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Lutherland Tour and Passion Play
Join us September 15-25, 2010
If your group would like this type of tour, call 1-800-303-5534 today!

Pastors James and Carol Haynes Kniseley invite you on a leisurely 11 day tour combining the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play and the main sites associated with Martin Luther. The tour includes Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Eisleben, Erfurt, Eisenach, two nights by the Rhine in Rudesheim, Mainz, Worms, a night in medieval Rothenburg and a drive down the "Romantic Road" to Bavaria. The tour ends with Neuschwanstein Castle and Oktoberfest.

Experience the culture, learn about your Christian heritage, meet the locals and be inspired in your faith!

Day by day itinerary
Oberammergau Passion Play, plus fabulous Christian and cultural highlights in Germany.
What's included
Passion Play tickets, hotels, expert guides, delicious meals, entrance fees, fellowship etc.
Quality accommodations
Accommodations will be in superior three star and moderate four star hotels.
What does it cost?
This tour is land only based on a minimum of 35 tour participants. Air prices will be available in 2009.
Our Tour Hosts
The tour is led by Pastors James and Carol Haynes Kniseley of Resurrection Lutheran Church.

Free book
All of our tour members will receive this best-selling guide all about Oberammergau.

What will we see each day?

Our itineraries are designed to be not too full - or too empty! Each day we'll have breakfast at our hotel, followed by the day's activities. In the evenings, you'll have the opportunity to join the devotional time. Enjoy browsing the proposed itinerary. Back to top

IF = In flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1: Overnight Flight to Berlin, Germany
Our journey back in time begins with an overnight flight from the US. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight! Please note that flights are not included in the price, but can be added in 2009. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more flying from the same departure point.(In flight meals)

Brandenburg Gate, BerlinDay 2: Arrival in Berlin, Wittenberg
We’ll be greeted at the Berlin Airport by our Reformation Tours expert guide and luxury tour bus for a Berlin orientation tour. We’ll see the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively boulevards. We'll then go back to the time of Luther as we visit Wittenberg the birthplace of the Reformation. This evening we'll enjoy a welcome dinner, and spend our first night in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg. (IF/D)

Day 3: Wittenberg
After breakfast, we'll go to the very place Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses to the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church). The original door was destroyed in the Seven Years War. Luther’s texts of the 95 Theses are cast in bronze on the door. Next we'll 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. We’ll walk to the very site where Luther burned Rome’s Papal Bull condemning him as a heretic. Next we’ll visit Stadtkirche St. Marien (St. Mary's church) where Luther preached and where his children were baptized. The afternoon will be free to enjoy Wittenberg or relax. We can optionally cycle along the Elbe River. We’ll meet up again for a shared meal with a guest speaker from the Wittenberg English Ministry Center, or the local ELCA ministry. We’ll spend a second overnight in Wittenberg. (B/D)

Day 4: Eisleben, Erfurt
This morning we’ll take an excursion to Eisleben, one of Luther’s favorite towns and a charming town still today. We’ll tour the house where Luther was born and the house where he died. We also visit the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, where Luther was baptized and St. Andrew's Church with the Luther pulpit from where Luther preached his last sermon. We’ll tour St. Anne’s, an old miner's church famous for the Biblical Scenes hewn in stone, see the Luther Memorial and other interesting sites. Next, we’ll drive through the Thuringian countryside to Erfurt for a guided walking tour of Erfurt’s top Christian sites. We tour the Augustinian Monastery and in which Luther lived six years as a monk and tour the St Augustus Church there and see where Luther dedicated himself on the floor. We will have time to stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, seeing where Letters of Indulgence were printed and walk across the famous Krämer Bridge. We’ll also tour the impressive St. Mary's Cathedral and see St. Severin's Church. (B/D)

