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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.
Each day you'll have the opportunity to join the devotional time
led by David, Elizabeth and Dr. Isaac. Enjoy browsing the proposed
itinerary. Back
to top
IF = In flight
meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day
1: Friday, July 9, 2010: Departure
Depart USA for overnight transatlantic flight to Berlin.
Day 2: Saturday, July 10, 2010: Berlin
We arrive in Berlin and settle into our hotel. In the afternoon,
we get together for introductions and orientation to Berlin and
the background of the Reformation. Tonight, we enjoy a special
welcome dinner together. Overnight Berlin. (D)
 Day
3: Sunday, July 11, 2010: Berlin
We begin our visit to Berlin with a city tour highlighting the
three centers of Berlin: the west around Kurfuerstendamm Blvd.
and Memorial Church; the new center around Potsdamer Square; and
the east around Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz.
After lunch, we visit the Pergamon Museum and the Bonhoeffer house
with a time of worship together. (B/D)
Day 4: Monday, July 12, 2010: Potsdam,
Wittenberg
We travel to Potsdam for a palace tour of Sanssouci, former summer
palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. It is often counted
among the German rivals of Versailles and is a World Heritage
Site. We then travel to Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, home to the historic
sights of Luther’s life and work. We check in to our hotel
in Wittenberg for two nights. (B/D)
Day 5: Tuesday, July 13, 2010: Wittenberg
This morning we visit Lutherstadt-Wittenberg where Luther nailed
his famous 95 Theses to the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle
Church) on October 31, 1517. Inside the church, we can see Martin
Luther and Phillip Melanchthon’s graves. Next we tour the
Lutherhalle (Luther House) Museum where Luther lived in 1508.
We are able to view pieces of Luther’s very own personal
library, rare manuscripts, early Bibles, and some of the very
pamphlets that Luther had printed up that stoked the fires of
the Reformation. The day also includes Stadtkirche St. Marien
(St. Mary’s church) where Luther preached. (B/D)
Day 6: Wednesday, July 14, 2010: Eisleben & Erfurt
Today we travel to Lutherstadt Eisleben to explore the birth house
of Luther, which is now a Museum and contains the first translated
German Bible. Other points of interest are the Church of Peter
and Paul, Luther’s Baptismal site, the house where Luther
died at age 62, and St. Andrews Church where Luther preached his
last four sermons and where his body was laid. In the afternoon
we take a sobering visit to the Buchenwald concentration camp
and pause to remember those dark days. We stay in Erfurt for two
nights. (B/D)
Day 7: Thursday, July 15, 2010: Eisenach
& Wartburg Castle
 This
morning we explore Eisenach where Johann Sebastian Bach was born.
We travel on to Wartburg Castle, where Luther was in exile and
hidden by Frederick the Wise after he refused to recant his beliefs.
Returning to Erfurt, the spiritual home of Martin Luther, we begin
with a walking tour through the historical section of the city.
We also visit the church of St. Severus, where Luther gave his
sermons. (B/D)
Day 8: Friday, July 16, 2010: Heidelberg
 On
our way south, we stop in Worms to see the site of the Worms Debates
(Diet of Worms). Our lunch stop will be in Heidelberg, a gorgeous
town where the Heidelberg Confession was written in 1563. We take
a walking tour of the Old Town and its famous Stone Bridge over
the Neckar River before touring Heidelberg Castle. (B/D)
 Day
9: Saturday, July 17, 2010: Romantic Road, Oberammergau
We head to Bavaria via the “Romantic Road,” stopping
for a tour of King Ludwig’s spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle,
nestled in the Bavarian Alps. We arrive in Oberammergau and spend
time strolling the old streets lined with famous painted houses
and renowned wood carving studios. Our journey continues to mad
King Ludwig’s famous castles. Overnight in Oberammergau.
(B/D)
Day 10: Sunday, July 18, 2010: Oberammergau Passion Play
The morning is free to stroll around Oberammergau before eating
lunch and heading to the Passion Play. The seven hour performance
is truly a moving experience as we witness the passion of Jesus,
recalling how He gave His life so that we might be forgiven. Gathered
together with Christians from around the globe, this once-a-decade
play is an unforgettable experience. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Monday, July 19, 2010: Bavarian
Castles & Munich
Our leisurely day today will include a tour of the Wieskirche,
“The Church on the Meadow,” then Linderhof Castle,
with its ornate suites and Venus Grotto. We’ll end the day
in Munich with free time before our farewell meal this evening.
(B/D)
Day 12: Tuesday, July 20, 2010: Depart
Depart home from Munich Airport with wonderful memories. (B)
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€
= $1.42.
 Our
Tour Hosts: David and Elizabeth Sparks of Footstep Ministries
David Sparks holds degrees from Wheaton College,
Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and Drew University. He also serves
as Adjunct Professor, Greek Cultural Studies and Aegean Programs,
at Gordon College, Wenham, Ma.
Elizabeth Iliadou Sparks is a native of Berea,
Greece, with family currently residing in Thessaloniki. She
delights in showing you her homeland as only a native can do.
Click
here to read more about Footstep Ministries - Walking
where the Word was written.
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 $3,839?
Price based on a minimum of 35 participants
-
Transportation:
via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
-
Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-4 star hotels
- Tickets to
the Oberammergau Passion Play in seating area 1 (pale blue in
image)
-
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
-
Local
step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
-
Entrance
fees included as per itinerary
-
All transfers, as a group
- Luggage handling
(1 piece per person)
- All taxes
and tips
What's
not included in tour price?
-
Air
transportation (contact us for options)
-
Single
supplement (subject to availability) of $975 (not available
in Oberammergau)
-
Comprehensive
travel insurance (available)
-
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.
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 end of December, 2009
- Final invoices
will be sent in January, 2010
- Final payments
will be due no later than February 1, 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:
The group flights will be available shortly and we will send details.
If you are not planning on taking the group flight, 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.
Arrival:
Please plan on arriving in Berlin on Thursday, July 10, 2010.
Departure:
Flights can be arranged anytime on Tuesday, July 20, 2010
from Munich.
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.
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!
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