VIENNA TO VENICE:

The Untold Stories of Women, Peasants & the Anabaptist Witness

Spring 2026: May 6 - 19, 2026 or
Fall 2026: September 16 - 29, 2026

From $6,995 USD | $9,395 CAD

Journey from Vienna to Venice on a powerful exploration of the often-overlooked women, peasants, and artisans who shaped the Anabaptist story. Trace their courage across Austria, Czechia, and Northern Italy as you visit historic sites of faith, resistance, and resilience. Alongside profound history, enjoy Europe’s cultural and natural treasures—from Vienna’s grand artistry to the Dolomites’ serene beauty—guided by storyteller and historian, Dr. Kimberly Schmidt.

Kimberly Schmidt
Tour Experts

Austria, Czechia, Italy
Countries Visited

14 Days
Duration

Moderately Active
Activity Level

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Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee) in the Dolomites, Italy

Walk in Footsteps of Reformers

Explore key sites tied to early Anabaptist leaders and movements.

Uncover Hidden Stories

Learn about the women and working-class believers who shaped the faith.

Discover Cultural Landmarks

Visit Vienna’s museums, Melk Abbey, and baroque Salzburg.

Experience Alpine Beauty

Wander flower-filled meadows and mountain trails in the Dolomites.

Reflect in Historic Venice

Conclude your journey amid the canals and historic light of this storied city.

City skyline at dusk with historic churches and buildings, including prominent green-domed and black spired steeples, and distant hills with a communication tower.

DAY 1 • May 6, 2026 / September 16, 2026

Vienna

Arrive in Austria's imperial capital and settle into your hotel. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at charming local cafés. In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception as we introduce the inspiring journey ahead. 

Night view of an ornate historic building with a large domed roof and statues, illuminated by bright lights, and a clear blue sky in the background.

DAY 2 • May 7, 2026 / September 17, 2026

Vienna

Art & Everyday Life
Step into Vienna's rich artistic legacy with a guided tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, featuring paintings of peasant life by Bruegel and others. After lunch in the museum café, explore Vienna on foot with Dr. Kimberly Schmidt, delving into the social and cultural backdrop of the early Anabaptist movement. Conclude with dinner at a traditional Viennese restaurant and a scenic stroll along the Ringstrasse.

A man shopping at a fruit stand filled with apples, grapes, cherries, and peaches.

DAY 3 • May 8, 2026 / September 18, 2026

Vienna

Anabaptist Footprints

Uncover the lesser-known stories of Anabaptists in Vienna through conversations with local historians and scholars. Savor lunch at the vibrant Naschmarkt, Vienna’s famed open-air market filled with international flavors. The afternoon is yours to explore independently or rest ahead of the travel days ahead. Dinner is on your own—perhaps sample one of the city’s cozy taverns or elegant cafes. 

A group of women sitting together on a wooden structure at an outdoor historic site, with a castle ruin and lush greenery in the background. The women are smiling and laughing, enjoying each other's company.

DAY 4 • May 9, 2026 / September 19, 2026

Lower Austria & Czech Borderlands

Depart Vienna as we begin our journey toward Czechia. Visit the open-air Niedersulz Museum to experience rural village life, then continue to Falkenstein Castle and the town of Mikulov (Nicholsburg) in Czechia. End the day with a communal dinner hosted at a Bruderhof, reflecting on faith traditions.

Aerial view of a large historic castle with baroque architecture, orange and beige color, surrounded by a town with red roofs, a river, and rolling hills in the background.

DAY 5 • May 10, 2026 / September 20, 2026

Salzburg

Abbeys, Memorials & Music 

Start the day at the magnificent Melk Abbey, perched above the Danube, before visiting the sobering Mauthausen Memorial and Concentration Camp. In the evening, enjoy free time in Salzburg and an optional historical stroll with Kimberly through the musical heart of the city. 

A scenic landscape featuring a white castle with red and white window shutters, nestled among green trees and yellow flowers, with tall mountain peaks in the background.

DAY 6 • May 11, 2026 / September 21, 2026

Kitzbühel

Salzburg to Kitzbühel

After a relaxed morning, join an optional Sound of Music-themed excursion before we travel to the Tyrolean Alps. Visit Freyberg Castle and settle in for the evening in a mountain village surrounded by alpine charm.

A scenic view of a European town at sunset with colorful buildings, church spires, and mountains in the background.

DAY 7 • May 12, 2026 / September 22, 2026

Innsbruck

Faith in the Habsburg Heartland

Explore Rottenburg and Hall in Tirol, two key sites where Anabaptists lived, worked, and were persecuted. Walk through Innsbruck, dine at a beloved local café, and visit the "Remaining Fragments" Memorial commemorating Anabaptist martyrdom.

