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Switzerland,
Lutherland and Oberammergau Tour
June 25-July 8, 2010 Now
Booking
If your group would like this type of
tour, call 1-800-303-5534 today! |
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 Rev.
Dan & Cathy Rinderknecht from Trinity Lutheran Church in Billings,
MT invite you on a tour of Switzerland and Luther Land sites in
Germany, including a live performance of the Passion
Play in Oberammergau with excellent seats. The tour includes
Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich, the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der
Tauber, Heidelberg, Worms, a Rhine cruise, Eisenach, Erfurt, Wittenberg
and Berlin.
Tickets are now confirmed, so book today!
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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.
Enjoy browsing the proposed itinerary.
Back to top
IF = In flight
meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Click here for pre-tour options
Day
1: Friday, June 25, 2010• Depart
Our journey begins with our transatlantic flight
to Geneva, Switzerland. (IF)
 Day
2: Saturday, June 26, 2010• Geneva
Upon arrival in Geneva, we meet our tour leader and a local guide.
Our tour begins at the Reformation Wall, followed by a visit to
the Reformation Museum in the beautiful historic quarter. This
Museum paints a comprehensive picture of the Reformation from
its origins to the present day, using the latest museum technologies.
We’ll also have a guided tour of St. Peter’s. Then
we will check into the Hotel
Cornavin where we enjoy a welcome dinner tonight. (IF, D)
Day
3: Sunday, June 27, 2010• Lucerne, Zurich
 Our
first stop today is Lucerne at the edge of the beautiful Swiss
Alps. We will explore the town and see the Chapel Bridge and Lion
Monument then continue on to Zurich where we meet a local expert
guide for a walking tour of Ulrich Zwingli’s city. Highlights
will include the Fraumünster and the Grossmünster Cathedrals.
The rest of the day is free to explore Zurich. We’ll dine
at the Hotel Engimatt (recent upgrade) this evening. (B, D)
 Day
4: Monday, June 28, 2010• Oberammergau
After breakfast, we depart for Oberammergau passing through the
postage stamp country of Liechtenstein where we make a quick stop
for lunch. Then we continue Neuschwanstein Castle, built for King
Ludwig II. You’ve seen the pictures of this castle that
inspired Disney, now we’ll experience its grandeur. We'll
stay at the Riessersee-Hotel
Betriebsgesel for two nights. (B, D)
Day
5: Tuesday, June 29, 2010• Oberammergau
The morning is free for exploring Oberammergau. After lunch we
will attend the Passion Play, the highlight of the tour. There
will be an intermission for dinner and then return to the Passion
Play Theater for the rest of the production.
(B, L, D)
Day 6: Wednesday, June 30, 2010• Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This morning we travel along Germany’s famous Romantic Road
through Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl to Rothenburg
ob der Tauber one of the most picturesque and well-preserved of
the towns in Germany. It's one of Germany’s very best walled
medieval cities, most of the buildings were built by 1400. This
town is particularly noted for the Christmas shop and museum which
are open year round. We’ll check into the Akzent
Hotel Schranne and we have leisure time to stroll and explore
the views atop the city ramparts. Incredible shopping opportunities
await us at every storefront. This evening join the night watchman
for a walking tour of the city. (B, D)
 Day
7: Thursday, July 1, 2010: Heidelberg, Worms, Rüdesheim
Our first stop today is Heidelberg
and where we enjoy the magnificent castle and take a brief walking
tour of the city center. In 1562, a 28 year old professor Zacharias
Ursinus, and a 26 year old preacher named Caspar Olevianus wrote
the Heidelberg Catechism one of the most important Calvinistic
statements of faith. Next we visit Worms
and see the plaque commemorating the Diet of Worms (Discussion).
We’ll end the day in Rüdesheim at the Ringhotel
Central hotel. (B, D)
 Day
8: Friday, July 2, 2010 • Rüdesheim
We begin our day with a relaxing Rhine cruise and then proceed
to Mainz where we enjoy a tour of the city and a visit to the
Gutenberg Museum. This evening we are free to stroll around Rüdesheim.
There is a wonderful variety of local restaurants to choose from
this evening. (B,)
 Day
9: Saturday, July 3, 2010 • Eisenach, Erfurt
This morning we’ll head north to visit Wartburg Castle,
near Eisenach,
where Luther took refuge after a fake kidnapping staged by his
friend and protector, Frederick the Wise. Seeing the very room
where Martin Luther translated the New Testament is a thrilling
experience. We’ll also visit the Lutherhaus and Bachhaus.
We’ll have the privilege of staying in the peaceful, calm
Augustinian Monastery
in Erfurt,
where Luther lived and studied. (B, D)
 Day
10: Sunday, July 4, 2010 • Erfurt
This morning begins with worship with local Christians. Afterwards
we will learn about Erfurt's Reformation history, with a guided
tour, including Cathedral Hill, with the two churches St. Mary's
and St. Severin's Cathedral. Erfurt boasts a unique medieval bridge,
the Krämerbrücke (Bridge of Shops), with homes and shops
that are still used today. The rest of the afternoon will be free.
