Depart from Detroit International Airport on Delta flight 096 at 3:57pm, arriving in Paris at 6:00am on June 9th, 2020. Transfers from Fort Wayne to Detroit are available through First Presbyterian Church and Smock Senior Ministries.

After arrival in Paris, pilgrims will travel to Chartres Cathedral for a guided tour and lunch. We will arrive in Normandy and visit the Bayeaux Tapestry museum, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight accommodations in the Normandy area.

Today we will spend the full day exploring the significance of Normandy and the Allied Liberation of Europe. We start the day visiting Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Army Rangers landed during the invasion. We will continue on to Omaha Beach and Arrowmanche, then visit the U.S. Cemetery in time for Taps. After the day of touring, you will have dinner on your own and a second overnight in Normandy.

Departing Normandy early, we will travel by bus to Noyon, John Calvin’s birthplace. After visiting and lunch, we will continue to a Champagne House for a tour and tasting, followed by dinner and our first night in Verdun.

Today we will spend the full day learning about World War One and the fighting around Verdun. We start with the Verdun Memorial and Museum and a walk through the Destroyed Villages of Verdun. After lunch, we visit the Douamont Ossuary, where the remains of over 130,000 soldiers, both French and German, are housed. Returning from the day’s touring, you will have dinner on your own and overnight accommodations in Verdun.

Departing Verdun in the morning, we travel to Basel and visit the Basel Cathedral, including the grave of Erasmus. After lunch together, we will continue to Zurich where you will enjoy dinner on your own and overnight accommodations for two nights.

We begin this Sunday morning with worship at Fraumünster or Grossmünster Kirche at 10am, followed by a half-day tour of Zurich including both churches. At Fraumünster, take in the stunning stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. We will also visit a number of sites associated with Ulrich Zwingli throughout Zurich, before dinner on your own.

Today we travel to Geneva via high-speed train, enjoying the smooth ride and striking scenery as we go. Arriving in Geneva, we’ll have lunch before visiting the World Council of Churches to learn about their work and ministry. Dinner tonight is at your discretion. Overnight accommodations in Geneva for two nights.

We explore Geneva on foot today, with a local guide leading us to the Museum of the Reformation, the Cathedral Saint Pierre, the Auditoire de Calvin, and the Reformers Wall. Lunch and dinner are on your own today, but there are many great options for quick and wonderful meals, the challenge will be to narrow down your choices!

We leave Switzerland today, returning to Paris for the last days of our journey. After arriving in Paris by train, we will enjoy a half-day guided Paris tour, including lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit The Louvre with a guide, and you will enjoy dinner on your own at any of the charming cafes and restaurants in the City of Lights. Overnight in Paris for two nights.

Today, the world is your oyster. Or at least Paris! You have the entire day to explore the city. You can visit The Louvre again to explore in more depth, visit the reconstruction of Notre Dame, stroll the Champs-Elysees, visit the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, or just enjoy people watching from any of Paris’s wonderful cafes.

This morning, we’ll leave our hotel for our return to the States. Our flight is Delta 097, departing Paris at 10:10am and arriving in Detroit at 1:12pm. Vans from First Presbyterian Church and Smock Senior Ministries will be available for the return journey to Fort Wayne.

Travelers should purchase airfare that allows them to arrive in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, September 8. The pilgrimage officially begins at dinner (included) on September 8 in our Tel Aviv hotel or a nearby restaurant.

We are working with our expert guides and partners in Israel and the West Bank to construct a memorable and impactful itinerary. A few highlights include:

Snorkeling the sunken harbor at Caesarea Maritima
Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron
Active archaeological dig and the incredible caves at Beit Guvrin
Volunteering at the Tent of Nations farm near Bethlehem
Easy hiking in the Golan Heights
Newly discovered 1st century synagogue at Magdala

We will work to stay in each location at least two nights. Our guides and speakers will be of the highest caliber and represent the diverse spectrum of religious and political thought.
We will spend the final night, September 17, in Tel Aviv to make for more convenient departures the following day.

Today each travelers will return to the United States or onward to your next destination. Progressive Pilgrimage will work with travelers to coordinate airport transfers (not included).
You also have the option of adding additional nights in Tel Aviv for a little more sightseeing or relaxation before the trip ends. Several excursions may also be available and will be added to this page.

The group will depart together from Raleigh Durham International Airport on United Airlines September 9 at 2:00 PM.

Any travelers coming from outside of the Raleigh area may work with Progressive Pilgrimage to find airfare that compliments the group schedule. Fare increase may apply.

After your morning arrival in Dublin, a coach will transport the group into the city’s historic center for a visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Located in the heart of Dublin City, a walk through the cobbled stones of Trinity College Dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent Old Library building was constructed which displays the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. It is one of only a few such manuscripts that survived Viking raids. The group will also visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Construction on the current cathedral began around 1250 on a site associated with St. Patrick since the fifth century.

If time allows, you will be able to explore Dublin on your own before the group continues on to Newgrange for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Glendalough is home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. This early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and from this developed the “Monastic City”. Most of the buildings that survive today date from the 10th through 12th centuries. Despite attacks by Vikings over the years, Glendalough thrived as one of Ireland’s great ecclesiastical foundations and schools of learning until the Normans destroyed the monastery in 1214 A.D. and the dioceses of Glendalough and Dublin were united. The visit includes a guided pilgrimage walk with ample time for prayer and reflection. Lunch is included.

