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Luther,
Bach and Handel Tour (Sample
itinerary)
Call 1-800-303-5534 to find out how
your group can take this tour |
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Luther's
"Mighty Fortress" |
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You
are warmly invited to take a fascinating journey to explore the
cultural and Christian history of Germany, focusing on the lives
and works of Martin Luther, J.S. Bach and G. F. Handel.
This 10 day trip includes 6 UNESCO
World Heritage sites: Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam,
Wartburg Castle, Martin Luther sites in Eisleben and Wittenberg,
Classical Weimar and an Upper Middle Rhine cruise.
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What's
included
Round-trip air-fare, expert guides, delicious meals, entrance
fees etc. |
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Have
a group?
We'll guide you through the process of doing this tour. |
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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.
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Day
1: Sunday, Overnight Flight
The big day is finally here! Our journey to learn more of our Christian
heritage begins with an overnight flight to Frankfurt, Germany.
Sit back, rest and get ready for a fabulous trip of adventure and
discovery. Back to
top
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Day
2: Monday. Frankfurt am Main
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| Photographer:Seifert,
Frank
Copyright: Tourismus+Congress GmbH
Frankfurt am Main |
Willkommen nach
Deutschland! Our bilingual Tour Escort will meet us at the airport
and escort us to the deluxe air-conditioned bus. We'll take a fascinating
bus orientation tour of Frankfurt. You'll see the skyscrapers and
understand why Frankfurt has been nicknamed "Mainhatten" and "Chicago
am Main". We'll also have a chance to stroll around the older sections
of town, such as the beautiful Römerberg area (see left), the Goethe
House museum, St Paul's Church and St Bartholomew's Cathedral. We'll
enjoy an evening meal and overnight stay in Frankfurt.
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Day
3: Tuesday. Mainz. Rhine Cruise, Rudesheim - St Goar, Marburg, Fulda.
We'll begin the day in Mainz with a tour of the Gutenberg
Museum, where we'll see its collection of rare antique
Bibles. You'll learn why the invention of moveable type was so important
for the spread of the Reformation.
It's just a short drive to beautiful Rudesheim, where we'll cruise
the stunning
Rhine River to St Goarshausen. Castles, vineyards and
centuries of history unfold past every sweeping bend on the legendary
Rhine. The bus will pick us up in St. Goarshausen and drive us to
Marburg. We'll see the University. Landgrave's castle and St Elizabeth's.
Tonight we will dine in the elegant Maritim
Am Schlossgarten Hotel, where we will spend the night in Baroque
splendor! Back to
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Day
4: Wednesday. Eisenach, Weimar.
Towering
above Eisenach is the impressive Wartburg
Castle,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luther took refuge here in 1521, while
on the run from the wrath of the Pope after a fake kidnapping, staged
by his friend and protector, Frederick the Wise. Our tour will include
the study where Luther translated the New Testament into German
in just 11 weeks.
 Young
Martin Luther lived here in Eisenach as a schoolboy, while attending
St George's School. You'll go to the delightful half-timbered Luther
home where he lived with the Cotta family from 1498 - 1501. It's
now the
Luther House Museum about Luther's early years.
Young Luther sang in the choir in St
George's Church,
as did one of Eisenach's other famous residents, J.S. Bach! In the
Bachhaus
Museum, we'll enjoy hearing the authentic musical instruments
being played, as well as learning more about the musically prolific
Bach family.
After a short drive, we'll arrive at our hotel in Weimar, where
we'll have dinner, group devotions and time to enjoy an evening
stroll. In 1999, Weimar won the coveted title of "European City
of Culture". We'll stay overnight in Weimar for two nights.
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Day
5: Thursday. Erfurt, Weimar.
 This
morning, we'll tour the Augustinian
Monastery (pictured left) and hear about Luther's time
there. We'll also have opportunity to browse the permanent exhibition
that depicts the history of the Bible and the history of the monastery.
Our morning sightseeing tour will also include a visit to the magnificent
landmarks of St
Mary’s Cathedral and St Severin’s Church. You'll see
one of the largest bells in Europe - the "Maria Gloriosa". St Mary's
Church was where Luther celebrated his first mass. As we walk along
the famous Tradesman’s
Bridge, we'll remember that this is the only bridge
north of the Alps to still have inhabited buildings on
it. We'll also see the Old
University Gate - all that remains of the University
where Luther studied. In the afternoon we'll return to Weimar and
explore the fabulous art at the Schloss, including Cranach and Rubens.
We'll learn about Schiller and Goethe as we visit their homes. After
a delicious meal, we'll stay a second night in our hotel.
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Day
6: Friday. Halle, Leipzig.
 This
morning, we'll make our way to Eisleben, which held a special place
in Martin Luther's heart. This is where he was born and died. By
touring the Birth
House and Death
House, we will gain a unique view of the life and times
that he lived in. The walking tour will include the historic Old
Town, with it’s medieval cobblestone streets. Luther frequently
preached at St.
Anne’s (the "Miner's Church") and St
Andrews Church with its original pulpit. This is where
he preached his final four sermons and where the first of his funerals
was held.
In nearby Halle, we'll learn about Handel, the inspired composer
of Messiah. We'll also hear how Halle
Pietists influenced both Methodists and the Great Awakening. We'll
end the day in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, where we'll stay for the
next three nights.Back
to top
Day
7: Saturday. Leipzig, Wittenberg.
