Swiss Reformation Tour

Transcription

1 Swiss Reformation Tour BIBLE COLLEGE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018 TOLL FREE MORE INFORMATION

2 Swiss Reformation Our tour traces the reformist wave that swept through Germany and Switzerland, and includes visits to Strasbourg, Basel, Konstanz, Wildhaus, Zurich, Einsiedeln, Neuchatel, Lausanne, Geneva, Avignon, the Waldensian Valleys of Northern Italy and ending in Milan. We remember heroes of the Reformation Zwingli and Bullinger, the leading reformers of German speaking Switzerland, William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza in French speaking Geneva and many others. The tour, in partnership with the Bible College of South Australia, will highlight the prereformation Church and its doctrines as well as the work of the Reformers in reclaiming the message of the Gospel for the people of God. Glenn Clarke Glenn Clarke is Bible College SA s lecturer in Church History since He grew up in Victoria and spent 10 years living in the UK where he and Linda met. His area of special interest is the Reformation, particularly in Switzerland and the work of John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli. Glenn is keen to share his knowledge, enthusiasm and experiences. Linda was born in Northern Ireland and lived there until she moved to Aberdeen in Scotland to study Art History and Religious Studies. It was during this time that she met Glenn. She is looking forward to visiting places she has heard Glenn talk about for many years, to support Glenn as he leads this tour and to learn more about how God used his leaders in Europe to reform his church. Glenn and Linda have two adult children and are members of Trinity City Church in Adelaide.

3 Itinerary DAY 1: FRIDAY 15 JUNE DAY 4: MONDAY 18 JUNE Departure flight from Adelaide via Singapore to Frankfurt flying Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa. We depart Strasbourg and cross into Switzerland and the town of Basel. The city of 200,000 is home to Switzerland s oldest university, founded in Basel was heavily involved in the early days of the Reformation movement. Starting in 1521 the city council renounced their obligations to the Bishop, and many of the Catholic church s practices were abolished. An influx of Protestant religious refugees from other countries gave the city an economic boost, especially in the silk trade and eventually silk ribbon weaving, which for decades was the city s most important industry. Depart Australia DAY 2: SATURDAY 16 JUNE Frankfurt Strasbourg Welcome to Frankfurt! On arrival you will be met by your Tour Director and coach and transferred across the border to Strasbourg. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel. HOTEL: Mercure Palais des Congres Hotel, Strasbourg MEALS: Dinner DAY 3: SUNDAY 17 JUNE Strasbourg Strasbourg lies across the German border in France, formerly known as Alsace and its culture and architecture blend German and French influences. This morning, attend a local church service before commencing our sightseeing with a local guide. Touring includes a visit to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, which features daily shows from its astronomical clock and sweeping views of the Rhine River from partway up its 142m spire. We also see St Thomas Church, where Martin Bucer preached and is buried, and St Nicholas Church, where Jean Calvin preached and led services in Afterwards there is some free time to explore on your own. Perhaps visit the Oeuvre Notre Dame Museum at the foot of the cathedral which houses one of the finest collections of medieval art in France. HOTEL: Mercure Palais des Congres Hotel, Strasbourg Basel Zurich Basel s importance to the Reformation is also said to stem from printing and paper manufacturing. Key reformist texts were printed in Basel, as were writings which prepared the way for the Reformation, such as the edition of the Greek New Testament prepared by Erasmus of Rotterdam. Erasmus, one of Europe s most famous and influential scholars, died in Basel in 1536 and is buried in the Basel Münster. Calvin s famous Institutes of the Christian Religion were also printed in Basel in On arrival, walk with your Tour Director through the delightful Old Town featuring cobblestone streets and historic landmarks before some free time to explore on your own. Later, continue onto Zurich for a 3 night stay. After dinner we will visit the University of Zurich for a private viewing of the Bullinger Exhibition. Heinrich Bullinger, Zwingli s successor, knew the potential of information early on. The exhibition provides insights into Bullinger s letters, a unique treasure trove of the history of the Reformation, most of which has survived and has been continuously updated at the University of Zurich for over forty years. The correspondence bears witness to the personal exchange with people from all walks of life and shows a busy networker, who consolidated the Reformation in the then small state and worked far beyond. HOTEL: H+ Hotel, Zurich

