Trip Itinerary

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner 

Day 1: Friday, April 26, 2024: Depart
We will depart from the USA. Group flights can be arranged. Reformation Tours can also arrange pre-tour nights in Prague for anyone who wishes to travel before the tour begins. (IF)

Day 2:  Saturday, April 27, 202: Arrival in Prague
When we arrive in Prague, our Reformation Tours’ Tour Director will greet and escort us to our waiting deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach. We will have some free time for lunch, then our expert local guide will take us on a walking tour focused on Jan Hus, the leading personality of the Czech Reformation movement. We’ll visit Bethlehem Chapel where he preached (possibly closed for renovations) and see the Hus monument outside Týn Church. Hus was a contemporary of John Wycliffe and was heavily influenced by his writings. They both agreed that all Christians are members of Christ’s church, and that Jesus is the head. We will end the day with our welcome meal at the hotel. (IF/D)

Day 3: Sunday, April 28, 2024: Prague
This morning we’ll have the opportunity to attend an English-language church service or have free time. In the afternoon we will explore Prague Castle, a complex of palaces, courtyards, streets and churches including St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to complete. We will then take a stroll across Charles Bridge, past the famous statues to the Old Town Square. We will finish by the Jan Hus Monument, built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of his martyrdom. This evening we will have fun at a Czech  dinner, including seeing folk dancing. (B/D)

Day 4: Monday, April 29, 2024: Prague, Wittenberg
We will cross the border into Germany this morning and travel to Lutherstadt Wittenberg. It was here in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church (Schlosskirche). Although the original doors were destroyed in the Seven Years War, we can see Luther’s texts cast in bronze on the new doors. Our local guide will take us to St. Mary’s Church where Luther regularly preached. We can also visit the Old Latin School next door. Luther’s former home, the Lutherhalle, is now a Reformation Museum (under renovation) and we will tour the temporary exhibition including some of Luther’s very own personal library, rare manuscripts, and early Bibles. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)

Day 5: Tuesday, April 30, 2024: Erfurt
We’ll drive to Erfurt and have free time for lunch. Our guide will take us on a walking tour including St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Severin’s Church and the famous Merchant’s Bridge. We will end the tour at the Augustinian Monastery where Luther became a monk on July 17, 1505. We will be able to see his monastic quarters, including one cell furnished to look as it would have when he lived there. At the end of the tour we will have a group worship service in the chapel. We will dine together this evening. (B/D)

Day 6: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (May Day): Eisenach, Mainz
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. We will tour the Wartburg and see where Luther finished translating the New Testament into German in just eleven weeks. Luther spent time in the nearby town of Eisenach as schoolboy and sang in the choir of St. George’s Church, where the Bach family also worshiped. The afternoon will be free to explore the town of Eisenach, including the Bach House, the Luther House and St. George’s Church. In the afternoon we will drive down to Mainz and dine in an authentic German restaurant. (B/D)

Day 7: Thursday, May 2, 2024: Mainz, Worms, Strasbourg
What better way to start the day than with a Rhine cruise! We’ll board the boat and sail past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley rock. After the cruise we will tour the Gutenberg Museum and the Cathedral.  In the afternoon we will see the site of the Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), now a park, with a plaque commemorating the Diet of Worms and the Reformation Monument. We hear the stories of Luther as he responded “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me.” We will then continue to Strasbourg and dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 8: Friday, May 3, 2024: Strasbourg, Colmar
We will have a morning tour of Strasbourg, including the Cathedral. Strasbourg was an important town for John Calvin. He pastored French Huguenot refugees, got married, and wrote a second edition to his famous book, the Institutes. Strasbourg, as a free imperial town, was a beacon for Protestantism right from the 16th century. During his time in Strasbourg, Calvin was not attached to one particular church, but held his office successively in various local churches. Our tour guide will lead an optional excursion in the afternoon to explore charming Colmar. This picturesque town escaped damage during the war and has numerous half-timbered houses. It was the hometown of Frederic Bartholdi (creator of the Statue of Liberty) and the town includes a small museum. We will have an early evening boat ride on the canals, followed by dinner in a restaurant. (B/D)

Day 9: Saturday, May 4, 2024: Constance, Zurich
Today we will be in three countries: France, Germany and Switzerland. We will drive through the Black Forest region to the border of Switzerland.  In Constance, we will pray on the spot where the pre-Reformer Jan Hus was martyred and see the Cathedral where some of the trials were held. Crossing over in Switzerland, we’ll dine in an authentic Swiss restaurant. Overnight in Zurich. (B/D)

