LGT_R1_Layout 1 1/20/16 9:48 AM Page 1 2016: Year of Jubilee in Rome 2016 EDITION Theme Park Celebrations That Will Rock Your Youth Group Insider Tips for Creating Successful Church Trips Faith Destinations ■ Israel ■ Switzerland ■ Germany Cruising with a Purpose A Premier Travel Media publication Adventures at sea, good deeds on land www.ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com LGT_R2_Layout 1 1/19/16 11:28 PM Page 2 LGT_R3_Layout 1 1/19/16 11:35 PM Page 3 LGT_R4_Layout 1 1/20/16 10:45 AM Page 4 18 Globus family of brands Globus Many Jubilee Year tours of Italy include the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. VOL. 6 • 2016 EDITION FEATURES contents 8 Fathom Cruises With a Purpose SPECIAL SECTIONS New adventures in the Caribbean provide opportunities to help communities in need. 13 Switzerland Inspires Faith Travel Groups Highlights of Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva and Basel. 10 Retreat Planning 101 BY RACHEL GILMORE Tips from an expert smooth the way in putting 22 Germany Celebrates a Religious Milestone together a spiritual experience for your group. Special events will mark the Protestant Reformation’s half millennium in 2017. 18 A Special Year in Rome BY DANIEL MORRILL Catholic groups will be flocking to the Eternal City 29 Israel: A Journey to the Holy Land in 2016 to observe the Year of Jubilee. In the Footsteps of Jesus The Bible comes alive for church groups. 24 7 Theme Park Celebrations That Will Rock Your Youth Group BY ALEX KELLY Special musical events appeal to young Christians. ON THE COVER: Fathom cruise programs bring 26 Planning A Successful Spiritual Journey hope to the less fortunate. BY VANESSA DAY (Fathom Photo) A clear direction, proactive marketing and enthusiasm A gospel group performs at are key when planning a faith-based tour. southern Indiana’s Holiday World theme park. 24 4 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com LGT_R5_Layout 1 1/19/16 11:44 PM Page 5 LGT_R6_Layout 1 1/19/16 11:58 PM Page 6 Randy Mink Group Travel Opens Up New Horizons Vol. 6, No. 1, 2016 Edition Editorial Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 hether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime it can be daunting to plan a trip to the P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 W pilgrimage to explore one’s faith, a Holy Land. “Israel: A Journey to the Holy [email protected] mission trip to assist an underprivileged Land in the Footsteps of Jesus” helps first- society, week-long fellowship cruise to the timers by answering frequently asked Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk Caribbean, weekend retreat or day-long questions, spotlighting the top biblical [email protected] youth group trip to a local theme or water destinations and providing insights from park, nothing brings a congregation together church leaders who’ve taken groups there. Managing Editor – Randy Mink like spiritual group travel. Closer to home, retreats are a popular [email protected] All these topics and more are included in activity for multiple segments of the church the 6th annual edition of Religious Travel family, including the women’s group, men’s Contributing Writers Planning Guide, a guidepost for churches group, youth group and couples. In “Retreat Vanessa Day Rachel Gilmore and religious organizations to build or Planning 101,” author Rachel Gilmore helps Alex Kelly enhance their travel offerings and bring smooth the way in putting together an Daniel Morrill their members closer to the mission. enlightening spiritual experience. If you have been thinking about organiz- Nothing screams fun for youth groups Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski ing a trip to Rome for your parish, Pope like a day out at the amusement park. [email protected] Francis couldn’t have given you a clearer “7 Theme Celebrations that will Rock Your sign that 2016 is the year to go. “A Special Youth Group” will help you create an Advertising Sales Office Phone: 630.794.0696 Year in Rome” provides guidance from tour unforgettable experience that will mix fun [email protected] operators who have packaged programs. and spiritual growth. www.ptmgroups.com Another significant event, the 500th The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, is The Story Continues advertising, but assumes no responsi bility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the set for 2017 and the countries of Germany This magazine is just the beginning. On- accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not and Switzerland are busily preparing for the line, at ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com, responsible for the return of unsolicited photos or manuscripts. influx of tourists to witness this once-in-a- we profile faith travel destinations, feature Religious Travel Planning Guide is published annually by lifetime experience. Read about where and best practices and interview successful