2027 Theological Adventure Tour: Austria & Switzerland

Reformation in the Alps: Austria & Switzerland

We are pleased to announce the Around the Word 2027 Theological Adventure Tour: Reformation in the Alps: Austria & Switzerland (with little stops in Germany and Liechtenstein). Starting in Vienna and ending in Geneva, we’ll travel through some of the most beautiful places in the world. We’ll consider the theological history of the region, including Calvin and Zwingli. Keri is particularly excited to visit the Sound of Music sites in Salzburg.

We will have Bible Studies, daily devotional services, and in-depth conversation about the locations we will visit. We hope you will consider joining us! -Pastor Bryan & Keri Wolfmueller

APPLY TO BE ON THE TRIP:

Space is limited, and we expect it to fill up very quickly. Due to the high demand, we have an application process. Please fill out your application here. (We will receive applications from July 31-August 15, 2026.) When you are accepted on the tour, we will contact you with instructions for making your $600 deposit to reserve your place. (Deposit is non-refundable.)

Here’s the outline of our adventure:

Dates: July 29 to August 10, 2027

Day 1, Thursday, July 29: Arrive Vienna

Arrive in Vienna, Austria. Individual transfers to the hotel are included, and your Tour Director greets you on arrival. The day is at leisure. This evening we gather for a welcome dinner. (Dinner)

Day 2, Friday, July 30: Vienna

Drive along the elegant Ringstrasse with photo stops at Hofburg Palace and Heldenplatz. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Vienna Lutheran City Church before lunch on your own. In the afternoon, visit Schönbrunn Palace (subject to availability). Evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 3, Saturday, July 31: Vienna to Salzburg

Cruise the Danube through the Wachau World Heritage region, with lunch on board with a side of unforgettable views! Travel on to Salzburg for a two-night stay, with dinner included this evening. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 4, Sunday, August 1: Salzburg

A Sound of Music day. Walking tour including the Mirabell Gardens, the Great Festival Hall, and Residenz Square. Themed drive with a stop in Hellbrunn to see the gazebo, continuing by way of Aigen and Mondsee, with a photo stop at the beautiful Lake Wolfgang. Return to Salzburg; evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 5, Monday, August 2: Salzburg to Innsbruck

Orientation walk through the Innsbruck Old Town to see the Golden Roof, with a self-guided visit of St. James Cathedral. This evening enjoy Tyrolean folk entertainment over dinner: yodeling, zither music, schuhplattln, alphorn-blowing, and costumed performers. You’ll love it! (Breakfast, dinner)

Day 6, Tuesday, August 3: Innsbruck to St. Gallen

Depart Innsbruck for a jaw dropping scenic journey into Liechtenstein to visit the capital city of Vaduz. Enjoy an orientation walk upon arrival with your Tour Director with free time for lunch. Continue to St Gallen for your overnight stay. (Breakfast, dinner)

Day 7, Wednesday, August 4: St. Gallen to Zurich

Stop in Konstanz, Germany, to view the memorial Stone of Jan Hus. Guided walk in Stein am Rhein, then a visit to Rhine Falls (Europe’s largest waterfall, 75 ft high and 500 ft wide). From a special visitor’s platform, enjoy panoramic views of the magnificent Cascades and experience the misty spray rising in a cloud of rainbows above the forested banks. Continue to Zurich, Switzerland`s largest city beautifully located on the banks of two rivers and a lake, for an included dinner. (Breakfast, dinner)

Day 8, Thursday, August 5: Zurich

Orientation walk of the Old Town to see the Fraumünster. Guided tour of the Grossmünster (subject to availability). See the Zwingli Monument, view the Kulturhaus Helferei, and visit the Felix Manz memorial plate. Balance of the day at leisure. (Breakfast)

Day 9, Friday, August 6: Zurich to Lucerne

Walking tour highlights including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge, with an audio-guided tour of the Jesuit Church (subject to availability). Experience the hypnotic beauty of sparkling Lake Lucerne—the picturesque Lake of the Four Cantons—on a sightseeing cruise to see forested hillsides, lush meadows, and towering peaks. Enjoy a completely different perspective of Lucerne and learn its enchanting history—including its ties to legendary Swiss folk hero William Tell! This evening, traditional entertainment with a three-course feast, alphorns, yodeling, and Swiss music and dancing. (Breakfast, dinner)

Day 10, Saturday, August 7: Lucerne to Bern

Guided coach tour of Basel and a stroll through the Old Town, with a visit to Basel Cathedral and the tomb of Erasmus (subject to availability). Then, stroll through the Old Town with its splendid Town Hall, whimsical fountain, and minster, where a step out onto the terrace reveals incomparable panoramic views over the Rhine from the Vosges Mountains to the Black Forest. Continue to Bern; walk the Old Town and see the Cathedral of Bern. Private tour of the Bear Park to learn fascinating facts about the bear pit and the park, bear biology and husbandry. Dinner included. (Breakfast, dinner)

