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Life of Christ Tour featuring Oberammergau
May 24-29, 2010 (6 day) or May 24-June 2, 2010 (10 day) with an optional 3 day extension to Prague

You are invited to join Dr. Paul Enns on a tour of Austria and Germany featuring a study on the life of Christ, with an optional extension to Prague.The highlight of the tour is the once-in-a-decade opportunity to attend the Oberammergau Passion Play in Bavaria.The tour also includes Rothenburg, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vienna and Prague.

For more information contact Wanda at (813) 968-4837 or dearolf@tampabay.rr.com


SEBTS Credits available!
Special Note Oberammergau Tickets are guaranteed if you book before January 24, 2010. After this date we can request tickets, but can't guarantee availability.

What will we see each day?

Our itineraries are designed to be not too full - or too empty! Each day we'll have breakfast at our hotel, followed by the day's activities. In the evenings, you'll have the opportunity to join the devotional time. Enjoy browsing the proposed itinerary. Back to top

Click here for pre-tour options

Monday, May 24, 2010: Overnight Flight
Our journey begins with our flight across the Atlantic Ocean to Frankfurt, Germany . (IF)

Tuesday, May 25, 2010: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
On arrival, our Reformation Tours’ Tour Director and bus will meet us at the airport and we’ll begin our tour with a leisurely Rhine Cruise. We’ll then head for the walled city of Rothenburg, the city where time has stood still. We have some free time to enjoy a walk along the city walls or some shopping before we join the Night Watchman on his nightly tour of this medieval city.We'll stay in the Akzent Hotel Schranne. (B, D)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010: Oberammergau

Today we’ll drive the wonderful Romantic Road, passing through the medieval towns of Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen and then continuing on to Augsburg. Here, Protestants proclaimed their confession in Luther’s Imperial Diet in 1530. We’ll see Maximilian Strasse, the Town Hall, Fuggerei, the first social settlement in Europe, and St. Anne’s Church where Luther stayed in 1518. We end our day in Oberammergau, where the world famous Passion Play, depicting the story of Christ, has been acted out for hundreds of years by the villagers. We'll stay in the Hotel am Wiesenhang for two nights.(B, D)

Thursday, May 27, 2010: Oberammergau
The morning is free for exploring Oberammergau. After lunch we will attend the Passion Play, the highlight of our tour. The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play begins in 1633. In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of dying and suffering from the plague, the people of Oberammergau took a vow to perform the “Play of the Suffering, Dying and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ every ten years. During Pentecost in 1634 they fulfilled their promise for the first time. Today we attend the 41st production of the play. After a dinner intermission we return to the Passion Play Theater for the rest of our production. (B, L, D)

Friday, May 28, 2010: Innsbruck
Leaving Oberammergau this morning, we reflect on the impact the play had on each of us while enjoying a beautiful drive in Bavaria. We will visit Castle Linderhof and the beautiful castle grounds. Then we continue on to visit Hohenschwangau Castle and the Neuschwanstein Castle, another of King Ludwig II’s castle and the model for the famous Disney Castle. We end the day in Innsbruck, Austria at the Hotel Altenburg. (B, D)

NOTE: Those on the 6 day tour will take the train to Munich. They will be met at the train station and have a transfer to their hotel. They will then receive instructions and a metro pass to the airport for the next day. The rest of the day will be free to explore Munich.

Saturday, May 29, 2010: Salzburg
This morning we will drive through delightful Austrian countryside to Salzburg, Austria city of Mozart and the city where the Sound of Music was filmed. We check into our hotel and have time to freshen and relax before our special dinner tonight. We’ll be attending a Mozart Concert during dinner at the famous St. Peter’s Restaurant, seated in Baroque opulence, with candles and linen, we’ll savor the cuisine of Mozart’s day. Superb musicians play some of his most famous compositions to round out a great day in Austria. We'll stay at the Central Hotel Gablerbräu for two nights. (B, D)

Sunday, May 30, 2010: Salzburg
This morning we will have the opportunity to attend a worship service in Salzburg, followed by a walking tour of Old Salzburg, visiting Mozart’s birthplace, strolling through Mirabell Gardens . We’ll tour the Salzburg Cathedral, the Getreidegasse shopping area, the market area, Peter’s Church and more. The rest of the day will be free.(B)

Monday, May 31,2010: Vienna
Today we drive to beautiful Vienna, full of gorgeous baroque architecture, charm and history. It was the capital of the Hapsburg Empire and arguably the capital of European culture. En route we stop to visit Melk Abbey and then cruise the rest of the way to Vienna on the beautiful Danube. Our coach driver will meet us in Vienna and transfer us to our hotel. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our hotel. (B, D)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010: Vienna
This morning we have a city tour of the major sights of the city, the Belvedere Palace , the elegant Kärntner Ring, St. Stefan's Cathedral, the Lippizaner Museum and more. Later we have the option to visit Schönbrunn Palace, the beautiful palace of the Hapsburgs, with lovely gardens or we can choose to stay and enjoy the sites and sounds of Vienna’s inner ring. Tonight we have the option of experiencing some of the special music Vienna has to offer as we attend a concert (not included). Our final night is at the Hotel Arkadenhof.(B)

Wednesday, June 2, 2010: Return
This morning our Tour Director will escort us to Vienna airport for our return trip home to Tampa. (IF)

Prague Extension

Wednesday, June 2, 2010: Prague
After breakfast we depart for Prague. Just outside of Prague we stop to visit Antonin Dvorak’s Memorial in Vysoka Village, a small community located in the scenic wooded country side. A local guide shares with us the stories of the life of the famous Czech Composer. Then we check into the Hotel Meteor Plaza in Prague where we'll stay for the next three nights. (B, D)