Day 5: Eisenach, Rudesheim
This morning we will head for fascinating Eisenach. In 1521, while fleeing from the wrath of the Pope, Luther took refuge in the Wartburg Castle after a fake kidnapping staged by his friend and protector, Frederick the Wise. We’ll tour the castle and stand in the very room where Luther translated Jerome’s Vulgate into the German New Testament. This will be an amazing moment as we stand where church history was forged by grace and Martin Luther’s determined passion to share the Word with the nation of Germany. We will then tour the Luther House Museum with it’s fascinating displays about the time & culture of Luther. Close by is the Bach House Museum, which is a must-see. We'll hear period musical instruments played by the curator and hear more about the fascinating Christian musician, J.S. Bach. If time permits, we’ll tour medieval St George's (Georgenkirche) Church connected with both Martin Luther and Johann Sebastian Bach. Martin Luther was a choir boy here and then preached in 1521 on his journey to and from the imperial parliament in Worms. On the north wall is a large painting commissioned to commemorate the century of the Reformation, depicting Luther and Huss as well as the Augsburg Confession. This is the place where Bach was baptized in 1685. Several members of the Bach family were organist at this church.

Now we are off for the alluring Rhine River, and to check into our comfortable hotel in Rudesheim for two nights. This evening we are free to sample cuisine at numerous excellent restaurants. Some may like to go tour the still-functioning Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard, perched high above town in the vineyards. Or, take a cable car ride over the vineyards to the Count Von Bismark Memorial, and enjoy a picnic dinner with the incredible view of the mighty Rhine and castles. (B/D)

Day 6: Rhine Cruise, Mainz, Worms
What better way to start the day than with a Rhine cruise! We’ll board the boat and sail past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley rock to St. Goar. This will be the highlight for many of us, every bend in the river brings more stunning scenery, ships pass left & right, and numerous trains roar up and down the Rhine River valley. Next we will go to Mainz where we'll focus on Bible printing history & the contribution of Johann Gutenberg, who developed moveable type. We'll be amazed as we view original copies of the Bible in the Gutenberg Museum. We'll also view Mainz Cathedral, dating back to 975.

In Worms we’ll have a brief local walking tour to see the site of the Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), now a park, with a plaque commemorating the Diet of Worms, the Reformation Monument, St. Peters, and the Church of the Holy Trinity. Our guide will also share about another Reformer, William Tyndale, who finished his printing of the English Bible in Worms, escaping persecution in England. In 1525 his New Testament was printed and smuggled back into England. We'll return to Rudesheim for a second overnight. (B/D)

Day 7: Heidelberg, Rothenburg
Heidelberg is a gorgeous town on the Neckar River. We’ll have a walking tour of the old town, stroll on the famous Stone Bridge over the Neckar River. We'll tour Heidelberg Castle which boasts the world’s largest wine barrel, a fascinating history and a stunning view. Here we’ll hear about the Heidelberg Confession, written in 1562, by 28 year old professor Zacharias Ursinus, and a 26 year old preacher named Caspar Olevianus. This is one of the most important Calvinistic statements of faith and our guide tells us why. We will continue to Rothenburg ob der Tauber one of the most picturesque and well-preserved of the towns along the famous "Romantic Road". It's one of Germany’s very best walled medieval cities, most of the buildings were built by 1400. This town is particularly noted for the Christmas shop and museum which are open year round. We’ll check into our hotel and we have leisure time to stroll and explore the views atop the city ramparts. Incredible shopping opportunities await us at every storefront. (B/D)

Day 8: “The Romantic Road”, Augsburg, Wieskirche, Oberammergau
This morning we will travel the fabled “Romantic Road.” This is Germany's most famous and popular tourist route, displaying a rich and varied cultural landscape through the Franconian wine country to Bavaria. We’ll pass small historic villages full of their original charm, on our way to Augsburg, another Germany Reformation city. We’ll learn from our expert guide about the Augsburg Confession, the 1555 Peace of Augsburg, while we tour St. Anne’s Church. After a walking tour of key sites, we’ll journey on to Bavaria, to tour the Wieskirche, an UNESCO World Heritage site with incredible Rococo art. We'll finish our exciting day with our arrival in Oberammergau, home to the world famous Passion Play, depicting the story of Christ, acted out for hundreds of years by the villagers. We’ll check into our hotel and have a delicious dinner, followed by a stroll through the village. (B/D)

