Recently updated on July 24th, 2023 at 01:57 pm
Have you ever dreamed of travelling on our Christian tours? What would it feel like to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in Old Jerusalem or trace the path of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela? Imagine journeying through the life of the world’s most revered religious figures, like Martin Luther in Germany or Pope John Paul II in Poland. Picture yourself marvelling at the beautiful Vatican, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, or even witnessing the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau.
DISCOVER: Group travel with Trafalgar
There are so many soul-stirring places around the world where you can deepen your faith, admire ancient treasures, and make profound connections. Read on to discover our top 7 Christian tours that will take you on the spiritual journey of a lifetime.
1. Land of the Gods (13 days)
Follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ across Israel and Jordan, on this spiritual pilgrimage to the land where it all began. You’ll get to explore some of the world’s most extraordinary religious sites and ancient wonders on this ultimate of all Christian tours.
Best Christian experiences
- See the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, built over the cave said to be where Jesus was born.
- Visit the Church of Annunciation, with its cupola overlooking the cave where Archangel Gabriel appeared to share the blessing to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God.
- See the Bethany Beyond Jordan Lutheran Church, where Jesus was baptised.
- Stop at Cana and see where Jesus miraculously turned water into wine at a wedding feast.
- Head to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered his Sermon.
- Visit the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha and the site where Jesus performed the miracle of feeding five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish.
- Cruise across the Sea of Galilee and marvel at the Jesus Boat.
- Visit the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Walk in the footsteps of kings, disciples and prophets in Jerusalem’s Old Town.
- Visit Mount Nebo where Moses is buried. Marvel at the Madaba Mosaic Map covering the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, before heading to the Crusader Shobak Castle.
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2. Days of Devotion (12 days)
Celebrate the Glory of God in some of the world’s most sacred sites across France, Spain and Portugal on one of our best European Christian tours. Trace the path of pilgrims to extraordinary religious centres and attend Mass with believers from all over the world.
Best Christian experiences
- Journey to Lourdes, the sacred global centre of the Marian pilgrimage. Take part in the moving Torchlight Procession, where faithful worshippers from all over the world sing the Ave Maria of Lourdes.
- Attend Sunday Mass in Lourdes, and discover the shrine and birthplace of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes.
- Follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims on a journey to Santiago de Compostela. See the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the final resting place of the Apostle James, and attend Pilgrim’s Mass here.
RELATED CONTENT: Everything you need to know about the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route of Spain
- Visit the sacred Catholic pilgrimage site of Fátima, following the path of millions of pilgrims to the sanctuary where three young shepherds saw the apparition of the Virgin Mary. Explore the shrine, see the shepherds home village of Aljustrel, and join believers from across the world at an evening Rosary.
- See some of the most iconic churches, including the exquisite La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos, and the stunning 15th-century Hieronymite Monastery in Lisbon.
GET INSPIRED BY: Days of Devotion
3. Holy Italian Pilgrimage (11 days)
Give thanks to God on this journey through some of Italy’s most sacred Catholic relics and places of pilgrimage, worship and miracles. As one of our best Italian Christian tours, you’ll dive through centuries of spiritual history.
Best Christian experiences
- Discover the religious sites of Rome including the burial site of Apostle St. Paul, the 5th-century mosaics at St. Mary Major Basilica, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, and the Scala Sanctam, the Holy Stairs.
- Visit Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the Pope, and the 17th-century Apostolic Palace.
- Explore Vatican City and tour St. Peter’s Square. Join a Mass in the Basilica, or head to St. Peter’s Square at noon to hear the Angelus prayer and receive the Papal blessing (if he is available). You’ll also get priority access to the Vatican Museums to marvel at Michelangelo’s exquisite frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel at a quieter time.
- Visit many great churches of Italy including the Shrine of St. Rita in Cascia, the Basilica of St. Francis, the Basilica of St. Claire and the Carceri Hermitage in Assisi. You’ll also visit the Basilica Cateriniana in Sien, the Basilica of St Anthony in Padua, Santa Croce Cathedral in Florence.
- Take a scenic cruise to St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
- Spend two nights in Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, a fully renovated old Franciscan convent in nearby Santa Maria degli Angeli.
GET INSPIRED BY: Wonders of Italy
4. Martin Luther Reformation (10 days)
We’ll take you on the journey of a lifetime through the life of Martin Luther. Discover the incredible history of the Reformation across medieval Germany, which changed modern religion forever.
