Schürch Heritage Tour 2025: Trace Your Family Roots Across Europe

Schürch Heritage Tour

When:

Sep. 9 - Sep. 20

Tour Leader(s):

Ayold Fanoy, Justin Houser

Activity Level:

Active

the Swiss Alps, with majestic snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys under a clear blue sky

This is a Custom Program.

Registration by invitation (WAIT LIST)

Trace your family and faith story through the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland! Begin in Amsterdam with visits to the famous Aalsmeer flower auction and Singel Mennonite Church. Explore historic Dutch villages, hidden Mennonite churches, and an open-air museum. Cruise along the majestic Rhine River. Browse Mennonite archives in the Weierhof, and worship with the local Mennonite congregation. Immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes of the Emmental, visit homesteads directly related to your family’s history and enjoy the company of relatives. Ascend Schilthorn Mountain for breathtaking views. Uncover the origins of the Anabaptist movement on a Zürich walking tour. Conclude the tour with a meaningful time of worship and reflection in the most unique setting: the Anabaptist Cave at Bäretswil, where Anabaptists once worshipped in secret. Experienced tour storyteller Ayold Fanoy along with Justin Houser will share insights as you travel in these beautiful countries that were so important to your Anabaptist ancestors.

At a Glance

September 9-20, 2025
11 Days

Pricing

Itinerary

September 9 | Amsterdam

Reception with Drinks & Snacks

Arrive in Amsterdam and check in to your hotel. Independent sightseeing suggestions will be provided for those arriving early. At 7:00 PM, join the group for a welcome meet-and-greet reception to kick off this special journey.

September 10 | Amsterdam (B, L, D)
Faith & Culture in the Dutch Capital

Begin your day with a visit to the world-famous Aalsmeer Flower Auction, where over 20 million flowers are traded daily. At midday, enjoy a visit and sandwich lunch at the historic Singel Mennonite Church. Explore Amsterdam’s Anabaptist story on a guided city walk, followed by a scenic canal boat tour. Conclude the day with an Indonesian-Dutch Rijsttafel dinner before settling into your hotel.

September 11 | Friesland (B, L, D)
Hidden Churches & Mennonite Roots

Experience Zaanse Schans, a traditional Dutch village with windmills, wooden shoes, and cheese-making. Then, travel north to Pingjum to visit a 17th-century hidden Mennonite church. Stop in Witmarsum—birthplace of Menno Simons—before heading to Harlingen for an Anabaptist walk. Dinner and overnight in the charming port town.

September 12 | Cologne Region (B, D)
Peat History & Family Homesteads

Explore the 't Damshûs open-air museum and learn about life in the peat-working communities of the 19th century. Later, visit Sonnenberger Road and Monastery Hill near IJsselmuiden, an area connected to the Schürch family. After lunch, journey south into Germany and check in at your hotel near Cologne.

September 13 | Cologne to Worms (B, D)
Cathedrals, Castles & the Rhine

Spend your morning at the Cologne Cathedral and explore nearby Roman ruins. Enjoy free time and lunch in Cologne before heading to Boppard for a scenic Rhine River cruise to St. Goar. In the evening, enjoy dinner in Worms near the Reformation monument.

September 14 | Weierhof to Bienenberg (B, L, D)
Archives, Worship & Swiss Arrival

Visit the Mennonite archives and attend a church service in the historic Weierhof community. Connect with local congregants over coffee and continue your journey into Switzerland. Arrive at Bienenberg for an early dinner and a lecture on Swiss Anabaptist history by Hanspeter Jecker.

September 15 | Emmental Region (B, L, D)
Homesteads, Heritage & Hospitality

Tour Solothurn, a Baroque gem at the foot of the Jura mountains, before heading to the Emmental. Stop at Hof Wil Heimiswil, a Schürch ancestral farm, and enjoy Rösti lunch at Affoltern Cheese Factory. Visit the church where Ulrich and Barbara Schürch were married, take a wagon ride to family homesteads, and finish with refreshments and a visit to Sumiswald Church—site of the Anabaptist leader Hans Haslibacher's story.

September 16 | Emmental (B, D)
Anabaptist Hideouts & Alpine Views

Visit the Anabaptist hiding place at Hinterhütten and the Obere Steg homestead. Enjoy a light lunch and cookies at the Kambly cookie factory. Later, tour Trachselwald Castle—once a prison for Anabaptists—and enjoy an evening of Alphorn music and dinner in the countryside.

September 17 | Emmental & Bern (B, L, D)
Crafts, Capitals & Celebration

Explore Swiss heritage through local homesteads, handicrafts, and Hans Haslibacher’s legacy. After a countryside lunch, travel to Bern for a guided walking tour of the city’s Anabaptist sites and bear park. End the day with a special dinner and music at Restaurant Bären with local Swiss “cousins.”

September 18 | Lauterbrunnen & Luzern (B, L)
Alpine Peaks & Peaceful Valleys

Ride cable cars and mountain trains to the alpine village of Mürren and ascend Schilthorn Mountain for lunch at a revolving restaurant with panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Descend and transfer to Luzern for a short city walk. Enjoy an individual dinner in Luzern’s picturesque center.

September 19 | Zürich & Bäretswil (B, D)
Anabaptist Beginnings & Hidden Caves

Delve into Anabaptist history with a walking tour of Zürich, where the movement began in 1525. Enjoy free time to explore and shop before traveling to the Anabaptist Cave in Bäretswil—once a secret worship site—for a meaningful time of reflection. Share a final dinner together near Zürich.

September 20 | Departure (B)
Farewell & Homeward Bound

Transfer to Zürich Airport for your return flight. Leave with deeper insight into the Schürch family story and the enduring legacy of Anabaptist faith.

Frequently Asked Questions

How active is this tour?

This tour is rated as “Active”. Expect up to 2-3 hours of walking each day including well-paced walking tours with regular breaks.

For further information, please contact us. We would be happy to be of assistance.

Tour Fare

Schürch Heritage Tour – Tour Fare

Double Occupancy:

Registration date	Tour Fare per person
Double Occupancy (per person)	$4,500 USD / $5,950 CAD
Single Supplement:	$545 USD / $720 CAD

What do “Double Occupancy” and “Single Supplement” mean for my tour fare?

The price for a tour listed under “Double Occupancy” means the amount paid per person if you are sharing a room with another traveler, such as your spouse or a travel partner. If you prefer to have a single hotel room to yourself, the “Single Supplement” is an additional amount to cover the extra cost charged by the hotels for a single room. To determine your amount owing for the tour as a single traveler, you will need to add together the tour fare PLUS the single supplement.

Important note: Costs could increase if you sign up less than 90 days before a tour begins

Fare Includes:

11 nights lodging in 3 star hotel accommodations while on tour
Land transportation within the tour
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners and snacks/drinks for meet & greet reception
Entrance fees as per itinerary
Expert tour leaders and local guides
All gratuities for drivers, guides, and group meals
One group airport transfer for departure at end of tour

Fare excludes:

International airfare and associated fees
Airport transfer upon arrival to hotel
Beverages with meals (water will be provided)
Any additional or optional activities
Insurance

Insurance

Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) insurance and cancellation/interruption insurance are not mandatory but are highly recommended. Click here to learn more about insurance services we offer.

Payments

All rates shown are in effect at time of printing November 2024. Although every effort is made to maintain the prices as established, TourMagination does reserve the right to adjust prices on this tour should it become necessary. For your convenience, we accept online credit card payments.