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: Tuesday, June 22, 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. Please note that flights are not included in the price, but can be added. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more flying from the same departure point.(IF)

Day 2: Wednesday, June 23, 2010: Munich
On arrival in Munich, we will meet Frank, our Reformation Tours' Tour Director at the hotel and either check-in (if the rooms are available) or leave our bags. In the afternoon we will enjoy a short orientation tour of the city, including the Olympic grounds, the Glockenspiel, the grounds of Nymphenburg Castle, and the pedestrian zone. We will visit the famous Hofbräuhaus in the evening where we can choose from the menu. We'll be staying at the Hotel St. Paul in Munich.(IF/B)

Day 3: Salzburg
We'll have a beautiful drive to Oberndorf and see the Silent Night Chapel, where Father Josef Mohr wrote Silent Night and sang it for the first time. We will continue to Salzburg and enjoy some free time. This evening we will have a Mozart Concert during dinner at the famous St. Peter’s Restaurant. Seated in Baroque opulence, with candles and linen, we’ll savor the cuisine of Mozart’s day. Superb musicians play some of his most famous compositions to round out a great day in Austria. We will overnight in Salzburg in the Central Hotel Gablerbräu. B/D

 

Day 4: Salzburg
A morning walking tour of Salzburg will introduce us to this city. We’ll visit the Salzburg Cathedral, the Getreidegasse (pedestrian zone) the market and Mozart’s home. We are free in the afternoon, and will have dinner on our own. B

Day 5: Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau.
On the way to Oberammergau, we'll visit Linderhof Castle, the glitziest of King Ludwig II’s castles .Oberammergau, is home to the world famous Passion Play, depicting the story of Christ, acted out for hundreds of years by the villagers. We’ll check into the Hotel am Wiesenhang for the first of two nights and have a delicious dinner, followed by a stroll through the village. (B/D)

Day 6: 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 7: Innsbruck.
Leaving Oberammergau, we’ll head for Innsbruck, stopping first in Mittenwald. We’ll have some time to stroll about in this marvelous Bavarian village on the border between Germany and Austria. Coffee and chocolate will entice us to sit at a local café. We’ll continue on to 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 and then tour the Wilten Basilica, the Golden Roof and Court Church, (Hofkirche). This afternoon will have some spare time for us all to savor legendary Innsbruck on our own. We overnight and have dinner at the Hotel Altenburg. B/D

Day 8: Venice
Today will be wonderful as we drive to Italy, seeing the change in cultures and landscapes from our comfortable coach. Italy will be very special, so much to see, so different from the Germany and Austria that we left yesterday. We’ll stop en route in Verona to see the Romeo and Juliet Balcony and the Coliseum in the town center, and have some time to savor special moments in this legend of Italy. Our destination today is 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 we’ll be so pleased to be on the canal, wandering the alleys of Venice. B/D

Day 9: Venice
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, discover the winding back streets of this romantic island, take a gondola ride through the charming canals and have a free evening to enjoy Italian food. B

Day 10: Florence
Our local guide will take us on a walking tour of historic Florence to see Michelangelo’s incomparable “David” at Academia, the Piazza della Signoria and the breathtaking view from Piazzale Michelangelo; then Giotto’s Belfry and Duomo, and the Baptistery 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. We will stay in Florence this evening in the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo (or similar). B/D

Day 11: Assisi, Rome
This morning we continue in a southerly direction and enter the region of Umbria, where we arrive at its most beautiful town, Assisi. Here a local guide acquaints us with the life of Saint Francis and shows us the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco where he is buried. We’ll learn why this man is still an example of a Christ-centered life. We drive on to Rome and have a drive-by tour of the best of the city. After dinner we’ll be free to have a walking tour with our escort. We'll be staying at the Grand Hotel Palatino for the rest of the tour. B/D

Day 12: Rome
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a guided visit of the Imperial and Classical heart of Rome: Circo Massimo, Coliseum, San Pietro in Vincoli Church with Michelangelo’s Moses, the Mamertine Prison and the Forum – the market place of old Rome. In the afternoon we’ll visit 2 major Basilicas: St. Mary Major, St. Paul outside the Walls, as well as a visit to the catacombs of San Sebastian. This evening is free to sample local restaurants at our leisure, and we’ll all make memories that will serve us for years to come. B

Day 13: 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. The balance of the afternoon is free. Farewell dinner and overnight at our hotel. B/D

Day 14: 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/IF

Click here for post-tour options

• 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)
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional tour escort throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Entrance fees included as per itinerary
• All transfers, as a group
• Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below

• Air transportation (available 10 months before departure)
• Single supplement (subject to availability) of $790
• 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 currency changes) will be made at the end of December, 2009
• Final invoices will be sent in December 2009
• Final payments will be due no later than February 20, 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.

Arrival: Please plan on arriving in Munich on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 by lunchtime. Frank, your tour host, will be at the hotel, and the first sightseeing tour will be mid-afternoon. As everyone will be arriving on separate flights, we are not offering a group transfer on this tour, but will send details about transfer options once we have all the individual traveler's arrangements on file.

Departure: Flights can be arranged anytime on Monday, July 5, 2010 from Rome's International Airport.

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 Hotel St. Paul in Munich for $82 per person in a double and $127 in a single, including breakfast. The transport from the airport is approximately $100 per taxi or $15 per person using local transport.

Post-Tour
We are offering a post-tour night at the Grand Hotel Palatino in Rome for $136 per person in a double and $188 in a single, including breakfast. The taxi to the airport is approximately $82 per taxi.

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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!

 

 

 

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