European Genealogy Tours: Walking in the Footsteps of Your Ancestors

By Dr. Cindi Fries, Heritage Travel Specialist & Co-Founder of Max Travel Abroad

Max Travel Abroad European Origin genealogy tours combine family history research with immersive travel experiences. From Austrian churches and French village markets to archives filled with baptismal records, we design personalized ancestry tours that connect heirlooms, recipes, and photographs with the living landscapes of Europe.

Salzburg 1942

Our Inspiration

When my husband’s Austrian parents passed away, we began piecing together their story. We had photos and heirlooms, but also questions. What had become of my mother-in-law’s maternal Jewish relatives? What did life look like for his parents in the 1940s?

One photograph became a touchstone: in 1942, my mother-in-law, Helga, stood with her mother in front of Salzburg’s “Horse Bath” fountain. Her father, an architect, took the picture. Behind them, a Nazi flag hangs in the background—a haunting reminder of the times. Just months later, Helga was married in Baden bei Wien at the Lutheran church.

Decades later, we stood at that same fountain. Holding the black-and-white image against the vibrant square before us was overwhelming. The past was no longer distant; it was alive. That moment inspired us to create European Origin genealogy tours—trips that let others connect their family stories with real places.

1775 Ceramic plate

Ancestor correspondence German

Family Portrait Minatare

What You Can Expect on an Ancestry Tour in Europe

Every origin tour is unique because every family story is different. Sometimes it begins with a small clue: a recipe for French bread pudding, a porcelain cup engraved with initials, or a faded photograph tucked in an album. From there, we create an itinerary of discovery:

• A family recipe might lead you to a regional market or kitchen still using the same ingredients your ancestors once did.

• A photograph could guide you to a village square in Austria or France, unchanged since your grandparents’ time.

• A family name might open parish archives or church registers, revealing baptismal, marriage, or burial records written in careful script.

With each step, fragments of your story connect to heritage destinations in Europe—places you can see, touch, and experience today.

Independent or Concierge-Guided Tours

At Max Travel Abroad LLC, we understand not every traveler wants the same level of guidance.

• Independent Ancestry Itineraries – For confident travelers, we provide carefully researched routes, maps, and recommendations tailored to your family story.

• Concierge-Guided Genealogy Tours – For those who prefer a seamless journey, my husband and I personally accompany you. We ease language barriers, arrange meaningful encounters, and help interpret the discoveries along the way.

Because we’ve led small-group cultural tours in Austria, France, and Central Europe, we know how to blend history, comfort, and authentic experiences into travel that feels deeply personal.

Salzburg 50th Wedding Anniversary

Salzburg 1938

Cindi and Bob Fries

Why Heritage Travel Matters

Heritage travel is more than sightseeing—it’s about connection. Sometimes you uncover pride, sometimes hardship, sometimes surprises. But the reward is always a richer understanding of your ancestry and a story worth passing to the next generation.

As one traveler shared: “Standing in the church where my great-grandparents married was more powerful than I could have imagined. It gave me a sense of belonging I didn’t know I was missing.”

Connect with us to Connect with your past...

We were inspired by our own family’s genealogy journey to create Max Travel Abroad European Origin tours. Now we’re ready to design yours. Whether you want a custom independent itinerary, or a fully guided experience, we’ll help you discover your roots in Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy and beyond. Let’s begin planning your heritage journey today.