Trip Itinerary

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

Day 1: Wednesday, July 24, 2024: Flight
Our journey begins as we board our international flight to Berlin, Germany.

Day 2: Thursday, July 25, 2024: Arrival in Berlin
Upon our early morning arrival in Berlin, we will transfer to our hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure. (IF)

Day 3: Friday, July 26, 2024: Berlin
Upon our early morning arrival in Berlin, we meet our tour leader and coach driver and pick-up early arrivals. We begin with a panoramic tour of the city with photo stops. We’ll see the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively boulevards. This city has undergone momentous changes since reunification. We will stop to visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum then continue on to Wittenberg, where we’ll dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 4: Saturday, July 27, 2024: Wittenberg
A full day in Wittenberg, where the Reformation officially began in 1517 awaits us. A local guide will join us for a tour of Lutherstadt-Wittenberg beginning at the site where Luther posted his 95 Theses. Although the original door was destroyed in a fire, the replica has all 95 Theses in bronze, which is magnificent. The tour also includes St. Mary’s Churc, where Luther regularly preached. Lutherhalle (Luther House) Museum. is currently closed for renovations, but the special exhibition “Literally Luther. Facets of a Reformer” will be open in the nearby Augusteum. In 1508, when Martin Luther came to Wittenberg, he lived in the Lutherhalle with other Augustinian Monks. Later, Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, raised six children here.The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)

Day 5: Sunday, July 28, 2024: Zwickau
We will have a leisurely drive to Zwickau this morning, which was the first city after Wittenberg to adopt the Reformation.  Zwickau is also the headquarters for our sister church in Germany, the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK).  We will have our Sunday worship service at one of the historic ELFK churches in or near Zwickau (St. John’s Lutheran in Zwickau-Planitz or Holy Cross Lutheran in Crimmitschau) before visiting the ELFK’s bookstore and Dr. Martin Luther School.  Our Reformation tour of Zwickau will be led by Dr. Gottfried Herrmann, a Zwickau expert and church historian.  This portion of the tour will include Zwickau Cathedral (St. Mary’s) and the Priest Houses in the city center.  During leisure time (time-permitting), there’s the option to visit the Robert Schumann House or the August-Horsch Museum which showcases 115 years of car manufacturing, including Audi and Trabant. We will dine in Zwickau with invited guests. (B/D)

Day 6: Monday, July 29, 2024: Erfurt
After breakfast we will drive through the Thuringian countryside to Erfurt where we will tour the Augustinian Monastery in which Luther lived six years as a monk. We will have time to stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and walk across the famous Krämer Bridge. We will have dinner in Erfurt this evening and soak up the atmosphere of this historic city. (B/D)

Day 7: Tuesday, July 30, 2024: Eisenach, Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber
This morning we will visit nearby Eisenach, for a tour of the Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament into German. In the afternoon we will travel to Rothenburg, a well-preserved medieval city, with ramparts, a city gate and town hall. Perhaps the most famous town on the “Romantic Road”, Rothenburg is indeed a jewel. It is a nearly intact medieval walled-city without a single modern building within. We enjoy a meal together at our hotel in this wonderful city, followed by a Night Watchman’s tour.  (B/D)

Day 8: Wednesday, July 31, 2024: Romantic Road, Dachau, Salzburg
We’ll the board the coach and drive the Romantic Road past the medieval towns of Dinkelsbühl and Noerdlingen. We’ll make a stop at Dachau, where we’ll tour the Concentration Camp and prayerfully remember those who were interned. We’ll then continue on to Salzburg where we’ll have a special dinner with music. (B/D)

Day 9: Thursday, August 1, 2024: Salzburg, Munich
We have a walking tour of Salzburg this morning. Our tour includes the Mirabel gardens, a walk over the river, the Cathedral, a walk through the cemetery where a famous American general is buried, the Mozart statue and the Getreidegasse, the major shopping street in Salzburg. In the afternoon we will visit Berchtesgaden and board a local bus for a ride up the Kehlstein Strasse to Hitler’s Nest. There is a spectacular view into Austria. We can also enjoy coffee or an ice-cream in the cafe. We’ll end the day with a traditional Bavarian dinner at the famous “Hofbräuhaus”.  (B/D)

Day 10: Friday, August 2, 2024: Munich, Mainz
This morning we will take an orientation tour of the main sights of Munich. We’ll drive by the Olympic Stadium, Nymphenburg Castle, the New and Old Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum and we’ll take a walk to Frauenkirche, the New City Hall, Marienplatz and the famous “Glockenspiel”. In the afternoon we will continue onto the Rhine River region and our final night is in Mainz.  (B/D)

Day 11: Saturday, August 3, 2024: Departure
Our motor coach takes us to Frankfurt airport for our return flight home.

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!

Berlin, Germany
July 25-26, 2024
Park Inn by Radisson Berlin
Alexanderplatz 7
10178 Berlin

Wittenberg, Germany
July 26-28, 2024
Best Western Hotel Soibelmanns
Collegienstraße 56-57
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Zwickau, Germany
July 28-29, 2024
Best Western Hotel Plaza
Olzmannstraße 57
08060 Zwickau

Erfurt, Germany
July 29-30, 2024
Mercure Hotel Erfurt Alstadt
Meienbergstr. 26-27
99084 Erfurt

Rothenburg, Germany
July 30-31, 2024
Hotel Rappen
Vorm Würzburger Tor 10
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Salzburg, Austria
July 31-August 1, 2024
Hotel Rupertihof
D – 83404 Ainring
Rupertiweg 17

Munich, Germany
August 1-2, 2024
Maritim Hotel
Goethestraße 7
80336 Munich

Mainz, Germany
August 2-3, 2024
Hotel AC by Marriott
Bahnhofpl. 8
55116 Mainz

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

We have reserved round-trip group air flights from Omaha, NE, for $1,876.

We can also assist with alternative flights, including flight upgrades. Please note that if you would like to use air miles you will need to book directly with the airline.

The tour now includes a pre-tour night in Berlin, but if you would rather fly on July 25 (10 day tour), you will receive a $100 reduction.

What’s included in the land price of $3,399?

*Price based on a minimum of 25 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
•   Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
•   Group arrival and departure transfers
•   All taxes and tips, except as indicated below
•   Full color tour book
•   Personalized travel app

Your Tour Does Not Include

•   Round-trip air transportation ($1,876 round-trip from Omaha, NE)
•   Individual arrival and departure transfers
•   Single supplement ($500)
•   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 (options available)
•   Gratuities for the tour director and driver

Payment Schedule

The deposit of $350 per person is due at the time of booking through the new GroupCollect 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 March 2024
•   Final payment is due by April 25, 2024
•   Reservations will be accepted after April 25, 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.

This tour is currently just for members and friends of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Plymouth, NE and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI.

Register for Tour RJD24