TourMagination

02/16/2024

Meet TM traveller Shirley Ratzlaff! 👋

Shirley has been on 15 TourMagination tours (and counting)! In a recent conversation, Shirley told the story of how she first came to TourMagiantion in 2008. Since then, her adventures have taken her to all seven continents. Most recently, Shirley travelled on the October 2023 Natural Wonders of Iceland Tour with her husband Don.

Why does Shirley keep coming back for more?

“’It was the leaders who made TourMagination tours so special. And the in-country guides.’ Shirley also appreciates travelling with like-minded people from North America. ‘[Travelling] has helped me develop a world view of how Mennonites and other people live all over the world.’ Observing people who are happy—though they live with much less than North Americans—made an impression on Shirley. She also fondly remembers worshipping with Mennonites in many countries—even when she couldn’t understand the singing and the sermon.”

We love developing lasting relationships with our travellers! Thank you, Shirley, for entrusting us with your world travels. We look forward to more!

READ MORE about Shirley’s story on our blog. Link in the comments.

02/15/2024

Why travel on the Discover Prague & the Mennonite Sojourn in Poland tour? 🧐

Well, here’s what our in-country guide Kasia Czaykowska has to say about the tour:

“As a guide, I must admit that the tour is always excellently tailored. There is enough time for everything, without rush. The attractions of the program go beyond any other tours offered anywhere else.”

Under the tutelage of Mennonite historian John Sharp and hand-picked local guide Kasia, this program provides a unique blend of sightseeing and investigating the history of Mennonites in Poland.

An eager group of travellers is already anticipating the 2024 tour, coming up July 24 - August 4. There is room for you! Will you join us?

READ MORE via the link in the comments.

01/30/2024

Seize your chance to travel to Alaska this summer! 🗻

LAST-MINUTE SPACE has opened up on the land portion, so we are able to offer both land and cruise once again! But hurry, registrations must be submitted by TOMORROW (January 31st).

SIGN UP for our Alaska: Off The Beaten Path program (June 30-July 13, 2024) on our website. Link in the comments.

01/25/2024

In case you missed it...

TourMagination tour leader and historian John Sharp wrote about the Mennonite experience in Uzbekistan in a recent Anabaptist World article aptly titled, “Open doors in Central Asia.” 💬

In the article, John reflects on a TourMagination group’s hospitable reception at Zirabulak this past fall: “Imagine our surprise when the family of Sunnat and Sofia Karimov gave us a spirited welcome Sept. 23 to Zirabulak, known to 1880s trekkers as Serabulak. Children with flowers and young adults playing instruments greeted us at this village where 140 years ago a ragtag bunch of wagon-training Mennonites enjoyed villagers’ generosity.”

01/22/2024

TourMagination tour leader and historian John Sharp writes about the Mennonite experience in Uzbekistan in a recent Anabaptist World article aptly titled, “Open doors in Central Asia.” 💬

John reflects on a TourMagination group’s hospitable reception at Zirabulak this past fall: “Imagine our surprise when the family of Sunnat and Sofia Karimov gave us a spirited welcome Sept. 23 to Zirabulak, known to 1880s trekkers as Serabulak. Children with flowers and young adults playing instruments greeted us at this village where 140 years ago a ragtag bunch of wagon-training Mennonites enjoyed villagers’ generosity.”

READ the full article here: https://anabaptistworld.org/open-doors-in-central-asia/

Curious about our tour to Central Asia? Read more on our website: https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-silk-road-odyssey-the-trek-to-central-asia/

A decade after 18,000 Mennonites left their homes in South Russia (today’s Ukraine) in the 1870s, heading westward to North America, more than 140 families consisting of about 1,000 people looked to the East for divine opportunity in Uzbekistan.

01/16/2024

📣 TWO SPACES just opened up on the 2024 Highlights of Morocco tour! Join us for this spectacular program. https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-highlights-of-morocco-tour/

01/16/2024

At the conclusion of our tours, we like to ask our travellers what was most special to them on the tour.

Here are some favourite experiences from the Discover Prague & the Mennonite Sojourn in Poland tour:

1. Seeing historic half-timbered Mennonite homes. The one pictured here housed a Loewen family; built 1803.

2. Searching for family names in Przechowka cemetary.

3. Riding along the Elblag Canal.

4. Visiting historic Mennonite churches, such as at Obernessau.

5. Admiring the stunning Vistula River, which winds throughout Poland.

Did you know that Poland sheltered Dutch and German Mennonites from the 1530s right up to the Second World War? Some families stayed in the Vistula Delta of Poland for generations, later migrating to South Russia, Ukraine, and the American Midwest. Perhaps your roots trace to Poland!

