What are the highlights?

Enjoy daily Bible teaching with Dr. Foster Gain an overview of the Reformation with lectures by local experts Enjoy the medieval richness of Germany, the style of France, and the wonder of Switzerland Learn about key Reformation figures; Hus, Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli, as well as the Anabaptists Stay overnight in Luther's Augustinian Monastery (subject to availability) Take a gentle Rhine cruise past fairytale castles Sample the cuisine in three countries Meet local believers and attend church Marvel at the Schaffhausen waterfalls - Europe's highest!

Don't delay...book today! This tour will fill quickly. Call us at 1-800-303-5534 and ask for a reservation form or click here to book online. Back to top

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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. Click here to read an at-a-glance summary of the tour. Back to top

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Day 1: Monday, June 5, 2006. Overnight Flight to Berlin, Germany.

Our journey back in time begins with an overnight flight from the US from Nashville, TN. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight! Back to top

Day 2: Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Willkommen in Deutschland! We'll be greeted at the Berlin Airport by our Reformation Tours expert guide and luxury tour bus for a Berlin orientation tour. We’ll see the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively boulevards. This city has undergone momentous change in the 15 years since reunification.

We'll then go back to the time of Luther as we visit Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Reformation. After a welcome dinner, we’ll spend our first night in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg. Back to top

Day 3: Wednesday, June 6, 2006

After a breakfast, we'll go to the very place Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses to the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church). The original door was destroyed in the Seven Years War. Luther’s texts of the 95 Theses are cast in bronze on the door. Inside the church, we can see Martin Luther's and Phillip Melanchthon’s graves.

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 be able to view some 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.

Next we’ll visit Stadtkirche St. Marien (St. Mary's church) where Luther preached and where his children were baptized. We’ll marvel at the amazing detail in the altar painted by Lucas Cranach in a Reformation theme. We’ll follow this with the Melanchthon House Museum, a tribute to Philipp Melanchthon, who presented the Augsburg Confession of Peace. Melanchthon was second only to Luther as the key person in the Reformation in Germany. He was also a strong advocate of education.

In the afternoon we'll make our way to Erfurt. Tonight, rather than a hotel, we'll have the privilege of staying in Luther’s Augustinian Monastery (subject to availability.) This is a real treat! We will be able to meet and fellowship with the Sisters of the Casteller Ring. This evening we'll be free to sample some local cuisine on our own. Back to top

Day 4: Thursay, June 6, 2006.

We’ll begin the day with a guided tour of Erfurt, including St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Severin's Church, ending with a special organ concert performed exclusively for our group.

We will then head for fascinating Eisenach. In 1521, while fleeing from the wrath of the Pope, Luther took refuge in the Wartburg Castle after a fake kidnapping staged by his friend and protector, Frederick the Wise. This is where Luther translated the New Testament into German in just 11 weeks!

In the town of Eisenach, we'll see the splendid Martin Luther Statue in town and St. George's Church. Martin Luther was a school boy in Eisenach and also sang in the choir. In 1521 he preached on his journey to and from the imperial parliament in Worms (The Diet of Worms).

We'll make a brief stop in Marburg, famous for the meeting place of Ulrich Zwingli, the Swiss Reformer from Zurich and Martin Luther in 1529 in an attempt to unify differing doctrinal issues. This was a major event in the Reformation, and we'll be on the spot where it happened. We'll see St. Elizabeth’s Church, dating from 1283 and hear about Phillip of Hesse, a local leader who greatly aided the Lutheran Reformation, and see 14th century frescoes. If time permits, we'll watch the Rathaus (town hall) "ancient mechanical clock, which delights onlookers every hour as various animated figures spring to life," according to author Irving Hexham in “The Christian Travelers Guide to Germany.”

We'll enjoy a relaxed group meal this evening in Rudesheim, on the banks of the Rhine. This beautiful town dates back to before the Roman era. Sites include Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum, the Drosselgasse, a lively street with live evening music, a Medieval Torture Museum (not for the faint of heart!), and the Rheingau Wine Museum. You can also take a cable car up to the Niederwald Monument for a fabulous view.

