What
will we see each day?
This tour is independent, so you'll be able to set
your own pace. This tour is an example itinerary and we are happy
to customize.
Day
1: Arrival
in Frankfurt, Mainz
On arrival in Germany ( we can assist you with flights) you will
take a short train ride from the airport to Mainz.
The state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate is at the confluence of
the Rhine and Main rivers and in the middle of the largest German
wine-growing area. We suggest staying in the Hotel Königshof
which is opposite the train station, so very easy to find. You can
either explore by yourselves or we can arrange a city guide to take
you on a walk in the afternoon. We suggest visiting the Cathedral,
the Gutenberg Museum and St. Stephen's Church with its Chagall windows.
Day
2: Rhine
River Cruise, Mainz
Today
you'll enjoy a full day River Cruise on the Rhine River, returning
to your hotel in Mainz for a second overnight stay. You can disembark
the boat at any time and explore the wonderful little towns along
the banks, visit a castle or a vineyard. It’s about a 3
hour sail to St. Goar past wonderful scenery. You can also go
for a longer trip by boat and return by rail.
Day 3: Worms, Erfurt
On
your morning trip to Worms
today, you can see the commemorative plaque, which marks the site
of the Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), the Reformation Monument,
St. Peters, and the Church of the Holy Trinity. It was in Worms
that William
Tyndale, who finished his printing of the English
Bible, escaping persecution in England. In 1525 his New Testament
was printed and smuggled back into England. You'll return to Mainz
to pick up your luggage and take the train to Erfurt. On arrival
in Erfurt, you can check into your hotel. You can either stay
close to the train station, in the Augustinian Monastery (now
a Christian-run guest house) or in a centrally-located hotel.
Day
4: Eisenach,
Erfurt
This
morning you will take the short train trip to nearby Eisenach,
then take the bus up to Wartburg Castle. In 1521, while fleeing
from the wrath of the Pope, Luther took refuge in here after a
fake kidnapping staged by his friend and protector, Frederick
the Wise. You’ll stand in the very room where Luther translated
Jerome’s Vulgate into the German New Testament. There are
guided tours in English at the Wartburg. When you are finished,
you can take the bus back into Eisenach and meet your local guide.
They will take you to the Luther House Museum with its fascinating
displays about the time & culture of Luther and St George's
(Georgenkirche) Church connected with both Martin Luther and Johann
Sebastian Bach. The Bach House Museum, is a must-see to hear period
musical instruments played by the curator and hear more about
the fascinating Christian musician, J.S. Bach. You’ll end
the day back in Erfurt.
NOTE: If you happened to be in Eisenach on a Sunday, I would recommend
the morning service at St. George’s as they include Bach
cantatas with a full orchestra and choir. You can then do the
Wartburg in the afternoon.
Day
5: Erfurt, Wittenberg
We
can arrange for a private guide to give you for a 2 hour guided
tour of Erfurt or you can use the audio-guide at your own pace.
This tour will include the Augustinerkloster (Augustinian Monastery)
dating back to 1277, which houses an exhibition that shows the
life and work of its most renowned resident. You can visit Luther's
cell in addition to its impressive library with many rare books.
The hike up the 70 steps from the Domplatz is worth it to see
the treasures of the 14th century St. Mary's Cathedral and the
13th century St. Severus. Also not to be missed is the Petersberg
Citadel, the only extensively preserved Baroque town fortress
in central Europe. It has an intricate maze of underground passageways
waiting to be explored. The Krämerbrücke (Merchant's
Bridge), built in 1325, is a fascinating work of medieval secular
architecture. It is completely covered by houses on both sides.
In the afternoon you can take the train to Wittenberg, where the
Reformation officially began. You can either stay at the centrally-located
Christian-run Luther hotel or a hotel by the train station.
Day
6: Wittenberg
We
can either arrange for a private guide or you can use the audio
guide.The tour will include Schlosskirche (Castle Church). The
original door was destroyed in the Seven Years War but now Luther’s
texts of the 95 Theses are cast in bronze on the door. Next you
can tour the Lutherhalle (Luther House) Museum. In 1508, when
Martin Luther came to Wittenberg, he lived here with other Augustinian
monks. Later, Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, raised
six children here and hosted many guests. You can then walk to
the very site where Luther burned Rome’s Papal Bull condemning
him as a heretic. We also suggest visiting Stadtkirche St. Marien
(St. Mary's church) where Luther preached and where his children
were baptized.
NOTE: If you
wanted to include Eisleben or Leipzig, we suggest adding them
as a day trip from Wittenberg and maybe having one day less in
Berlin.
Day 7: Berlin
On arrival in Berlin
we recommend a hotel by the Berlin East station that is convenient
for public transport. In the afternoon you can take the English
speaking Berlin Walking Tour, which gives a good overview of the
city. Berlin is home to many wonderful museums and we suggest
the Pergamon Museum. Your full day travel card is included. This
evening you might like to attend a concert and we can research
and book this for you.
Day 8: Berlin
There are many options in Berlin, from shopping to museums to
a tour of the Bonhoeffer house. You might also like to go to Potsdam
to see the Sanssouci Palace.
Day
9: Return
You'll head to the airport this morning for your return flight.
B = Breakfast,
Please note that that Reformation Tours reserves
the the right to alter itineraries without notice should it become
necessary. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect
at the time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate
an adjustment in tour price, this will be reflected in the final
invoice
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