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.
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, and an optional post-cruise tour with three nights in Paris (May 6-9)
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."
Finally, for those who choose, there is an optional post-cruise tour of Paris from May 6-9. This tour will include a panoramic tour of Paris landmarks, the Louvre Museum—home to an unparalleled collection of masterpieces, including Leonardo da Vinci's mysterious Mona Lisa and the ancient Greek sculpture Venus de Milo. You will visit the famous Montmartre district for a guided walking tour of this iconic hilltop artists' neighborhood, including the stunning Sacré-Cœur Basilica with its distinctive white domes and the charming Place du Tertre, where artists display their work. Your time in Paris will also feature an evening dinner cruise on the Seine. Of course, a visit to the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is a must, recently fully restored after its historic fire, and one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, as well as a symbol of Paris itself.
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.
September 5-19, 2027
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
February 15 – March 1, 2028
Itinerary and Online Registration
Abbey Travel Tours warmly invites you to join us on a once‑in‑a‑lifetime Antarctic adventure—our first journey to the awe‑inspiring White Continent. We are delighted to partner once again with Southern Exploration, our collaborators on the unforgettable 2025 pilgrimages to Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands, to sponsor this carefully curated expedition to Antarctica.
The journey begins and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a charter flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. From there, we embark aboard the Ultramarine, a state‑of‑the‑art expedition vessel commissioned in 2021 and purpose‑built for polar exploration. Advanced stabilization technology enhances comfort while crossing the Southern Ocean. It carries 199 passengers. As with all Abbey Travel Tours, opportunities for Morning Prayer and Mass will be available throughout the voyage.
Antarctica offers extraordinary opportunities to encounter wildlife in one of the planet’s most pristine environments. Along the Antarctic Peninsula, you can expect sightings of Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins, seals resting on sea ice, whales, and seabirds soaring above dramatic ice cliffs. All wildlife viewing follows strict conservation guidelines, ensuring respectful and responsible encounters.
A rare highlight of this 14‑day Antarctica by Helicopter: Crossing the Circle & the Peninsula expedition is crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66°30′ South—a milestone achieved by few travelers. Multiple helicopter excursions are included, providing access to remote regions of the continent. You will fly over vast ice fields and mountain ridges, land in pristine locations, and explore on foot with expert guides. Stepping onto Antarctica via helicopter is a profound and humbling experience.
Safety and environmental stewardship are central to every aspect of the journey. All excursions are led by highly trained polar experts and pilots, with thorough briefings and rigorous safety protocols to ensure a confident and secure experience.
We anticipate traveling with a small group of 12 to 24 participants. Deposits will be securely held by Southern Exploration until at least 12 participants are reached by July 15, 2026, enabling us to secure group rates and offer meaningful savings.
If this journey stirs your sense of wonder and adventure, I invite you to email me to express your interest.
For registration details, deposits, or questions, please contact:
Deanna Nicoli
Southern Explorations
PO Box 30156 | Seattle, WA 98113
1.877.784.5400 (Toll Free) | 1.206.784.8111 (Seattle) | 1.206.641.9251 (Direct) | 1.206.784.8113 (Fax)
This is not simply a voyage—it is an invitation to encounter one of the most beautiful, remote, and sacred landscapes on Earth, guided with care, community, and reverence.
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.
