Heritage Stories · Europe

The Anabaptist Story in Europe

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The Anabaptist Story in Europe

September 9 - 24, 2026
From $5,644 USD / $7,679 CAD

This 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 Jakob Amman, Martin Luther, Michael Sattler, Pilgram Marpeck, and many other Reformation and Anabaptist leaders. Other tour highlights include: an afternoon cruise on the Rhine River, a visit to the Anne Frank house, standing in caves where Anabaptists worshipped in secret, visiting Trachselwald Castle, riding a cable-car up a mountain, and visiting the Weierhof, a semi-communal Mennonite village. Experienced tour storyteller Ayold Fanoy 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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16 Days
Duration

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Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Netherlands
Countries Visited

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Moderately Active
Activity Level

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Trip Highlights

  • Trace the Anabaptist Story – Follow the journeys of early leaders like Jakob Amman, Michael Sattler, and Pilgram Marpeck across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands.

  • Explore Historic Faith Sites – Stand in caves where Anabaptists once worshipped in secret and visit landmarks such as Trachselwald Castle and the Weierhof Mennonite village.

  • Cruise the Rhine River – Enjoy scenic views of vineyards, castles, and charming riverside towns on a relaxing afternoon cruise.

  • Reflect on Stories of Courage – Visit the Anne Frank House and other powerful reminders of faith, resilience, and conviction.

  • Experience Alpine Beauty – Ride a cable car up a Swiss mountain and take in breathtaking panoramas of the Alps.

Colorful row of traditional Dutch-style houses along a canal with bicycles parked on a bridge in Amsterdam.

DAY 1 • September 9, 2026

Amsterdam

Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and transfer individually to your hotel near Amsterdam/Hoofddorp. Settle in and enjoy a relaxed evening before the tour officially begins tomorrow.

Scenic view of a canal in Amsterdam with boats, lined by tall, narrow buildings and lush green trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 2 • September 10, 2026

Amsterdam

Begin your journey in Amsterdam with a visit to the Anne Frank House and the historic Mennonite Singel Church. Enjoy an Anabaptist walking tour through the city center, a scenic canal boat ride, and a welcoming pancake dinner in Amsterdam.

View of a red brick house with white window frames and red shutters, trees with twisted branches, and a cloudy sky.

DAY 3 • September 11, 2026

Near Amsterdam/Hoofddorp

Following an early breakfast, tour the impressive Aalsmeer flower auction where 20 million flowers from around the world are traded daily! Later, visit the charming city of Haarlem. Tour the Corrie Ten Boom House, the former residence of a faithful Christian family who provided refuge for enemies of the Nazis during World War II, and Haarlem Mennonite church. After an individual lunch in Haarlem, visit Asperen to hear the story of Dirk Willems. The day ends with a traditional Indonesian rice table dinner in Heemstede.

Two traditional Dutch windmills with orange and white blades near a water body, under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 4 • September 12, 2026

Berlikum

Experience Zaanse Schans, a historic Dutch village with traditional Dutch Mennonite houses, working windmills, and artisans crafting things like wooden shoes and cheese. Later, get to know Witmarsum: Menno Simons’ hometown. A visit to the hidden church at nearby Pingjum will also be a feature of today, where you will enjoy a provided lunch. Tonight, enjoy the warm hospitality of your host family in Berlikum.

A church with a tall, pointed gothic steeple viewed from a street lined with buildings decorated with German and European Union flags.

DAY 5 • September 13, 2026

Near Cologne

This morning, enjoy worship with your host families in Berlikum. Bid farewell to your new friends and travel to Münster, Germany. Here, take a walking tour to gain greater insight into the darker times of Anabaptist history. Hear about the violent uprising of radical Anabaptists during the Münster Rebellion. End the day with dinner near your hotel.

A castle by a river with green hills and vineyards in the background.

DAY 6 • September 14, 2026

Worms

Begin the day in Köln, with a visit to the twin-towered Gothic cathedral. Then drive to the historic town of Boppard where you will relax and enjoy the scenery on a Rhine River cruise before heading to Worms for dinner.

A historic fishing quay structure with arched windows, red shutters, and a decorative brick and stone facade. There is a black lamp post and a sign that says "Quai de la Poissonnerie" in French. In front, there are flower planters and a row of love locks attached to a railing.

DAY 7 • September 15, 2026

Colmar

Visit the Weierhof this morning: a semi-communal Mennonite village in the Palatinate, and be introduced to the Weierhof archives. Enjoy the medieval walled town of Riquewihr, where there will be free time for exploring the quaint town, shopping, and lunch. Next, see the historic city centre of Colmar on the tourist train.

A group of people gathers in a wooded area near large rocks and a cliff, some sitting and some standing, in a forest with tall trees and sunlight streaming through the leaves.

DAY 8 • September 16, 2026

Emmental

Transfer to the Swiss Jura: a forest-covered ridge with many gorges which made it a favourable refuge location for Anabaptists throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Visit the Bellelay cheese factory for lunch, and see Bellelay Abbey, where some residents converted during the Protestant Reformation. See an Anabaptist hiding spot: the ‘Geiskirchlein’ cave. Stop at the Swiss Mennonite archives in Jeanguisboden to peruse historical artifacts like the Froschauer Bible, copies of the Martyrs Mirror, song books, and family trees with well-known Anabaptist family names.

