Archives: Hosts

Jon is passionate about creating unforgettable travel experiences that blend adventure, culture, and connection. He believes travel is more than sightseeing—it’s about immersing yourself in local traditions, savoring authentic flavors, and building meaningful friendships along the way. A lifelong music enthusiast, Jon loves weaving the rhythm of each destination into the journey—whether it’s discovering local live performances, curating playlists that set the mood, or simply appreciating the soundtrack of the adventure. He also enjoys exploring hidden gems, learning about history, and finding the perfect tune to match the moment.

As a teacher of art and art history for 33 years, it has been a passion of mine to introduce both high school students and adults to new cultures along with the art, architecture, and customs of people other than our fellow Americans. Travel has enriched me in profound ways. Leading students, their parents, and alladult groups all over Europe has allowed me to enhance my teaching skills and experience many of Europe’s treasures first-hand. Each journey becomes a
shared adventure, and returning to destinations I have previously visited gives me an opportunity to offer insights and special touches to enhance the group adventure. It’s always great to expand one’s personal “map” and to be a lifelong learner.

(717) 413-5124

Katie is Hope College’s director of family engagement and your co-leader on this adventure! Over the past decade, Katie has served Hope students as a member of the Student Life team and as an first-year seminar professor. She is in her third year on the Alumni and Family Engagement Team and delights in the opportunity to walk alongside current families throughout their student’s time at Hope.

Lindsey is an assistant professor of dance at Hope College in Holland, Mich. She holds a master’s of fine arts in dance from Montclair State University and a bachelor’s of arts in dance from Hope College. She has had an extensive career as a dancer and actress, performing on esteemed stages such as The Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Broadway’s Marriott Marquis. Some favorites include performing as the White Queen in Third Rail Projects’ immersive production Then She Fell, as a Copacabana dancer on Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as a dancer and aerialist on several cruise lines, and making her Broadway debut in The Illusionists. Other TV credits include Sesame Street, America’s Got Talent, Hulu’s Difficult People, and various commercials (Panera, Samsung, Vine.com). Her award-winning dance film, titled Sanctuary, investigates dance in collaboration with the architecture of a worship space and has appeared in 11 national and international film festivals. Sanctuary premiered at Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City in 2021. Most recently, Hanson has created a new work, Selah, in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame.

Mark Vermaire has been a pastor for 40 years and served most recently as Senior Pastor of The American Protestant Church of The Hague in The Netherlands. Mark’s avocation has been to explore the wonders of people, cultures, sights, and history that spark our imaginations and challenge our routines. Lori was a nurse for 36 years and enjoys exploring the world with others. When not traveling, Mark and Lori live in Carlsbad, CA. They look forward to sharing this adventure with you!

Jim and Tina Bratt are experienced and enthusiastic world travelers. Residents of Grand Rapids, they have lived abroad (one year each) in the Netherlands and China and loved getting to know the people, culture, and cuisine of both countries. They have led Witte-arranged tours to Vietnam and Cambodia and, last year, along the trail of Luther and Bach through the heart of Germany. They also traveled twice on the Semester at Sea where Jim taught courses on world religions and Tina was a shipboard social leader. Jim is a historian who taught for forty years at the University of Pittsburgh and Calvin University and Tina taught for more than 25 years in suburban Pittsburgh and Grand Rapids Public Schools, so they love the excitement of sharing learning with others. With all their travels (also visiting their four adult children spread around the country
and the world), they’ve passed through 85 airports! Zurich and Budapest will be #86 and 87.

Dan has been a popular tour guide with Witte Travel for more than 15 years and is excited to share this experience in the Netherlands with you! Careers in international sales and group travel planning have taken him throughout the Americas and across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Dan loves to share his interest in exploring new places by ensuring each traveler is prepared for and enjoys the
most of their experience of new cultures, cuisines, and community all around the globe.

(616) 438-1509 |

Gerry and Jan Van Kooten are mostly retired and divide their time between Sedona, Arizona, in the winter and Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, in the summer. Gerry is Professor of Geology Emeritus, having taught geology at Calvin for 13 years. His teaching followed a career in geothermal and oil and gas exploration, working for companies, government, and Native corporations, mostly in Alaska.

Jan is a music teacher and music director in schools and churches in Alaska, Michigan, and Arizona, including as adjunct music professor at Calvin. Jan is currently the choir director at our local Sedona church. She has accompanied Gerry on many geology field trips and brings her own perspective and help with logistics.

Gerry and Jan met in Arizona 50 years ago as students at ASU and have lived in and visited Arizona since then. We are excited to show you some of our favorite places in the desert southwest.