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.
Pre-Tour
If you would like to arrive in Berlin a day early, we can arrange for hotel accommodation at the Hotel Bogota in central Berlin.
IF =
In flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Tuesday, September 13, 2011: Overnight Flight to Berlin, Germany
Our journey begins with an overnight flight to Berlin. IF
Day 2: Wednesday
, September 14, 2011:
Arrival in Berlin
On arrival in Berlin, our expert driver guide will pick up at the airport in our air-conditioned private vehicle and we'll pick up the rest of the guests at the Hotel Bogota. We'll enjoy exploring
Berlin orientation tour, including the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser
Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively
boulevards. We will stay just outside Berlin this evening in the Traditions Hotel in the historic town of Grossbeeren. IF
Day 3: Thursday, September 15, 2011: Wittenberg, Leipzig
On arrival in
Wittenberg, we'll meet our local guide, who will take us 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. We have a free afternoon to
explore at our leisure before ending the day in Leipzig, where we'll stay in the Hotel Am St. Georg for three
nights. B
Day 4: Friday, September 16, 2011: Torgau, Dresden, Leipzig
In Torgau we visit the sites associated with Katharina Von Bora including her
grave in St. Mary’s Church and also Castle Church, which was the first purpose-built Lutheran church in the world. We also see the War Memorial on the Elbe River and
remember the historic meeting of the U.S. and the Soviets. We spend the
afternoon in Baroque Dresden, before continuing on to Merseburg to hear the St. Thomas' Boys Choir sing in the Cathedral. We'll end the day in Leipzig.
B
Day 5: Saturday, September 17,
2011: Leipzig
This morning we will have the opportunity to explore
Leipzig. We’ll begin 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 Auerbach's Keller
restaurant, made famous by Faust. In the afternoon we will go to a unique barbeque event just outside Leipzig, in which the pork is prepared in an underground oven. In the evening, we have the option of a
concert at the Gewandhaus (not included, but people will be able to prebook).
B
Day 6: Sunday, September 18,
2011: Eisleben, Erfurt
This morning we attend church in St. Thomas church and hear the famous boys
choir if in residence. In the afternoon 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
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 its
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. We end the day in the Hotel Krone in Arnstadt (just outside Erfurt), where we are based for two nights. B/D
Day 7: Monday, September 19,
2011: Erfurt
This morning we'll tour the Augustinian Monastery 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. We'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. The
afternoon and evening are free to explore this delightful town. An optional
excursion to Buchenwald is offered in the afternoon. This is the concentration camp where thousands, including Bonhoeffer, died at the hands of the Nazis. We'll return to Arnstadt in the evening. B
Day 8: Tuesday, September 20,
2011: Eisenach, Rudesheim
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.
We'll then drive south to Eltville, a delightful town on the banks of the
Rhine, where we'll stay in the historic Hotel Zum Engel. B/D
Day 9: Wednesday, September 21,
2011: Rhine Cruise, Mainz, Rüdesheim
The day begins with a mini cruise on the most scenic segment of the Rhine
River. We pass majestic medieval castles and fortifications perched high on
the banks overlooking the river, picturesque villages with pointed church
spires, countless immaculately-kept vineyards and the famous Lorelei Rock.
Afterwards, we drive to
Mainz to focus on the contribution of Johann Gutenberg at the Gutenberg
Museum. We also visit Mainz Cathedral dating back to 975. Returning to
Eltville, we will have a free evening. B
Day 10: Thursday, September 22,
2011: Worms, Rothenburg
In Worms we will visit the Cathedral and the site of the
Worms debate, known as the "Diet of Worms". We arrive in medieval Rothenburg ob
der Tauber with time to shop in the famous Kathë Wölfart Christmas shop and
museum. After the evening meal, we congregate under the Town Hall Tower for
the 8.00 p.m. Meistertrunk Show and then join the Night Watchmen on his
nightly tour. We'll stay tonight in the Hotel Schwarzer Adler. B/D
Day 11: Friday, September 23,
2011: Augsburg, Munich
Today we drive the wonderful Romantic Road, passing through the medieval towns
of Dinkelsbühl and Noerdlingen and then continue on to the Lutheran town of
Augsburg. Here, Protestants proclaimed their confession in Luther’s Imperial
Diet in 1530. We’ll see Maximilian Strasse, the Town Hall, Fuggerei, the first
social settlement in Europe, and St. Anne’s Church where Luther stayed in
1518. Our final night is at the Wald-Gasthof St. Kastl,in Reichertshofen.B/D
Day 12: Saturday, September 24,
2011: Depart
Unfortunately we must say "Auf Wiedersehen" to Europe, and transfer to the
Munich airport for our return flight to the United States. 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.