Day 9: Oberammergau
Today is the highlight of the tour, the world famous Passion Play, which has been regularly performed since Whitsun 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 10: Neuschwanstein and Oktobergest
This morning we will visit Neuschwanstein Castle, built for King Ludwig II. You’ve seen the pictures of this castle that inspired Disney, now we’ll experience its grandeur. On arrival in Munich, a local guide will join us for a tour of the city, including the Olympic Village, Nymphenburg Palace, the elegant Maximillian Strasse and the Glockenspiel. We’ll end the day on a festive note at the Oktoberfest, where we’ll dine tonight. B/D

Day 11: Return
After yet another delicious breakfast we transfer from our hotel to the airport for our morning flight back to home, and so concludes a grand time in Europe. (B/IF)

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. 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 the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

Free book for all our tour participants

This best-selling Guide proved an essential tool for visitors who spent time in this delightful corner of Bavaria, providing concise information about the Village of Oberammergau, the Area, the Play, the Theatre, the History and Traditions, the Organization and Background.

Written by David Houseley - who produced similar books in 1970,1980 and 1990, and Raymond Goodburn, the book is in lavish co lour with maps, photographs and biographies of the actors who took the leading roles. There is also an important Introduction by Otto Huber, Deputy Director of the Play who explains the thinking behind the radical changes which were made for 2000. Finally, there is a Synopsis of the Play, provided by Prof. Ingrid Shafer, the Official Translator of the Text into English.

What's included in the land price of $3,850?
Price based on a minimum of 35 participants

  • Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
  • Category 3 accommodations and tickets for Passion Play in Oberammergau
  • Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Professional tour escort throughout the tour
  • Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
  • Entrance fees included as per itinerary
  • All transfers, as a group
  • Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
  • All taxes and tips
  • Passenger trip cancellation insurance (details sent with reservation form)
What's not included in tour price?
  • Air transportation from Washington D.C. (available 10 months before departure)
  • Single supplement (subject to availability) of $665
  • Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
  • Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for months beyond return date.

Payment for the tour is in installments:

  • Deposit of $350 is due as soon as possible
  • Second deposit of $1,000 is due no later than February 1, 2009
  • Final payments will be due 120 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellations must be in writing and the date of postmark will determine the amount of refund due.

  • From time of deposit to until 190 days prior to departure a $175 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation.
  • From 189-145 days prior to departure a $300 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation, plus any non refundable deposit, if applicable
  • 144-30 days prior to departure a $1,000 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation, plus any unrecoverable out of pocket expenses to ground suppliers, as well as any penalties imposed by airlines will be assessed. If anyone cancels but finds their own substitute up to 120 days prior to departure, only a $100 change fee will be assessed.
  • 29 days or less prior to departure-no refund.

Tour Hosts:

Dear Fellow Travelers,

It is an honor for us to host this travel adventure to places important in the life of Martin Luther. The opportunity to see the world-famous Passion Play in Oberammergau makes this tour a true Christian pilgrimage. We have served as co-pastors at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, since 2000. This tour marks the 4th time Jim has experienced the Passion Play at Oberammergau. The inspiration to offer this meaningful experience to others surfaced back in 1995 when we were traveling on our own in Germany. The goal for this travel adventure with you is to learn much about our Reformation heritage, and have lots of fun doing so.

Sincerely,

The Rev. James C. Kniseley and the Rev. Carol Haynes Kniseley


What are the 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!

Yes, please tell me more about this tour!

Please write your question in the space below or leave a phone number and a convenient time to call and we'll respond to your request. We're here to enable you to have a fabulous trip, so don't hesitate - contact us today!

You can also contact us if this is the kind of tour that YOUR church would like to take. We arrange fully customizable trips for Christian groups. Just jot down your details and we'll guide you every step of the way.
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