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Tour F: Splendors of Bavaria & Italy
Join us June 22- July 5, 2010

Tickets are guaranteed! Book today, as this tour is almost full!

Join Frank Drinkhouse, President of Reformation Tours on a fabulous 14 day tour from Bavaria to Rome, featuring Munich, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Venice, Florence and Rome. Along the way we'll enjoy Alpine scenery and cultural delights, including the Oberammergau Passion Play.

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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. 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)

Day 2: Wednesday, June 23, 2010: Munich
On arrival in Munich, we will meet Frank, our Reformation Tours' Tour Director at the hotel where we either check-in (if the rooms are available) or leave our bags. After free time for lunch, 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: Thursday, June 24, 2010: 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, where our local tour will include the Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart's home and the Getreidegasse (pedestrian zone). The afternoon and evening are free. Click here for ideas on what to do in Salzburg.
We will overnight in Salzburg in the Central Hotel Gablerbräu. B

 

Day 4: Friday, June 25, 2010: Salzburg
Today, we have free time to enjoy this splendid city. Click here for ideas on what to do in Salzburg.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. B
/D

Day 5: Saturday, June 26, 2010: Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau.
On the way to Oberammergau, we'll visit Linderhof Castle, the glitziest of King Ludwig II’s castles. After our guided tour we'll have time for lunch. In the afternoon we'll make our way to Bad Kohlgrub, a spa village just outside Oberammergau, where 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: Sunday, June 27, 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. Lunch and dinner will be served in the Hotel Gasthof zur Rose. (B/L/D)


Day 7: Monday, June 28, 2010: 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 our local guide will show us the Wilten Basilica, the Golden Roof and Court Church, (Hofkirche) and other attractions. 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: Tuesday, June 29, 2010: 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. Antontella, our Italy specialist, will join us here. 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. We will spend two nights in the Antony Palace Hotel (on the mainland) and will sail into Venice by water taxi. B/D

Day 9: Wednesday, June 30, 2010: Venice
Today we'll board our water taxis and sail into St. Mark's Square, with some free time to look around or have a snack. We'll then meet our local guide for a tour including 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. We will meet up again at 8 PM for a private panormic transfer back to our hotel via the Grand Canal. B

Day 10: Thursday, July 1, 2010: Florence
We'll begin early today on our trip to 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 dine this evening at our hotel, the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo. B/D

Day 11: Friday, July 2, 2010: 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 at our hotel, we’ll be free to have a walking tour with Antonella. We'll be staying at the Grand Hotel Palatino for the rest of the tour. B/D

Day 12: Saturday, July 3, 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. 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. The balance of the afternoon is free. 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: Sunday, July 4, 2010: 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. 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.
Farewell dinner and overnight at our hotel. B/D

Day 14: Monday, July 5, 2010: Return
This morning we have the choice of a 6:30am or 8:30 am transfers to the airport. 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

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.

Your Tour Host

Reformation Tours' president Frank Drinkhouse will be your host on this tour. Originally from St. Louis, MO, Frank has lived in many countries including the UK and Turkey and has thoroughly enjoyed visiting many more. He has a passion for the Word and is looking forward to fellowshipping with the group. Frank has been married to Rowena for 16 years and they have 2 children, Rosie and Joshua.

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 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.

What's included in the land price of $3,749?
Price based on a minimum of 35 participants

  • 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
What's not included in tour price?
  • 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 was due by December 1, 2009
  • Final payments was 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.


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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