The villages, towns, and cities of Martin Luther’s Germany have not only embraced the world changing events played out in their streets, they are now ready to embrace you. From Berlin to Wittenberg, from Oberammergau to Worms, we will walk with Christ as Luther discovered Him in the Word alone, by Grace alone through Faith alone at the foot of His Cross.
The Passion Play of Oberammergau has inspired my imagination since I first heard about it while living in Germany as a high school exchange student in the mid 1980’s. On a return visit to Germany after reunification in the mid 1990’s, I committed myself to getting back again during the Reformation anniversary years. It would be my great pleasure to share this inspirational journey with you! Peace, Pastor John F. Perling
Tour Host: Rev. John F. Perling, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
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ITINERARY
B-BREAKFAST, L-LUNCH, D-DINNER
DAY 1, Depart the USA to Frankfurt, Germany
DAY 2, Arrive Frankfurt, Germany Herzlich Willkommen in Deutschland! (B, D)
Upon arrival of our flight at Frankfurt Airport you will be met by our professional tour manager and escorted to our private motor coach. We begin our journey to the city of Mainz, where the Roman relics give away the fact of its 2000 year heritage! After our long flight we’ll welcome the opportunity to stretch our legs as our tour manager leads us on a walking tour through the old town with its magnificent baroque buildings; including a visit to the 1000-year-old Romanesque Mainz Cathedral to view the world-famous Chagall windows and Eduard Kreyssig's huge neo-Renaissance cupola of Christchurch at St. Stephan Church. Afterwards, we will check in to our hotel have time to freshen up and meet for an early “welcome to Germany” dinner. Overnight Mainz
Day 3, Gutenberg Museum, Rhine Cruise, Worms (B)
After our full German breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, to view the 2-copies of the world’s first printed Bible, centuries-old manuscripts and the printing presses. Afterwards, we drive south to Worms, where Luther was summoned in 1521 to appear before an Imperial Diet to justify his conduct. We visit the world’s largest Memorial to the Reformation and the Church of the Holy Trinity, Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery, the Holy Sands and St. Peter’s Cathedral- one of the most exquisite examples of Romanesque architecture. After lunch on our own, we enjoy a relaxing sightseeing cruise along the Rhine River, one of the most picturesque stretches of this majestic waterway. We’ll sail past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley rock. Overnight Mainz
Day 4, Heidelburg, Winery Visit and Tastings (B, D)
Today we drive to the nearby city of Heidelberg, a lovely town on the Neckar River. Our walking tour includes the Old Town, the famous Stone Bridge over the Neckar River, the Heidelberg Castle (where the Heidelberg Confession was written in 1653), the Castle Church, German Apothecary Museum, and the Church of the Holy Ghost. We visit the memorial site in University Square commemorating the important first steps of the Reformation. Even back in Luther's day, student life shaped Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town. It was in a room of the university, where Luther presented his beliefs to the Augustinian Order in 1518, shortly after nailing his theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. Afterwards, we drive through the gentle landscape of budding vineyards and fertile orchards of the wine region. This evening enjoy wine tastings and dinner with regional cuisine. Cheers! Overnight Wine region
Day 5, Augsburg, Munich (B, D)
Following breakfast, we continue our journey in the footsteps of Martin Luther to the city of Augsburg. It’s magnificent Renaissance buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries give the city its unique character. Martin Luther stayed at the monastery of St. Anna Church in 1518, during his confrontation with Cardinal Cajetan. After lunch on our own we will continue on to Munich, the fun-filled capital of Bavaria. From the comfort of the coach our tour manager will identify the famous monuments and historically significant locations in the city. We’ll have some time at leisure in the market center to view the famous town hall and glockenspiel before our group meets for dinner at one of the fun beer-garden restaurants in Munich. Overnight Munich
Day 6, 42nd Passion Play (B, D)
Today we drive to the quaint alpine village of Oberammergau with its famous painted houses, wood carving studios and home to the theater that hosts the famous Passion Play, performed once every 10-years. We will stroll the village and enjoy a walking tour as we mingle with the villagers and learn about the hard work and dedication of the local volunteers who bring the Passion Play alive for our enjoyment and a lifetime of memories. This afternoon we attend the 42nd Oberammergau Passion Play. The play is five hours and performed in two acts, from 2:30pm – 5:30pm, with an intermission break including dinner and continues from 8:00pm- 10:00pm. Prepare to be amazed as the stage comes alive…with a spectacular set, awe-inspiring performances, and live animals and birds under the majestic sky of the breathtaking Bavarian Alps! Overnight Bavarian Alps
Day 7, Bavarian Castle, Weis Church, Regensburg (B, D)
