Abbey Travel Tours' primary goal is to give old and new friends of Saint John's Abbey an opportunity to journey around the world to explore faith, experience different cultures, appreciate art and architecture, and learn something of our history and that of the nations we are touring. And do this while strengthening their love of Saint John's and forming some wonderful friendships with fellow travelers.
December 6-16, 2028
Itinerary and Online Registration
Experience the deep-rooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to some of the world’s most timeless Christmas Markets. Enjoy a tour of historic Munich and explore the unique Christmas markets before you set sail. Wander the stalls of the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest and most famous Christmas Markets in the world. Visit the many Christmas Markets of Vienna; there is something for everyone!
Sail aboard an elegantly decorated ship to cities and towns brimming with beautiful Christmas décor, while celebrating the richness of Advent. Enjoy festivities onboard with exquisite, specially-prepared meals.
Encompassing Austria, Germany, and Hungary, as well as iconic landmarks, this distinctive itinerary is truly a Christmas miracle. Let us take you on one of our quality, customized tours which have been planned and perfected for over 40 years.
Space is extremely limited on this river cruise, so sign up today!
December 6-16, 2028
Itinerary and Online Registration
February 17 – March 1, 2028
Additional Information and Itinerary
The Trip Is Confirmed! It is a GO!
Fr. Geoffrey Fecht, OSB, and Abbey Travel Tours invites you to come aboard for an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica, one of the most remote, beautiful, and awe-inspiring places on Earth.
Towering glaciers, majestic icebergs, vast penguin colonies, breaching whales, and breathtaking landscapes await as we explore the legendary White Continent aboard the state-of-the-art Ultramarine, designed for comfort and stability, even while crossing the famed Drake Passage.
This is more than a cruise. It is an adventure of discovery, wonder, and reflection shared with fellow travelers from the Saint John's community.
Our group already has six confirmed travelers, and there is still time to join us. Additional participants may help increase group discounts for everyone. However, the available cabins we had reserved have now been released to the general public, so availability is now limited.
Many experienced travelers who have visited Antarctica describe it as the finest journey of their lives. If Antarctica has ever been on your bucket list, this may be the perfect opportunity.
Highlights
Travel aboard the highly acclaimed Ultramarine
Experience penguins, whales, seals, and extraordinary wildlife
Explore spectacular Antarctic landscapes by Zodiac excursions
Join optional Morning Prayer and Mass during the voyage
Travel with friends of Saint John's Abbey and meet new companions along the way
View the complete itinerary at:
Additional Information and Itinerary
Contact:
Deanna Nicoli
Southern Explorations
deanna@southernexplorations.com
877-784-5400
www.southernexplorations.com
Please also email Fr. Geoffrey Fecht, OSB, to indicate your interest: gfecht@csbsju.edu
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Few people will ever set foot on Antarctica. Come experience the wonder, beauty, and silence of the world's last great frontier with
Abbey Travel Tours
The tour's itinerary is on our Saint John's Abbey website Travel Tours site under the Antarctica Trip: https://saintjohnsabbey.org/travel-tours
September 5-19, 2027
This tour is full, individuals may still be added to a waiting list if openings become available.
Abbey Travel Tours invites you to join us on an African Safari. This will be the fourth such safari.. We will again be teaming up with Access 2 Tanzania in sponsoring this wonderful and exotic safari to Tanzania. A twist from the previous safaris, this time we will follow up our time in Tanzania with a mountain trek to neighboring Rwanda. There, we will interact with the silverback gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.
From the foothills of Kilimanjaro and the herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park to the most impressive geological feature in Africa, the sunken caldera of Ngorongoro Crater, to the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle— the wildebeest migration in the famous Serengeti—we will find ourselves amazed at God’s wonderful creation. Along the way, we will celebrate Mass together on the foothills of Kilimanjaro, in the middle of the Serengeti, and on a mountainous volcano in Rwanda. We may also have the opportunity to meet with local Chaga villagers and members of the Massai tribe.
