The Challenge of the Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Reformation Tours shares your concerns about the coronavirus and travel safety. Our biggest priority is the health and well-being of our travelers and all tours have been postponed until at least March 2021. Click here to see when international travel will open in this country-by-country guide.

We are currently working on our tours for 2021 and 2022 and the new tour catalogue will be available very soon. We look forward to welcoming you on future trips.

Here is the refund plan:

Although many companies are only offering credit vouchers, we refunded as much cash as we possibly could. Some of our Passion Play travelers were issued credit vouchers (for the deposit only) due to the high cancellation penalties we were charged by some suppliers and the non-recoverable expenses. We have reduced our operating expenses to the minimum.

Insurance update on June 3: We will transfer insurance to new tour dates in 2021. Travelers on Oberammergau tours will now receive an insurance credit voucher valid for 2 years – which means your policies are still usable for tours in 2021 and 2022.

1^st wave of refunds: Mailed on May 22/23, 2020

Final payment
Group air
Pre / Post tour travel
Single supplements
Credit voucher for tours in 2021/2022 (based on cost of 1^st and 2^nd deposits)
Oberammergau gift book

2^nd wave of refunds: We will have cash flow to issue further refunds after travel has resumed (not until 2021) and we can use supplier credit vouchers

Credit vouchers can be transferred to new travelers (restrictions apply)
Travelers can apply for a partial refund (less the cancellation penalty)

What about flights?

If you were on a group flight with us, there’s nothing you need to do.
If you booked individual air tickets with us, then our wonderful air consolidators have now been able to refund 97% of all flights and so we’re almost done. Our policy was to wait and see if the airline cancels, as that entitles you to a refund, less the consolidator’s $35 per person fee. If the airline doesn’t cancel the flight, they will issue you with a credit voucher or charge a cancellation penalty if you cancel.

Trustworthy information on Coronavirus

World Health Organization (WHO)
Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC)
US State Department
Robert Koch Institute (Germany)
Gov.UK (United Kingdom)
Gouvernement (France)
Swiss Confederation (Switzerland)
US Embassy in Italy (Italy)
Irish Government (Ireland)
Austrian Tourist Board (Austria)
TSA page (NEW)
Map showing worldwide numbers

UK
March 14: Travel ban extended to the UK and Ireland from Monday, March 16.

USA
March 13: President Trump declared this a National Emergency. Schools and restaurants in most states are closed.
March 12: Most cruise companies postpone cruises for the next few weeks
March 11: 30-day travel ban for those flying in from Europe announced by President Trump (see main page for details)

ITALY
March 9: All of Italy is under “lockdown” conditions.
March 4: Enhanced screening is implemented and those with temperatures above 99.5 degrees are not allowed to board flights to the US.

GERMANY
March 19: Oberammergau is officially postponed until May 2022
March 16: The borders with Austria, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland are closed
March 13: Bavarian castles are closed until further notice
March 11: The Oberammergau Passion Play sent an update saying that are continuing with individual rehearsals. They are still planning on having the premier on May 16th, but are discussing options in case the ban continues.
March 9: Some states including Bavaria and Thuringia, announced that all events (indoor and outdoor) with more than 1000 passengers will be forbidden until April 19^th.