Trip Itinerary

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

Day 1: Sunday, September 13, 2020: Departure
Our journey begins as we board our international flights bound for Rome, Italy. (IF/D)

Day 2: Monday, September 14, 2020: Rome
Upon arrival at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome, we will meet our tour director and board our bus.  A local guide will join us for a panoramic tour of Rome, seeing all the familiar sites. After time to purchase lunch, we will visit the first of the four major basilicas of Rome, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, where the Apostle was martyred and is buried. We’ll end the day at our hotel, with time to relax a bit from our long journey.  Tonight, we will enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel.  (IF/D)

Day 3: Tuesday, September 15, 2020: Rome
After breakfast, we will begin our sightseeing in the Eternal City of Rome and the glories of the Caesars. A local guide will join us for a walking tour as we become acquainted with the city that was the birthplace for much of our civilization as we visit the Capitoline Hill area, from which we view the Roman Forum. We also experience sights such as the Colosseum, Mamertine Prison, and more.  We have the afternoon free before dinner in a Roman restaurant this evening. (B/D)

Day 4: Wednesday, September 16, 2020: Rome
Our morning begins with a visit to the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Cathedral, home of the Roman Catholic Church and the largest building in Christianity. Also included is a visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Afterwards we will proceed to Navona Square and see the Pantheon, as well as the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.  The rest of the day is at leisure, for independent sightseeing. (B)

Day 5: Thursday, September 17, 2020: Assisi, Florence
This morning we will head in a northeasterly direction and enter the region of Umbria, where we arrive at its most beautiful town, Assisi. Here a local guide will acquaint us with the life of Saint Francis and show us the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco where he is buried.  Then we will continue our journey to Florence.  Before checking into our hotel, we will stop at Piazza Michelangelo for a stunning view of the city.  (B/D)

Day 6: Friday, September 18, 2020: Florence, Pisa, La Spezia area
Our morning is devoted to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. Florence is home to the Duomo with its famed Baptistry, Giotto’s Tower, the Pitti Palace, the Accademia with Michelangelo’s incomparable David, and the Uffizi Gallery with the finest collection of paintings in all of Italy.  We will visit Accademia and take a short stroll to the city center and see the famous doors on the Baptistry, as well as the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Lunch today will be in a delightful Tuscan vineyard, where we will have the opportunity to taste local wines. In the afternoon we will see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Afterwards we take a short drive along the coast to La Spezia, our home for the next two nights. (B/L)

Day 7: Saturday, September 19, 2020: La Spezia, Cinque Terre
Today we will drive to the Ligurian Sea where we have an excursion to the Cinque Terre, a series of fishing villages. We will begin with a boat ride along the sea, and then return by train and on foot, with a lovely stroll down Lovers’ Lane, a spectacular walk along the sea. These villages have a special character, as we observe the life of the fishermen and the abodes to which they return. (B/D)

Day 8: Sunday, September 20, 2020: Venice
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 chaos!  Upon arrival we bid our Italian driver good-bye.  Our luggage will be transferred to our hotel as we take a water taxi to Murano–a cluster of small islands connected by bridges and the center of the Italian glassmaking industry since 1291.   Later we check into our Venetian hotel in the center of Venice. (B/D)

Day 9: Monday, September 21, 2020: Venice
Our morning tour of Venice will begin with an excursion to St. Mark’s Square, including a cruise along the serpentine Canale Grande. Here a local guide will show us the Bell Tower and the impressive St. Mark’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore and shop in the famous market area around the Rialto Bridge or to enjoy a coffee and some people-watching at St. Mark’s Square. (B)

Day 10: Tuesday, September 22, 2020: Innsbruck, Austria
We will return to the “mainland” this morning, where our German coach driver will be waiting to take us on the rest of our journey.  We will enjoy amazing views of the Alps today as we drive North, through Austria, to Innsbruck, the city that has twice hosted the Winter Olympic Games. A local guide will acquaint us with the city and its history, and take us to see such highlights as the “Golden Roof”.  Dinner tonight is at our hotel. (B/D)

Day 11: Wednesday, September 23, 2020: Oberammergau
We will cross the border into Bavaria, Germany this morning and enjoy a tour of Linderhof Castle, the glitziest of King Ludwig II’s castles. We’ll then tour the Wieskirche, a historic Bavarian church, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will finish our exciting day with our arrival in Oberammergau. We’ll check into our hotel and have a delicious dinner, followed by a stroll through the village. (B/D)

Day 12: Thursday, September 24, 2020: Oberammergau
Today is the highlight of the tour, the world-famous Passion Play, which has been regularly performed since 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 13: Friday, September 25, 2020: Munich
After a leisurely breakfast, we will travel north to Munich. In the afternoon we will have a guided walking tour of Munich, ending with a fun meal at the Hofbrauhaus. (B/D)

Day 14: Saturday, September 26, 2020: Return
This morning we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home.  (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!

