This is a very special trip focused on Martin Luther. Start your wonderful vacation in Berlin, where you will visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and take pictures of Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial. In Wittenberg, where Martin Luther lived and the birthplace of the Reformation, visit the Luther House; St. Mary’s Church, where Luther got married and baptized his children; and Luther’s Tomb in the Castle Church, where Luther launched the Reformation in 1517. Continue to Leipzig and visit the Thomaskirche, where J.S. Bach worked. Also included are visits to the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, where Luther lived as a monk; Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the Bible; Coburg Fortress, one of the largest surviving medieval fortresses in Germany; and the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, where original copies of the Bible can be seen. Arrive in Worms, where the Imperial Council passed judgment on Luther in 1521. Visit the cathedral where Luther presented his case, Trinity Church, and the famed Reformation Monument. Follow Luther’s footsteps to Nuremberg, the first town to accept the Reformation in 1525, and to Augsburg, where Luther and his followers proclaimed their beliefs. Other tour highlights include a Rhine River cruise along the prettiest part of the Rhine Valley; a stop in the medieval walled town of Rothenburg, famous for its Christmas ornaments; and time in Munich, with an opportunity to see Marienplatz with its famous glockenspiel. An optional excursion to King Ludwig’s Linderhof Castle and the Passion Play town of Oberammergau is also available.This is an educational and marvelous vacation sure to delight!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Berlin, Germany. Welcome to Berlin! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner with your traveling companions. (D)
Day #2 Berlin–Wittenberg. Sightseeing with a Local Guide in the once-divided metropolis includes the elegant Ku’damm, the restored Reichstag, Charlottenburg Castle, a picture stop at monumental Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and the 21-foot Victory Column in the vast Tiergarten Park. Visit the KAISER WILHELM MEMORIAL CHURCH with its bomb-damaged tower, drive along Unter den Linden Boulevard, pass the State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie. In the afternoon, continue to Wittenberg, Martin Luther’s home for 30-plus years and birthplace of the Reformation. (B,D)
Day #3 Wittenberg–Leipzig. Enjoy a guided walking tour of LUTHER HOUSE and MUSEUM, where Martin Luther and his family lived. This well-preserved place of Reformation relics includes Luther’s desk, his pulpit, and first editions of his books. Continue to nearby ST. MARY’S CHURCH, a twin-towered gothic church where Luther preached the Reformation, got married (1525), and baptized his six children. Finally, see LUTHER’S TOMB in the CASTLE CHURCH where Luther posted his 95 Theses against the sale of indulgences—and launched the Reformation in 1517. A comfortable drive brings you to Leipzig for a visit of the THOMASKIRCHE, where J.S. Bach worked. It is the home of the St. Thomas Boys Choir and a place of musical creativity. Also visit the market square that today is a site for celebrations and festivals but that once was the scene of executions and political demonstrations. (B,D)
Day #4 Leipzig–Erfurt. A leisurely drive to Erfurt, where the fine gothic and renaissance buildings evoke memories of the days of the Dominican Master Eckhart and Martin Luther, who spent his student days here before embarking on his journey to Wittenberg. Highlight of the day is a visit to the AUGUSTINIAN MONASTERY, where Luther lived as a monk, and the MERCHANTS’ BRIDGE. (B)
Day #5 Erfurt. Excursion to Eisenach. This morning, enjoy a guided visit to WARTBURG CASTLE, where Luther translated the Bible. Also see the Luther and Bach Memorials as well as the LUTHER HOUSE, where he lived during grammar school. Then, visit ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH, where he sang in the church’s boy choir. Return to Erfurt. (B,D)
Day #6 Erfurt–Coburg–Mainz. In Coburg, where Luther stayed in 1530 for the Imperial Diet of Augsburg, visit fascinating COBURG FORTRESS, one of the largest surviving medieval fortresses in Germany. (B,D)
Day #7 Mainz. Excursion to Worms And The Rhine Valley. In Worms, where the Imperial Council passed judgment on Luther in 1521, visit the CATHEDRAL where Luther presented his case, as well as TRINITY CHURCH and the famed REFORMATION MONUMENT. Later, enjoy a scenic RHINE CRUISE past castle-crested cliffs, terraced vineyards, and trim, half-timbered towns. Evening at leisure. (B)
Day #8 Mainz–Rothenburg–Nuremberg. This morning, visit the GUTENBERG MUSEUM in Mainz, where original copies of the Bible can be seen. Next is the medieval walled town of Rothenburg. During your walking tour, visit ST. JACOB’S CHURCH with the renowned Blood Altar. Afterwards, there is time to shop for Christmas ornaments, for which this picturesque town is world famous. Continue to Nuremberg, the first town to accept the Reformation in 1525. (B,D)
Day #9 Nuremberg–Augsburg–Munich. Your walking tour features the famous ST. LORENZ LUTHERAN CHURCH. Continue to Augsburg, where your guided sightseeing reveals the city where Luther and his followers proclaimed their beliefs. Arrive in Munich. (B)
Day #10 Munich. Sightseeing with a Local Guide of Germany’s “Secret Capital” includes the Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, MARIENPLATZ with the Old and the New Town Halls, and the gothic Frauenkirche. An optional excursion to Linderhof Castle and the Passion Play town of Oberammergau is available. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
Day #11 Munich. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
BERLIN Arcotel John F (F)
WITTENBERG Luther Hotel Wittenberg (F)
LEIPZIG The Westin Leipzig (SF)
ERFURT Radisson Blu (F)
MAINZ Hilton Mainz (SF)
NUREMBERG NH Nürnberg City (F)
MUNICH Holiday Inn City Centre (F)