After breakfast, we will board our coach for a day of sightseeing with an awe-inspiring ride through the spectacular Bavarian Alps to visit Neuschwanstein Castle- one of the most popular castles in Europe! The inspiration behind Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle and the private refuge of “mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Next, we visit the pilgrimage church of Wies to admire the ornate decorations that have earned its UNESCO World Heritage status. After lunch on our own, we drive to Regensburg, situated at the banks of the Danube River, a UNESCO World Heritage site and another city whose history goes back to the Romans. Overnight Regensburg
Day 8, Regensburg, Brewery Visit and Tastings (B)
This morning we awake in the medieval city of Regensburg. The city played a role in spreading the Protestant faith throughout Bohemia, Austria and Hungary and was a refuge for many Lutherans who were forced to flee their homes to escape religious persecution. Our walking tour includes St. Peter’s Cathedral, home to the “Domspatzen”, cathedral sparrows boys choir dating to 975 and a visit to the Document Neupfarrplatz, the archaeological excavation site under the cathedral, which in 1995 uncovered layers of the development of this city from the Roman military period of A.D. 179 to the medieval Jewish Quarter of 1519 to an air raid shelter from WWII. Afterwards, we will visit a local beer-brewery to learn more about the history of beer making and sample a variety of brews. For over 500 years Regensburg has honored the Bavarian (Beer) Purity Law of 1516 and is home to 3 charity breweries, so drinking beer in Regensburg is always a good deed! Overnight Regensburg
Day 9, Coburg (B, D)
Today we continue our drive northward to Coburg. Here we will visit one of Germany’s largest castles Veste Coburg, the fortress where Luther took refuge and lived during the drafting of the Augsburg Confession. In addition to the Luther Chapel, the many artifacts and art treasures, we will view the beautiful and inspiring painted walls and ceiling of Lucas Cranach the Elder. Afterwards we drive to Erfurt where Luther took the decisive step to turn to theology and the monastic life, when he was caught in a violent thunderstorm nearby and vowed to become a monk. Our guide will lead us on a walking tour of the city including the medieval Kramer Bridge, the unmistakable ensemble of St. Mary's Cathedral (known to be the location where Luther was ordained), the Church of St. Severus, and the Augustinian Monastery where Luther lived as a monk from 1505-1511 and where he studied, worshiped and was inspired to create the “Luther Rose”. Our group will meet for dinner. Overnight Erfurt
Day 10, Wartburg Castle, Eisenach (B)
This morning we visit the magnificent Wartburg Castle. It was here where Luther took refuge while he translated the New Testament into the German language. Our guided tour includes a visit to the Luther Room where “Junker Jörg” translated the New Testament into German. Afterwards you will have the option to ride the coach to the city center, or for those who prefer an easy hike, you can follow the guide down the hill along the Lutherweg (“Luther Way”), the same path travelled by Luther from the Wartburg Castle. We continue our journey in the life of Luther in Eisenach with a visit to the Luther Haus Museum, St. George Church and the Bach Museum, which houses an extensive collection of instruments from the 16th to 19th century and a permanent exhibition on the life and work of J. S. Bach. Our visit includes a musical performance on historical instruments. Return to Erfurt, dinner is on our own in the market center. Overnight Erfurt
Day 11 Nimbschen, Torgau, (B,L) Today we visit Grimma and the hidden history of Katarina von Bora to visit the monastery ruins and site where as a young girl Katharina came to Marienthron Convent and took her vows to become a nun in 1515. We will enjoy a rustic Luther lunch before continuing on to Torgau on the banks of the Elbe River and location where rulers protected Martin Luther and allowed him to preach and supported the dissemination of his ideas. We’ll learn more about Katie Luther and how in 1552 she fled with her children to Torgau to escape the plague. We visit her museum in the house where she died commemorating the 'most famous clergyman's wife in the world'. We will visit St. Mary's church with its beautiful Cranach altar, and the place of Katie Luther’s burial. We also visit Hartenfels Palace Chapel consecrated by Luther in 1544 and is regarded as the first Protestant church and the first embodiment of the Reformation message in architecture and location of the oldest sculpture of Luther. Then on through Lutherland to Wittenberg- known as the “cradle of the Reformation.” We will check-in to the hotel for the next three nights. Dinner is on own in one of the restaurants in Wittenberg. Overnight Wittenberg
Day 12, Wittenberg (B)
We visit the Luther Hall, the largest museum of Reformation history in the world, tour the Castle Church (Schlosskirche), famous site where Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door sparking the beginning of the Reformation and to view the burial site of Luther and his fellow reformer, Philipp Melanchthon, we will tour St. Mary’s Church where Luther did the majority of his preaching. Afternoon and dinner is on own. Overnight Wittenberg
Day 13, O.L.S. Worship Service, Eisleben, Leipzig (B,D)