trip Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Rd., Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL when to go in these two special sections. planners throughout the year. Each month 60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, IL and Lebanon Junction, KY. The magazine is distributed free to religious group travel While religious travel is often steeped in we compile digests of the best online content organizers and travel suppliers catering to history, a new brand company aims to in InSite, our free e-newsletter. the market. Single copies for all others is $9.95. build a legacy of humanitarian good will. All of us at Religious Travel Planning Send Address Change to: Fathom sets sail this spring on weekly cruises Guide wish you the best in creating mean- Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 to the Caribbean, alternating between the ingful trips that will energize and inspire Willowbrook, IL 60527 Dominican Republic and Cuba. These new your community of faith. adventures in the Caribbean provide oppor- Happy Traveling, tunities to meet the people and lend a helping A publication hand to those less fortunate. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced Israel is a perennial favorite for religious Randy Mink in any form without written permission of the publisher. travelers. But if your church has never been, Managing Editor 6 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com LGT_R7_CVR 1 1/20/16 12:00 AM Page 7 travel that touches the spirit and enriches the soul St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City Offer the world to your travelers with journeys to all seven continents. To learn about our extensive tour selection, call 800.762.5345 or your local Travel Agent. faith CST# 2006766-20 UBN# 601220855 Nevada Seller of Travel Registration No. 2003-0279 LGT_R8-9_Layout 1 1/20/16 8:23 AM Page 8 Fathom Cruises with a Purpose Fathom combines service opportunities and the fun elements New adventures in the Caribbean of a cruise vacation on the MV Adonia. provide opportunities to meet the people and lend a helping hand athom is a new company that combines your love of travel For example, travelers can work with a women’s cooperative to with your desire to make a differ ence. On a tr ip with plant and harvest cacao fields and produce chocolate, helping these F Fathom, travelers serve alongside community partners in the women get to a scale where they can hire more workers and support Dominican Republic to tackle environmental, educational and eco- more families on their own; help kids in schools improve their con- nomic development needs; in Cuba, we intend to enable trav elers versational English, better preparing them for broader career oppor- to participate in cultural immersion. We are the 10th brand and a tunities; work with small business owners to improve their marketing wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s and operations to attract foreign consumers and ensure the livelihoods largest travel company. of future generations; make clay water filters that improve the health Our first destination is the Dominican Republic, where we will of families who lack clean drinking water (more than two million begin sailing in April 2016, and our intention is to begin sailing to Dominicans do not have access to piped water). A significant portion Cuba in May 2016, subject to approval from the Cuban government of each ticket price contributes funds to the partner organizations to which we are optimistic about receiving very soon. cover expenses, supplies, personnel and general operations. Fathom Fathom journeys will start with one to two days at sea preparing has also invested start-up capital with the partner organizations to hearts and minds for the on-ground experience, including a wide establish improved operating models and facilities capacity. variety of fun and engaging impact-readiness experiences, including There is also time to explore the beauty of this country and learn an orientation to the Dominican Republic or Cuba, conversational more about Dominicans by visiting his- Spanish lessons, impact activity training and creative workshops. toric cities, markets and muse- We have the perfect vessel for our travelers: the MV Adonia. It ums, hiking to a waterfall or is an intimate ship (710 passengers), ideal for bonding with fellow surfing incredible waves. passengers as well as for finding space for quiet self-reflection. It is In Cuba, we will offer our impact playground and academy. Start the day with yoga on the comprehensive itineraries lido deck as the sun rises and end the day with a delicious Domini- that enable deep insight can or Cuban-inspired, chef-prepared meal shared with fellow trav- into Cuban culture, his- elers as the sun sets. While en route to your destination, you will tory and architecture that learn about and experience Dominican and Cuban art, music and are inspirational and en- history as we sail to these countries.