| Italy, Austria & Germany |
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and the Oberammergau Passion Play
July 7-17, 2010 
With tour leaders Leonard and Mary Friesen This is really several trips rolled into one: First, we will visit some of Europe’s greatest cities and most remarkable architectural and artistic treasures, including Rome, Florence and Salzburg. We will also explore the history of the entire western world during this trip, from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, to the events that burst forth in the Enlightenment, and the modern age that followed. Lastly, we will explore Mennonite origins as we consider their spiritual heirs in a journey that runs from pagan Rome to the Roman Catholic Church (including the Franciscans of Assisi) through the Waldensians and on to the earliest Anabaptists, including Marpeck and Blaurock. Len Friesen who teaches history and Global Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, and his wife Mary will co-lead this exciting tour in 2010 which also includes the world-famous passion play in Oberammergau, Germany, at the end of the tour. Wednesday & Thursday, July 7 & 8 The tour departs from Toronto, Ontario and Newark, New Jersey, on overnight flights to Rome, Italy. It will be Thursday morning when we arrive in Rome. Before going to our hotel, we will see some of the sites of Rome such as the Roman Forum, The Arch of Titus and the Coliseum. We will learn about the Waldensians, and the rise and fall of the Roman Empire as we are introduced to Rome and Italy. Friday, July 9 After a good night’s sleep, we will be ready to see more of Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel, the Catacombs, as well as walking on the Appian Way toward the Quo Vadis Church. We will pay special attention this day to Roman Catholicism past and present. Saturday, July 10 On Saturday we will travel to Siena via Assisi, where we will marvel at the Basilica de San Francesco, one of the greatest churches in Europe. We will learn about the Franciscans, who can also be considered to anticipate the Anabaptists. We will arrive in Siena in the evening after a very beautiful drive. Sunday, July 11 We will have a guided city tour of Siena this morning and then in the afternoon take an excursion to Florence, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities and one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals. In Florence, we plan to see Michelangelo’s David and other treasures of this matchless city. We will learn about the Renaissance in art, literature, politics and religion. Monday, July 12  Gufidaun Castle where Georg Blaurock was imprisoned Tuesday, July 13 This morning we must leave Italy and travel on to Innsbrück, Austria, to learn about the story of Jacob Hutter there and see the famous Goldenes Dachl roof. We will also visit Rattenberg where we will hear about Pilgram Marpeck, an early Anabaptist leader. Then it’s on to Salzburg for two nights. Wednesday, July 14 Today the coach driver needs a break so you will have free time in the afternoon to explore your own interests in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. But first, in the morning we will take a guided walking tour of this wonderful city, and perhaps also learn something about The Sound of Music’s connection to Mozart’s city. Thursday, July 15 We will have a time of sober reflection today as we go to Dachau and visit one of Hitler’s notorious concentration camps. In Nördlingen where we will stay for the night, we want to visit the Ries Crater Museum and walk on the old city wall which rings the old city.  Building in Oberammergau This morning we will travel to the beautiful village of Oberammergau. The world-famous passion play which was begun in 1634 as a promise to God for delivering the villagers from the plague will be performed this afternoon and evening with a break for dinner. Nearly half of the citizens of the town are involved in staging the performance. This will be a day to be long remembered in years to come as you think about the Good Friday and Easter stories. Saturday, July 17 It’s time to return home so we will drive to Munich to get our flight back to North America. You will have many new memories and stories to take home with you, as well as new friendships made. 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. |
