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and the Oberammergau Passion Play

July 7-17, 2010

The Roman Coliseum

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.

Click here to view a presentation on this tour, by Leonard & Mary Friesen.

Click here to read what tour participants have said about the Oberammergau experience.
Click here to read past blogs about Oberammergau.
Click here to read past blogs about our European Heritage Tours.


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 Pantheon, Roman Forum, the Arch of Titus and the Coliseum. We will learn about Rome's pre-Christian origins 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: Our focus this morning will be on the Vatican as we explore its Museums (including the breathtaking Sistine Chapel) and St. Peter's Basilica (by far the largest church in Christendom). We will pay special attention to Roman Catholicism past and present. Then it's time to leave for Assisi, known as one of the prettiest towns in all of Itally.

Saturday, July 10

We begin our day with a tour of the Basilica de San Francesco, one of the greatest churches in Europe, and a true place of Christian pilgrimage. We will learn about the life of St. Francis as well as about the Franciscan order which he founded. We will consider how a movement begun here in the 13th century already anticipates the Anabaptist movement three centuries later. We then depart for Siena as we travel through the rolling hills of Umbria and Tuscany, arriving in Siena after a very beautiful drive.

Sunday, July 11

We will tour Siena this morning and see its famous Piazza. We will learn something of the city's rise and fall, and learn about Catherine of Siena. We then depart for 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, including the renowned Uffizi gallery. We will learn about the Renaissance in art, literature, politics and religion.

Monday, July 12

Gufidaun Castle where Georg Blaurock was imprisoned
Gufidaun Castle where
Georg Blaurock was imprisoned
We will start our day in Florence with a walk around the square that holds its historic Dumo and Baptistry. Many suggest that this modest square contains the whole history of the Renaissance. We will see why this is so. After that, we depart Florence for Italy's beautiful north. We will travel through Bolzano on our way to the Klausen area where we will learn about the Georg Blaurock story and visit the castle at Gufidaun where he was imprisoned. Our drive today and the next day will take us into the heart of Europe's beautiful Alps.

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
Building in Oberammergau
Friday, July 16

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 e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance.
 
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