After lunch we will visit the Hill of Tara, an ancient site known as the seat of the High King of Ireland. The site is rich with mythical and sacred meaning. Return to Newgrange for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Begin the day with a tour at the passage tombs at Knowth and/or Newgrange, Stone Age monuments dating from 3,200 B.C., making them older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Knowth and Newgrange provide an excellent introduction to ancient pre-Christian spirituality of the area.

As we make our way toward Northern Ireland, we will stop at the early Christian settlement of Monasterboice. It was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buithe and was an important center of religion and learning. The site houses two churches built in the 14th century or later and an earlier round tower, but it is most famous for its 10th century high crosses.

In the after noon, we will continue to Armagh for an introduction to Celtic Spirituality with Rev. Grace Clunie of the Celtic Spirituality Center. At the same location, the Navan Fort one of Ireland’s most famous and important archaeological sites, the legendary Emain Macha. Legends say that Macha, the ancient goddess of war and fertility, scored the earth with her brooch pin and traced the famous outline of this sacred stronghold of the hero Cu Chulainn, home of the famous Red Branch Knights and Ulster Cycle of tales. Dinner and overnight at Armagh City Hotel.

St. Columba (Colum Cille in Gaelic), founder of the famous Iona Abbey, is also known as the founder of Derry. The Columcille Centre provides an excellent introduction to his life and ministry. Our group will also visit the St. Augustine’s Monastery and the Long Tower Church, sites associated with early Christianity in Derry.

After lunch (included), we remain in Derry but switch from ancient Christian sites to the political history of the city. Our guide will take us on a walk around the city walls to introduce how the city came to be divided. We will visit the Bogside neighborhood, site of the Bloody Sunday massacre and now home to 12 giant murals known as the People’s Gallery. Enjoy dinner on your own and overnight accommodations at Derry City Hotel.

We begin the day at the Holywell Trust in Derry, a center for peace and community building. Here we will here the stories of two local people, one Republican and one Loyalist, who were once engaged in The Troubles but are now doing the work of healing themselves and their community after 40+ years of conflict.

From Derry we head east along the Antrim Coast, of one of Europe’s most magnificent coastlines, arriving at the Corrymeela Community in the late afternoon. We’ll have a brief introduction to their peacemaking work before dinner, evening prayers, and overnight accommodations.

Please note that Corrymeela is an intentional Christian community, not a tourist hotel. Accommodations are comfortable but simple. Travelers will have private rooms with a sink, but bathrooms are shared and toiletries are not provided. Each bathroom is self-contained with a toilet, sink, and shower for plenty of privacy.

Today provides time for a leisurely visit to the natural wonders at Giant’s Causeway. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, he unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns and the associated folklore never fails to intrigue and inspire visitors. Those who desire may participate in a hike along the coastline.

In the nearby village of Bushmills, you’ll find the oldest working distillery in Ireland. At Bushmills, family and friends have worked over 400 years, keeping to the philosophy that hand crafting small batches is the way to produce beautifully smooth Irish whiskey. Enjoy a tour of the distillery and the option for a tasting. Return to Corrymeela for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Today is largely a travel day as the group makes its way from Belfast in Northern Ireland to Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. We will travel from Belfast to Glasgow by air. We will take a short driving tour of Glasgow (or, time permitting, walk a little to stretch our legs) before heading north through Loch Lomond. At Oban, we will take the ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. From there we will continue by coach to the westernmost point on Mull for dinner and overnight accommodations.

One piece of checked baggage is included on the flight from Belfast to Glasgow. Additional checked baggage will be assessed a fee by the airline. We recommend you travel light and only bring one piece of checked luggage.

Our hefty travel schedule yesterday makes it possible for the group to spend the entire day on the Isle of Iona. Catching the first ferry of the day allows us to arrive in time for morning worship at the Abbey Church. After worship we will tour the abbey as a group. At lunch time you will be set free to explore on your own, or take time to meditate and pray in the beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces. Take the 10-minute ferry ride back to Fionnphort at your leisure for dinner on your own at the local pub or seafood shack.

We depart Fionnphort this morning for a leisurely trip back to Edinburgh. Along the way we will visit a Scotch distillery, a woolen mill, and other cultural sites. We arrive in Edinburgh in time to rest or explore on your own a bit before dinner (not included). Overnight accommodations in Edinburgh’s historic center.

Spend the day today touring Edinburgh with our guide. We will visit the Greyfriar’s Kirk, the first church to be built in post-Reformation Scotland, and St. Giles Cathedral where John Knox preached and ministered in the 1560s. You will have the option to attend a noon-time service or concert in one of these historic churches. Continue touring Edinburgh in the afternoon before closing the day with a celebratory group dinner. Overnight accommodations in Edinburgh’s historic center.

Today the group will depart from Edinburgh to Raleigh-Durham. Those wishing to extend their stay in Scotland may add additional nights in Edinburgh or work with Progressive Pilgrimage to make arrangements to visit other parts of this country.

The return flight arrives at Raleigh Durham International Airport at 6:58 PM.