2026 United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has so much to offer: castles, gardens, music and theater, deep history (that many would agree is controversial), a variety of cultures, and gorgeous landscapes. Given the time we have, this tour is but a taste of this diverse destination.

We’ll start our journey in cosmopolitan and vibrant London. We’ll make sure to hit all the iconic landmarks and experience one of its most famous features: theater.  

Then, it’s on to the Cotswolds, known for some of the most picturesque villages in Europe, before heading to Wales to visit a National Trust garden and try to buy a vowel.

We’ll stop in Liverpool for the Beatles experience and then continue on to the stunning Lake District for some serenity in this beautiful landscape. As we continue heading north through York, we’ll visit York Minster, one of the finest medieval buildings in Europe. 

We finish our taste of the UK in Edinburgh, Scotland’s enigmatic capital, nestled in a dramatic landscape.

We’re finalizing the details – please check back soon!

This tour starts in London and ends in Edinburgh, and takes in quite a lot of England, Wales, and Scotland along the way. This necessarily means that we spend a portion of nearly every day traveling by private motorcoach. We have, however, avoiding one-night stays, which means we had to make choices about which areas of the UK could be included.

You’ll be able to view – and download and print, if you wish – the most up-to-date itinerary here.

Our intention with each tour is to provide an itinerary that introduces you to key elements related to your destination or the educational theme, while also providing some free time for you to pursue your own interests or have some down time. The balance can vary from day to day, and from tour to tour.

You’ll get the most out of study travel if you research what to do during your free time. This allows you to reap the benefits of group travel, while also customizing the tour to your interests and activity level. Read more about How to Be an Independent Group Traveler.

Dr. Louis Epstein is a historical musicologist whose research focuses on early twentieth-century French music, digital mapping, and the science of teaching and learning. His book, The Creative Labor of Music Patronage in Interwar France, examines the collaborations between patrons and composers that shaped the distinctive sounds of French classical music during this period. He has been recognized for his innovative teaching methods, receiving the 2016 Teaching Award from the American Musicological Society. Outside of his academic pursuits, Louis has recorded five albums with his family-friendly band, Louis and Dan and the Invisible Band. He lives in Northfield, Minnesota, with his wife, Maggie, and two kids.

Maggie Epstein has worked as a librarian at St. Olaf College and at Carleton College. Maggie earned her undergraduate degree from Carleton College and went on to obtain two master’s degrees: one in education from Harvard and the other in library and information science from San Jose State University. Before becoming a librarian, she taught students of all ages, including middle schoolers, recent immigrants, and K-12 teachers. Maggie loves coffee and travel and enjoys spending her free time gardening, biking, playing pickleball, and being with her family.

Expect to be charmed by the beauty, history, and cultures of the United Kingdom.

Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground. You should be capable of walking a mile or more at a time and up to five to seven miles per day, often over uneven terrain, standing for two to three hours at a time, climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and of being a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).

Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.

You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.

Hotels will be tourist class (at least three-star or better) with private baths. We look for properties that are centrally located and comfortable.

Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully. We try to strike a balance between nickel-and-diming you once on the tour and allowing you some freedom in your price point (for meals, for example). A variety of modes of transportation tends to be pricier than a single bus throughout the tour. Highly rated guides are essential and should command higher wages. 

The tour price is $7,985 per person, based on double occupancy. A supplement of $1,585 applies for single occupancy.

Inclusions: discussions led by Louis Epstein; assistance by Maggie Epstein and a full time guide for the duration of the tour; accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in the itinerary; private motor coach transfers (except airport transfers on arrival and departure); non-alcoholic beverages with meals; gratuities for all local guides, drivers, and meals; and some limited medical coverage while overseas.

Exclusions: Airfare to London and from Edinburgh is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: international airfare; airport transfers; any passport or visa fees; any recommended immunizations or vaccinations; alcoholic beverages; laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature; expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities; and any meals not specifically included on tour itinerary.

This schedule is TENTATIVE AND WILL BE based on payments St. Olaf College must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.

Deposit due:                    $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:    $450 if you cancel on or before July 31, 2025. If the deposit is made after July 31, 2025 there is no refund.

Interim payment due:    $2,000 on August 1, 2025
Refund if you cancel:      $950 if you cancel on or before March 14, 2026

Balance due:                     March 15, 2026
Refund if you cancel:      None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

Read the Terms and Conditions and Release and Waiver (in draft stage).

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Check your passport: ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the program return date. Should you need to renew, visit the U.S. Department of State for instructions. Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter or transit through the United Kingdom. The ETA is the UK’s travel authorization and pre-departure security process for screening travelers from visa-exempt countries. More information on obtaining this ETA will be provided closer to departure.

Take time to Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.

Hold the dates of June 9–24, 2026, but do not book non-refundable air until we can confirm the tour is a go. Meanwhile see our tips on Booking Your Flights.