Scenic view of rolling green hills with scattered houses and a castle-like building in the foreground, under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 9 • September 17, 2026

Emmental

Visit Trachselwald Castle, a fortress once used to imprison radical Anabaptists, such as Hans Haslibacher. Hear Haslibacher’s story and visit the farm where some of his descendants still live today. Visit traditional Swiss cowbell and Örgeli/accordion shops. Stop at the Kambly Cookie factory in Trubsachen for lunch. Take in the stunning view over the Emmental hills and the Alps to reach a typical Swiss homestead in Hinterhutten. Here, see a secret room that once hid Anabaptists on the most wanted list from their pursuers.

A river flowing through a town with houses and trees on the hillside, under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 10 • September 18, 2026

Emmental

The charming town of Bern is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site. In the morning, take a walking tour through this quaint town and see the well-known clock tower, cathedral, and illustrious bear park. Reflect at the harbour, where a group of Anabaptists were exiled from Bern. After lunch and free time in Bern, revisit the beautiful Emmental region and visit sites as time allows. Take in the panoramic views from Chuderhüsi and enjoy a visit to the Emmentaler Cheese Factory in Affoltern before dinner.

Cable car traveling through mountainous landscape with lush green slopes and rocky peaks, cloudy sky overhead.

DAY 11 • September 19, 2026

Luzern

Today is a day for the Alps! Transfer to Lauterbrunnen and take the cog rail train to Mürren, and cable car to the top of the Schilthorn. This offers a fantastic and much more impressive mountain sight to the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. Spend some free time in the mountains and enjoy the glorious views over lunch at the revolving restaurant. Descend via cable car and transfer to your hotel in Luzern. This evening, enjoy a short walk and dinner in Luzern’s city centre.

A group of tourists walking down a narrow street with historic European-style buildings on either side, under a blue sky.

DAY 12 • September 20, 2026

Near Schleitheim 

Zürich and its surrounding area are central to the story of how the Anabaptist movement began. This morning, experience a church service at the Grossmünster, where Ulrich Zwingli and Conrad Grebel/Felix Mantz had their debates. Continue your exploration of old Zürich with an Anabaptist walking tour of sites related to the birth of Anabaptism in 1525. Later, visit a former secret worship site: the Anabaptist Cave at Bäretswil, for worship and reflection.

A large castle situated on a hilltop surrounded by lush green trees with a river and fields in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

DAY 13 • September 21, 2026

Near Neuschwanstein 

Today, walk up the Anabaptist climb (Täuferstieg) near Schleitheim where the first Anabaptist confession was forged in 1527. Reflect at a unique monument placed in 2004 by Reformed Church leaders as an act of repentance and reconciliation between Anabaptists and their former persecutors. Visit the local museum to gain more insights. This afternoon, travel to Bavaria to see the famous 19th-century fairytale castle: Neuschwanstein.

Twilight view of a European town with a river in the foreground, a historic church on a hillside, and mountains in the background.

DAY 14 • September 22, 2026

Salzburg  

This morning, spend a sobering, but meaningful time at Dachau, one of the notorious concentration camps of World War II. The memorials, film and visual displays will remind us of the atrocities committed. Later, travel to Salzburg to enjoy an elegant evening at the Salzburg castle with dinner and a Mozart concert.

A scenic view of a lakeside village surrounded by lush green trees, with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

DAY 15 • September 23, 2026

Salzburg

Delight in a Sound of Music-themed bus and walking tour. Enjoy free time for shopping and relax before the farewell dinner.

Aerial view of a city at dusk with a river winding through downtown, historical buildings with domed roofs in the foreground, and mountains in the background under a pink and orange sky.

DAY 16 • September 24, 2026

Departure from Salzburg

After breakfast, transfer to Salzburg for your flight home, filled with deep memories of an unforgettable journey.

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Pricing

Registration By:

Early Bird Rate until March 9, 2026

After March 9, 2026

Double Occupancy:

$5,644 USD | $7,679 CAD

$6,394 USD | $8,679 CAD

Single Occupancy:

$6,494 USD | $8,834 CAD

$7,244 USD | $9,834 CAD

Inclusions

  • Hotel accommodations in 3-star quality properties (including a one-night cultural homestay experience)

  • Coach transportation within tour

  • All activities, entrance fees, and excursions mentioned in the itinerary

  • Expert tour leader & local guides

  • Gratuities for drivers, guides, hotels, and group meals

Exclusions

  • International airfare and all associated fees

  • Airport transfers

  • Beverages with meals

  • Any additional or optional activities

  • Porterage

  • Schengen Area visa waiver (ETIAS)

  • Visas (if required)

  • Travel Insurance

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TOUR EXPERT

Ayold Fanoy

Historian · Guide · Adventurer · Storyteller · Outdoor Enthusiast

Ayold lives in the Netherlands and works for a Mennonite congregation in Haarlem as a custodian. He enjoys adventure travel—including an annual snowshoe trek in Norway. “For me a Mennonite Heritage Tour is not just a heritage tour, but also a spiritual journey into the faith and life of our forbearers,” says Ayold. His tours help people explore what early Anabaptists discovered about Jesus, that would make them want give up their homesteads and their lives.

MORE ABOUT AYOLD

Questions?

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

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