Schürch Family Heritage Tour September 20 to October 1, 2019 With Ayold Fanoy, Justin Houser, and Sue Shirk

Zürich’s Grossmünster. The Swiss Alps. Photo by Sonja Schneider

This custom tour was developed to help descendants of Schürch ancestors to learn about our unique family story and the larger Anabaptist story of which we are a part. It will also be a wonderful time to compare our branches of the family tree and get to know each other, with Dutch Mennonite tour leader Ayold Fanoy, Schürch family historian Justin Houser, and family co-host Sue Shirk.

Friday, September 20 Depart Newark on an overnight flight to Zürich.

Saturday, September 21 Neuhausen Arrive in Zürich to begin your exploration of European culture and Schürch family history. Learn about Zürich’s Anabaptist history on a tour of relevant sites. In Schaffhausen, visit the former All Saints Benedictine monastery and its associated church. See the Rhine Falls at Neuhausen, the largest waterfall in Europe. (L, D)

Sunday, September 22 Join in worship at the Grossmünster, the famous twin-towered Romanesque church with important ties to the birth of the Reformation. After the service, you’ll have time to explore the church. Drive to Bäretswil for lunch, then continue to Wappenswil. Visit Täuferhöhle, the Anabaptist Cave, a secret worship site frequented by early Anabaptists. Explore Lucerne’s historic Old Town, including its famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), a long, wooden covered bridge originally built in 1333. (B, L, D)

Monday, September 23 Interlaken Today enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Alps. After taking the train from Lauterbrunnen, explore a mountain village called Wengen at your leisure. Continue by train to Kleine Scheidegg, a mountain pass with incredible views. Back on the train, travel to Grindelwald, a scenic village located under the monumental North Face of Eiger. Time permitting, you’ll also visit Interlaken before going to your hotel for the night. (B, D)

Tuesday, September 24 This morning, see the impressive , a Swiss heritage site that now houses a museum. In Trubschachen, visit Fankhaus, where persecuted Anabaptists were hidden in a barn by a sympathetic family. After touring the Kambly biscuit factory in Trubschachen, have a delightful lunch in the factory’s café. In Langnau, gain insight into local history at a cultural museum and see the Mennonite church that houses the congregation that has continuously gathered for the longest time. (B, D)

Wednesday, September 25 Sumiswald Visit an accordion factory in Wasen. In Affoltern, learn about the cheesemaking process at a famous cheese factory and sample the delicious results at lunch. This afternoon, take a wagon ride from Weier to the oldest Schürch ancestral property in the region, visiting both Obere Schürchtanne and Untere Schürchtanne. This evening, interact with local Mennonite historian Hanspeter Jecker. (B, L, D) Thursday, September 26 Sumiswald Tour the homestead of Hans Haslibacher, an Anabaptist preacher who was martyred for his faith. At the Sumiswald church, remember Schürch ancestors who were baptized here. Tour Castle, a fortress once used to imprison Anabaptists, including members of the Schürch family. Enjoy lunch with the Egli and Burki family who reside on the Schürch homestead, Ober Steg, built by Hans Schürch in 1805. At Täuferloch, a location where our Anabaptist ancestors met in secret for worship, hold a short remembrance service. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner with our Swiss cousins and a night of local cultural entertainment at Landgasthof Bären. (B, L, D)

Friday, September 27 Today visit several locations related to Schürch history—Gsang, birthplace of Code E Uli Schürch, and Stagmatt, birthplace of Code N Ulrich Schürch in Wasen. Visit the Hof Wil farm, continuously operated by Schürchs for more than 250 years. Over lunch at Restaurant Löwen in , see emblems of the Schürch family on the upper floor. Continue on to Bern, the capital of , for a walking city tour. (B, L, D)

Saturday, September 28 Colmar Drive to Colmar, where you’ll have a chance to see incredible medieval and early Renaissance art in the Unterlinden museum. Don’t miss the Isenheim Altarpiece! During free time, take a guided walking tour of Colmar, including its well-preserved old town, or go shopping. (B, D)

Sunday, September 29 Sankt Goar on Rhine In the Alsace region, stop at the quaint town of Riquewihr with its narrow streets and half-timbered houses. Discover Strasbourg’s long history and modern culture during a canal boat tour of the city. If there’s time, you’ll also visit the Strasbourg Cathedral, a fine example of late Gothic architecture. (B, D)

Monday, September 30 Sankt Goar on Rhine Relax and enjoy the scenery on a Rhine River cruise as you travel from Boppard to Bingen/Rüdesheim. (B, D)

Tuesday, October 1 Drive to Frankfurt to catch your flights home. (B)

Fare per person (USD): Flights Double Occupancy $3227, Single Supplement $394 Round trip group fare based on departure from/ Plus $850 for group flight.* TOTAL: From $4077 return to Newark, NJ. For all flight arrangements, please contact Mike Kroeker at 1-888-550-8998 or *Flight: Newark-Zurich, Sept. 20-21. Frankfurt-Newark, Oct. 1. [email protected] . Airfare is added to Fare includes your invoice and payment made to TourMagination. • All hotel accommodations Payments • Airport transfers for group arrival/departure Rates shown are in effect Nov. 2018. Though every • Coach transportation within tour and wagon ride effort is made to maintain established prices, TM • All breakfasts and dinners; 5 lunches reserves the right to adjust prices should it become • Entrance fees included in itinerary necessary. The price is guaranteed when paid in • Expert tour leader full. We accept cheque and credit card payments. • Gratuities for drivers, guides, and group meals Credit card payments are charged a 3% fee. • Farewell dinner in Sumiswald Canadian contact: USA contact: Fare excludes 501 - 20 Erb St W 2308 Wood Street • International airfare Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2 Lancaster, PA 17603 • Airport transfers if separate from main group • 6 lunches; drinks with meals Telephone: 519.885.2522 • Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) and Fax: 519.885.0941 cancellation/interruption insurance Toll-free: 800.565.0451 [email protected] Insurance www.tourmagination.com TICO # 5001432 Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) and cancellation/interruption insurance are not mandatory but are highly recommended.