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Iowa Anabaptist Heritage in Europe Tour

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OVERVIEW

Iowa Anabaptist Heritage in Europe Tour

October 5 - 17, 2026
From $5,475 USD

This classic Anabaptist heritage tour traces the Anabaptist/Mennonite story through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. Visits to significant sites will bring to life the stories of Reformation and Anabaptist leaders. Other tour highlights include: an afternoon cruise on the Rhine River, a visit to the Rijksmuseum, climbing into the foothills of the Swiss Alps to the Cave of the Anabaptists, visiting Trachselwald Castle, riding a cable-car up a mountain, and visiting the Weierhof, a semi-communal Mennonite village. Historian and experienced tour leader John Sharp will share insights as you travel in these beautiful countries that were so important to our Anabaptist ancestors.

Ayold Fanoy
Tour Expert

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13 Days
Duration

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Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria
Countries Visited

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Moderately Active
Activity Level

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Trip Highlights

  • Trace the Anabaptist Story – Follow the Reformation journey through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands.

  • Explore Historic Faith Sites – Visit Trachselwald Castle, the Cave of the Anabaptists, and the Weierhof Mennonite village.

  • Cruise the Rhine River – Enjoy stunning scenery along one of Europe’s most iconic waterways.

  • Experience Art and Culture – Tour Amsterdam’s renowned Rijksmuseum and charming European towns.

  • Learn with Expert Guidance – Gain historical insights from storyteller and historian John Sharp throughout the journey.

Colorful row of narrow Dutch-style houses along a canal, with bikes parked on a bridge in the foreground and their reflection in the water.

DAY 1 • October 5, 2026

Arrivals & Welcome Orientation

Touch down in beautiful Zürich and ease into European time with a simple train ride into the city. Stroll its lakeside promenades before a guided Old Town walk featuring the Grossmünster, Huldrych Zwingli Statue, the site of Conrad Grebel’s home, and the Felix Manz Execution Site. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner to connect and begin the journey together. 

A view of a canal in a city, with boats along the sides and historic buildings with colorful facades and trees lining the streets.

DAY 2 • October 6, 2026

Zürich → Schleitheim → Bäretswil → Zürich

Embark on a meaningful pilgrimage to the Anabaptist Cave in Bäretswil, a secret worship site nestled in the forest. Visit the poignant Schleitheim Monument—commemorating the first Anabaptist confession of faith. Share in reflection and worship where faithful believers once gathered in hiding.  

Two traditional Dutch windmills near a water body with cloudy sky.

DAY 3 • October 7, 2026

Zürich → Emmental Region

Travel into Switzerland’s Emmental region of rolling hills and deep Anabaptist roots. Visit Trachselwald Castle, where Anabaptists were once imprisoned, and reflect on their resilience. Continue through surrounding valleys, including Langnau, one of the oldest Mennonite communities, and enjoy a casual lunch at Kambly. At the Haslibacher farm, consider Hans Haslibacher’s story, then explore Wasen’s local craftsmanship. Conclude with a quiet visit to the Hinterhütten hiding place before returning to the hotel for dinner.

A red and black metal structure with a dome-shaped top, set in a grassy field with trees and sheep in the background, under a cloudy sky.

DAY 4 • October 8, 2026

Bern & Thun, Switzerland

We travel to Bern today, where the story of Anabaptist persecution is etched into the fabric of the city. Walking through its historic streets, we visit significant sites including the execution place of Hans Haslibacher, the Läuferbrunnen fountain, and the Aare River, associated with exile and forced galley service. In the afternoon, visit Thun Castle and the village church in Erlenbach, where Jakob Amman was baptized.  

A city street lined with European-style buildings decorated with German and European Union flags, with a Gothic church with a tall spire in the background under a clear blue sky.

DAY 5 • October 9, 2026

Swiss Alps

Today offers a breathtaking turn toward the Swiss Alps. Travel by mountain rail into the high alpine region surrounding the Schilthorn, taking in sweeping vistas and dramatic peaks along the way. Enjoy an included group lunch at the summit, followed by time to take in the beauty of the alpine landscape and nearby villages at your own pace. In the late afternoon, we return to the Emmental region, carrying with us both the stillness and grandeur of the mountains. 

A castle on a small island in a river with green hills and vineyards in the background.

DAY 6 • October 10, 2026

Thun/Bern Area → Alsace/Strasbourg

Journey into France’s Alsace region, where vineyards, timber-framed villages, and mountain views frame a deeper look at Anabaptist heritage. Along scenic country roads, reflect on the Amish story shaped by this historic borderland. Time permitting, stop in a picturesque village for lunch and exploration, experiencing the blend of French and German culture. Conclude in Strasbourg, rich in Reformation history and once home to Anabaptist leader Pilgram Marpeck.

Stone castle walls and tower with green bushes, a paved pathway, and a blue sky with clouds.

DAY 7 • October 11, 2026

Strasbourg → Weirerhof → Worms

Continue to Weierhof in the Palatinate region—Germany’s unique semi-communal Mennonite village—and visit its important archive. Share in a local church service and enjoy time for coffee, tea, and lunch together in this historic community. A visit to the Weierhof Mennonite Archives offers deeper insight into the lived experience of faith in this region. Later, in Worms, we explore the historic city centre, including the site of the Diet of Worms, where key moments of Reformation history unfolded. We conclude the day with a shared group dinner. 