Day 10: Sunday, May 5, 2024: Zurich, Geneva
This morning our guide will take us to key Reformation sites in Zurich to learn about Zwingli and the Anabaptists. We will tour the Grossmünster, the Helferei (where Zwingli lived) and see the Zwingli Statue. After a stroll through the historic Auld Stadt (old city) we will drive through Switzerland to Geneva. (B/D)

Day 11: Monday, May 6, 2024: Geneva
Geneva was described by John Knox as “the most perfect school of Christ since the days of the apostles”, Our tour will begin at the impressive Reformation Monument. Four statues of four Reformation leaders stand as sentinels to truth and courage inspired by godly faith. We will see the Auditoire de Calvin, St. Pierre’s Cathedral, the archaeological site beneath the cathedral, and the Reformation Museum. We will enjoy a Farewell Meal before we head home or continue our travels in Europe. (B/D)

Day 12: Tuesday, May 7, 2024: Return
We will transfer from the hotel to the airport for our flights. (B/IF)

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

What are 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!

Pre-tour night in Prague (optional)

Prague, Czech Republic
April 27-29, 2024
Hotel Ambassador
Václavské nám. 840/5
110 00 Pragie

Wittenberg, Germany
April 29-30, 2024
Luther Hotel
Neustraße 7-10
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Erfurt, Germany
April 30- May 1, 2024
Mercure Hotel
Meienbergstr. 26-27
99084 Erfurt

Mainz, Germany
May 1-2, 2024
Hilton Mainz City
Muensterstrasse 11
55116 Mainz

Strasbourg, France
May 2-4, 2024
Hotel Leonor
11 Rue de la Nuée Bleue
67000 Strasbourg

Zurich, Switzerland
May 4-5. 2024
Parkhotel Winterthur
Stadthausstrasse 4
8400 Winterthur

Geneva, Switzerland
May 5-7, 2024
Manotel Royal
Rue de Lausanne 41
1201 Geneva

Arrival and Departure Transfers

Once the tour is a guaranteed departure our air team can assist you with booking flights and transfers. If you have booked your own flights, we can still provide transfers, as long as we have your flight details on file and a phone number to give to the driver. We will include your transfer information in your final packet. Transfers will be arranged for each arrival, so that you won’t have to wait for other tour members if their flight is delayed. Transfers can be arranged for the day of your choosing, but we can’t arrange transfers if you arrive or depart by train.

Please note that individual transfers are booked through a third-party and you will be responsible to communicate with the company in case of delays.

Flight Information

Group flights are available from Boston for $1,170 per person, round-trip.

Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Prague no later than 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Pre-tour night is available)

Departure: You are welcome to depart from Geneva at any time on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.

What’s included in the tour price of $3,999 + air?

Price based on a minimum of 30 tour participants

Your Tour Includes

•   Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
•   Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
•   Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•   Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
•   Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
•   Guides will use Whisper Headsets throughout the tour
•   Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
•   Arrival and departure transfers for group flights
•   All taxes and tips excluding tour director and driver
•   Full color personalized tour book
•   Travel app

Your Tour Does Not Include

•   Round-trip air transportation from Boston and related taxes and fees ($1,170)
•   Airport transfers separate from the group
•   Single supplement ($950)
•   Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
•   Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
•   Passenger trip cancellation insurance
•   Baggage handling (let us know if you need assistance)
•   Tips for Tour Director and driver

Payment Schedule

•   Initial deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Online payments incur a 3% credit card fee. Checks can be mailed to “Reformation Tours”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688.
•   Final invoices will be sent in December 2023
•   Final payment is due by January 27, 2024
•   Reservations will be accepted after January 27, 2024, subject to availability

Insurance

There are two levels of insurance offered. Click here to compare. When you fill out the registration form, you will be given quotes for both.

Standard is 4.55% of the trip cost and can be purchased up until 2 days prior to departure, although we recommend purchasing it before.

Enhanced is 7.6% of the trip cost and includes cancel for any reason benefits. It has to be purchased within 14 days of registration.

Cancellations

Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly, so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.

From time of deposit to until 120 days before departure (if not canceled by us): $100
From 119-90 days prior to departure: $500 cancellation penalty plus any non-refundable deposits
From 89-30 days prior to departure: 50% of land fees are non-refundable
30 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 (email or letter) 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 can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.
– Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly 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.

Terms and Conditions

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