Explore Europe 2022

Leaving Oberammergau, Germany for Munich airport and then back home for most of the group.  Saying good bye is always hard to do. This was an amazing trip. God blessed us with wonderful weather, good health, safety as we travelled many miles. A special blessing was the wonderful fellowship and friendships that were formed during this time.  Our drivers, Marcel and Andre were both very careful and qualified. Andre fit right in with our group, had a good sense of humor,  but was very helpful and kind.    Our tour leader/ guide, Ayold Fanoy, was knowledgeable,  patient,  friendly,  had a sense of humor and all around best leader. We really learned a lot about our Anabaptist history, plus other points of interest. God truly blessed us with a wonderful trip.   

A couple hour drive to Oberammergau, Germany to experience the PassionPlay that is performed every 10 years, but was postponed for 2 years because of COVID-19.  This is a beautiful village and only residents of the village can play in this.  The open air theater seats approximately 5,000 people. The play is a total of 5 hours. 2 1/2 hours then a 3 hour break, and another 2 1/2 hours.                                   View from my bedroom balcony the morning we left.  

It was here in front of the gold roof, that Jakob Hutter, the leader of the Hutterites, was burned at the stake in 1536. Free morning in Innsbruck to enjoy this beautiful city, and have apple strudel and coffee outside while listening to the band playing beautiful music. Getting ready to go into the Silver mine in Schwaz, Austria. This was the largest silver mine from the middle ages.  Our group at the silver mine. Travel on to Rattenburg, a small fortified town on the Inn River. Anabaptist were also tortured and martyred in this area. Mostly Hutterites. Walked up to the fortress up on the hill overlooking the Inn River and valley. A delicious wiener schnitzel meal that evening.  

Hoping to drive through Lichtenstein, we came to this very small opening, too small for the coach, so needed to go another way.  We did drive a bit through Lichtenstein on our way to the Bavarian area of Germany. Stopped at the lovely village in Lindau, Germany along Lake Constance. Leroy and Laurie celebrate their 30th anniversary today. Hohenschwangau Castle where King Ludwig ll grew up.  Fairy tale castle, one of 3  castles built by King Ludwig. Had a tour if the castle. Rode up to the castle in a bus, and walked down. Raining at times.  On to Innsbruck, Austria for the night.  

    This morning we leave Luzern for Zurich  the largest city in Switzerland and a global center for banking and finance. Our leader, Ayold Fanoy was very good in explaining the different Anabaptist sites. Here he is leading us on a walking tour visiting sites related to the birth of Anabaptistism.     Grossmünster Church where Ulrich Zwingli was preacher.  Statue of Ulrich Zwingli, holding a Bible and a sword. Doors of the Grossmünster  Conrad Grebel's birthplace. Grossmünster church in background, the Limmat River. The memorial plaque was placed here in 2004 by the Swiss government, near the place where Felix Manz was drowned here in 1526. The first Swiss Anabaptist to be martyred.  Visited the Anabaptist Cave near Bärestwil that is hidden back in the woods.  Had a tour of Heididorf and enjoyed the scenery in this area Supper at the Siss Heidi hotel in Mainenfeld.         Milking the cow at Heididorf     ...