Faith-based Tours
We all have stories about how travel breaks down walls and builds bridges of understanding and respect. While the current economy has stifled the travel industry in general, we have seen the faith-based market strengthen. Faith-based travel used to be defined as a pilgrimage or a mission trip. Today that definition has been expanded to be much more, as it encompasses not only the knowledge but the experience of faith with others. Faith-based groups travel any where in the world on trips lasting from one to many days; they travel to events, overseas or close to home; they visit a third-world country or an inner city, and their destinations can include the Holy Land, Rome or even Disney Land. They travel to a place where they can listen to or tell a story. They travel to reach out a helping hand or to reach out in understanding. The faith-based traveler will go where their own faith can be strengthened and refined, or where they can engage other cultures and build bridges of understanding. Ed-Ventures has helped arrange many faith-based tours for more than two decades. Below are some tours we currently have planned.
If you would like to create your own faith-based tour please contact us.
2019 Faith-based Tours
Holy Family & Coptic Churches of Egypt including Nile Cruise
Feb. 21, 2019; June 27, 2019; Aug. 1, 2019; Sept. 26, 2019, Dec. 19, 2019
Tour Code: EHRP19
Special 25% off pricing for Egypt! Ed-Ventures is passing along an incredible savings offer from our suppliers in Egypt. This specially designed tour explores the lives of the Coptic Christians in Egypt, with a Nile River cruise and visits to the Pyramids at Giza, Temples and Tombs of Luxor, the Aswan High Dam and more. Special pricing is available on several scheduled tours throughout 2019, starting at $2841. We will extend the 25% off pricing on up to 20 additional dates for groups of 8-40 travelers. Or, "Go Private" for a surcharge for groups of 2 or more travelers.
Tour Cost:
varies by departure
Reformation History Tour • May 20 - 30, 2019
Tour Code: RUS19
Delve into the history of the Reformation with Urbana Seminary as we travel through some of Europe’s most picturesque landscapes. We’ll begin with Jan Hus and John Wycliffe and their work in the Prague region. Then, we’ll cross into Germany and follow in the footsteps of Luther to the places important to his theological development. We’ll visit Wittenberg, Eisenach, Mainz and more. We’ll see original printed versions of the Bible in the Gutenberg Museum. Then, it’s on to Switzerland and the history of Zwingli, Calvin and other early Reformation leaders. Throughout the tour, we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the sites, taste local specialties, enjoy traditional cultural attractions, and shop for fun and unique souvenirs.
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Tour Cost:
$2,999 per person
double occupancy
Lutherland & Bavaria • June 14 - 25, 2019
Tour Code: LLB19
Bavarian history comes to life in the most charming and inviting ways. From fairytale castles to half-timbered and cobblestoned town centers, we’ll take in the best of the region as we explore the life of Martin Luther and his fellow reformers. We’ll spend two nights in lovely Wittenberg, continuing on to other historic Luther cities. There will be a night watchman tour of Rothenberg and a visit to Oberammergau as they prepare for the decennial Passion Play. We’ll visit a spectacular Ludwig palace and the Austrian gem of Salzburg, before ending at the famous Hofbrauhaus in Munich.
Tour Cost:
$2,779 per person
double occupancy
Shrines of Quebec • Sept. 24 - 30, 2019
Tour Code: SOQ19
When the French came to the New World in the 16th century, they came not only with explorers, soldiers and settlers, but also with missionaries, priests and nuns. This pilgrimage tour will take us to some of the Quebec’s most beautiful basilicas, along with shrines, little chapels, an abbey, and roadside devotionals. There will be opportunities for prayer and reflection throughout, including several Masses at awe-inspiring churches. You’ll marvel at the artwork and architecture of these buildings – some of it local and some of it imported and pre-dating the French colonies. Individuals and small groups are welcome.
Tour Cost:
$2,079 per person
double occupancy
Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul • Sept. 29 - Oct. 10, 2019
Tour Code: SJGR19
Join Fr. Brian Mulligan and the St. James Coffeehouse as we travel in the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece. The tour begins with the sites of early the early Christians in the Thessaloniki and Macedonia regions, before moving west to the magnificent mountaintop monasteries in Meteora. We’ll continue to Athens to board a 3-night cruise of the Aegean islands. We’ll enjoy incredible stops in Mykonos, Crete, Santorini. A highlight will be our day at the Church of the Revelation in Ephesus, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation and Mass on the island of Patmos. We’ll end our cruise in Athens, where we will explore the depth of history in the city, including Mars Hill where St. Paul preached and the monastery at Penteli. We will certainly find our spirits lifted as we rediscover the stories of this region.
Tour Cost:
$5,199 per person
double occupancy
Including flight from Minneapolis
Pilgrimage to Italy • Oct. 16 - 25, 2019
Optional Venice Extension • Oct. 25 - 28, 2019
Tour Code: CIT19
Visit some if Italy’s most inspirational art and architecture as we make a pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi and Florence. We’ll see the frescos of San Francesco, the museums of Florence, and the incomparable collections of the Vatican museums. We’ll pray at San Damiano, the Duomo, Rome’s major basilicas and at our Papal audience. There will be other touring and sightseeing to fill out the itinerary, before we set out for our extension to Venice. Italy is always a delight, and this tour is sure to lift your spirits.
