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First English Lutheran Church's Passion for Europe
Join us June 6-18, 2010
If your group would like this type of tour, call 1-800-303-5534 today!

Join Pastor Brian Derrer and members of First English Lutheran Church in Richmond, Indiana for the 41st Oberammergau Passion Play.

We'll start the tour with a visit to Salzburg, Austria, followed by some of the highlights of Bavaria. After seeing the play, we'll head south to Italy, where we'll visit Venice, Florence and Rome, including all the classic favorites. We'll also see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and enjoy dinner in a Tuscan vineyard.

Oberammergau Tickets are guaranteed if you book before January 25, 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

IF = In flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Click here for pre-tour options

Day 1: Sunday, June 6, 2010 Departure
Our journey begins with our flight across the Atlantic Ocean to Munich, Germany. If you would like to arrive early, we are happy to arrange accommodations. (IF)

Day 2: Monday, June 7, 2010 Munich, Salzburg
On arrival in Munich, we will be met by our Reformation Tours' Tour Director and board our coach for a short drive to the City of Mozart and the Sound of Music, Salzburg, Austria. Upon arrival we check into the Central Hotel Gablerbräu to freshen up and then join a local guide for a walking tour of Salzburg. We’ll visit the Salzburg Cathedral, the Getreidegasse (pedestrian zone) the market and Mozart’s home before a welcome dinner tonight.(IF,D)


Day 3: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 Salzburg
This morning we board a local bus for a ride up the Kehlstein Strasse to Hitler's Eagle's nest. We have to enjoy a hot coffee or gülhwein as we enjoy the spectacular view into Austria. Upon our descent, we visit a salt mine where we will put on miner’s clothes for a fascinating and exciting tour of the mine. (B, D)

Day 4: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 Oberammergau
We depart Salzburg this morning for Oberammergau. On the way we stop to enjoy another of God’s beautiful creations, the Zugspitze where we will have an opportunity to ride up the cable cars for a magnificent view. We'll be staying at the Kurbad am Park hotel for two nights. (B, D)

Day 5: Thursday, June 10, 2010 Oberammergau

Today is the highlight of the tour, the world famous Passion Play, which has been regularly performed since Whitsun 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. In the afternoon and evening we will be watching the performance of the play, with excellent, pre-reserved seats. Almost half of the inhabitants of the town perform in the play on the large open-air stage. (B/L/D)

 


Day 6: Friday, June 11, 2010 Venice (Mestre)
Leaving Oberammergau, we’ll head south, stopping first in Innsbruck, deep in the beautiful Austrian Alps and famous for the Olympics. This is a gorgeous city and we’ll view some of the best sights of Innsbruck: Wilten Basilica, the Golden Roof and Court Church, Then we continue on crossing over into Italy towards fabulous Venice–La Serenissima, the “Serene One.” Built upon 117 islands, Venice is a mosaic of canals, plazas, fascinating markets, and colorful chaos! Italy never disappoints our travelers and you’ll be so pleased to be on the canal, wandering the alleys of Venice. We have dinner at the Antony Palace Hotel where we'll stay for two nights.(B, D)

Day 7: Saturday, June 12, 2010 Venice (Mestre)
Today we'll visit the most famous sights in Venice including St. Mark's Basilica, which is built over the tomb of the evangelist Mark and the Doges Palace, the former seat of government in Venice. The afternoon is free to enjoy shopping, visit a glass blowing shop on the island of Murano, or discover the winding back streets of this romantic island. This evening, we'll take a gondola ride through the charming canals. We enjoy dinner tonight in a Venetian restaurant. (B, D)


Day 8: Sunday, June 13, 2010 Florence
After breakfast, we head for Florence where a local guide will take us on a walking tour of historic Florence to see Michelangelo’s incomparable “David” at Academia, and the Basilica Santa Croce with its beautiful Florentine artwork and tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. We see the Ponte Vechio, the bridge, built in 1345 is a riot of life and color and is famous for rows of shops lining both sides that have been reserved for gold and silversmiths since 16th century. Tonight's hotel is the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (or similar)(B, D)