Read more about the upcoming Discover Prague & the Mennonite Sojourn in Poland tour, July 24 - August 4, 2024: https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-discover-prague-the-mennonite-sojourn-in-poland/

Register before January 24th, 2024 and SAVE $500 CAD per person!

01/15/2024

Did you know we offer early bird discounts on all TourMagination tours?* 🐦

Register for a tour up to 6 months in advance and save on your tour fare! 💵

Early bird deadlines for September 2024 tours are already approaching in March— don’t miss out!

Visit our website to see our upcoming tours and savings. tourmagination.com.

*Cruise programs are not eligible for an early bird discount.

01/12/2024

Greetings from colourful Cartagena! 👋🌺

A group of TM travellers are currently trading the cold and gloom of a North American January for the heat and sunshine of the Caribbean!

What’s your go-to winter escape destination?

01/11/2024

How do these destinations sound? 🌎

📍 Cuba
📍 Antarctica
📍 Mexico
📍 South Africa
📍 Paraguay
📍 Peru
📍 Cambodia & Vietnam
📍 Spain & Portugal

As we plan for 2025, we need your help!

We would greatly appreciate your input on this short survey: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/mwBT2M. Vote for as many potential tour options as you would like. There is no commitment; the survey helps us gauge interest. ✅

For every survey submitted, TourMagination will donate $2 to Mennonite Central Committee for relief efforts in Ukraine.

01/03/2024

Have you been waiting for the right opportunity to dig into your European Anabaptist heritage? 🤔

Join us this September for an enriching travel experience with beloved tour leader, Ayold Fanoy!

You’ll trace the Anabaptist/Mennonite story through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, bringing to life the stories of Jakob Amman, Martin Luther, Michael Sattler, Pilgram Marpeck, and many other Reformation and Anabaptist leaders. Cruise along the Rhine River, stand in caves where Anabaptists worshipped in secret, ride a cable car up a mountain, visit the Weierhof: a semi-communal Mennonite village, and much more.

Find out more and register here: https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-anabaptist-story-in-europe-tour/

01/02/2024

At the conclusion of our tours, we like to ask our travellers what was most special to them on the tour.

Here are some undisputed highlights from our Anabaptist tours:

1. Experiencing a church service at the Grossmünster: complete with orchestra, choir, and organ,

2. Sharing communion in a cave where Anabaptists once worshipped in secret,

3. Floating along the majestic Rhine River,

4. Being welcomed by host families in Berlikum for a night,

5. Getting enveloped by jaw-dropping scenery in the Alps,

6. Visiting the site of Dirk Willems’ martyrdom.

Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from the TourMagination team! 🎄

We wish you a Christmas filled with the warmth of family and the embrace of friends.

At the birth of Christ, angels announced glory to God in the Highest, peace on earth and goodwill toward people. As we celebrate this special season, we remember countries close to our hearts experiencing conflict and suffering.

We hope the coming year brings you exciting journeys and unforgettable adventures!

12/24/2023

LOVE 🕯️

We love because He first loved us.

What an incredible gift we’ve been given: Jesus, love incarnate, giving Himself to us.

As Christ followers, we seek opportunities where this love can be shared. TourMagination president Audrey Voth Petkau recounts how love was sent to Tanzania on a 2018 tour:

“The love our travellers had for the Tanzanians we would meet was evident even before we left: travellers purchased and packed school supplies, skipping ropes and other toys to give to the local school. The local children were ecstatic to receive the playground items and all the school supplies. Later, we left for a small village to deliver large sacks of flour, rice, and two live goats to give as gifts. We were in two vehicles with our gang and many of the local children: everyone sitting on top of each other, squished into seats, but all so excited. We managed to get half way there but the road was blocked because of a cross-country car race. We we pulled over to the side with the police's permission and watched these race cars bomb past in a cloud of dust. We enjoyed the excitement, although the goats were terrified. We never did get to the village, but our gifts did the next day.”

May we always seek to share the love we’ve been given.

12/21/2023

Please enjoy a historical Mennonite story written by Carol McAdoo Rheme and presented by TourMagination president Audrey Voth Petkau. 🎄

Find out how a woman living on the plains of Wyoming in 1923 resourcefully created new Christmas traditions though she grieved the loss of abundant past Christmases in Russia.

Watch the full video on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/DjDh1L-UcZc?si=FzSdW0tCf9cuMf_O

12/17/2023

JOY 🕯️

If you’ve travelled much, you’ll know that things don’t always go to plan.