Day 11, Sunday, August 8: Bern to Geneva

Attend a morning church service in Burgdorf, with lunch provided by the congregation. Travel to the Château de Chillon (subject to availability), then continue to Geneva for a two-night stay. Step into the world of the Dukes of Savoy, where each room reveals a part of the history of Lake Geneva. (Breakfast)

Day 12, Monday, August 9: Geneva

Sightseeing tour and guided walk through the Old Town. See the Reformation Wall at Parc des Bastions, built in 1909 at the 400th anniversary of Calvin’s birth. Visit St. Pierre Cathedral, the Calvin Auditorium, and the Reformation Museum (guided group tours subject to availability). Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, dinner)

Day 13, Tuesday, August 10: Depart Geneva

Individual airport departure transfers. Safe travels home! (Breakfast)

APPLY TO BE ON THE TRIP:

Space is limited, and we expect it to fill up very quickly. Due to the high demand, we have an application process. Please fill out your application here. (We will receive applications from July 31-August 15, 2026.) When you are accepted on the tour, we will contact you with instructions for making your $600 deposit to reserve your place. (Deposit is non-refundable.)

COST

  • $6,952 (*per person, double occupancy)
  • +$1,750 Single Supplement

Deposit is due when you are accepted on the tour. Final payment is due May 7, 2027.
$200 discount off of the final payment for those paying by check.

What’s Included

  • Twelve (12) nights of hotel accommodations in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, St. Gallen, Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, and Geneva.
  • Daily Devotions, Bible teaching, and historical theological instruction by Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller.
  • A customized tour book/journal.
  • A professional Tour Director throughout the tour.
  • Private motorcoach transportation for all touring and transfers.
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers (on core travel dates).
  • Daily breakfast, plus dinners (8) and lunches (1) noted in the day-by-day itinerary, including the welcome, festive, and farewell dinners. Beer or wine with included dinners.
  • Guided sightseeing and walking tours in each city, with local guides where noted.
  • Reformation site visits: the Vienna Lutheran City Church, the Jan Hus memorial stone in Konstanz, the Zwingli Monument and Felix Manz memorial in Zurich, the tomb of Erasmus in Basel, and the Reformation Wall, St. Pierre Cathedral, Calvin Auditorium, and Reformation Museum in Geneva.
  • Sound of Music highlights around Salzburg, including the Hellbrunn gazebo and the lakes country.
  • Danube River cruise through the Wachau valley and a Lake Lucerne cruise.
  • Major admissions as listed: Schönbrunn Palace, the Grossmünster, Rhine Falls, the Bern Bear Park, and more (subject to availability).
  • Two evenings of traditional entertainment: a Tyrolean folk dinner in Innsbruck and a Swiss feast with alphorns and dancing in Lucerne.
  • Sunday worship with a local confessional Lutheran congregation.
  • Tips for our Tour Director and Coach Driver.
  • All taxes and service charges on included services.

What’s Not Included

  • Round-trip international airfare to Vienna and home from Geneva.
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended, more information here).
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary, plus drinks, snacks, and anything beyond the included menus.
  • Gratuities for your local city guides.
  • Optional excursions and any sightseeing on your free time.
  • Personal expenses: laundry, phone, internet, souvenirs, and the like.
  • Anything not specifically listed under “What’s included”.

Important Notes:

  • Refunds apply to the base tour cost; additional travel expenses (flights, pre/post extensions, etc.) are subject to the policies of individual providers.
  • Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances.
  • While not anticipated, itinerary is subject to change.

Apply to be on the Tour Here

(We will receive applications from July 31-August 15, 2026.)

About Around the Word Travel

One spiritually-enriching, life-changing tour every year.

Around the Word Travel provides the absolute best travel experience for Lutheran Christians by crafting one unique theological adventure tour each year.

Each tour is curated and hosted by Pastor Bryan and Keri Wolfmueller and is designed to:

  • Celebrate the joy and adventure of travel: Experience unique and immersive itineraries that highlight the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and the richness of diverse cultures.
  • Foster education: Deepen understanding of Scripture, theology, and church history through expertly guided tours and engaging discussions at historically significant sites.
  • Incorporate worship: Gather daily with the group for devotions and worship, and join local congregations or missionaries for Sunday services, building connections across the global body of Christ.
  • Promote connection: Form lifelong friendships with fellow travelers and meet fellow Christians in the places we visit, strengthening faith and community.
  • Provide comfort: Enjoy superior accommodations, seamless travel arrangements, and exceptional dining experiences, ensuring a journey that’s as relaxing as it is inspiring.
  • Deliver value: Offer competitively priced tours that make this enriching experience accessible while maintaining high standards of quality.

At Around the Word Travel, we’re committed to creating journeys that inspire faith, deepen knowledge, and build lasting memories, all while reflecting the joy of the Gospel in every step.