A scenic view of a canal in a European city, with colorful buildings on either side, people dining outside under umbrellas, and blooming flowers along the walkway, under a bright blue sky.

DAY 8 • October 12, 2026

Worms → Mainz → Rhine River Cruise → Cologne  

Our day begins with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, where the story of print and its role in shaping faith movements comes to life. There will be time for an individual lunch in Mainz or Boppard before continuing into the stunning Middle Rhine Valley. Unwind on a Rhine River cruise, through castle-studded landscapes. Following the cruise, we continue to Cologne for the evening.  

Scenic landscape of rolling green hills with scattered trees, houses, and a castle with a tower in the foreground, under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 9 • October 13, 2026

Cologne → Münster 

Stand in awe beneath the towering spires of Cologne’s Gothic cathedral. Cross into Germany to explore Münster, the dramatic site of a radical Anabaptist uprising. Walk the old town, visit the city museum’s Anabaptist room, and reflect on the lessons of history. Optional free time for outdoor museums or cycling through the city’s medieval streets. 

View of a river with houses on the bank, a bridge, and a cityscape in the background with a prominent church steeple, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

DAY 10 • October 14, 2026

Bern, Switzerland

Stockhorn and Steffisburg 

Then journey into the scenic Simmental valley, regarded as the homeland of the Amish. Visit Thun Castle and the village church in Erlenbach, where Jakob Amman was baptized. Reflect on Amish origins with a stop at the Reformed Church and cemetery in Steffisburg, rich in Anabaptist history. Ascend Stockhorn Mountain by cable car for a breathtaking summit experience. From the panoramic viewing platform, take in awe-inspiring views of the Alps, sparkling lakes, and the Bernese countryside—a stunning moment of reflection before returning to Bern for the night.

Aerial view of a city with two church steeples and a river, surrounded by buildings and mountains in the distance during sunset.

DAY 11 • May 27, 2026

Zurich, Switzerland

Where It All Began

Today includes a visit to an Anabaptist homestead, offering a glimpse into everyday life shaped by faith and resilience. We will journey on to Zurich, where the Anabaptist movement officially began in 1525. We’ll then enjoy a guided walking tour of Zurich, exploring key sites connected to the city’s Reformation and Anabaptist history. 

Group of people, including children and adults, hiking on a trail with a wooden railing near a large cave or rock formation surrounded by trees.

DAY 12 • May 28, 2026

Zurich, Switzerland 

Martyrs & Mountain Reflections 

Visit the poignant Schleitheim Monument—commemorating the first Anabaptist confession of faith. Embark on a meaningful pilgrimage to the Anabaptist Cave in Bäretswil, a secret worship site nestled in the forest. Share in reflection and worship where faithful believers once gathered in hiding.

Aerial view of a river with a waterfall, surrounded by lush green trees, buildings, a bridge, and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 13 • May 29, 2026

Innsbruck, Austria 

Tyrolean Tales & Hutterite Heritage 

Visit Innsbruck’s Hutter Park to see a memorial to Anabaptist martyrs, including the Jacob Hutter Anabaptist story. Enjoy lunch and apple strudel on the famous Maria Theresien Strasse. Tonight, you can attend a Tyrolean folk show to experience authentic local music, dancing, and more.

A picturesque landscape featuring a white castle with red and white window shutters, surrounded by green trees and yellow flowers, with tall mountains in the background under a blue sky.

DAY 14 • May 30, 2026

Kitzbuhel, Austria  

Marpeck’s Legacy & Noble Resistance

In Rattenberg, visit the former home of Pilgram Marpeck—now a glass-blowing centre—and climb to the castle ruins for a sweeping view of the valley he once called home. In Kitzbuhel, learn about the noblewoman Helen von Freyberg, who defied expectations and welcomed Anabaptists into her castle at Münichau.

Panoramic view of a European cityscape with historic churches, orange-tiled roofs, and modern buildings in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 15 • May 31, 2026

Munich, Germany  

Final Reflections & Farewell

Stroll through the city of Augsburg, an important site in both Anabaptist and Reformation history. Share memories and newfound friendships at a farewell dinner—celebrating two incredible weeks of discovery, connection, and spiritual insight.

A cityscape at sunset with buildings featuring red, gray, and green rooftops, some lit apartments, and a clock tower with a green spire in the center. The sky has clouds with a glow from the setting sun.

DAY 16 • June 1, 2026

Departure from Munich

Auf Wiedersehen!

Say goodbye to your fellow travelers, now friends, as you return home—carrying stories of faith, courage, and community that will stay with you long after the tour ends.

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Pricing

Registration:

Standard Tour Fare

Double Occupancy:

$6,209 USD | $8,469 CAD

Single Occupancy:

$7,264 USD | $9,914 CAD

Inclusions

  • High quality hotel accommodations

  • Land transportation within the tour

  • All breakfasts, 12 dinners, 1 reception / snacks

  • Expert tour leaders & local guides

  • All entrance fees and activities included in itinerary

  • Gratuities for drivers, guides, and group meals

Exclusions

  • International airfare

  • Airport transfers to hotel

  • City transit or taxi services where necessary

  • Lunches

  • Beverages with meals

  • Schengen Area Visa Waiver (ETIAS)

  • Visas (if required)

  • Travel Insurance

Tour Experts

John Sharp

MORE ABOUT JOHN

JB Miller

MORE ABOUT JB

Questions?

Reach out to our team at office@tourmagination.com
or by phone at (877) 668-2732.

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