Tour Cost:
$2,779 per person
double occupancy
2020 Faith-based Tours
Holy Lands: Footsteps of Jesus • Feb. 9 - 21, 2020
Tour Code: SBI20
Join Bible Teacher, Joseph Beitler of Sunrise Bible Church on a spiritual journey to the Holy Lands. Each day is structured to include as many important sites as possible, moving in Israel along the Mediterranean coast from the roman amphitheater at Caesarea to the crusader fortress at Acre, then the biblical locations in the Galilee. We cross the border for a visit to Petra, in Jordan, before returning to Israel to visit the ancient strong-hold at Masada and float in the Dead Sea. Finally, we will spend several days in the Holy City of Jerusalem. You will be in awe of the things you see, and how so many will provide inspiration as they connect you to scripture, history, and your faith.
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Tour Cost:
$4,299 per person
double occupancy
Including flight from Minneapolis
A Journey through the Holy Lands • March 27 - April 7, 2020
Tour Code: VTI20
Popular Bible teacher, author and speaker Vicki Tiede will once again lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A highlight of our tour will be the Palm Sunday procession, walking in faith with thousands of others from all corners of the world. Included are visits to sites of the Old and New Testaments, Tel Aviv and Jaffa, the Galilee Region, Jerusalem, Qumran, and the Dead Sea. Don’t miss the pre-tour option to Jordan, where we will visit Petra, the mosaics at Madaba, Mt. Nebo (where Moses looked over the land of milk and honey), and the baptismal site at Bethany. Early-bird booking incentives are offered.
Tour Cost:
$2,650 per person
double occupancy
In the Footsteps of Luther and the Passion Play • June 16 - 27, 2020
Tour Code: RGA20 (formerly RTS20)
Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier will host this 12-day exploration of the major Luther historical sites, the Passion Play in Oberammergau, and a few Germany highlights. In addition to the historical and cultural insights provided by our professional tour guides, Pastor Terri will also lead us in scripture study, worship and song. This tour has been custom designed to strike a balance between group site-seeing and down-time to explore (or rest) on your own! Martin Luther’s journey of faith grew from a tentative novitiate full of questions and doubt to that of a passionate and courageous reformer, deeply grounded in God’s grace and the truth of Scripture. This tour will not only explore the sites and history of Luther’s life, but his theological journey as well. The Passion Play in Oberammergau will be the pinnacle of our travels, as we too experience anew the life-changing gift of God’s grace made known on the cross. All are welcome!
Tour Cost:
$3,499 per person
double occupancy
Splendors of Italy and Oberammergau • June 22 - July 2, 2020
Tour Code: RIT20
Ah, Italia! Join tour hosts, Rev. Jason and Sandra Steele, an Evangelical Presbyterian Church minister with a congregation in Owosso, MI, as we we tour the beautiful sights of Italy. We'll start in Rome, with a tour of some of her most magnificent attractions, including the Vatican and the ancient Forum. We'll head through Tuscany to Florence to see the famous Duomo, Michelangelo's David, and other city highlights. After a day trip to Pisa, we'll continue to the canals of Venice. We'll end our tour by crossing into the Bavarian Alps to Oberammergau, where we will attend the once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play in this charming wood-workers' town. Our last stop is a day in Munich to enjoy the sights. A fun and faith-filled journey await.
Tour Cost:
$3,899 per person
double occupancy
Holy Lands and the Passion Play • July 23 - August 5, 2020
Tour Code: HLPP20
Two life-changing faith experiences in one tour! Walk in the footsteps of Jesus, the prophets and the disciples thru the Holy Land. Then see the story of Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ brought to life on stage at the iconic Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany. This is an amazing opportunity to explore the foundations of your Faith.
Tour Cost:
$3,699 per person
double occupancy
Footsteps of Martin Luther in Germany • August 13 - 22, 2020
Tour Code: RMX20
Steve Mixer, a retired pastor, and his wife Merrill, a professional tour guide and history buff, have enjoyed local delicacies in 40 countries throughout their 38- year marriage. They will host this tour which travels from Berlin to Munich, exploring historical sites relating to Martin Luther, quaint villages, magnificent castles, monasteries and churches. We’ll learn how God directed people and events to spark the Protestant Reformation. Then, we’ll attend the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play – a testament to the faith that spared this tiny town from the Black Plague in 1633 and lives today. “For by grace are you saved through faith..it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
Tour Cost:
$2,999 per person
double occupancy
2020 Faith-based Tours
Lutherland and the Passion Play • August 19 - 30, 2020
Tour Code: PPREF20
We explore how faith has motivated action as we move through central Europe on this tour. First, we look at some of the places important to the life of Martin Luther and the start of the Reformation movement in Germany. Then, we have an opportunity to visit the monastery which provided refuge to Bonhoeffer, Mayer and other Nazi resisters. Finally, we visit Oberammergau, a small town where villagers perform the Passion Play once each decade to honor a promise made to God by their ancestors in 1633. Our last stops are in the alps of Lichtenstein and Switzerland for some awe inspiring history and majestic views.
