Immerse yourself in the lands sacred to Christians, Jews, Arabs, and countless others around the globe. On this tour, you’ll explore sites of both biblical and wider cultural import, including the Jordan River, Caesarea Philippi, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Galilee. You’ll learn about the wondrously complex significance of the geographical locations for ancient and modern communities alike, returning with a more expansive understanding of “The Holy Land.”
Jordan has so much to offer. Everyone wants to see Petra; indeed many would say that Petra alone is worth the trip to Jordan. But there are many other highlights as well, including the spectacular Roman ruins of Jerash, Kerak’s massive crusader fortifications, and the Umayyad desert castles. This program allows for several customizations, such as Israel or Egypt add-on to create a full Holy Land experience.
Discover the lands traveled by the apostle Paul, one of the founders of Christianity. This tour will set Paul’s travels in their wider historical, geographical, and cultural context(s). Among other wonders, you’ll encounter tumulus graves, intricate mosaics, ruins of ancient cities, sites of prophesy, and Christian monasteries. And you’ll visit these sites while traveling the expanse of mainland Greece, from Thessaloniki in the north to the Peloponnese in the south. This program will spark a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities afforded Paul during his ministry in Greece. Cruise add-on: consider completing your journey with a four-day cruise to explore Greek isles (Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete, Patmos) and ancient Ephesus.
Come explore where Early Christianity was established as it began its spread beyond Judea/Palestine. A variety of Christian communities were founded in the lands of ancient Anatolia, representing both Pauline and Johannine (and more besides) traditions of belief and practice. This tour introduces participants to sites and monuments linked to these beginnings. Just as significant, it contextualizes the rise of Christianity via attention to Turkey’s broader cultural and religious history. Group members will encounter the marvels of Istanbul in addition to the wonders of ancient Pergamum, Ephesus, and Aphrodisias—to name just a few visits on this eye-opening journey.
Those interested in the ancient Near Eastern world will find this program immensely rewarding. You will visit world renowned sites such as the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Karnak and Luxor temples, the Valley of the Kings (including King Tut’s tomb), and the beauties of the Nile. You’ll enjoy exploring sites in and around Cairo, including the city’s famous archaeological museum, Coptic churches and monastery (Anba Beshoy ), Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Islamic mosques and citadel. This rich program of sites promises to enlarge participants’ knowledge of the wonder that is Egypt.
This program offers a deeper engagement with this remarkable country. By way of ancient landmarks, travelers will encounter the Saqqara necropolis and Serapeum (a fascinating cultic site), the Bent and Red Pyramids of Dahshur, the Great Pyramid and Sphinx of Giza, and the catacombs of Alexandria. A visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, early in the program, will orient the overall exploration. And an excursion to the El-Fayoum Oasis, desert safari, and 4x4 adventure, in the middle, will provide a refreshing change of pace. All told, this program is guaranteed to satiate the desire for a deeper engagement with Egypt’s wonders.
Travel from Venice to Florence, exploring the exciting and often synergistic relationship between art and faith. On this trip, participants will learn about Italian masters like Giotto, Mantegna, Bellini, Michelangelo, Da Vinci. They will encounter some of the greatest pieces of art from the early Christian age to Baroque times, including mosaics, frescoes, sculptures. And in addition to Venice and Florence, participants will visit such beautiful and culturally rich cities as Verona, Padua, Bologna, Ravenna, and Siena. Come let Italy and its artist treasures inspire you to reflect on the meaning of faith.
This program engages the sites and personalities of the Protestant Reformation. You will walk in the footsteps of reformers Martin Luther, Jean Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli. Experience the historical and cultural riches of places such as Wittenberg, Erfurt, Wartburg, Strasburg, Zurich, and Geneva. This tour transverses parts of three countries - Germany, France, and Switzerland and will bring to life the momentous events of the Reformation.
Learn about the history of the Reformation in Scotland and the origins of the Presbyterian Church. On this tour, you’ll travel in the footsteps of reformer John Knox, while also visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Saint Andrews, Roselyn Chapel — and more! Additionally, you’ll encounter one of the birthplaces of Christianity in Europe: Isle of Iona. This first-hand encounter with Presbyterian history in the beautiful land of Scotland is sure to be an enriching journey.
Delve into the remarkable history of the confessing church, a collection of Christian laypersons and leaders who refused to allow their faith to be co-opted during the rise of Nazism. On this tour, you’ll learn more about faithful resisters such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pastor Paul Robert Schneider, signers of the Barman declaration, and even the theological luminary, Karl Barth. And at sites such as the Buchenwald concentration camp and the Holocaust Memorial, you’ll encounter reminders of the evils which the Confessing Church opposed. This program also incorporates visits to sites of broader cultural significance, including Heidelberg University, the Black Forest, the Kölner Dom cathedral, Weimar, and Wittenberg. So come learn about the Confessing Church while exploring the beautiful country of Germany!