France & Switzerland
   
REFORMATION TOUR
PARIS TO ZURICH
   
Huguenot History, Zwingli's Zurich
and Calvin's Geneva
  
A first class (13 Day) detailed program
 

Offered March thru November

Day 1 Depart USA
An overnight flight for Paris, France departs late afternoon.
In Flight Meals

Day 2 Paris
Bonjour and welcome to the city of lights! After being met at the airport and transferred to our hotel, you'll have some free time to explore the city on your own before dinner. Following our evening meal, we are treated to a guided sightseeing tour. Overnight Paris. Dinner included.

Day 3 Paris/Versailles
Following breakfast, we head outside the city to the ornate palace and grounds of King Louis XIV, the palace of Versailles. Within the halls of this impressive residence, empires were founded and kingdoms collapsed. We'll be given a guided tour of the palace and visit the historic (and huge) Hall of Mirrors and the lovely gardens. This afternoon we are back in the center of Paris and a tour of the massive museum, the Louvre. Here you will have a chance to view some of the most famous works of art in history such as the Mona Lisa, Whistler's Mother, the Venus de Milo, and more than 350,000 original pieces from ancient times through the 18th century. The rest of the day is free to explore the city where the tragic St. Batholomew's Massacre of the Huguenots took place in 1572. Overnight Paris. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 4 Avignon/Aix-En-Provence
We leave Paris this morning via train for Avignon, known also as the "city of popes". We'll visit the Palais de Papes (Papal Palace) which was built in the 14th century. The narrow streets of this old town feature cafes, street vendors and entertainers. Our motor coach meets up with us in Avignon and takes us to southeastern France and the sophisticated town of Aix-en-Provence. After settling in at our hotel, we'll have a relaxing dinner and enjoy the sounds of a local music festival. Overnight Aix-en-Provence. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 5 Aix-En-Provence
This sophisticated city was once a ancient Roman spa and later the capital of the region of Provence. Today it is known for romantic streets and elegant houses. In 1598, King Henry IV granted the Huguenots the right to practice their faith and to set up schools and printing presses. Provence was once the site of many such fortified towns featuring Huguenot meeting places and schools. We'll visit the market, the seminary and the renovated studio of impressionist Paul Cezanne. Overnight Aix-en-Provence. 
Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 6 Aix-En-Provence/Mailet
If possible, we will start the day with a worship service before our day trip to Mialet and the Musee du Desert. The rest of the day will be at leisure in Aix-en-Provence. Overnight Aix-en-Provence. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 7 Aix En Provence/Geneva
Today we bid farewell to France and travel the scenic High Alps Road to Chateau Arnoux. Here we'll stop for lunch and a rest before continuing on to Geneva. Overnight Geneva. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 8 Geneva
Our first day in Switzerland and Calvin's city - Geneva. We will enter St. Peter's Cathedral and see the pulpit where John Calvin preached and taught the doctrines that made him known throughout Protestantism. You will also see his Academy and Knox Chapel, named for the famous Scottish reformer who ministered to British exiles during the reign of "Bloody Mary Tudor" and returned to help establish the Presbyterian Church in his native country. Knox described Calvin's Academy as the "most perfect school of Christ on earth since the days of the Apostles." You will also stroll by the Flower Clock and Gardens. Afterwards we'll visit the impressive Reformation Monument, commemorating not only the Reformation in Geneva but throughout the world. Finally, we'll learn more about Calvin and Geneva Protestantism at the Reformation Museum and University Library. Overnight Geneva. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 9 Gruyeres/Interlaken
The scenic road along Lake Geneva takes us to the town of Gruyeres. This unique village sits on a hilltop overlooking vineyards and alpine meadows. It's also famous for it's cheese. After strolling it's charming main street and visiting its 15th century castle, we'll have lunch at the St. George Hotel. This afternoon it's on to Interlaken and the lovely Victoria Jungfrau Hotel. Overnight Interlaken. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 10 Interlaken
The little town of Interlaken is surrounded by majestic alpine peaks between two lakes. Enjoy a day of leisure, shopping, sightseeing or pampering at the luxurious spa at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel. Sightseeing excursions can be arranged at the hotel. Overnight Interlaken. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 11 Lucerne
We arrive in Lucerne this morning, one of Switzerland's most charming Medieval cities. Most travelers agree Lucerne is better seen on foot, so we'll be taking a delightful walking tour. We'll begin at the 14th century Chapel Bridge (which is covered and features wonderful paintings of the city's history on the ceiling). We'll also visit the Jesuit church and the Lion of Lucerne (a memorial to Swiss guards killed during the French Revolution). The buildings in the old town feature marvelously painted facades. Along the lake is the Swiss Transport Museum with an abundance of trains on display. After lunch, we'll take a cruise along the lake among the swans. This afternoon we head for Zurich and the Baur au Lac Hotel. Overnight Zurich. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 12 Zurich
Zurich is definitely a combination of the old and the new. It is divided (as are many European cities) into the modern cosmopolitan district and the Auld Stadt (old city). Most of the time our stay will be spent seeing the sights connected with Ulrich Zwingli. It was in Zurich where the Reformed branch of the Reformation got its start under his leadership beginning in 1520. Today we will see his monument, the church where he was pastor (the Grossmunster), and the Guild Hall and Museum in which you will find artifacts and works of art associated with the Reformation. Zurich is also the origin of the Swiss Brethren Anabaptist Movement which had its start in 1525, not far from Zwingli's church. We'll see the Fraumunster church with the famous Chagall windows and Linderhof, a former Roman site. This afternoon and evening, you will have leisure time for strolling in the old town or shopping on the Bahnhoff Strasse. Overnight Zurich. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 13 Depart Zurich For USA
A morning departure will bring us home by mid afternoon.