A European street with colorful buildings, outdoor seating, and a historic clock tower in the background under a blue sky with clouds.

DAY 8 • May 13, 2026 / September 23, 2026

Brixen

Into Südtirol

Travel through the Brenner Pass into Italy's Dolomite region. Stop in the historic town of Sterzing and continue to Uttenheim for a visit to the Neuhaus Castle. Arrive in Brixen, your home base in the Puster Valley.

An old European church with a small bell tower and statues on top, illuminated at dusk, with a cobblestone street in the foreground and dark stormy clouds overhead.

DAY 9 • May 14, 2026 / September 24, 2026

Brixen

Castles & Culture in Brixen

Visit Rodenegg Castle, perched dramatically above the valley, and then explore Brixen’s historic old town and the Prince-Bishop’s Palace. Learn how noble families shaped religious life in the region and experience the cultural fusion of Alpine and Italian influences. The evening is yours to relax, stroll the cobbled streets, and enjoy local cuisine at your own pace—dinner is on your own.

A scenic view of a small village with green fields and trees, set against a backdrop of mountains with jagged peaks during sunset or sunrise.

DAY 10 • May 15, 2026 / September 25, 2026

Klausen

Klausen & the Dolomite Meadows

Start your day with an immersive walking tour of the picturesque medieval town of Klausen (Chiusa) — far more than just a scenic stop, Klausen was a central stronghold of the Anabaptist movement in Tyrol. From this place of profound historical significance, pause and reflect before heading into the soaring Dolomite mountains to take in the stunning views and hike among flower-strewn meadows.

Street scene with vendor stalls, pedestrians, and historic European-style buildings with mountain backdrop

DAY 11 • May 16, 2026 / September 26, 2026

Venice

Bozen to Venice - From Mountains to Canals

This morning, stroll through Bozen’s vibrant farmers' market or visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology (optional activity) to see the world-renowned Iceman “Ötzi.” In the afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Venice Mestre. Upon arrival, transfer by private water taxi to your hotel in the historic center of Venice—a fitting introduction to the floating city. Enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local Venetian restaurant.

A glassblower is shaping a glass piece using tools in a workshop.

DAY 12 • May 17, 2026 / September 27, 2026

Venice 

Venice: Glass, Faith & Hidden Stories

Begin the day with a guided visit to a Murano glass factory, where you'll witness master artisans at work preserving a centuries-old craft. In the afternoon, walk the storied streets of Venice on an Anabaptist-themed historical tour led by Kimberly Schmidt, uncovering faith-filled narratives woven into the city’s fabric. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure—perhaps indulge in a local café, explore canal-side neighborhoods, or attend an optional Vivaldi concert. Dinner is on your own.

A canal scene in Venice, Italy with a gondola and a gondolier in foreground, historic buildings on both sides, and a pedestrian bridge over the canal in the distance.

DAY 13 • May 18, 2026 / September 28, 2026

Venice

Venice: Power, Reflection & Food

This morning, join a local expert guide for a tour of Venice’s iconic sites: St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs—evocative places where politics, power, and religious convictions collided. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Optional activities include a scenic gondola ride and a Venetian aperitivo experience. In the evening, gather for a final celebratory dinner and share reflections from your journey.

Venetian waterfront at sunset with boats on the water and historic buildings in silhouette.

DAY 14 • May 19, 2026 / September 29, 2026

Venice  

Departure from Venice

Bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you transfer to the airport or continue your journey independently, carrying with you unforgettable stories of faith, courage, and cultural richness.

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Pricing

Registration:

Early Bird Rate until March 16 (Save $500)

After March 16, 2026

Double Occupancy:

$6,995 USD | $9,395 CAD

$7,495 USD | $9,995 CAD

Single Occupancy:

$8,295 USD | $11,195 CAD

$8,795 USD | $11,795 CAD

Inclusions

  • 13 Nights of curated accommodations in premium, high-quality and unique experiences 

  • All breakfasts, 9 dinners, 1 welcome reception with high quality and unique culinary experiences

  • Expert story teller & local guides

  • Private comfortable coach transportation within tour 

  • All listed excursions and entrances in program such as:

    • Historic churches, castles, museums, cultural sites across Austria and Italy

    • Murano glass factory, Basilica of St. Mark, Doge's Palace (Venice)

    • Private boat to Murano 

  • Hotel porterage at most hotels (including Venice)

  • Private water taxi group transfers in Venice on arrival and departure to Marco Polo Airport 

  • Customary gratuities for driver, meals, local guides

Exclusions

  • International airfare and all associated fees

  • Airport transfers on arrival

  • Departure transfer in Venice if outside of group transfer

  • Lunches

  • Beverages with meals (other than water that is included at dinners)

  • Personal expenses and optional activities not outlined in the itinerary (such as Vivaldi concert, Gondola ride in Venice)

  • Gratuities to hotel staff, airport porters, or personal service gratuities not explicitly listed

  • Visas (if required)

  • Travel Insurance

register now
A woman with short reddish-brown hair and glasses, wearing a black top and a patterned scarf, standing against a wooden background.