This morning we will attend Sunday worship service at O.L.S chapel. Then, we drive to Eisleben and tour the Luther Houses where Martin Luther was born in 1483 and died in 1546. We continue to St. Peter’s Church where Luther was baptized and view only St. Andrews Church (closed due to renovations) where Luther preached his last four sermons and where his body was laid in state. In the afternoon, we continue on to Leipzig, the city of Johann Sebastian Bach but also the cradle of the German peaceful revolution in 1989 which ended up in the re-unification of Eastern and Western Germany. The guided city tour highlights St. Thomas’ Church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as choir master and music director and greatly influenced the music of the day; St. Nicholas Church, one of Leipzig’s oldest churches and starting point of the peaceful revolution. We visit the historic Auersbach Keller to view the museum worthy Reformation art display on the walls of the “Luther Room” and the “Wine Cellar Room”. On display is the recently found reproduction (only one of its kind, original piece was destroyed) of the Leipzig Debate between Martin Luther and Dr. Eck. We return to Wittenberg. Overnight Wittenberg
Day 14, Berlin (B, D)
This morning we depart for Berlin, the fascinating capital of Germany. We’ll enjoy a brief driving panoramic tour including a view of Checkpoint Charlie, the border crossing of Cold-War days, a stop to visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church- the symbolic centre of West Berlin and anti- war memorial to peace and reconciliation and a walk through the world famous Brandenburg Gate to the Berliner Dom (Evangelical Cathedral) Berlin’s largest and most prominent Protestant church. This afternoon we have time at leisure to shop. We’ll check in to our hotel, have time to freshen-up before our group gathers for our “farewell to Germany” dinner. Overnight Berlin
Day 15, Tour Ends, Depart Berlin Airport (B)
Group transfer from the hotel to the Berlin Airport
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All travelers must travel with a valid passport, valid for at least 6-months beyond the return travel date. Non US passport holders contact LT for credentials required to travel to the countries included in this tour. Wittenberg
TOUR LEVEL - MODERATE ACTIVE TRAVELER, WALKING SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Most sightseeing tours are walking tours (approx. 3-4 miles per day) and the historic sites you will visit date back hundreds of years and may not provide such amenities as elevators and ramps for the physically challenged. If you or you will be traveling with someone who has special needs (use a wheelchair, walker), hearing or visually impaired please contact LutherTours.
TOUR INCLUDES
Relaxed pace- time for reflection and spiritual inspiration
Group airport transfers in Germany
Luxury air-conditioned motor coach will transport you in comfort
Services of our professional English-speaking Tour Manager
13 nights First-Class 4-star accommodations with private bathroom
Hotel taxes
Breakfast daily, 2- Theme Lunches, 7-Dinners
Gratuities for included meals
Life Enriching Activities- spiritual, cultural and educational experiences daily
Professional local guides
Worship service at the churches where Martin Luther worshiped
Winery Visit with tastings and regional cuisine
Regensburg brewery visit and beer-tastings
Rhine River sightseeing cruise
2022 Passion Play premium category reserved seat and accommodation in the Bavarian Alps Oberammergau painted house
All sightseeing and admissions as indicated in the itinerary
Baggage handling throughout the tour for 1-bag each
TOUR PRICE* is per person based on double occupancy
$4390 with 30+ travelers
$4590 with 25 travelers
$4890 with 20 travelers
$890 Additional for Single Traveler
*Tour prices subject to currency fluctuation.
AIRFARE is addition to the Tour Price
Group flight arrangements from St. Louis, MO to be confirmed 11-months prior to travel dates.
Additional departures available from most cities, contact LutherTours for flight schedules and price.
PAYMENT
$350 per person Deposit is Non-refundable
$650 per person Second Payment due within 2-weeks of initial deposit
Balance due 120 days prior to departure (a reminder will be sent to travelers)
TERMS and CONDITIONS
Global COVID-19 conditions are dynamic.
Those (including but not limited to U.S. citizens) who choose to travel internationally may encounter mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and testing requirements, quarantines, travel restrictions, and closed borders. Foreign governments in any country may implement restrictions with little notice. Any cost related to required travel regulations is the responsibility of the traveler.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories and Alert Update
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
For the most recent travel alerts and to enroll in S.T.E.P Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive travel alerts and register to ensure you can be located in an emergency.
*Prices subject to currency fluctuation. Itinerary subject to change. Please be aware of the LutherTours complete Terms and Conditions of Travel and Cancellation policy, a copy is available by contacting our office directly or online at www.LUTHERTOURS.com to view Terms and Conditions of Travel policy. Up to 100% cancellation fee will apply.
To review the Terms and Conditions of Travel for cancellation and change policy, click here or call 1.844.777.1517 to request a copy. LT and its travel partners reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary.
NOT INCLUDED
Meals/beverages not listed, Passport and Visa fee, Gratuities for tour manager, coach driver, hotel housekeepers, personal items such as internet Wi-Fi charges and phone calls.
TRIP INSURANCE
Cancellation, Interruption and Medical Insurance, learn more about the benefits,coverage and limitations of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan
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