Dr. Charles Fowler 11-Day Tour of Europe's Gems Germany, Austria, Lichtenstein, & Switzerland May 25 - June 4, 2025

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11-Day Tour of Europe's Gems

DAY 1 (MAY 25): Depart ATL for Berlin, Germany 

DAY 2 (MAY 26): BERLIN Arrival in Berlin. City tour by bus and foot with famous sights like the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Unter den Linden, Checkpoint Charlie, and Charlottenburg. Dinner Hofbräuhaus Berlin and Overnight in Berlin. 

DAY 3 (MAY 27): BERLIN-WITTENBERG This morning, we drive to the Lutherstadt Wittenberg, also known as “the cradle of the Reformation.” Here, we visit some of the most important sites of the Reformation, including the places where Luther walked with his fellow Reformation colleagues and the most historic sights of Luther’s life and work. Our walking tour begins at the inspiring Castle Church with its historic 95 theses door. We visit the beautiful St. Mary’s Church, where Luther preached and where his children were baptized. We continue to the Luther House Museum, home to the largest collection of Reformation artifacts in the world. After lunch, we visit the Melanchthon house. Melanchthon was Luther’s advisor and helped establish the German educational system. His final resting place is located in the Castle Church beside his companion, Martin Luther. 

DAY 4 (MAY 28): WITTENBERG – ERFURT - EISENACH After breakfast, we travel to Erfurt, where Martin Luther was ordained as a priest and studied theology; we will enjoy guided tour of Erfurt’s Luther trail in the picturesque old town, including sites like the Augustinian Monastery, where Luther served as a monk, the Luther Memorial, and the Collegium Maius, where Luther lived as a student. We continue to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wartburg Castle. It was here that Martin Luther took refuge from 1521 to 1522 after his excommunication. Dinner and overnight in Eisenach. 

DAY 5 (MAY 29): EISENACH – ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER – AUGSBURG

We continue to the tiny Rothenburg o.d. Tauber, which is the most famous town on the “Romantik Road”, a nearly intact medieval walled city without a single modern building. There is enough time for a walk along the city walls or a visit to one of the many museums and churches. After we are amazed by the famous altar carving by Tilman Riemenschneider, we continue to Augsburg, where we check into our hotel. 

DAY 6 (MAY 30): AUGSBURG – DACHAU - MUNICH On an enchanting city tour through Augsburg, we see the main sights like the St. Annes Church, the town hall, and the “Fuggerei,” the world's oldest public housing complex still in use. We then learn about the “Augsburg Confession,” the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Protestant Reformation. In Dachau, the first concentration camp built by Nazi Germany and the longest-running one, we learn about its dark history. We continue to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. 

DAY 7 (MAY 31): SALZBURG We start our day trip to the romantic city of Salzburg, Austria. The streets are filled with buskers, opera singers, and all manners of harmonic performers. The city offers melodies that bore one of the greatest composers of all time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We will have a tour of the original sights of the famous movie and classic “The Sound of Music”. We will then head back to Munich late in the day to have dinner at the hotel and overnight.   

DAY 8 (JUNE 1): NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE – DORNBIRN We make our way through to see the most famous castle in Bavaria. Neuschwanstein is the most visited castle in Germany, perched high up on a mountain in the beautiful landscape of the Alps. The shimmering white towers of the castle among the clouds are instantly recognizable to many and are the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. To visit it is to step inside a fairy tale. We also have the opportunity to visit the Museum of the Bavarian Kings and learn about royal history. We drive through the beautiful Austrian Alps to Dornbirn, where we spend the night. 

DAY 9 (JUNE 2): DORNBIRN - LICHTENSTEIN - ZURICH In the morning, we cross the border to the Principality of Liechtenstein, which is located in the heart of Europe’s alpine region between Switzerland and Austria. It is home to around 40,000 inhabitants. Covering an area of 160km², it is the fourth-smallest state in Europe and the sixth-smallest in the world. We return to Switzerland, where we drive next to majestic mountains to Zurich, Switzerland's biggest city. Here, we explore the fascinating city of Roman origin, especially the churches that stand so majestic and beautiful. We will take a city tour in the footsteps of the Reformation. 

DAY 10 (JUNE 3) DAY OF LEISURE IN ZURICH Time at leisure or day trips. Zurich’s location and the country’s excellent train network make the biggest city in Switzerland the perfect base for day trips and excursions around Lake Zurich and the region. Daytrip: Rhine Falls – Europe’s Biggest Waterfall  

Daytrip: Flumserberg is a hiking paradise on the Walensee. Flumserberg can be reached from Zurich within just 40 minutes. This popular mountain holds countless experiences and magnificent views in store for visitors. 

DAY 11 (JUNE 4): ZURICH - USA Transfer to Zurich Airport for your return flight home with luggage packed with keepsakes and your heart full of memories! 

NOTE: Schedule is subject to change due to various factors and the tour guide’s discretion. 

PRICING:

• $5895 per person based on double occupancy. 
  
• Single room supplement - $1495
• $500 per person with registration to secure space.
• 50% of the total amount is due on or before November 25, 2024
• Balance due on or before February 25, 2025

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

• TK  32    25MAY  ATL-IST    2145 1545 26MAY
• TK1727  26MAY  IST-BER   1850 2040 
• TK1912  04JUN   ZRH-IST   0740 1145 
• TK  31    04JUN   IST-ATL    1450 1950

* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING

PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to ninety days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.

AIR: The Standard Tour includes round-trip, economy-class airfare from the departure city listed in the itinerary. All group seating is assigned by the airline and cannot be changed by Signature Tours. Seat changes can only be made during check-in at the airport. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the standard tour. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Frequent flyer, TSA Precheck, and Global Entry numbers can only be added at check-in.

LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000pp will be deducted from the standard tour price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours at least 6 months prior to the departure date. Land Only Passengers arriving with or before the group are welcome to join the group bus at no additional charge. For those not traveling with the group, Signature Tours can provide contact information to arrange a private transfer.

GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met on arrival by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants not traveling with the group are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.

HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a private bath and shower.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of single rooms are available at additional supplement prices. Signature Tours and/or the group leader will make every attempt to pair single participants requesting a roommate. However, the single supplement fee will be charged for each person occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstance.

MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. 

SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary are included, as well as an expert English-speaking guide.

LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions. 

TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.

NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, visa fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information and rates, please review the product flyer or Click Here to enroll in the plan.
* Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535).

Signature Tours
PO Box 956817 Duluth, GA 30095
info@signaturetours.com