Best Christian experiences
- Discover the town of Wittenberg, the birthplace of Martin Luther’s protestant movement, where he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in 1517. Visit this church where Luther is also buried, and join a Local Specialist to explore Lutherhalle where he lived and made his “reformatory discovery”. You’ll also visit the Town Church, the mother church of the Reformation where Luther preached.
- Explore the town of Lutherstadt Eisleben, once the hometown of Martin Luther. Join a Local Specialist at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul where Luther was baptised, and St. Andrew’s Church, where Luther preached his last four sermons. Learn about his upbringing at Luther’s Birth House, a museum for Lutheran pilgrims since the 17th century.
- Follow in the young footsteps of the Reformist at Luther House in Eisenach where Luther lived as a child, and learn about his famous translation of the Bible.
- Visit Thomaskirche, where Luther preached his Whitsunday sermon in 1539, and the final resting place of J.S. Bach.
- Visit the chapel of Hartenfels Castle in Torgau, consecrated by Martin Luther in 1544.
- Discover Worms, the city that hosted the private conferences to decide Martin Luther’s fate after he published the 95 Theses.
- Explore the Mainz Cathedral and the Gutenberg Monument in Mainz that commemorates the German printing of the Bible.
5. Pilgrimage to Poland (8 days)
Discover the remarkable resilience and deep Christian faith of Poland with this spiritual pilgrimage. Take an unforgettable journey across medieval Old Towns, historic centres and sacred cities.
Best Christian experiences
- Journey to Częstochowa, the spiritual centre of Poland. It’s home to the Black Madonna painted by Luke the Evangelist and enshrined after its discovery by St. Helen.
- Attend Mass with the local community at Jasna Gora Monastery and spend some time in personal reflection here.
- Discover Wadowice, the 13th-century city renowned as the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. Join a Local Specialist to discover the Basilica Minor where he prayed and was baptised as a child. You’ll also see his family home which is now a museum.
- Visit Zakopane, once the favourite retreat of Pope John Paul II and now a beloved place of worship for priests and bishops. See the Jaszczurowka Chapel and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptowki, built by the people of Zakopane as thanks to God for saving the life of Pope John Paul II after an assassination attempt in 1981.
- Take a sombre visit to Auschwitz, the former German concentration camp built during the German occupation of Poland, and reflect on this moving experience at the Shrine of the Divine Mercy.
- Visit Niepokalanow and pay tribute to St. Maximilian Kolbe, founder of one of the world’s largest Franciscan monasteries and the martyr who volunteered to die in place of a stranger at Auschwitz during WWII.
GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Poland
6. Sacred Ireland (9 days)
Ireland’s breathtaking natural beauty offers the perfect setting to trace the footsteps of Ireland’s devoted believers. As one of our best Irish Christian tours, you’ll really get to the heart of this country’s ancient religious heritage.
Best Christian experiences
- Enjoy a spiritual experience in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, standing for over 1,500 years.
- Explore the Trinity College in Dublin, home to the famous Book of Kells.
- Journey to the pilgrimage town of Knock, home to the Marian Shrine where villagers witnessed the Apparition of Our Lady in 1879. You can also attend Mass at the Parish Church in the evening.
- Learn how to create your own Brigit’s Cross at a weaving workshop in the spectacular Brigit’s Garden surrounded by the wildflowers meadows of Rosscahill.
- Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas in Galway, built in the mid-20th century.
- Discover Kylemore Abbey, a former castle-like home transformed into a Benedictine monastery, with its beautiful Victorian Walled Garden.
- See the statue of St. Patrick at the foot of the ‘Holy Mountain’ at the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre.
- See the Ballintubber Abbey in Westport, the only church still in use in Ireland that was founded by an Irish king.
GET INSPIRED BY: Amazing Ireland
7. Oberammergau (Passion Play Performance)
Take an unforgettable journey along the Romantic Road through the Bavarian Alps to the town of Oberammergau in Germany. This gorgeous town is renowned for its once-a-decade Passion Play, performed to thank God for sparing them from the plague in the 17th century.
The villagers have held the play every decade since 1634. You’ll witness their unwavering devotion to God in this moving five-hour performance that depicts the life, love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Germany with Oberammergau
Trafalgar has been bringing guests on our Christian group travel tours to witness this powerful event for over 50 years. We arrange premium seats for you, and a dining experience at a local restaurant during the show’s half-time break.
This is a true artistic masterpiece displaying the profound faith of the people of Oberammergau. It’s sure to be a spiritual encounter that will touch your soul and change you forever.
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Have you ever experienced church group travel? What are your dream Christian tours? Let us know in the comments below!