When faced with interruptions, we can let it steal the joy of travel, or we can embrace the reality of an imperfect world and allow joy to flourish, anyway.

Sandra Reimer tells the story of how joy flourished on the 2023 Iceland tour:

“Adventurous souls on the Iceland Tour donned their hats and mitts and disembarked from the coach. Undeterred by an icy blast of snow, they walked down the path to see the famed lava formations in Dimmuborgir. The plan was to meander through the lava field on the shores of Lake Myvatn for half an hour. But the wind was bitter and the visibility poor. The brave travellers shivered as they admired the snow-covered lava formations. Huddling together, they read the story of Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads (aka Christmas trolls). Then, someone picked up some snow and formed it into a ball. Soon, more people made snowballs and started throwing them with squeals of delight. After the burst of childlike joy, travellers returned to the bus a little warmer despite the chill.”

12/15/2023

We are giddy to be sailing on Cunard's brand-new vessel, the Queen Anne, in May! https://youtu.be/GH19JQUIwMU?si=DLOBLwxOM87xE0WT
Join us for the Brilliant British Isles Cruise: https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-british-isles-cruise/

Join Carnival UK President Sture Myrmell, Cunard Brand Vice President Lee Powell & David Collins Studio as they discuss the journey from design through to sa...

12/15/2023

Did you know that we will be sailing on Cunard’s brand-new Queen Anne this spring? 🚢

Just days after its maiden voyage, TourMagination travellers will embark the Queen Anne for the London to Belfast: Brilliant British Isles Cruise, May 24 – June 7, 2024.

This is a significant and exciting development for Cunard, as its last vessel debuted nearly fifteen years ago. Cunard’s reputation for elegance, class, and excellence is unparalleled, and travellers can expect nothing less on this brand-new, state-of-the-art ship. Get the inside scoop and see the Queen Anne under construction in an article by Cruise Critic: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/cunard-s-new-queen-anne-embraces-tradition-with-modern-twists-live-from-the-shipyard

Want to join us for this special voyage? Visit our website to read more and register: https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-british-isles-cruise/

Photo: Queen Anne's funnel, seen at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Credit: Cunard

12/12/2023

TM travellers are enjoying the fairy-tale Christmas Markets of Europe this week! 🎄

Yesterday, they got a taste of Nürnberg: “Once we stepped off our bus, we found ourselves in the middle of the famous Christkindl Market in the centre of Old Town Nürnberg. Beautiful steeples of cathedrals run along the skyline, and below are rows on rows of beckoning red and white striped market stalls. The smells were fantastic! Candied nuts, cooking sausage, mulled wine and gingerbread. There was something to taste on every corner.” - Andrea Lynn

Read more on our travel blog! https://tourmagination.com/christmas-markets-cruise-day-two-nu%cc%88rnberg/

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12/10/2023

PEACE 🕯️

There are many ways to build peace. Travel is a unique opportunity to build peace by respectfully learning about and engaging with people from other cultures.

Jack and Irene Suderman have led several TourMagination tours to Cuba where they invite travellers to listen and learn with open-hearted curiosity. Born of relationships built with Cuban Christians during 35+ years of visiting the island nation, Jack and Irene open doors for travellers to dialogue and worship with locals. Tour members hear different perspectives on famous political conflicts like the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Cubans warmly welcome TourMagination’s travellers. This tour has been especially meaningful to Americans who are used to thinking about Cubans as “enemies.”

Similar peace-building happens in Uzbekistan with tour leader John Sharp on the Silk Road Odyssey: The Trek to Central Asia Tour. This year, tour members experienced incredible hospitality (and delicious food) in the home of Muslim hosts.

It’s hard to hate when you share a meal or raise hands in worship together.

Let’s honour the Prince of Peace with our travel.

12/07/2023

Experience the Anabaptist Story in Europe in September 2024!

This European heritage tour traces the Anabaptist/Mennonite story through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. Tour leader Ayold Fanoy brings to life the stories of Jakob Amman, Martin Luther, Michael Sattler, Pilgram Marpeck, and many other Reformation and Anabaptist leaders.

Ayold has been praised for his giftedness as a tour leader, as a traveller on the 2023 Anabaptist Story tour pointed out: “Ayold is a fantastic, knowledgeable guide who is passionate about history which makes for a wonderful tour experience.”