We'll stay in Rudesheim for 2 nights, so you'll have a chance to unpack and relax.


Day 5: Friday, June 9, 2006.

What better way to start the day than with a Rhine cruise! We’ll board the boat at St. Goar and sail past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley rock. In the afternoon we will take an excursion to Mainz, Alzey and Worms before returning to Rudesheim for the evening meal and overnight stay. In Mainz we'll focus on the contribution of Johann Gutenberg, who developed moveable type. We'll be amazed as we view original copies of the Bible in the Gutenberg Museum. We'll also visit Mainz Cathedral, dating back to 975. On the way to Worms, we'll stop at Rheinhessen Castle in Alzey, where 350 Anabaptists were killed in 1529. We will also see the nearby Mennonite village at Weierhof.

In Worms we’ll have a brief local walking tour to see the site of the Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), now a park, with a plaque commemorating the Diet of Worms, the Reformation Monument, St. Peters, and the Church of the Holy Trinity. Our guide will also share about another Reformer, William Tyndale, who finished his printing of the English Bible in Worms, escaping persecution in England. In 1525 his New Testament was printed and smuggled back into England. It was the first translation of the Bible from the original Greek into English --indeed, it was the first translation of a Greek book into English.

This evening we will be free to explore Rudesheim on our own or in small groups and enjoy the local restaurants, before enjoying a second overnight stay in this attractive Rhineland town. Back to top

Day 6: Saturday, June 10, 2006.

Heidelberg is a gorgeous town on the Neckar River. We’ll have a walking tour of the Old Town, the famous Stone Bridge over the Neckar River, and then tour Heidelberg Castle (see left). This is where the Heidelberg Confession was written in 1653.

Entering France, we head for Strasbourg, home of the E. U.'s European Parliament, the “City of Hope,” or “Refuge of the Righteous” as the Anabaptists refer to it. This is where John Calvin wrote his famous books on systematic theology.

Martin Bucer, another Reformation leader was from Strasbourg and is buried in St. Thomas's Church, the principle Protestant Church since 1549. Also related to Strasbourg was Peter Waldo, whose followers were known as "Waldensians," "Poor in Spirit,” or "Poor Men of Lyons." In 1184 Pope Lucius III excommunicated them, and in 1211 more than 80 were burned as heretics in Strasbourg, beginning several centuries of persecution.

Due to growing persecution in Paris, Calvin settled in Strasbourg to live the life of a quiet Christian scholar and author. His first draft of the Institutes in 1536 was instantly popular as it presented Reformed doctrine in an easy to read, systematic manner. Calvin later went on to Geneva, Switzerland, where the Lord mightily used this Reformer.

We'll tour the Cathedral of Strasbourg, St. Thomas's Church, and also see the Statue of the Reformers in the University, the Astronomical clock and the historic “La Petite Strasbourg” quarter. We'll enjoy some fabulous French cuisine and stay overnight in Strasbourg. Back to top

Day 7: Sunday, June 11, 2006.

This morning, we'll pass through the Black Forest region of Germany to Switzerland. At Lake Constance, we'll get our cameras out for the Schaffhausen Waterfalls, where the mighty Rhine River roars at Europe's highest waterfall. From there, we will learn the story of Czech Reformer John Hus in Constance. The Constance Cathedral, site of the Council of Constance in 1415, is where Hus was sentenced to death for his so-called heresy. We'll see the Hussenstein, the stone which marks the very spot where Hus was burned at the stake.

Continuing on to Zurich, we’ll meet up with our local expert guide who will accompany us as we learn much more about Zwingli on a tour of the key Reformation sites in Zurich. We’ll tour Zwingli’s church, the Grossmünster, where we'll hear excerpts from his old sermons and admire the world famous Chagall stained glass windows. Outside, we'll see the Zwingli Statue. We'll have a stroll through the historic Auld Stadt (old city) and enjoy the Swiss heritage. Zwingli walked these very streets! We’ll also see the Helferei (where Zwingli lived). We’ll tour the Guild Hall and Museum, which has some interesting displays and art from the Swiss Reformation. We'll view the Fraumunster, Zurich’s famous Catholic Cathedral.

