Day 1, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007: Flight
We will depart from Norfolk, Virginia and enjoy in-flights meals and entertainment. IF

Day 2, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007: Arrive in Rome
On arrival in Rome, our Tour Director will greet us and take us on a city orientation tour. We’ll then enjoy a walking tour of ancient Rome including the Coliseum. We’ll have a welcome dinner at our hotel this evening and relax at our hotel. IF/D

Day 3, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007: Rome
Today we will begin at the Vatican, the world’s smallest independent nation and the home of one of the world’s most impressive art collections. Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel is breathtaking. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the western world and contains Peter’s tomb and many works of art. This evening we will have free time to explore this amazing city. We’ll have the opportunity to sample Italian cuisine on our own this evening. D

Day 4, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007: Rome – Florence
This morning we drive to Florence, the “cradle of the Renaissance” via Assisi. After checking into our hotel in Florence, we’ll have a delightful evening at a winery in the Chianti region, including a tour of the vineyard and dinner. B/D

Day 5, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007: Florence
Our local guide will take us on a walking tour of historic Florence to see Michelangelo’s incomparable “David” at Accademia, the Piazza della Signoria and the breathtaking view from Piazzale Michelangelo; then Giotto’s Belfry and Duomo, and the Baptistry with its renowned “Gate of Paradise.” We also visit the Convent and Museum of St. Mark, a former Dominican monastery which contains important frescoes by Friar Andelico and the cells of Savonarola, who was prior of St. Mark’s. Later this afternoon we explore and shop along the Ponte Vechio. This 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.

Day 6, Friday, Oct. 5, 2007: Pisa, Torre Pellice
This morning we will make a brief photo stop at Pisa to see the famous leaning tower and then travel to the Piedmont area where some of the Waldenses were located, going back to at least the 11th century. Until the Edict of King Charles Albert in 1848, the Waldensian people had been forced to live in the mountains. At this point the "Waldensian area" was created and we'll visit these today. The Waldensian History Museum showcases over eight centuries of Waldensian History. The Ethnographical Museum illustrates daily life through recontructions of typical scenes, such as the stable, kitchen, bedroom etc. The Waldensian Church was built in 1852 and was inspired by General Beckwith to be the mian church of the valleys. Our final stop will be the Synod of the Waldensian and Methodist Churches in Italy. We’ll have dinner and overnight in the Torre Pellice area. B/D

Day 7, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007: Geneva
This morning we will explore the Angrogna Valley, the stage for many of the fundamental events of Waldensian history. The Church at Serre was originally built in 1532, but the present structure dates from the 19th century. In Chanforan we'll see the monument that was erected to commemorate the Waldensians decision to adhere to the European Reformation in 1532. A visit to the Beckwith School will indicate the high level of literacy that existed even in the community, due to the importance laid on personal Bible reading. We will then pass from Italy to Switzerland. On arrival in Geneva, we will check into our hotel.This evening some members of the Auditoire de Calvin are invited to join us for dinner. B/D

Day 8, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007: Geneva
This morning we'll fellowship at the Auditoire de Calvin. After church we’ll have some free-time to fellowship and eat lunch, then take a tour of the city of Calvin, beginning with the Reformation Museum. Next door is St. Peter's Cathedral under which are the ruins of a Roman sanctuary, a 4th century basilica, and a 6th century church. We will also walk over to the Reformation Wall, one of Geneva's most stunning sights. We will dine at our hotel this evening. B/D

 

Day 9, Monday, Oct. 8, 2007: Grindelwald
En route to Interlaken this morning we stop visit the magnificent Chillon Castle. After visiting the castle, we continue on to Bern where we enjoy a guided city tour of the charming Swiss capital and have time for lunch. Then we drive through magnificent scenery to Grindelwald in central Switzerland, where we’ll be based for two nights. B/D

Day 10, Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007: Grindelwald
Today we’ll enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with a trip to the famous Alpine railway station of Kleine Scheidegg, with views of the Eiger (Bear), Mönch (Monk) and Jungfrau (Maiden) peaks. On this two-valley round trip we'll pass through Wilderswil, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. We’ll have our second overnight in Grindelwald with dinner at the hotel. B/D

Day 11, Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007: Zurich
Today we will explore Ulrich Zwingli’s city, Zurich, with a local expert guide. We’ll tour Zwingli’s church, the Grossmünster and we will also see the “Helferei” where Zwingli lived. Other notable sights are the Fraumünster and Zürich’s historic Alt Stadt (old city). We’ll dine tonight at our centrally-located hotel. B/D

Day 12, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007: Oberammergau
We cross into Germany today arriving at Füssen where we have time to shop and get lunch before we take the shuttle up the hill to perhaps the most famous of King Ludwig II’s castles, Neuschwanstein. Next we make a brief stop at "the Church in the Meadow” a beautiful example of rococo architecture. We end our day in Oberammergau the site of the world famous passion play held every ten years. B/D

Day 13, Friday, Oct. 12, 2007: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This morning we drive the romantic road past the medieval towns of Dinkelsbühl and Noerdlingen to Rothenburg, a medieval village that has continued to be restored in its original state. It's the only walled city in Germany without a single modern building and 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 visit the St. Jakob church, which houses a Riemenschneider altar, an outstanding carving from the reformation period. A local city tour will acquaint us with this storybook village. B/D

Day 14, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007: Worms, Rhine Cruise, Rüdesheim.
Our first stop today is in Worms for 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. We will then board a boat for a relaxing Rhine Cruise past the Loreley Rock. Castles, vineyards and centuries of history unfold past every sweeping bend on the legendary Rhine. We’ll stay in Rüdesheim for our final dinner and overnight. B/D

Day 14, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007: Depart from Frankfurt
Today we’ll say goodbye to Europe as we board our flight back to Virginia. B/IF

ReformationTours 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.