Celebrate Calvin's 500 anniversary

2009 is the 500 year anniversary of John Calvin's birth and we have a 10 day tour to celebrate. We'll begin in one of Europe's most exciting capitals, Paris and travel through France to Switzerland's Geneva. Along the way we'll visit Noyon (Calvin's birthplace - pictured left), Versailles Palace, Monet's home and garden, Chartres Cathedral, Rheims Cathedral and a Champagne cave, Strasbourg, Bern and Chillon Castle.

Along the way we'll not only have fellowship as a group, but we'll also get to meet Christians in the cities that we visit. You won't want to miss the fellowship we'll share over meals and the Sunday services in Paris and Geneva.

This tour is open for bookings until April 1, 2009 so call 1-800-303-5534 today to order your brochure or send an e-mail to info@reformationtours.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The Ash Wednesday "Hair Decree"

Today is Ash Wednesday and for the men in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, that means no more shaving until after the Passion Play performance, unless they are going to play the part of Roman soldiers.

I took this photo when I was on a recent trip to Oberammergau and it shows the official "Hair Decree" that allows men in the police and the military to be excused from the usual rule of being close-shaven. Apparently men have to carry a copy of this as well as their residence cards as they can look a little unkempt as 2009 continues!

In the Footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Shakespeare

Looking for a trip to England this Spring? For only $1,999 land only, you can take a 10 day trip to England (4 day extension to Scotland is $819). Join Dr. Matthew Heckel and Rev. Chris Baker from Wildwood Christian School in St. Louis on a literary tour of England and Scotland.

During the tour you'll hear about C.S. Lewis, J.R. R. Tolkien, Shakespeare and varous preachers, Bible translators, Reformers, pastors and evangelists. You'll also enjoy two Shakespeare plays and many other cultural delights.

This is an ideal trip for high schoolers, graduates, homeschoolers etc. Call 1-800-303-5534 to request more information or check out the tour on our website.

The tour includes:

• G.K. Chesterton sites in Beaconsfield, including st. Theresa's Church
• C.S. Lewis sites in Oxford, including the Kilns, the Eagle & Child pub, Holy Trinity Church
• Shakespeare sites in London and Stratford-upon-Avon, including two live performances
• J. R. R. Tolkien sites in Birmingham, including Sarehole Mill, Moseley Bog, Edgbaston and the Oratory
• Guided tours of Oxford, Stratford, London, Cambridge, Canterbury
• Extension to Scotland, with guided tours of Stirling, Oban, Mull, Iona and Edinburgh