10-Day Reformation Tour with Living Waters and Moment of Truth, hosted by Dr. Matt Shackelford and Emeal ZWayne
with Matthew Shackelford
$5,895
Start Date: May 11, 2026
End Date: May 20, 2026
Location: Germany
Embark on a captivating journey through Switzerland and Germany, where history, faith, and breathtaking landscapes come together. Join us as we delve into the lives of pivotal figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and Felix Manz, and explore the events of the 1500s that sparked the Reformation—a movement that forever changed the course of history and continues to influence the world today. Along the way, you’ll experience the charm of some of the most scenic and historic cities and towns in both countries, making this an unforgettable adventure of discovery and exploration!
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Monday, May 11
DEPARTURE
Depart USA for Geneva.
Day 2: Tuesday, May 12
GENEVA
After arriving in Geneva, we are met by our tour guides and we will be transferred to the hotel in the city center. We will be transferred to the harbor and enjoy a one-hour cruise for a great getaway! We enjoy an unparalleled view of Mont-Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, monuments, famous villas, the Jura, as well as parks and gardens. Check in to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner. Overnight in Geneva.
Day 3: Wednesday, May 13
GENEVA
Our first stop on the city tour is the International Museum of the Reformation. Here we will be introduced to 500 years of Reformation history. We will have the opportunity to see how the Reformation impacted lives, from their faith to their education, and even how it affected areas economically. Located right next to the museum, we will have the chance for an individual inside visit of St. Peter’s Cathedral. It is here that John Calvin preached from 1536 – 1564. Next, we will walk to the Reformation wall. This memorial is built into the area that would have been the old city wall. A representation of the reclaiming and protection of the Gospel that happened here. Some of the reformers presented in the Wall are John Calvin, William Farel, Theodore Beza and John Knox.
Day 4: Thursday, May 14
GENEVA - ZURICH
his morning, we will board our train that will take us to Zurich, the unofficial capital of Switzerland. Zurich is definitely a combination of the old and the new. It is divided into the modern cosmopolitan district and the Altstadt (old city). Much of our time will be spent seeing the sights connected with Ulrich Zwingli. It was in Zurich where the Swiss branch of the Reformation got its start under his leadership beginning in 1520. We see his monument, the church where he was pastor (the Grossmünster), and the Guild Hall and Museum, where we find artifacts and works of art associated with the Reformation. Zurich is also the origin of the Swiss Brethren Anabaptist Movement. It had its start in the home of Felix Manz in 1525, only a few blocks from Zwingli’s church where Manz and others were rebaptized as adults by Conrad Grebel. The Anabaptists (re-baptizers), then became a target of Protestants and the Catholics for persecution and martyrdom, with over 3,000 dying in a “mini- holocaust” over the next decades. Dinner and overnight in the heart of Zurich.
Day 5: Friday, May 15
ZURICH - HEIDELBERG - WORMS
After breakfast, we drive to Germany (by bus) and visit Heidelberg, a gorgeous town on the Neckar River where romanticism is both past and present. Our walking tour includes the Old Town, the famous Stone Bridge over the Neckar River, and the Heidelberg Castle (where the Heidelberg Confession was written in 1653). We stop for lunch, then we continue to Worms, one of the oldest towns in Germany. We visit St. Peter’s Cathedral, an exquisite example of Romanesque architecture. In 1521, Martin Luther was summoned here by Emperor Charles V to recant his teachings before the Diet of Worms. We also see where Luther made his famous “Here I Stand” declaration. We will visit the world’s largest memorial to the Reformation. Another Reformer named William Tyndale finished his printing of the English Bible in Worms, escaping persecution in England. After an amazing day of touring, we check in our Hotel in Worms.
Day 6: Saturday, May 16
WORMS - EISENACH - WARTBURG CASTLE - ERFURT
In the morning, we depart for Eisenach. Today we drive to Wartburg Castle for a guided tour of the Palais (Great Hall), the Elisabeth Hallway, and the Luther Room where Luther, under his disguise as “Junker Jörg,” translated the New Testament into German. After our tour we board the Bus and make our way to Erfurt, where we will have lunch before a guided visit of the Augustinian Monastery, with a permanent exhibit depicting Luther’s life as a monk. We will visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, where Luther was ordained as a priest and St. Severus Church. Dinner and overnight in Erfurt.
Day 7: Sunday, May 17
ERFURT - BUCHENWALD CONCENTRATION CAMP - LEIPZIG - BACH CONCERT - BERLIN
We continue to Buchenwald Concentration Camp, where we visit the Bonhoeffer Commemorative Site. The memorial commemorates the Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Wehrmacht General Friedrich von Rabenau, and Wehrmacht Captain Ludwig Gehre, who were held in the detention cellar of the SS casern as “special prisoners” of the Main Security Office of the Reich. We drive to Leipzig, the cradle of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989. Leipzig is also the place of work for one of the world’s most famous composers, Johann Sebastian Bach. We conclude the day in St. Thomas Church, where we will hear a brief organ concert. Dinner and overnight in Berlin.
Day 8: Monday, May 18
BERLIN
Explore Berlin, the capital of the reunified Germany, on a guided tour that includes all the most important highlights like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (Parliament), the impressive boulevard “Unter den Linden”, the Gendarmen-Market, the Alexanderplatz and Check- Point Charlie. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight dinner in Berlin.
Day 9: Tuesday, May 19
BERLIN - WITTENBERG
We drive to Wittenberg, where we go on a guided walking tour with a visit to the Castle Church, the famous site where Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the church, sparking the beginning of the Reformation. It is here that Luther is buried alongside his fellow reformer, Philipp Melanchthon. On our tour, we will also have the chance to see All Saints’ Church. We take a break for lunch and then continue with a visit to the temporary exhibition “Luther” located in the Augusteum that was built in the mid-1580s. Luther Hall was once an Augustinian monastery where Luther lived as a monk and again later in 1525 as owner with his wife and family. Luther Hall is the largest museum of Reformation history in the world. After our visit, we board the bus and drive back to Berlin before having our farewell dinner.
Day 10: Wednesday, May 20
BERLIN - USA
Transfer to Berlin Airport for your return flight home with luggage packed with keepsakes and your heart full of memories!
PRICING
- $5,895 per person based on double occupancy.
- $4,895 per person Land Only (purchase your own air).
- Single room supplement - $1,495
- $500 per person with registration to secure space.
- 50% of the total amount is due on or before November 8, 2025
- Balance due on or before February 8, 2026
Tour information
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 POLICY2: 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 Air Included option covers 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 Air Included option. 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. The air portion will be deducted from the 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 tour 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. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary.
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, 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 Trawick International. Please click here for more information or to enroll in the plan. A preexisting medical condition waiver is available if purchased within 21 days of registration.