We gather for our overnight flight to Rome, hearts expectant for a journey through the story of the early church and the Reformation. Settle in, rest well, and pray for fellowship and renewal as we begin this shared pilgrimage.

Arriving in the Eternal City, we meet our escort and driver and settle into our hotel. The afternoon is unhurried - wander cobbled lanes, pause by a fountain, and savor Italy’s warm welcome. As evening falls, we come together with the full group for our first dinner, giving thanks for safe travels and the days ahead.

After breakfast, we take a panoramic introduction to Rome’s sacred heritage. At the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, we view the Holy Steps - where Martin Luther wrestled with the meaning of faith and grace. We continue to the Colosseum, a powerful reminder of steadfast witness amid adversity, and walk the Roman Forum toward the Mamertine Prison, long associated with the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul. Along the way, we reflect on Paul’s words about perseverance and hope. Dinner is at leisure.

We enter Vatican City to visit St Peter’s Basilica and behold the beauty that has inspired worshipers for centuries. In the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s frescoes lift our eyes to the glory of God’s creation and redemption. On the Old Appian Way, we step into the cool hush of the catacombs, remembering the courage of the early believers. We continue to the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls to honor the Apostle to the Gentiles, and visit the Church of Three Fountains, traditionally linked to his martyrdom. Evening at leisure, dinner on your own this evening.

We depart for Assisi, a hilltop town of quiet lanes and stone sanctuaries that call us to simplicity and service. In the lower town we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where the Porziuncola speaks of humble devotion and renewal. Our journey continues through Tuscan landscapes to Florence, cradle of art and learning, for dinner and overnight.

Florence greets us with masterpieces that have shaped the Christian imagination. We visit the Cathedral and Giotto’s bell tower, then pause at the Baptistry to admire Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise,” telling the story of Scripture in bronze. Strolling via Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio, we come to Santa Croce, resting place of many who influenced Western thought. At the Accademia, Michelangelo’s David reminds us of courage empowered by faith; at the Uffizi, scenes from the life of Christ draw us into the Gospel story anew. Evening free for fellowship and local fare. Dinner on your own this evening.

We travel to Pisa’s Piazza del Duomo, where the Cathedral, Baptistry, and the Leaning Tower stand as enduring witnesses to a city shaped by faith and ingenuity. In the afternoon, we cross the Veneto to Venice, a city of waterways and worship, where we share dinner and anticipate tomorrow’s discoveries.

On our walking tour, we enter St Mark’s Basilica, shimmering with mosaics that proclaim the light of Christ, and the Doge’s Palace, where art and history intertwine. The remainder of the day is at leisure—glide along quiet canals, linger in a sunlit square, or find a peaceful corner for prayer and reflection. Dinner on your own this evening.

We bid farewell to Venice and journey through the Alps, a day of majestic vistas and quiet conversation. By evening we arrive in the Oberammergau area, embraced by Bavarian hospitality. Choose a local spot for dinner and rest well for tomorrow’s extraordinary experience. Dinner on your own this evening.

We begin with unhurried time in Oberammergau - admiring hand-carved woodwork, colorful frescoes, and a village shaped by a vow made in faith. In the afternoon, we take our seats for the world-famous Passion Play. With Scripture, music, and “living pictures,” the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ unfold before us, inviting renewed gratitude for grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. A dinner break is shared mid-performance before the moving conclusion late in the evening. We return filled with reverence and joy.

We drive to Munich for our homebound flight, carrying memories of apostles and reformers, of prayer and beauty, of fellowship and faith. We arrive the same day, grateful for all the Lord has shown us on this journey.