(B, D)
 Day
11: Monday, July 5, 2010 • Wittenberg
We'll drive to Wittenberg
today, which is where the Reformation officially began in 1517.
In the afternoon our guided tour will begin with seeing the church
where Luther posted his 95 Theses. Although the original door
was destroyed in a fire, the replica has all 95 Theses in bronze,
which is magnificent. Next we'll tour the Lutherhalle (Luther
House) Museum. In 1508, when Martin Luther came to Wittenberg,
he lived here with other Augustinian Monks. Later, Luther and
his wife, Katharina von Bora, raised six children here. We’ll
stay overnight at the Luther
Hotel in Wittenberg. (B, D)
 Day
12: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 • Berlin
Berlin
is a fascinating city with a wealth of history. On arrival we’ll
meet our local guide who will take us on an orientation tour,
including the Berlin Wall Museum and Checkpoint Charlie. Our final
hotels is the Hotel Holiday Inn
- Berlin Mitte. (B, D)
Day
13: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 • Berlin
This morning we will visit the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Museum. This
afternoon will be free perhaps to either visit the Pergamon Museum,
which contains incredible Biblical artifacts, or to do some final
shopping. We’ll have a farewell meal and fellowship time
and spend the final night in Berlin. (B, D)
Day 14: Thursday, July 8, 2010 •
Return home
Today we’ll either return to the USA or continue our travels
in Europe (B)
Click here for post-tour options
Reformation
Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice
should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate
changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited,
we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All
prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the
time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate
an adjustment in tour price the adjusted price will be reflected
in the final invoice. The current currency rate used is 1€
= $1.50.
Our
Tour Hosts
 Originally
from Iowa, Pastor Rinderknecht began his ministry in Beach Corner,
Alberta Canada. He served there for twenty years before accepting
the call to Trinity in 2003. He and his wife Cathy have four
grown children - three daughters and one son. Pastor Rinderknecht
attended Concordia College Saint Paul, earning a Bachelor of
Arts with a major in history and a minor in classical language.
He went on to Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, earning a Master
of Divinity in 1983.
Free
book for all our tour participants
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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.
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What's
included in the land price of $3,565?
Price based on a minimum of 35 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)
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Meals as indicated in the itinerary
-
Professional
tour escort throughout the tour
-
Local
step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
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Entrance
fees included as per itinerary
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All transfers, as a group
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Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
- All taxes
and tips except as indicated below
What's
not included in tour price?
-
Air
transportation of $1,640 including taxes and fees
-
Single
supplement (subject to availability) of $615
-
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
$350 ( + second deposit of $500) will secure your place on the
tour
- Third deposit
of $500 was due by December 15, 2009
- Final payments
was due by February 23, 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 $150 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 $1,640 per person including taxes and fees:
| Airline |
Date |
Departs |
Arrives |
Departure
Time |
Arrival
Time |
Layover |
| United
Airlines 752 |
6/25/10 |
Billings |
Denver |
6:00 AM |
7:23 AM |
1 hr 17
min |
| United
Airlines 581 |
6/25/10 |
Denver |
Washington |
8:40 AM |
1:54 PM |
4 hr 1
min |
| United
Airlines 974 |
6/25/10
- 6/26/10 |
Washington |
Geneva |
5:55 PM |
7:55 AM |
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| Lufthansa
177 |
7/8/10 |
Berlin |
Frankfurt |
8:45 AM |
9:55 AM |
2 hr 50
min |
| United
Airlines 941 |
7/8/10 |
Frankfurt |
Denver |
12:45 PM |
6:30 PM |
2 hr 50
min |
| United
Airlines 465 |
7/8/10 |
Denver |
Billings |
9:20 PM |
10:46 PM |
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Arrival:
Please plan on arriving in Geneva on Saturday, June 26, 2010 by
8:00 AM. If you are arriving earlier, we can arrange accommodation
in Geneva.
Departure:
Flights can be arranged anytime on Thursday, July 8, 2010
from Berlin.
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 Cornavin Hotel in Geneva
for $80 per person in a double and $120 in a single, including breakfast.
The train transfer from the airport to central Geneva is $3 and
the hotel is by the train station.
Post-Tour
We are offering a post-tour night at the Hotel Inn in Berlin for
$85 per person in a double and $128 in a single, including breakfast.
The transport to the airport is approximately $23 per taxi.
What
are the accommodations like?
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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!
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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
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©
Reformation Tours, LLC 2003
P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222
Tel: (618) 222-9914 • Fax: (618) 222-9917 • Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
info@reformationtours.com
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