Rome, Italy
September 14-17, 2020
Hotel Cicerone
Via Cicerone 55C
00193 Rome

Florence, Italy
September 17-18, 2020
Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
Lungarno del Tempio 44
50121 Florence

La Spezia/Cinque Terre, Italy
September 18-20, 2020
Hotel Corallo
Via Francesco Crispi 32
19124 La Spezia

Venice, Italy
September 20-22, 2020
Hotel Giorgione
Calle Larga dei Proverbi, Cannaregio 4587
30121 Venice

Innsbruck, Austria
September 22-23, 2020
Gasthof Dollinger
Hallerstraße 7
A-6020 Innsbruck

Oberammergau, Germany area
September 23-25, 2020
Hotel Schillingshof Bad Kohlgrub
Fallerstraße 11
82433 Bad Kohlgrub

Munich area/Freising, Germany
September 25-26, 2020
Munich Airport Marriott Hotel
Alois Steinecker Strasse 20
D-85354 Freising

Arrival and Departure Transfers

Transfers are automatically included if we have booked your flights.

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

Various flight booking options are available for this tour. Please read our printable guide to booking your flight to better understand these options.

Option 1: We have reserved group air flights on American Airlines and they are currently $1,300 per person round-trip. We will continue to monitor options and will switch to another airline if we can get a lower rate. Payment is due with final payment in May 2020. The last day to sign up for group air is June 9, 2020, subject to availability.  We will ticket flights by June 30.

Option 2: You may request a flight quote from us by filling out this form. Payment is due at the time of booking. Please note we are currently not purchasing any new flights, as airlines are so affected by the coronavirus.

Option 3: You may book your own flights, making sure you land on the morning of September 14, 2020 no later than 9:40 AM.  If you would prefer to arrive earlier, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel night in Rome. You are welcome to depart at any time on September 26. Please send us a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.

Please note that if you would like to use air miles you will need to book directly with the airline.

We can arrange pre-tour nights in Rome and post-tour nights in Munich, but due to the volume of tours in 2020, we are not able to arrange additional travel within Europe.

What’s included in the land price of *$3,799?

*Price based on a minimum of 35 participants.

Your Tour Includes

•   Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
•   Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
•   Category 1 seats for the Oberammergau Passion Play
•   Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•   Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
•   Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
•   Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
•   Arrival and departure transfers
•   Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
•   All taxes and tips, other than the driver and tour director

Your Tour Does Not Include

•   Round-trip air transportation (group air is available from Indianapolis for $1,300)
•   Single supplement ($1,000)
•   Tips to driver and tour director
•   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 (details sent with reservation form)

Payment Schedule

•   Initial deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Please send all checks to Reformation Tours, P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222.
•   Second deposit of $1,000 is due by December 1, 2019
•   Final invoices will be sent in April 2020
•   Final payment is due by May 9, 2020
•   Reservations will be accepted after May 9, 2020, subject to availability

Insurance

We offer the Professional Plan offered by Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company.  We offer all of our travelers post-departure insurance coverage (up to $500 of coverage.) If you would like to have pre-tour cancellation and trip interruption coverage, the upgrade cost depends on the tour price. It’s approximately the tour cost (minus the $500 that we cover) x 6.14%.  To insure your land costs, the price is $3,799 – $500 x 6.14% = $203. To insure your land and air costs, the price is $5,099 – $500 x 6.14% = $283. A quote will automatically be added to your invoice and updated once the air cost is available.

Cancellation

Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs the following fees will apply, plus any non-recoverable expenses to our suppliers:

Oberammergau ticket deposits ($650) are non-refundable, but we will endeavor to find replacement travelers.

From time of deposit to until December 1, 2019: $350 cancellation penalty
From December 1, 2019 to 15 days prior to departure: $650 cancellation penalty plus any non refundable deposits
14 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 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.

VIEW TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that this is a private tour for members of First English Lutheran Church, and is now waiting list only. We do have some additional Oberammergau tours available.