TOUR EXPERT

Kimberly Schmidt

Historian · Writer · Lyric Soprano · Gardener

Kimberly D. Schmidt, Ph.D. is Professor of History Emerita at Eastern Mennonite University and directed Washington Semester-- EMU for over twenty years. She has published several times on various topics relating to Anabaptist and Mennonite women and gender dynamics in Mennonite communities.

MORE ABOUT KIMBERLY

  • "The leaders (Kimberly & Mary) and getting to know others in the group was a rich experience. I loved learning about the various role women played. Singing in the caves and Helena Von Friebergs castle were highlights as well."

    - Nancy C.

    EMU Radical Reformation @ 500: Gender & Class 2025

  • "I especially valued hearing some stories about Anabaptist women in the movement. Awesome variety of voices: Mary, Kimberly, various in-country guides and speakers."

    - Keaton S.

    EMU Radical Reformation @ 500: Gender & Class 2025

  • "Kim and Mary were incredible leaders and grew to be friends; the in-country guides were exceptional and added so much to our educational experience."

    - David B. & Sharon H.

    EMU Radical Reformation @ 500: Gender & Class 2025

  • "One of the best things about the trip was the people we met and got to know - it was simply a wonderful group of folks who came together cohesively because the focus on women and peasants brought together a group of folks interested in that particular angle."

    - Cheryl M.

    EMU Radical Reformation @ 500: Gender & Class 2025

Questions?

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

Reserve Your Spot

Upcoming Heritage Stories

Tours
Vienna to Venice: The Untold Stories of Women, Peasants & the Anabaptist Witness
May 6
Vienna to Venice: The Untold Stories of Women, Peasants & the Anabaptist Witness

Journey from Vienna to Venice on a powerful exploration of the often-overlooked women, peasants, and artisans who shaped the Anabaptist story. Trace their courage across Austria, Czechia, and Northern Italy as you visit historic sites of faith, resistance, and resilience. Alongside profound history, enjoy Europe’s cultural and natural treasures—from Vienna’s grand artistry to the Dolomites’ serene beauty—guided by storyteller and historian, Dr. Kimberly Schmidt.

Classic Anabaptist Heritage Tour
May 17
Classic Anabaptist Heritage Tour

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.

Down the Rhine: The Swiss Mennonite Exodus
Jun 2
Down the Rhine: The Swiss Mennonite Exodus

This journey follows the path of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists—families whose faith and convictions led them to be exiled from their homelands and floatdown the Rhine River in search of refuge and peace. Along this unforgettable route, explore powerful landscapes and historic towns, discover stories of resilience and hospitality, and walk in the footsteps of those who shaped the Mennonite and Amish identities.

Castles and Convictions in Romania: Tracing Anabaptist Roots through Transylvania
Jun 4
Castles and Convictions in Romania: Tracing Anabaptist Roots through Transylvania

Step into the heart of Transylvania, where the echoes of faith, resilience, and cultural exchange have shaped communities for centuries. Led by storyteller Rodney Hofer, this immersive journey traces the remarkable history of the Hutterites in Romania — their imprisonments, escapes, and places of refuge — while embracing the region’s diverse cultural tapestry. 

Discover Faith, History & Fun in Holland-Belgium & Germany
Jul 11
Discover Faith, History & Fun in Holland-Belgium & Germany

Journey through the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, exploring vibrant cities, medieval towns, and inspiring faith landmarks. Visit iconic sites such as the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and Amsterdam’s canals, and enjoy castle visits, artisan villages, and a Royal Delft porcelain factory. Families will love this meaningful blend of history, faith, and hands-on discovery—creating lasting memories together.

Discover Prague & the Mennonite Sojourn in Poland
Sep 1
Discover Prague & the Mennonite Sojourn in Poland

Begin your journey in Prague, the stunning capital of the Czech Republic, where you’ll be enchanted by colourful baroque buildings, Gothic churches, and the lively Old Town Square. Continue on to key sites in Kraków and Warsaw, delving deeper into Poland’s layered history. With expert guidance from Mennonite historian John Sharp, trace the journey of Dutch and German Mennonites who settled in Poland’s Vistula Delta from the 1530s through to the Second World War.

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