REGISTER NOW! https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-anabaptist-story-in-europe-tour/

12/05/2023

Step into a world of artwork in Florence, Italy 🇮🇹

Join Art Historian Richard Blackburn for nine days of enriching lectures, meaningful times of devotion, and soaking up the breathtaking sights of Florence.

REGISTER for the Pilgrimage of Faith and Art in Florence tour, September 2024! Link in bio.

12/04/2023

Thanks to all who participated in our Advent webinar! We had a lovely time admiring and discussing some beautiful artwork over Zoom.

Observing these masterpieces on a screen is one thing, but are you curious about how you can see them in-person?

Join our Pilgrimage of Faith and Art in Florence Tour! Richard Blackburn will be leading this art and faith-focused tour from September 17-25, 2024. View the itinerary and REGISTER on our website. https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-a-pilgrimage-of-faith-and-art-in-florence-italy/

12/03/2023

HOPE 🕯️

When we look at our world today, it can be hard to see hope. Our hearts break for places that we know and love that have seen destruction this year: the earthquake in Morocco, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel/Palestine, volcanic activity in Iceland...

But in the midst of the turmoil that plagues our world, our Hope is stronger. Praise to the King who has claimed victory, from which we draw this Hope.

We invite you to pray along with us this Advent season. If you feel moved to give, whether toward aid in Ukraine, Israel/Palestine or elsewhere, consider a donation to MCC: an organization working hard to bring the Hope of Jesus to all corners of the world: mcc.org/donate.

11/30/2023

Next June, join a group of like-minded travellers to discover the story of Anabaptism in Europe.

Visit places like:

1. The hidden church at Pingjum, built in the early 1600s when Mennonites were tolerated by the Protestant authorities, but not openly accepted.

2. St Lambert's Church, Münster, where the bodies of Anabaptist leaders were once displayed in cages.

3. The Schleitheim Monument, placed in 2004 by Reformed Church leaders as an act of repentance and reconciliation between Anabaptists and their former persecutors.

4. The Reformed church in Erlenbach, where Jakob Amman was baptized as an infant in 1644

Don’t wait to register! Our EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT expires December 11th, 2023. https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-classic-anabaptist-european-tour/

11/29/2023

Join TourMaginaiton president Audrey Voth Petkau this spring for a cruise around the United Kingdom! 🚢

“I specifically chose this cruise because I have been to England, but not Scotland, Ireland or Northern Ireland. I look forward to exploring these new countries by sea! I also want to spend a couple of days pre-cruise in London which is one of my favourite cities. I welcome you to join me. What I love about this cruise is that we will see the whole of the United Kingdom but each country has its own distinctions. Plus, we can unpack once and enjoy the ship between sites. I hope you will join me!” - Audrey

Read more about the 2024 London to Belfast: Brilliant British Isles Cruise and REGISTER here: https://tourmagination.com/tour/2024-british-isles-cruise/

11/28/2023

God’s incarnation in Christ has inspired artists throughout the history of the church.

This week, join us for a webinar that will will highlight how the Christmas story has been interpreted by artists from the Early Christian and Medieval eras, through the Renaissance and the Baroque period. Art Historian and former director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Richard Blackburn, will present. Meditating on these images will enrich your own celebration of the coming of the Christ Child during this Advent Season. We hope you will join us!

📆 Wed., Nov. 29, 8 pm ET
📆 Thurs., Nov. 30, 2 pm ET

REGISTER on Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkdOirqzooGdJeYaO8iit8tsUFQgayvsQC #/registration

11/23/2023

Thank you Nelson and Ellen for sharing this message. We continue to pray for peace 🙏

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends! 🦃 We wish you a peace-filled time of gratitude as you gather with your loved ones.

11/20/2023

How often do you get to experience the same hospitality shown to your ancestors?

TourMagination traveller Audrey Kampen reflects on her recent experience on the Silk Road Odyssey: The Trek to Central Asia tour:

“The day spent in the village of Zirabulak was incredible as most 'tourists' don't get the chance to interact with a Uzbek family. We felt very honored and the relationship between the Uzbek family and those of us who had family connections to Mennonites who lived there in the 1870s is so important to maintain. The family's hospitality was above and beyond.”

You can hear more about the Mennonite experience in Central Asia in a hybrid event hosted by the Newton Public Library in Kansas TOMORROW at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT. Beloved TourMagination tour leader John Sharp will be presenting.

REGISTER on Zoom here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mEHP9NZjRNilUYIex5LQ5g?fbclid=IwAR1EMiVS83cb53Hy8d1fuGSTvrim8Hj26fwkyiHj8GO5bGzEgmZDpK-VS64 #/registration