In Tanzania, we will challenge ourselves to search out the Big Five: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. The term “big five” was coined by big-game hunters and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. Our “hunt” will be in 4x4 Safari Toyota Land Cruisers, and our weapons of choice will be binoculars and cameras. Our accommodations in Tanzania will include both lodges and “Hemingway” tented camps.
Upon concluding the safari experience in Tanzania, we will head to neighboring Rwanda where we will be privileged to trek Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans, a beautiful and misty national park, in search of the mountainous silverback gorillas. Primate researcher Dian Fossey (1942-1985) famously became the first human to closely interact with mountain gorillas, sitting amongst their groups and getting up close and personal in this very setting. The movie version of her book, Gorillas in the Mist, starred Sigourney Weaver and introduced people worldwide to this incredibly intimate wildlife experience, unlike any other in Africa — you cannot get out of the car and walk amongst lions or hippos in the Serengeti. Volcanoes National Park remains the only place in the world to view these magnificent creatures, the largest of the great apes, and our closest relative in the animal kingdom, in their natural habitat.
We will find this trip to be inspirational, educational, and memorable. It is for those who realize “once in a lifetime” only happens once! We hope you will consider joining us.
Casey O’Connell
Access 2 Tanzania | Treks 2 Rwanda
Safari Consultant
casey@access2tanzania.com
April 25 - May 6, 2027
7-Night Cruise + 3-Night Pre-Tour of the French Riviera
AmaWaterways cruise on France’s Rhone River, including a pre-cruise tour with three nights in Nice.
Join Saint John’s Abbey Travel Tours in France’s Provence. From romantic cities to foodie havens and artistic epicenters, this itinerary enlivens all your senses. Along the way, our host, Fr. Geoffrey Fecht, OSB, will have optional Morning Prayers or Mass, either onboard our ship or at some lovely French churches, which, in and of themselves, are often worth a visit just for the sense of culture, art and architecture.
Start your journey in Nice, a jewel of the French Riviera known for its turquoise waters. Nice will serve as your base for a tailored three-night land tour before the river cruise. You will visit Monaco, where luxury meets breathtaking coastal views, followed by exploring the medieval charm of Eze. Delve into the cinematic allure of Cannes and then explore the fragrant world of Grasse, the world's perfume capital, where you will visit a traditional perfume factory and learn the secrets of fragrance creation, from selecting precious raw materials to the intricate blending processes that produce France's finest perfumes.
And then, Aix-en-Provence, often referred to simply as Aix, is a canvas of joyful impressions, featuring colorful festivals, festivities, and traditions, Provencal markets, delicious sun-filled delicacies, walks in the countryside, and relaxing activities.
Then lower your fantasies' drawbridge as you begin your cruise in Arles, where you'll embark on a luxurious 7-night Rhône River journey with AmaWaterways, seamlessly blending the Riviera's beauty with the scenic landscapes of Provence. Follow in the footsteps of famous artists like Van Gogh and Picasso. Explore Avignon, the former home of popes (1309 to 1377), a sprawling town with an impressive array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Palace of Popes, fascinating art museums, and historic charm. Finish your cruise in Lyon, France’s culinary capital, admire the beauty of legendary vineyards, and enjoy local wines like Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône. Experience the famous indoor market hall Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse, named after the renowned chef, called "the pope of gastronomy."
Let us take you on one of our quality, customized tours, which have been planned and perfected for over 40 years.
Space is limited on this pilgrimage, so sign up today!
For additional information, a detailed itinerary, and registration, please have a look here: https://cvent.me/VMP1yB.
Especially during these uncertain times, we highly recommend the purchase of optional travel protection that covers Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, or Cancel For Any Reason. You may purchase coverage through any carrier of your choosing.
To view travel protection plans available through our travel company's partner, Travel Insured International, click any of the listed tours and then click “Travel Protection.”
For more information on the Abbey Travel Tours, contact Fr. Geoffrey Fecht at gfecht@csbsju.edu or 320-363-3818.
Stay tuned as these plans are developed.
