European Study Tour – Daily Schedule

 

Day One – Wednesday, April 25

 

Schedule

8:00 a.m.          Load bus at Rosedale

11:45 a.m.        Depart from Port Columbus

Overnight         Over the Atlantic

                                                                                                                                               

Day Two – Thursday, April 26

 

After arriving in Amsterdam, we’ll board the bus with driver and begin the day’s activities which will include:

 

Aalsmeer Flower Auction.  We’ll tour a huge auction house (the size of 9 football fields) and watch purchasers bidding. The auction is a reverse auction – the bidding starts high and drops.

 

Singelkerk. In downtown Amsterdam along the Singel Canal, we’ll visit the “hidden” Mennonite church that dates back to 1608.

 

Rijksmuseum (National museum). We will have the opportunity to see works of famous Dutch masters such as The Kitchen Maid (Vermeer), The Night Watch (Rembrandt) and many others.

 

Schedule

5:55 a.m.          Arrive in Amsterdam

Evening            Dinner in the town of Volendam

Overnight         Formula One motel in Zaandam

                                                                                                                                               


Day Three – Friday, April 27

           

            We’ll drive to Friesland. This northern province was home to many of the early            Anabaptists. Much of the area is land that is below sea level. Plans for today’s      activities include visiting the area in which Menno Simons was born and began         his ministry. We’ll visit: 

 

The town of Alkmaar, famous for its cheese.

 

Witmarsum. Birthplace of Menno Simons and the town where he was priest when he left the Catholic Church in 1536.

 

Menno Simons monument, standing on the site of the meeting place where Menno spoke to his followers.

 

The nearby town of Pingjum, home to Menno Simon’s first parish after his ordination as priest. It also has a “hidden” church that appears to be a residence from the outside, but inside has space for a congregation to meet.

 

Overnight in the streetless canal town of Geithorn, the “Venice of the North.”

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast:at motel

                        Depart for Friesland

                        Arrive in Witmarsum, Pingjum

Overnight         Geithorn at B & B Mol/Groenewegen

                                                                                                                                   

 

Day Four – Saturday, April 28

Begin the day by exploring Geithorn on boats through the canal streets. Geithorn is surrounded by kraggen – floating mats of vegetation strong enough to support a grazing cow. A farmer’s meadow my blow away during a bad storm and need to be poled back home. (MT 226)

 

            If time permits, we may take a side trip to Leuwaarden, the capital of Friesland.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at the B & B

                        Boat rides

                        Possible side trip to Leuwaarden

Overnight         Geithorn (2nd night)

                                                                                                                                               


Day Five – Sunday, April 29

 

Attend church at the Mennonite church in Geithorn. Travel to the German town of Aachen, the center of Charlemagne’s empire. Visit the hot springs that drew the kings and artists of Europe to Aachen for their healing powers.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at the B & B

                        Church in Geithorn – please wear dressy casual (no shorts) attire

                        Travel to Aachen

Overnight         In Aachen at the Ibis Aachen Normaluhr

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day Six – Monday, April 30

 

Tour the Charlemagne’s castle and cathedral. Charlemagne sparked a mini-renaissance in the early 9th century, gathering architects and literary artists together in Aachen.

 

Travel to Paris.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast

                        Tour Charlemagne’s castle and cathedral

                        Lunch on your own

Afternoon         Travel to Paris

Overnight         In Paris: Formula 1 Paris Ponte de Chatilla BB

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day Seven – Tuesday, May 1

Spend the day exploring Paris in small groups. Possible highlights to visit are:

            Eiffel Tower ($$)– built for the 1889 World’s Fair.

Notre Dame Cathedral (free) – built 1163 - 1345. Romanesque architecture

Sainte Chapelle Cathedral  ($$) – begun in 1245. 50’ high stained glass windows.

Monmartre – look over the city and explore the magnificence of the Basilica Le Sacra Coeur (Sacred Heart) (free).

Ste. Denis – the first Gothic cathedral rebuilt in 1137 by Abbot Suger. The crypt contains remains of many greats including Marie Antoinette

Musee Orsay ($$) – arguably the finest collection of impressionistic paintings

Caution: Peddlers selling African carvings, etc can be very persistent. Ignore unless you really want what they are selling. And always be on the lookout for pick-pockets.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at motel

                        Travel to Paris via public transportation (rest day for bus driver)

                        Lunch on your own

Overnight         Formula 1 Paris Ponte de Chatilla BB (2nd night)

           

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day Eight – Wednesday, May 2

 

Today we will visit:

 

The Louvre. Once a palace, a homeless shelter, and now a museum. Miles of some of the world’s most famous sculptures and paintings. And of course, home to the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci.

 

Strasbourg became home to many Anabaptist leaders because of its relative tolerance of religious beliefs ((Hubmaier, Reublin, Sattler, Hofmann, Denck and Marpeck) (MT 265)

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at motel

                        Travel to the Louvre by bus

                        Lunch on your own???

