2027 Adventure #1: British Borderlands: Wales and Wirral
Adventures in Mind is an educational travel program for adults. It will appeal to life-long learners who are inquisitive, open-minded and looking beyond the usual tourist experience. It is open to free spirits of all ages: a level of physical and mental fitness is highly advisable; curiosity and a sense of community are essential!
Join The Adventure
Location:
Soughton or Crosby, and Tremadog, with visits to Chester, Liverpool and other towns
Dates (to be confirmed):
May 2 – 25, 2027 (including days of travel to and from Britain)
Group Leaders:
John Black and Connie Kovalenka
The British Borderlands Adventure provides a stimulating interdisciplinary exploration of significant historical periods associated with the geographical area. Ranging from the Roman occupation through the Middle Ages and Industrial Revolution to the emergence of the Mersey Beat during the 1960s, the broad focus will satisfy many tastes and allow for in-depth appreciation of the character and resilience of local communities through the ages.
Our Adventure will explore borders of many types, geographical, temporal, social, linguistic, musical, conceptual, covering such topics as architecture, including the Roman legacy in Chester and three cathedrals (from mediaeval to modern), 19th-century and contemporary painting, the poetry of Dylan Thomas, and the emergence during the 1960s of an alternative subculture seeking to transcend traditional expectations for living. Activities include presentations, seminar discussions, visits to castles, shrines, cathedrals, museums, galleries and other sites, a vintage train journey and much else. Preparatory sessions will be available in Nanaimo and online in March-April.
The 8-12 participants will encounter the region through site-visits, leader presentations and group discussions in which they share with others their own background knowledge and responses. There will be ample free time for independent activity.
Group Leaders
Professor Emeritus Dr. John Black taught in and coordinated the Liberal Studies Abroad credit program at Vancouver Island University from its inception in 1997 until his retirement in 2017. He has Master's degrees from Cambridge and Simon Fraser, and a PhD from UBC, all in Philosophy. A devotee of the history of ideas, art, architecture and music, he has travelled extensively in Europe, and has led many study groups there. He grew up on the Wirral peninsula, and is thoroughly familiar with the surrounding territory including North Wales.
Constance Kovalenka is a graduate of the BA program in Liberal Studies at Vancouver Island University, the Textile Arts program at Capilano University and the Radio & Television Arts program at NAIT. She has worked in arts administration, taught arts and crafts and spent many years at Malaspina/VIU working in administrative positions as well as taking visual arts courses whenever possible. In the last few years, her interest has been focused on buying and selling antiques and collectables, as she has a strong belief in the values of reusing and recycling. When travelling, Constance makes a point of seeking out antique, vintage and flea markets - however it isn’t always easy to get the treasures home.
Program Options
At this point we have identified two options for accommodation. However, these houses have different characters, capacities and costs: therefore we are inviting your interest in one or both of two options. We will implement only the option which most closely reflects the group of committed participants.
When you contact us to apply for the program, please indicate which option you prefer, and also if you would wish to enrol in the other option should that be implemented instead. The decision on which option will go ahead has to be made by Dec 15, 2026.
OPTION A: SOUGHTON (Welsh: SYCHDYN)
Aside from three nights to be spent in hotels your accommodation for three weeks will be Ein Cynefin. This luxurious house in a Welsh rural setting has four double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, with five bathrooms. It is well equipped with everything we might need. You can discover more about it at https://www.eincynefin.co.uk/.
In order to meet accommodation and other program costs, Option A can only be implemented if the participant group, aside from the group leaders, consists of four couples, or three couples plus two people willing to share a twin room.
Program Fee Option A: $6995 CAD
Single Supplement: Not available (would have to exceed $5000!)
Required Group Configuration: Eight participants as described
OPTION B: CROSBY, NEAR LIVERPOOL
The alternative accommodation in this northern suburb of Liverpool can be seen in Google maps at: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YyesF1MQkMtUdgqj9. It is less spectacular when viewed from the street, but is furnished and decorated extremely tastefully, has a pleasant garden and is likewise equipped with everything needed. There are eight bathrooms and eight bedrooms (some double, some twin). This house can thus accommodate a larger group and affords us a great deal of flexibility about its configuration in terms of doubles, twins and singles.
Program Fee: $5995 CAD (if sharing a room)
Single Supplement: $1000
Required Group Configuration: Ten or more participants, other than the group leaders, provided they can be accommodated in seven bedrooms
As mentioned above, please let us know on the application whether you are interested in Option A, Option B, or whichever option is ultimately implemented.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 0
Leave Canada
Day 1
Arrive Manchester; Travel to Accommodation
Day 2
Orientation; Shopping
Day 3
Roman and Mediaeval Chester
Day 4
Iron Age and Mediaeval Wales
Day 5
Conwy Castle; Llandudno; Bodnant Gardens
Day 6
Free Day
Day 7
Free day
Day 8
Move to Golden Fleece Hotel; Dylan Thomas
Day 9
Train Porthmadog/Caernarfon
Day 10
Mystery Visit; Return to Accommodation
Day 11
Speke Hall
Day 12
Seminar: 9th Century British Painting
Day 13
Walker Art Gallery
Day 14
Free Day
Day 15
Free Day
Day 16
Port Sunlight; Lady Lever Art Gallery; Park Gate
Day 17
Liverpool Cathedrals
Day 18
Seminar: The Mersey Poets
Day 19
The Mersey Sound; Ferry Across the Mersey
Day 20
Tate Liverpool
Day 21
Free Day; Final Dinner
Day 22
Travel to Airport Hotel
Day 23
Return to Canada
Inclusive Packages
Package costs include Association and program overheads, accommodation, all program-related travel within Britain, tourist guides, educational activities and materials, as well as admissions to cultural sites and events. Participants must arrange their own air travel and travel insurance, including medical. Food is not included, but both accommodation options are self-catering with a kitchen, so that food costs are minimal.
Payment Schedule
In order to allow us to make a firm decision to proceed with the Adventure, which depends upon enrolment, and to make bookings for accommodation etc., it is essential that we are able to cover our overheads well in advance of leaving Canada. The following payment schedule is therefore necessary:
Payable on application: commitment fee of $500 - this saves your place
Due December 15, 2026: booking deposit of $3000
Due January 15, 2027: payment of remaining balance
PLEASE NOTE that all payments are non-refundable, except in case of cancellation of the program by Adventures in Mind.
Air Travel
Participants must arrange their own air travel, but should not do so until they receive official word (probably in January 2027) that the Adventure will proceed. Before departure you will be given instructions on what to do on arrival in Britain.
Travel Insurance
Participants must obtain travel medical insurance and are strongly advised as well to purchase coverage for trip cancellation and interruption. Please do not buy insurance until the Adventure has been confirmed.
For advice on travelling overseas, please visit the federal government website travel.gc.ca/.
Important Notice
A level of physical, mental and medical fitness is required to get the most out of the Adventure. Some of the sites to be visited are accessible only on foot (and may not be wheelchair-accessible), and some visits may require moderately lengthy periods of walking and standing. On arrival and departure you will have to carry your own luggage. If you have any limitations or concerns in this area, please consult Adventures in Mind personnel before applying.
Application Process
Fill out the form to register your interest in this 2027 Adventure, or call John Black at +1-236-544-1616.