We'll be staying overnight in the Zurich area and you'll be free to sample typical Swiss cuisine. Back to top


Day 8: Monday, June 12, 2006.

This morning we'll visit the charming Swiss town of Lucerne, beginning with a brief walking tour to view the City Walls and famous covered wooden bridges. The Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) is a symbol of Lucerne and you've seen pictures of it, but now it's time for us to walk its planks. It originally dates back to the 14th century. Close by is the Spreurerbrucke (Spreuer Bridge), dating from 1408. We'll view the ornate patrician houses along the cobbled streets.

In the afternoon we'll take a leisurely drive through spectacular scenery to Geneva, before settling into our hotel for the final two nights. We'll enjoy a group dinner before a final night at the hotel this evening.

Day 9: Tuesday, June 13, 2006.

It was here in Geneva that John Calvin and John Knox brought Christ's teachings to eager listeners. Our full-day tour will start at the waterfront, famous for its Flower Clock and English Gardens, and continue to the old town area, where we'll tour Cathedrale St. Pierre (St. Peter’s Cathedral). This is where John Calvin preached and stoked the fires of the Reformation in Geneva, winning thousands to the Lord. You can see Calvin's chair (though you can't sit in it!). It's only 157 steps up to the top of the North Tower, where the view is worth the effort. Under the Cathedral are the ruins of a Roman sanctuary, a 4th century basilica, and a 6th century church.

Close by is the Auditoire de Calvin (Calvin's Academy, also known as The Protestant Lecture Hall), where the inspired theologian himself taught. John Knox also taught here for three years. A highlight will be a visit to the new Reformation Musuem, recently opened. Next we go to the impressive Reformation Monument. Four statues of four Reformation leaders stand as sentinals:

	William Farel (who brought Calvin to Geneva)
	John Calvin (second only to Luther in the Protestant Reformation)
	Theodore Beza (who succeeded Calvin as leader of the Swiss Reformation)
	John Knox (who taught here before taking the Reformation to Scotland)

We'll have our farewell meal and spend our final night in Geneva.

Day 10: Wednesday, June 14, 2006.

Transfer from the Hotel to the airport for our morning flights, arriving back in the US on Wednesday evening. Back to top

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Price of the tour:
Please note that prices are based on international exchange rates, which are subject to change. Your initial deposit is refundable up to 90 days from departure (apart from a $150 service fee). For other details on the cancellation policy, please click here. After final payments is received, the amount of refund is dictated by hotels, airlines,etc.

• Price from Nashville, TN: $2,899
• Reductions available for children 6-12. Please call for details.
(Other gateway cities available, please call 1-800-303-5534 for a quote) Back to top

What's not included:
• Airport taxes and security fees (approx. $150) payable with final payment.
• Tips and gratuities pre-collected with final payment.
• Excess luggage handling.
• Lunches, except where indicated.
• Drinks with dinner
• 3 evening meals - to enable you to sample local cuisine.
• Personal expenses (e.g. passport, laundry, telephone calls).
• Travel insurance (available for $194).
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To make a reservation:

This tour is a unique opportunity to travel with Dr. Foster. Either call us at 1-800-303-5534 today or click here to go to the on-line Reservation Form. All you need to do to secure your place is fill in the form and send a check for $350 ( or $544 with insurance) to Reformation Tours, LLC at 409 Portland Ave, Belleville, IL 62220. Back to top

Cancellations:
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs the following fees will apply, if you cancel, non-recoverable expenses of our suppliers will be charged, plus the following per person charges:

• 89 to 60 days before departure: $350
• 59 to 16 days before departure: 50% of the total package price.
• 15 days or less prior to departure: No Refund.
• Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour.
• Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period.
• For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply.
• Roommates canceling resulting in a single supplement charge, the Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is recommended.

Reformation Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Reformation Tours.

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! Click here to see the type of hotels that we'll be using on this tour. Before you leave, you will have 2 lists of all the hotels, with the phone numbers and addresses. Bring one with you and leave one with a friend or relative so they can contact you if necessary. Click here for the Reservation form. Back to top