, all the more so when you realize that it was accomplished before the great pyramids of Egypt were built. Prepare to be amazed!

We will be back in Oxford for dinner.

Price: $150.00 CAD FULL

“Famous people do seem to have made a habit of being born in pretty places – Mozart in Salzburg, Wordsworth in the Lake District, Hardy in Dorset, the Brontes in Yorkshire,” begins the text to Susan Hill’s 1987 book, “Shakespeare County” – one of the most perceptive travel books ever written.

We will leave Oxford after lunch and will begin our visit to Stratford by taking a visual stroll through Shakespeare’s life; The Bard’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, Hall’s Croft, Mary Arden’s House and Nash’s House, all in or near Stratford-upon-Avon and all connected with William Shakespeare and his family.

These 16th- century houses offer a unique experience of the Stratford world in which the famous dramatist and poet was born, lived and died. They also feature rare period furnishings and domestic items, displays about Shakespeare and aspects of Tudor life (did you know canopy beds were designed to keep insects from falling on you from the thatched roof?), including crafts and farming collections, and attractive grounds and gardens. Each has its own character and story to tell. (No, there is no guarantee of Gwyneth Paltrow sightings here!!)

By Elizabethan times (16th-century), Stratford-upon-Avon was a prosperous market town with thriving guilds and industries. We will have free time to uncover the charm of its characteristic half-timber houses and the charming boutiques that sell everything from sweaters to china models of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.

Following dinner we return to our college in Oxford late in the evening.

Price: $165.00 CAD FULL

Join us for a day exploring the wonderful world of Cambridge, a living city that has shaped history and inspired the likes of Darwin, Newton, AA Milne, Wordsworth and Stephen Hawking to name a few. We will depart Oxford after breakfast and begin our day with a tour of Pembroke College, Cambridge. From there we will explore the university's nooks and crannies by foot and take our lunch on King's Parade in the heart of the town. We will then partake in what is a must for all visitors to Cambridge; a punt up the River Cam! We will enjoy a nice dinner in the city before returning to Oxford.

Price: $165.00 CAD FULL

Join us for the spookiest night in Ireland! This ghost tour is not for the faint of heart. We begin on the Hellfire Express bus, where knowledgeable staff will regale us with spooky legends and creepy tales from Irish folklore and show us recent photos and videos from Paranormal Investigations. The bus will drop us at the Hellfire Club—a burnt out building from the 18th century, considered to be one of the most haunted places in Ireland. Tucked away in the Dublin Mountains, the Club is miles away from town. Visitors have been known to hear whispers from beyond and feel tightness in their head and chest. This experience will certainly not be easy to forget.

Sign up... if you dare!

Price: $65.00 CAD FULL

Come visit Malahide Castle—one of the oldest castles in all of Ireland! Built in 1185, Malahide Castle has stood witness to countless invasions, battles, and renovations. Experience history first-hand with an interactive tour of the castle and grounds!

On the way home, we will stop to view picturesque Dublin Bay. The setting of much of James Joyce’s Ulysses, Dublin Bay is an integral part of Ireland’s culture and history. It is an absolute must for visitors to Dublin!

Price: $95.00 CAD FULL

On an August morning in 79 AD, the people of Pompeii were going about their daily lives, oblivious to the disaster that was about to strike them. That afternoon, a massive volcanic explosion from nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted violently, covering Pompeii under a layer of volcanic ash. While some were fortunate enough to escape the disaster in time, thousands lost their lives, and Pompeii disappeared.

The city lay silent for almost two thousand years, when archaeological excavations began in the 18th century. When the volcanic debris was removed, a picture of life in Roman times was revealed. What lay beneath was the town of Pompeii, perfectly preserved as a result of the layer of volcanic ash that had covered it for centuries.

The most horrifying discovery occurred when archaeologists found that many of those who were unable to flee the eruption had been entombed where they lay, and their bodies can still be viewed today.

Visiting Pompeii is an incredible experience. We will take a guided tour of the site, where we will see the houses, theatres, arenas, temples, and public buildings where its original inhabitants lived, worked, played, and worshipped. We will visit the villas of the rich residents of the town, as well as the humbler shops and apartments of the less affluent.

Following our visit to Pompeii, we will continue on to the beautiful ancient resort town of Sperlonga where we will head to the beach to cool off from our morning at Pompeii. Students can relax in the sun and swim, or take a walk around the picturesque town.

We will depart from Rome after breakfast and drive approximately two hours south to Pompeii. We will return to Rome in time for a late dinner at the hotel

Price: $150.00 CAD

Enjoy a day at the beach and go where the Romans go on their Sunday afternoons in the summer, Lido di Ostia (lido means beach). This ancient town was the launching port for the Roman naval assaults throughout the Empire. Today it is a busy and fun beach resort within easy reach of the capital. Some say this is the Riviera of the Romans.

We will depart Rome after an early breakfast and spend a full day at the beach at Ostia, approximately one hour from Rome. This will be a full day of swimming, relaxing on the beach and playing a little ultimate Frisbee or volleyball.

For those who would prefer to explore the city, Ostia offers something for everyone: quaint little shops, crafts and cosy cafes. The yacht harbour and port form part of a great walk around town.

We return to Rome in time for dinner.

Price: $95.00 CAD

An important aspect of all Blyth International Summer Programs is service. We try to instil a sense of global responsibility in all of our students as they explore the world with us. Past Community Service projects offered in London, Oxford, Dublin and Rome include: repairing dilapidated playgrounds, organizing elements of fundraisers, and helping maintain a Historic Churchyard.

The hours earned on this trip can be applied to the ministry required minimum for graduation.

Price: $95.00 CAD