 This
morning we will have the opportunity to explore Leipzig.
We’ll
begin today with a walking tour, including seeing the Town
Hall, standing on the site of the Pleissenburg Castle, where
Luther had his famous debate with Johann Eck. We'll also visit St
Nicholas' Church, whose
Pastor began peace prayer services that in 1989 led to the fall
of the Berlin Wall. For
lunch, there’s an optional meal at Auerbachs
Keller restaurant, made famous by Faust. At 3.00 we’ll be treated
to a spectacular Bach cantata at St
Thomas’ Church. Enjoy leisure time to shop or visit some sights
of the city on your own.
We'll return to Wittenberg
for dinner and then we'll have the privilege of joining the
Wittenberg English Ministry in either the Castle
Church or the Town Church. These services, begun in 1997, provide
the opportunity for visitors from around the world to sing hymns,
pray, hear the word of God and give thanks. You'll have the opportunity
to sing Martin Luther's famous stirring Reformation hymn, "A Mighty
Fortress is Our God" with organ accompaniment. No need to unpack
tonight, as we'll have a second night at the hotel in Wittenberg.
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Day
8: Sunday. Wittenberg
This morning we'll have opportunity to join a local worship service
or free time.
Our Tour Escort will take we to the very place Luther nailed his
famous 95 Thesis to the door of the Schlosskirche
(Castle Church). The original door was destroyed in
the Seven Years War in 1760 and has been replaced with a bronze
door with inscriptions of all 95 Theses. Inside the church, we'll
see Luther and fellow reformer Phillip Melanchthon’s graves.
 Next
we'll tour the Lutherhalle
(Luther House) Museum.
In 1508, when Martin Luther came to Wittenberg he stayed here with
the other Augustinian Monks. Later, Luther and his wife, Katharina
von Bora, raised six children here. We'll be able to view some of
Luther's very own personal library, rare manuscripts, early Bibles,
and some of the very pamphlets that Luther had printed up, stoking
the fires of the Reformation. A trip to Wittenberg wouldn't be complete
without visiting St
Mary's Church where Luther preached and where his children
were baptized. You’ll marvel at the amazing detail in the reformation
theme altar painted by Lucas Cranach. If you love art, the Lucas
Cranach Museum will be a treat. Cranach was a close
friend of both Luther and Katie and his works will stir our soul
with the details, the richness of color and the emotions. We'll
also have the opportunity to visit the newly remodeled Melanchthon
House Museum. We'll have dinner and our final overnight
in Wittenberg. Back
to top
Day
9: Monday. Potsdam, Berlin.
Prepare to be dazzled as we visit Friedrich Wilhelm II (1712-86)'s
summer residence, the Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam. Before leaving
Potsdam, we'll visit Nikolaikirche (St Nicholas Church), said to
be the largest domed church in Germany. This dome is decorated with
scenes from the New Testament. We'll also drive past the Dutch Quarter,
with its 134 Baroque-style homes, followed by the Alexander Settlement,
with its quaint Russian-style homes.
On arrival in Berlin, we'll have a bus tour to show us the main
sites and the rest of the day will be free for sightseeing. We'll
enjoy a farewell dinner and stay overnight in Berlin, with views
of the city. Back to top
Day
10: Tuesday. Berlin - Frankfurt - USA
This morning we'll have a lie-in or free time, before heading to
the airport. We'll catch an internal flight from Berlin to Munich
and then on to the USA. Back
to top
What's
included in the tour price?
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Round
trip air from your chosen departure point
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Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
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First class and Traditional hotels with bath
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Breakfast daily and meals as indicated in the itinerary
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Professional
Tour Escort w/ Expertise in Reformation history
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Professional,
licensed local city guides
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Entrance
Fees Included as per itinerary
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All transfers, as a group
- Flight
bag, luggage tag, trip diary, neck wallet
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Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
What's
not included in tour price?
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Meals
and beverages not identified in itinerary
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Passports
and visas
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Passenger
Trip Cancellation Insurance
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Gratuities
for Tour Manager, Driver, Local Guides
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Airline transportation taxes
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Air
Add-on Cost if applicable
How
to take a group tour:
If
you have never experienced the wonders of Europe, you are
in for a treat! Impressive palaces, majestic mountains, charming
medieval villages and a wealth of Christian heritage, all
waiting to be discovered.
You'll return from the tour with a deeper, richer understanding
of your Christian heritage. You'll also have the added bonus
of fellowship not just with your fellow tour members, but
also with local believers.
In order
to make leading a tour as simple as possible, we have developed
a 3 step process for successful customized tours:
| 1 |
Complete the on-line
questionnaire
This simple tool enables us to quickly
determine the best tour for your group. We can use this
tour as a good starting point. |
| 2 |
Request
the FREE group leader packet
This includes sample itineraries, tips
and ideas for your initial group meeting etc. |
| 3 |
Become
a registered tour host
When
your itinerary is finalized, we'll send you a Tour Host
personalized folder, with everything you need to promote
the tour. |
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! Click
here to see the type of hotels that we'll be using on this tour.
Before you leave, you will have 2 lists of all the hotels, with
the phone numbers and addresses. Bring one with you and leave one
with a friend or relative so they can contact you if necessary.
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©
Reformation Tours, LLC 2003
P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222
Tel: (618) 222-9914 • Fax: (618) 222-9917 • Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
info@reformationtours.com
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