4 DAY 5: TUESDAY 19 JUNE Konstanz Wildhaus Today we travel to Konstanz to visit the site of the Council of Constance in 1415, the Jan Hus Museum for a guided visit and the site of his burning before continuing to Wildhaus to visit the house where Ulrich Zwingli was born. It is one of Switzerland s oldest intact farmhouses. Nobody knows when it was built or by whom. The building served as a schoolhouse in the 19th century, and was then renovated around 1900 and gifted to the Evangelical Reformed Church of Canton St. Gallen, which now runs it as a museum. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant. as Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The old town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the medieval air of this city with its many fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers is unique. The elevated Rose Garden above the Bear Park and the platform of the 101-metre-high cathedral tower offer the best views of the old town where the River Aare flows. We walk around the old town with our Tour Director. HOTEL: Hotel Bristol, Bern HOTEL: H+ Hotel, Zurich DAY 8: FRIDAY 22 JUNE DAY 6: WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE We depart for Neuchatel in order to arrive around 9am and stay 3 hours for a special visit to the State Archives which houses a large quantity of original Reformation documents for the 16th century. We continue on to the old town in Lausanne, dominated by the cathedral which is regarded as Switzerland s most impressive piece of early Gothic architecture. We visit the cathedral and learn about Pierre Viret s work here. Late in the afternoon, we drive through to Geneva. Zurich Baretswil Einsiedeln Zurich The Reformation in Zurich began when Huldrych Zwingli came to Zurich and announced a new interpretation of the Bible. In late 1518 Huldrych Zwingli became the pastor and was known as the People s Priest of the Grossmünster Church. On 1 January Neuchatel - Lausanne - Geneva 1519, he gave his first sermon in Zurich. He continued with the city government, to reform the church and social life. This morning we will enjoy a guided inside visit of the Grossmünster. We then leave Zurich and journey to Baretswil for a guided walk to the Anabaptist caves followed by lunch. Continue to Einsiedeln to visit Abbey Church for Vespers at 4.30pm. Later return to Zurich. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant HOTEL: H+ Hotel, Zurich MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch DAY 7: THURSDAY 21 JUNE Zurich Bern This morning explore some of the important sites of Zurich, including a visit to the Helferei (subject to availability). The unassuming office building at 13 Kirchgasse belies the importance of the work that was accomplished within its walls. The Helferei is the office where Huldrych Zwingli studied and wrote the sermons that forever altered Zürich and Switzerland. We also visit the religious history section of the Swiss National Museum before travelling to the Swiss Capital Bern. Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully HOTEL: Novotel Geneva Centre, Geneva DAY 9: SATURDAY 23 JUNE Geneva Embedded between nearby alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura, the French-speaking city of Geneva has a unique humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair. As the European seat of the United Nations and headquarters of the Red Cross, it is known as the Capital of Peace. The old town, the heart of Geneva is dominated by St. Peter s Cathedral and the Place du Bourgde-Four, which is the oldest square in the city. Quays, lakeside promenades, countless parks, lively side streets in the old town and elegant shops invite guests to stroll, and we take a walking tour with a local guide. We also visit the UN. A visit to Geneva University and a lecture on the Reformation has been proposed but yet to be confirmed. HOTEL: Novotel Geneva Centre, Geneva

5 DAY 10: SUNDAY 24 JUNE Geneva After a local church service this morning our sightseeing continues with a guided visit to the International Museum of the Reformation (MIR). The Museum retraces the history of the Reformation movement initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and others. Through objects, books, manuscripts, paintings and engravings, the museum tells the story of the movement that spread in part from Geneva during the 16th century and grew into one of the main families of Christian churches. We also take a cable car ride to Mount Saleve 1,100 metres above sea level. Nature lovers will enjoy the fresh air, the fauna and flora and the stunning vista of Geneva. HOTEL: Novotel Geneva Centre, Geneva DAY 11: MONDAY 25 JUNE Avignon We travel today to Avignon by coach. We stop at the charming French city of Annecy before continuing through the French countryside and onto Avignon. Our sightseeing of the historic centre includes the Palais des Papes, the cathedral and the Pont d Avignon, which together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Once a fortress and palace, the Papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. HOTEL: Novotel Avignon Centre, Avignon DAY 12: TUESDAY 26 JUNE Avignon - Turin From Avignon, we travel to Grenoble and onto visit the Grand Chartreuse Museum in Saint Pierre de Chartreuse. Located in the most beautiful section of the Chartreuse mountain range, this Museum housed in a 12th century building was once part of the Monastery and was the home of the Chartreuse monks from the 12th to the 17th century. We then travel to our overnight accommodation in the Waldensian valleys. HOTEL:Hotel Barrage, Pinerolo DAY 13: WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE Waldensian Valley A full day to take in the beauty of this region centred around the town of Torre Pellice. We will explore the secluded valleys where the Waldensians lived to escape persecution and visit a Waldensian church and museum. We may also visit the College of the Barbes where their people were trained to go out and spread the gospel. HOTEL:Hotel Barrage, Pinerolo MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner DAY 14: THURSDAY 28 JUNE Turin - Milan We travel into Turin today and visit the Museum of the Holy Shroud if available (Note: The Museum is currently showing as closed for renovations. A visit has been included but this is purely subject to availability). We also visit the cathedral before enjoying some free time. Continue to the city of Milan for our final night. HOTEL Holiday Inn Garibaldi, Milan DAY 15: FRIDAY 29 JUNE Tour ends in Milan Your tour ends after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.

6 Tour Costs Price is based on a minimum of 35 passengers EARLY BIRD PRICE Per person twin share Must deposit before 29 December 2017 (*The tour price will increase by $ per person thereafter) $ 7,499.00* Single room supplement $1, Inclusions Return economy class airfares to into Frankfurt and out of Milan, flying Singapore Airlines/Lufthansa Not included Travel insurance - go to missiontravel.com.au/insurance for a 20% discount 13 nights hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels Lunches (unless stated) Half board meals (breakfast and dinner daily) Drinks with meals Licenced travel manager and local guides Entrance to all sights mentioned in the itinerary Personal expenses - laundry, internet (most hotels offer free wifi), shopping Tips to guides and drivers Any other items not mentioned Transport in air conditioned motorcoaches Porterage of 1 bag per person Donation to the ministry of the Bible College of SA TOLL FREE MORE INFORMATION