Afternoon         Leave for Strasboug

                        Dinner at Mt. St. Odele Monasley

Overnight         Mt. Odele Monasley (monastery)

                                                                                                                                               

Day Nine – Thursday, May 3

We will visit:

Struthof Concentration Camp, located in the Vosges Mountains. It was the only concentration camp operated by the Nazis on French territory. It held prisoners from May 1941 until  September 1944.

 

The town of Obernai, known for its timbered houses, colorful marketplace and watch tower.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at Mt. St. Odele Monasley

                        Struthof Concentration Camp

                        Lunch on your own

                        Travel to Obernai

                        Dinner at Mt. St. Odele Monasley

Overnight         Mt. Odele Monasley (2nd night)

 

                                                                                                                                               

Day Ten – Friday, May 4

Today we’ll travel through Amish/Mennonite country via Bern. If there is time, we’ll visit Trachselwald– parts of the castle date back to 1313. Countless Anabaptist prisoners were held within the 8-ft. thick walls.   (MT 105)

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at Mt. St. Odele Monasley

                        Leave for Signau, Switzerland

                        Visit Trachselwald (if time)

                        Dinner at Peter Murri Farm

Overnight         in Signau at the Peter Murri Farm

 

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day 11 – Saturday, May 5

 

Today we take a break from the subjects of history and humanities by taking a scenic day trip to:

 

Interlaken – the town between the lakes. Walk through the town and enjoy the sights. Be sure to include the small church at the far end of town.

 

Murren – this mountain town will be a stop on our ascent up the Schilthorn

 

Schilthorn Mountain (goat’s horn)– if the day is clear, we will have a spectacular view of the alps. If not, we’ll have a spectacular view of the fog. We will ride a cable car to the lookout station on top and view scenes from a James Bond movie filmed there.

 

The evening will be spent catching up on laundry, journaling in a peaceful alpine setting.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at the Peter Murri farm

                        Leave for Interlaken, Murren and the Schilthorn

                        Dinner at Peter Murri Farm

Overnight         Peter Murri farm (2nd night)

                                                                                                                                               


Day 12 – Sunday, May 6

 

Today we’ll visit:

 

The Emmental region – (valley of the river Emme) known for its beautiful countryside and cheese products. Anabaptists fled here to escape persecution because its remoteness and because its residence were sympathetic to the Anabaptists. (MT 103)

 

The town of Lagnau. Look for familiar Mennonite names that indicate this was the home of many of our physical and spiritual ancestors. (MT 103)

 

The Frankhauser farm, home to an Anabaptist family during times of persecution. The tour of the farm includes viewing the small compartment under the hay in which the father hid during times the farm was being searched.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at the Peter Murri farm

                        Leave for church in Lagnau – the oldest continuous Mennonite                                       congregation

Overnight         Peter Murri Farm (3rd night)

 

                                                                                                                                               


 

Day 13 – Monday, May 7

 

Today we’ll travel to Zurich and visit:

 

Emmental region – (valley of the river Emme) known for its beautiful countryside and cheese products. Anabaptists fled here to escape persecution because its remoteness and because its residence were sympathetic to the Anabaptists. (MT 103)

 

Anabaptist Cave – a secret place of worship for Anabaptists in the 16th century. The cave could hold up to 150 people.

           

            Walking tour of Zurich, which includes (MT 87,88):

·        the Limmat River, where Felix Manz was drowned on January 5, 1527 and from which George Blaurock was chased from the city

·        the Gross Munster (the people’s church) where Zwingli’s church (notice the lack of art due to Zwingli’s influence)

·        largest clock face on St. Peter’s, 28’ in diameter, every minute its minute hand moves 18”.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at the Peter Murri farm

                        Leave for Zurich

                        Walking tour to the Anabaptist Cave.

                        Travel toward Austria

Overnight         in the Fitzbach Youth Hostel in Lichtenstein. Some facts:

                                    form of government – hereditary monarchy with democratic                                           parliamentary basis

                                    population – 33,700

                                                                                                                                               


Day 14 – Tuesday, May 8

            Today we’ll drive to Mittersill, Austria. We will arrive mid-afternoon, in time for                      a hike.  Some history about the Schloss Mittersill Castle:

            1150 first castle built on the sight

            1526 castle is burned during peasant revolt

            1528 peasants forced to rebuild castle (date on gate)

            1533 chapel is built (date on ceiling)

            1938 another fire – from lightning? restored after WWII

            1967 purchased by International Fellowship of Evangelical Students and            now used as a retreat center for study and seminars.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at the hostel.

                        Travel to Austria

Afternoon         Arrive at Mittersill Castle

                        hike

Evening            dinner in the castle banquet room

Overnight         in the Mittersill Castle

           

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day 15 – Wednesday, May 9

 

            Today’s destination is Salzburg. Sites include:

·        Mozart’s birthplace

·        Geitreidegasse – the medieval street through old Salzburg. Old Salzburg is closed to motorized vehicles.

·        several incredible churches

·        The Hohensalzburg fortress – begun in 1077 towers over the city.

