| Mennonite Story in Poland |
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August 9 - 17, 2011 
With tour leaders John Sharp & Audrey Voth Petkau The Vistula Delta in Northern Poland, once part of Royal Prussia/West Prussia, is the ancestral home of perhaps half of all Mennonites with European roots. Originally they came to this region because it offered toleration at a time when much of Europe was persecuting Mennonites. Gradually many Mennonite communities and churches were established in the region. At the end of the 18th century, because of Prussian military policies, many Mennonites moved to Russia, but many stayed until the end of World War II, when they were forced to flee. Distinctive farms, buildings and churches tell the rich story of a people who lived here for more than four centuries. Some of that story is now being told in several museums in the region. Mennonites are welcomed as friends who share a history with people now living in the region. John Sharp, history professor at Hesston College who has a passion for the Mennonite story, will be the storyteller on this tour. Audrey Voth Petkau, from the TourMagination office, will look after the tour logistics for this unforgettable tour experience. Tuesday & Wednesday, August 9 & 10 The tour departs from Liberty International Airport, Newark, or Pearson International Airport, Toronto, on overnight flights to Warsaw, Poland, by way of Frankfurt, Germany. After meeting each other and changing planes in Frankfurt on Wednesday morning, we will arrive in Warsaw early afternoon. On the way to the hotel, we will have a city tour of historic sites including the Old Town, Cathedral of St. John, the Barbican and city wall, and a monument to the 1944 uprising. Thursday, August 11  Former home in Kasun Friday, August 12  Prezchowaka Stone Saturday, August 13 Saturday is the day to tour Gdansk’s old city center where we will take a walking tour to see the Church of St. Mary (the oldest brick church in Northern Europe), Westerplatte viewpoint, Solidarity Museum and the former Mennonite church in Gdansk (now a Pentecostal Church). In the afternoon, we will drive to Marienwerder (Kwidzyn) and the Tragheimerweide area. Sunday, August 14  Malbork Castle Monday, August 15  Ellerwald Cemetery Tuesday, August 16 There may be other villages in the former West Prussia area that you would like to explore. Tuesday will be a free day so you can hire a guide (with our assistance) to take you to a place of specific interest to you. Or you can have time for shopping, rest, exploring a museum, etc. We will have our Farewell Dinner this evening and recall the places we have seen and learned about during our tour. Wednesday, August 17 This morning we need to fly back to Frankfurt to get our overseas flights to Newark and Toronto. Our tour has come to an end and we will leave with many memories and new friendships. For further information regarding the complete tour fare, please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance. |
