Trip Itinerary

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

Day 1:  Thursday, May 30, 2024: Flight
We will depart today for the overnight flights to Frankfurt, Germany (IF)

Day 2: Friday, May 31, 2024: Arrival, Mainz
On arrival in Frankfurt, we will meet our tour director and transfer to Mainz. The rest of the day is at leisure. (IF)

Day 3: Saturday, June 1, 2024: Worms, Strasbourg
After a leisurely breakfast, we will visit Worms, where we will tour the Cathedral, followed by the site of Luther’s Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), now a park. We will have a photo stop at the stunning Reformation Monument, then continue on Strasbourg. We will dine in the Hotel Leonor this evening. (B/D)

Day 4: Sunday, June 2, 2024: Strasbourg, Board Ship
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, 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. We will board our ship and dine on board. (B/D)

Day 5: Monday, June 3, 2024: Koblenz
As the ship sails towards Koblenz, we will view towns like Lauterbourg, Spire and Mainz and some of the most beautiful sections of the Rhine. We’ll see Stolzenfels Castle as we approach Koblenz, which is at the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine. The historic church of St. Florin was built around 1100. After the secularization of the monastery in 1802, it become the first Protestant church to be consecrated in the Rhineland. The evening is at leisure. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Tuesday, June 4, 2024: Rüdesheim
On the scenic part of the Rhine between Koblenz and Rüdesheim we will pass by numerous castles, vineyards, and the famed Lorelei Rock. There are excursions arranged this afternoon including a touristic train stopping at a 16th century wine-tasting cellar and a museum of mechanical musical instruments. This evening we will explore the lively Drosselgasse street. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Wednesday, June 5, 2024: Mannheim, Heidelberg
The ship will continue south to Mannheim, passing Wiesbaden, Nierstein, and Worms. We’ll join an excursion to Heidelberg this afternoon. We’ll see the outside of Heidelberg Castle with great views of the town. After a stroll in the castle gardens, we will explore the old city and have some free time before heading back to the ship. We will enjoy the special Gala dinner as the ship sails through the night to Strasbourg. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Thursday, June 6, 2024: Strasbourg, Lucerne
After a final breakfast on board, we will board our bus and drive through the Black Forest region to Lucerne. We will explore the medieval streets of Lucerne, including the Old Town, the Kornmarkt (grain market), the Old Town Hall, a fine Renaissance building, and the restored houses at the Hirschenplatz and the Weinmark decorated with paintings and guild flags. We will walk along the famous Chapel Bridge and see the Jesuits’ Church, which dates back to 1667. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)

Day 9: Friday, June 7, 2024: Lucerne
Today is a leisure day with various options (costs not included). 1) We can enjoy this delightful lakeside city and wander around independently. 2) We can go on a guided excursion, beginning with a boat trip to Alpnachstad, then a ride on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of Mount Pilatus. After time for lunch (and views!) we will return to Lucerne on the Panorama Gondola and Aerial cable car. 3) We can take a day trip by train to Zurich to learn more about Zwingli and the Anabaptists. (B)

Day 10: Saturday, June 8, 2024: Golden Pass, Montreux
There’s no better way to explore Switzerland than by train, so today will be spectacular. Our luggage will be taken to our Montreux hotel by bus, so we will be free to enjoy our train journey to Geneva. The historic Golden Pass route has three sections. We’ll first drive to Interlaken, passing the Sarnersee and Lungernsee lakes. We’ll board the train mid-morning (currently 10:30 AM) and travel to Spiez, then Zweisimmen through the Simmen Valley, where the farms and small villages are surrounded by mountains. The final leg climbs up to luxurious Gstaad, then descends into Montreux. On this final section, we will feel like we’re on the Orient Express, as we sit in the Belle Epoque carriages. When we arrive in Montreux (currently 2:11 PM), we will have a tour of Chillon Castle, then check-in to our hotel. (B/D)

Day 11: Sunday, June 9, 2024: Geneva, Montreux
We will take the scenic train ride today along the lake side to Geneva, which was described by John Knox as “the most perfect school of Christ since the days of the apostles”, We have the opportunity to attend a church service (in English) in the Auditoire de Calvin. In the afternoon we will see the impressive Reformation Monument. Four statues of four Reformation leaders stand as sentinels to truth and courage inspired by godly faith. We will visit 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: Monday, June 10, 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!

Mainz, Germany
May 31 – June 1, 2024
Hotel AC by Marriott
Bahnhofpl. 8
55116 Mainz

Strasbourg, France
June 1-2, 2024
Hotel Leonor
11 Rue de la Nuée-Bleue
67000 Strasbourg

Rhine Cruise
June 2-6, 2024
MS Symphonie

Lucerne, Switzerland
June 6-8, 2024
Hotel Astoria
Pilatusstrasse 29
6003 Luzern,

Vevey, Switzerland
June 8-10, 2024
Hotel Astra
Pl. de la Gare 4
1800 Vevey

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

We have arranged for group flights on United and these are $1,797 per person. As this arrives a day early, we have booked a pre-tour night in Mainz for $100 per person.

If you are arranging your own flights, please use the following guidelines:

Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Frankfurt no later than 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 1, 2024. The group will be arriving on May 31 and a pre-tour night is available in Mainz for $100 per person.

Departure: You are welcome to depart from Geneva at any time on Monday, June 10, 2024.

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

What’s included in the tour price?

Land, air and pre-tour night in Mainz: $7,096
Land only: $5,199
Price based on a minimum of 20 tour participants.

Your Tour Includes

•   Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
•   Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
•   Cruise including shore excursions, tips, and drinks
•   Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•   Professional Tour Manager / Cruise Director
•   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
•   Full color personalized tour book
•   Travel app

Your Tour Does Not Include

•   Round-trip air transportation and related taxes and fees ($1,797 from Indianapolis)
•   Airport transfers separate from the group
•   Single supplement ($1,390)
•   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

Payment Schedule

The deposit of $350 per person is due at the time of booking through the registration system. As you register you will be given the option to pay by ACH (direct from your bank) or by credit card (3.5% fee). If you prefer, checks can be mailed to “Reformation Tours”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688
•   Final invoices will be sent in February 2024
•   Final payment is due by March 2, 2024
•   Reservations will be accepted after March 2, 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. All cancellations must be in writing and the date of postmark will determine the amount of refund due. 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. Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.

Cancellation penalties:

Terms and Conditions

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary.

Any checks you mail will be manually applied to your booking.

Register for Tour RCD24