Thursday, June 3, 2010: Prague
This morning a local guide will join us for a fascinating walking tour of Hradcany Castle, the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and stroll across the famous Charles Bridge to reach the Old Town Square. The remainder of our day is free. Dinner is on our own tonight. (B)

Friday, June 4, 2010: Prague
After breakfast this morning we begin with a visit to the Old Jewish Cemetery and Museum including Pinkas Synagogue which houses children’s artwork from Theresienstadt. Next we see the Bethlehem Chapel, where Jan Hus heralded in the teachings of the Reformation. We will also tour Church of the Virgin Mary and Týn Church. A special treat awaits us this evening – a Czech folklore show including dinner with Czech specialties. (B, D)

Saturday, June 5, 2010: Return
This morning our Tour Director will escort us to Prague airport for our return trip home to Tampa. (IF)

Click here for post-tour options

= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Please note that that Reformation Tours reserves the the right to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of this quotation, which is 1 Euro = $1.47.. Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price, this will be reflected in the final invoice.

Free book for all our tour participants

This best-selling Guide proved an essential tool for visitors who spent time in this delightful corner of Bavaria, providing concise information about the Village of Oberammergau, the Area, the Play, the Theatre, the History and Traditions, the Organization and Background.

Written by David Houseley - who produced similar books in 1970,1980 and 1990, and Raymond Goodburn, the book is in lavish color with maps, photographs and biographies of the actors who took the leading roles. There is also an important Introduction by Otto Huber, Deputy Director of the Play who explains the thinking behind the radical changes which were made for 2000. Finally, there is a Synopsis of the Play, provided by Prof. Ingrid Shafer, the Official Translator of the Text into English.



"PAUL ENNS (Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) pastors at Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida, and is an adjunct professor and director of the Tampa Bay Extension of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has written four volumes in the Bible Study Commentary series, The Moody Handbook of Theology, and the daily devotional Approaching God. Dr. Enns has led study trips to Israel and has traveled extensively in Europe, including a recent tour to Reformation sites in 2006 and a tour of Turkey and Greece in 2007."


What's included in tour price?

6 day tour: May 24-29, 2010: $2,399
10 day tour: May 24 - June 2, 2010: $2,999
Prague extension: June 2-5, 2010: $599

Group air from Tampa, returning from Prague: $1,108 incl. taxes etc

Price based on 40 full paying participants
  • Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
  • Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
  • Tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play in seating area 1 (pale blue in image)
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Professional tour escort throughout the tour
  • Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
  • Entrance fees included as per itinerary
  • All transfers, as a group
  • Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
  • All taxes and tips except as indicated below

What's not included:

  • Air transportation (available from Tampa with Northwest for $1,108 incl. taxes etc.)
  • Prague extension of $599
  • Single supplement (subject to availability) of $700
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
  • Gratuities for tour manager, and driver

Payment for the tour is in installments:

  • Deposit of $1,350 is due on sign-up
  • Final invoices will be sent in January, 2010
  • Final payments will be due no later than January 20, 2010

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellations must be in writing and the date of postmark will determine the amount of refund due.

  • From time of deposit to until 190 days prior to departure a $175 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation.
  • From 189-145 days prior to departure a $300 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation, plus any non refundable deposit, if applicable
  • 144-30 days prior to departure a $1,000 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation, plus any unrecoverable out of pocket expenses to ground suppliers, as well as any penalties imposed by airlines will be assessed. If anyone cancels but finds their own substitute up to 120 days prior to departure, only a $100 change fee will be assessed.
  • 29 days or less prior to departure-no refund.

Flight Information:

We can either assist you with flight bookings, or you are welcome to choose your own flights. If you are using frequent flyer miles, you'll need to contact your airline directly. We can also arrange for extra hotel nights before or after the tour. Please ensure we have a copy of your flight itinerary for our records no later than 30 days before departure.

Group Flights
These were recently changed by the airline due to a recent merger. We will notify you if they change again.

Airline Date Departs Arrives Departure Time Arrival Time Layover
Northwest 2233 5/24/10 Tampa Detroit 11:30 AM 2:22 PM 4 hr 43 min
Northwest 772 5/24/10 - 5/25/10 Detroit Frankfurt 7:05 PM 9:35 AM  
             
KLM 1352 6/5/10 Prague Amsterdam 11:00 AM 12:40 AM 1hr 30 min
Northwest 757 6/5/10 Amsterdam Memphis 2:10 PM 5:10 PM 2hr 30 min
Northwest 2328 6/5/10 Memphis Tampa 7:40 PM 10:26 PM  

Arrival: If you aren't on the group flights above, please plan on arriving in Frankfurt on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 by 9:00 AM. If you are traveling early, we can arrange for accommodation in the Rhine area.

Departure: Flights can be arranged anytime on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 from Vienna or Saturday, June 5, 2010 from Prague.

Pre- and post-tour options:

If you are planning on arriving early or staying after the tour, we can help with these arrangements. We would appreciate you letting us know as soon as possible, so that we can hold the hotel space.

Pre-Tour
We are offering a pre-tour night at the Central Hotel in Rüdesheim for $81 per person in a double and $105 in a single, including breakfast. The transport from the airport is approximately $33 per person using local transport.

Post-Tour
We are offering a post-tour night at the Meteor Plaza Hotel in Prague for $65 per person in a double and $114 in a single, including breakfast. The taxi to the airport is approximately $36 per taxi.

What are the accommodations like?

Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!

Yes, please tell me more about this tour!

Please write your question in the space below or leave a phone number and a convenient time to call and we'll respond to your request. We're here to enable you to have a fabulous trip, so don't hesitate - contact us today!

You can also contact us if this is the kind of tour that YOUR church would like to take. We arrange fully customizable trips for Christian groups. Just jot down your details and we'll guide you every step of the way. Back to top




 

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