Day 9: Monday, June 14, 2010 Florence
Our sightseeing today includes the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Later we visit Lucca, a Roman style city surrounded by massive red brick walls. Before returning to Florence tonight we enjoy dinner at a Tuscan vineyard. (B, D)

Day 10: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Rome
This morning we continue south to the Eternal City of Rome. Along the way we stop in the Tuscan hill top city of San Gimignano with its thirteen towers. Then we continue on to the lovely city of Siena. A locally-guided tour of this fabulous Gothic city acquaints us with its sunken Piazza del Campo and the Duomo–perhaps the finest Gothic cathedral in Italy! Afterwards we depart for Rome where we enjoy dinner at the Hotel Cicerone (or similar) before an evening stroll around Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps area. B

Day 11: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Rome
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a guided visit of Ancient Rome: We see Circo Massimo, Coliseum, San Pietro in Vincoli Church with Michelangelo’s Moses, the Mamertine Prison and the Forum – the market place of old Rome. Our afternoon is free to enjoy on our own before dinner at a Roman restaurant tonight. (B, D)


Day 12: Thursday, June 17, 2010 Rome
The highlight this morning will be a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel-containing the stunning ceiling artworks of Michelangelo- and St. Peter’s Basilica- considered to be the greatest Church in Christendom. After lunch on our own, we’ll walk throughout the ”Baroque” part of Rome, allowing us to enjoy Piazza di Spagna , the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Our afternoon is free to explore on our own. Dinner is on our own tonight. (B)

Day 13: Friday, June 18, 2010 Return
We drive to the Airport for our return flight, with our escort taking us all the way to security. We’ll return home with many wonderful memories of incredible Italy, awesome Austria, and gorgeous Germany. “Ariva Derce”, as the Italians would say “Good bye.” 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.

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 co lour 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.

What's included in the land price of $3,675
Price based on a minimum of 35 participants

  • Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches (trains for the Germany post-trip)
  • Tickets to the Oberammergau Passion Play in seating area 1 (pale blue in image)
  • Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Professional tour escort throughout the tour (other than on Germany post-trip)
  • Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
  • Entrance fees included as per itinerary
  • All transfers, as a group
  • Baggage handling of 1 piece of baggage per guest (other than on Germany post-trip)
  • All taxes and tips except as indicated below
What's not included in tour price?
  • Air transportation on group flights is currently $1,386 (including taxes and fees)
  • Single supplement (subject to availability)
  • Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for months beyond return date.
  • Passenger trip cancellation insurance (details sent with reservation form)
  • 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 is due by December 1, 2009
  • The final price adjustment (in case of low numbers or currency changes) will be made at the beginning of December, 2009
  • Final invoices will be sent in December 2009
  • Final payments will be due no later than January 31, 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

Airline Date Departs Arrives Departure Time Arrival Time Layover
Delta 5525 6/6/10 Cincinnati Atlanta 9:00 AM 11:30 AM 4 hr 50 min
Delta 130 6/6/10 - 6/7/10 Atlanta Munich 4:20 PM 7:50 AM  
             
Delta 149 6/18/10 Rome JFK 11:40 AM 3:25 PM 4hr 20 min
Delta 6661 6/18/10 JFK Cincinnati 8:05 PM 10:46 PM  

Arrival: If you aren't on the group flights above, please plan on arriving in Munich on Monday, June 7, 2010 by 8:30 AM. If you are traveling early, we can arrange for accommodation in Munich.

Departure: Flights can be arranged anytime on Friday, June 18, 2010 from Rome.

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 Prinz Regent Hotel in Munich for $71 per person in a double and $101 in a single, including breakfast. The transport from the airport is approximately $95 per taxi or $15 per person using local transport.

Post-Tour
We are offering a post-tour night at the Hotel Torino in Rome for $122 per person in a double and $167 in a single, including breakfast.


Fellowship opportunities

While on tour, we can arrange for special speakers to come and speak to the group.

We can also arrange fellowship with English-speaking churches and you are assured of a warm welcome!

 

 

 


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.
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