Day 1: Departure
Depart from the USA for our overnight transatlantic flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

Day 2: Frankfurt, Erfurt (B, D)
Upon our early morning arrival in Frankfurt, our European Tour Director will greet and escort us to our waiting deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach. We travel north and east, through the German countryside, past the remnants of the former East German border and into the “Lands of Luther”. On arrival in Erfurt we freshen up from our flight and then stroll the old town center. Tonight, we are invited to a special welcome dinner and orientation. We'll stay in the Augustian Monastery where Luther lived for many years (subject to availability).

Day 3: Eisenach, Erfurt (B)
This morning we’ll drive to nearby Eisenach for a guided tour of the magnificent Wartburg Castle, where Luther took refuge while he translated the New Testament into the German language. We’ll have time to see the Bach Museum before we return to Erfurt. It was here that Luther obtained a degree in 1502 and a doctorate in the faculty of philosophy in 1505. In Erfurt he took the decisive step to turn to theology and the monastic life when he was caught in a violent thunderstorm nearby and took a vow to become a monk. We’ll join our Tour Director for a walking city tour including St. Mary’s Cathedral where Luther was ordained as a priest, the Augustinian Monastery where Luther lived as a monk and the Medieval Kramer Bridge on which 33 dwellings are built. We will have time to enjoy the lovely restored market place before we set out for an independent dinner at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the market square. We'll enjoy a second night in the Augustinian Monastery (subject to availability).

Day 4: Erfurt, Mansfeld, Eisleben, Quedlingburg (B, D)
This morning, we’ll head north to Lutherstadt Eisleben. We’ll stop at Mansfeld where Luther’s parents were born and where Luther lived as a youth. Upon arrival in Eisleben, we’ll join our Tour Director for a city tour including the houses where Luther was born in 1483, and where he died in 1546. Other points of interest in Eisleben are St. Peter’s Church where Luther was baptized and St. Andrews Church where Luther preached his last four sermons and where his body was laid in state. This afternoon, we’ll travel to beautiful Quedlinburg in the Harz Mountains. Listed by Unesco as a world cultural heritage site, Quedlinburg is surely one of the most beautiful towns in all of Europe. The town is still in its original condition with over 1,000 timber-framed buildings still existing today. We’ll stroll through the maze of cobblestone streets up to the castle and church of St. Severatii where empress Theophano ruled over 1,000 years ago. Most interesting here are the world famous “Treasures of Theophano” including an alabaster urn said to be one of the urns used by Jesus during the miracle of Cana. How did it get here? You’ll find out… Our hotel this evening has been reconstructed in an original 16th century timbered house.Dinner and overnight in Quedlingburg.

Day 5: Wittenberg (B)
Following breakfast, we’ll depart Quedlinburg and travel to Lutherstadt Wittenberg home to the most historic sights of Luther’s life and work. We’ll tour the inspiring Castle Church, and the historic "Theses Doors", the beautiful "Stadt Kirche" with its marvelous Cranach Altarpiece, and the Lutherhalle, home to the largest collection of Reformation artifacts in the world. We’ll have time to walk through the historic places where Martin Luther and his fellow reformers lived, taught and preached. This evening we’ll attend the weekly service of the Wittenberg English Ministry in one of the historic churches where Luther himself preached. Overnight in Wittenberg.

Day 6: Wittenberg, Berlin, Wittenberg (B)
Today we’ll take a short drive to the “new” capital of united Germany, exciting Berlin. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Berlin with highlights such as the City Center with the Kaiser Wilhelm Church, the Bauhaus Museum, Nikolai Quarter, Unter den Linden, Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Charlottenburg Palace. We’ll stop at the magnificent Pergamon Museum to see the outstanding collections of Grecian and Babylonian art and architecture. Time free for shopping in the afternoon and a visit to the world famous food stalls at KaDeWe. Return for a second overnight in Wittenberg.

Day 7: Coburg (B, D)
We continue today to the medieval city of Coburg where we will visit the famous Veste Coburg, the fortress where Luther took refuge and lived during the Augsburg Confession. Visitors to the castle will be able to see the Luther Room, the art treasures in the various collections and the royal building with the Luther Chapel. Next we take a short drive to Roedental to visit the world famous Goebels Porcelain Factory where the charming Hummel figurines are created. (optional) Dinner and overnight in Coburg.

Day 8: Rothenburg (B)
After breakfast, we leave Coburg for a drive to another wonderful medieval town, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We join our Tour director for a walk through Rothenburg. See the Rathaus, the Glockenspiel and St. Jakobkirche’s famous altar carving by Tilman Riemenschneider, the Castle Gardens. Afternoon free to stroll the cobblestone lanes with their wonderful variety of shops and inns. Kathe Wolfahrt’s year-round Christmas Village is a must. Walk along the medieval walls that encircle the town, or just relax before joining some new friends for a nice dinner on your own. Overnight at the Meistertrunk Hotel (or similar), in Rothenburg.

Day 9: Bavarian Alps (B)
Today we follow the “Romantic Road” past the quaint and medieval towns of Dinkelsbuhl amd Nordlingen as we make our way into the heart of Bavaria and the magnificent Alpine villages of Fussen, Neuschwanstein , Garmisch-Partinkirchen and Oberammergau. We’ll have time to stroll the old streets lined with the famous painted houses of Oberammergau and shop in the famous wood carving studios.Overnight in Oberammergau, Garmisch Partinkirchen or nearby.

Day 10: Alpine Castles (B)
This morning after breakfast we are off to King Ludwig’s famous castles and Linderhof and Neuschwanstein. We'll visit King Ludwig’s spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, nestled in the Bavarian Alps first. In route, we’ll stop to visit the Weiskirche, “The Church on the Meadow”. Then, it’s off to the Linderhof Castle, with its ornate suites and Venus Grotto. Some free time this afternoon for a ride to the top of “Zugspitz” Overnight in Garmisch or nearby.

Day 11: Munich (B,D)
We leave this morning and drive down to Munich. Our first stop will be at the nearby Concentration Camp and Memorial at Dachau. Our visit here is a sobering but important experience as we witness firsthand the atrocities of the Nazi regime. Our afternoon will continue in a more festive atmosphere as we enter Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Our orientation drive of this lively city, begins with the Old Pinakothek Museum, Olympia Tower and Stadium, BMW Tower, Nymphenburg Palace, Deutsches Museum, the Marienplatz, the Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel. This afternoon we’ll have time for some shopping or additional sightseeing before we meet for dinner and authentic Bavarian entertainment at the famous Hofbrauhaus. Overnight in Munich.

Day 12: End of tour (B)
Following breakfast ,our motorcoach takes us to Munich airport for our return flight home.

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