·        Sound of Music Sights – the church where Maria von Trapp was married.

·        Mirabell Gardens – where scenes for Sound of Music were shot

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at Mittersill

                        Travel to Salzburg

Evening            Dinner at the castle

                        watch Sound of Music in castle theater

Overnight         Castle (2nd night)

 

                                                                                                                                               


Day 16 – Thursday, May 10

Today’s journey includes a drive through the Alps to Italy and the famed city of Venice.

 

Venice is known for its canals and beautiful buildings. Sights to see include:

·        St. Mark’s Basilica (free) begun in 1094 and campanile ($). Note: dress code of no bare shoulders or shorts.

·        Academy Gallery ($) – Venetian paintings by Tintoretto, Giorgione, Bellini, Veronese

·        Peggy Guggenheim Collection ($) – includes works by Picasso, Dali and Pollock

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at Mittersill

                        Travel to Venice

Evening            Dinner and exploring Venice

Overnight         Venice Hotel Trivoli

 

           

                                                                                                                                               

Day 17 – Friday, May 11

 

Today we’ll travel to Florence, the home of the Renaissance and the birthplace of the modern world (Steves). Sights to see during our two-night stop include:

  • The Florence Cathedral (free) and dome ($), baptistery ($) and Campanile ($) (Giotto). The Dome was the crowning achievement of Brunelleschi after loosing the baptistery door competition. He studied the Pantheon in Rome as he developed his plan.
  • The Accademia ($)– contains Michaelangelo’s David, Prisoners and many other sculptures.
  • The Bargello ($)– a sculpture museum with works by Donatello (David) and Michaelangelo.
  • Many other churches with fabulous paintings (Fra Angelico, Massachio)
  • Many other wonderful museums and historic piazzas.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at hotel in Venice

                        Spend the morning in Venice                

Afternoon         Travel to Florence

Evening            Dinner, exploring Florence

Overnight         Florence Autopark Hotel

                                                                                                                                               


 

Day 18 – Saturday, May 12

 

We’ll enjoy another day in Florence.

 

We’ll visit the Uffizi Gallery as a group. The gallery contains paintings by greats such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Duccio, Titain, Botticelli and many others. Many of the pieces of art from the Florentine Renaissance in our humanities text are housed in this museum.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at hotel

                        Uffizi Gallery

                        Free time to visit various sights of interest

                        Meeting time to board bus to hotel

Evening            Dinner at hotel

Overnight         Florence Autopark Hotel (2nd night)

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day 19 – Sunday, May 13

 

After attending church in Florence, we’ll drive to Rome via San Gimignano and Siena. We will stop as time allows..

 

The Tuscan medieval town of San Gimignano still has 14 of its original 72 watch-towers standing. The town is walled and no motor vehicles allowed. (Steves)

 

Siena was a banking power house in the 1200’s and with a population of 60,000, was bigger than Paris. The black death hit in 1348 and wiped out 1/3 of the city. (Steves). Sights to see include several cathedrals (with art by heavy weights such as Michelangelo and Bernini. Also, there are several museums.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at hotel

                        Church in Florence

Afternoon         Leave for Rome - possible stops at San Gimignano and Siena.

Evening            Dinner in Rome

Overnight         Rome – Hotel Esquilino

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day 20 – Monday, May 14

 

You could spend a month in Rome and not see everything. Some of the suggested sights to take in include:

·        St. Peter’s Basilica – boasts the word’s largest dome at 330’. Home to Michaelangelo’s Pieta. No shorts or bare shoulders.

·        The Sistine Chapel – the ceiling has a nice painting on it – by Michelangelo

·        Coliseum – the place of gladiators. 50,000 seats that could be emptied in 20 minutes.

·        Pantheon – now a church – once a shrine to the pagan gods. Was the world’s largest dome for centuries.

·        Arch of Constantine – near the coliseum

·        Palatine Hill – acres of ruins of the emperor’s palaces. By tickets here for both Coliseum and the Hill and avoid long lines.

·        Fountains everywhere – Trevi, The Spanish Stairs

·        National Museum of Rome

·        St. Peter-in-the-Chains (Vincoli) Church – Michaelangelo’s Moses

·        Borgese Gallery – works by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian.

·        Trajan’s column – a 120’ high tower of Trajan’s accomplishments.

 

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at hotel

            Leave for St. Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel (dress code – no shorts) -                          public            transportation

Afternoon         free to see sights – stay in groups

Evening            Dinner in Rome

Overnight         Rome – Hotel Esquilino (2nd night)

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day 21 – Tuesday, May 15

           

            A free day in Rome to see suggested sights.

 

Schedule

Morning           Breakfast at hotel

            Sightseeing

                        Dinner in Rome

Overnight         Rome – Hotel Esquilino in Rome (short night)

                                                                                                                                               

 

Day 22 – Wednesday, May 16

           

Travel to Rosedale!

 

Schedule

3:00 a.m.          Load bus for airport

6:15 a.m.          Flight leaves Rome

4:14 p.m.          Arrive in Columbus