Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Bonhoeffer House Sansouci Palace, Potsdam Lutherhalle Museum Leipzig Merchant's Bridge, Erfurt Augustinian Wartburg Castle Nuremberg Munich Neuschwanstein Castle
Berlin
Wittenberg
Monastery
Erfurt
“In the Footsteps of Luther and Bonhoffer” is a 14-day tour from Berlin to Munich that follows the stories of Martin Luther’s Reformation and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s struggle against Hitler’s Nazi dictatorship. The tour hosts are Kyle and Colleen Jantzen. Kyle is Professor of History and Program Chair (History) at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner
Day 1: Sunday, July 28, 2019: Flight
Our journey will begin with overnight flights to Berlin. (IF)
Day 2: Monday, July 29, 2019: Berlin
On arrival in Berlin, we will have private transfers to the hotel and meet Kyle and Colleen, our tour directors. In the afternoon we will have a bus orientation tour including the KW Memorial Church, Tiergarten, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Brandenburg Gate. We will dine together in our hotel this evening. (IF/D)
Day 3: Tuesday, July 30, 2019: Berlin
Today’s tour will focus on World War II history in Berlin, with visits to the Bonhoeffer House, the German Resistance Memorial Center, Topography of Terror and the Martin Luther Memorial Church. The evening will be at leisure. (B)
Day 4: Wednesday, July 31, 2019: Potsdam, Wittenberg
We will tour Potsdam today, including the House of the Wannsee, the Dutch Quarter, Cecilienhof and Sanssouci. We will end the day in Wittenberg and dine together in our hotel. (B/D)
Day 5: Thursday, August 1, 2019: Wittenberg
We will have a free morning to explore Wittenberg at leisure. In the afternoon, our city tour guide will take us to the Lutherhalle, St. Mary’s, and the Castle Church. We will join the Wittenberg English Ministry service and dine in the restaurant of our choice this evening. (B)
Day 6: Friday, August 2, 2019: Leipzig
We will drive to Leipzig and attend the service of the Nail Cross at noon, followed by lunch in Auerbachs Keller. The afternoon will be at leisure with the option of attending the motet concert at 6 PM. (B/L)
Day 7: Saturday, August 3, 2019: Leipzig
Today we will explore one of Europe’s flourishing trade and commercial centers during the Middle Ages which became the center of resistance to Communist rule a quarter century ago. Here we will have the privilege of visiting the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church), the home of the faithful “Pray for Peace” Christians, and the powerful force that transformed Germany’s East and West. In 1989, thousands of East Germans gathered by candlelight in this church to form human rights and pro-democracy demonstrations that led to the destruction of the infamous Berlin Wall and the dissolution of East Germany. Another Leipzig highlight will be our visit to Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church), where Luther preached and Johann Sebastian Bach performed and directed the famous St. Thomas Boys choir. (B/D)
Day 8: Sunday, August 4, 2019: Erfurt
After breakfast, we will travel to Erfurt, where we will have free time for lunch and a stroll around this delightful medieval town. Our local guide will take us on a tour including St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Severin’s Church and the famous Merchant’s Bridge. We will end at the Augustinian Monastery where Luther became a monk on July 17, 1505. We will be able to see his monastic quarters, including one cell furnished to look as it would have when he lived there. At the end of the tour, we will have a group worship service in the chapel. (B/D)
Day 9: Monday, August 5, 2019: Eisenach, Erfurt
In 1521, while fleeing from the wrath of the Pope, Luther took refuge in the Wartburg Castle after a fake kidnapping staged by his friend and protector, Frederick the Wise. We will tour the Wartburg and see where Luther finished translating the New Testament into German in just eleven weeks. Luther spent time in the nearby town of Eisenach as a school boy and sang in the choir of St. George’s Church, where the Bach family also worshiped. In the afternoon, we will visit Buchenwald, a Nazi concentration camp. The evening will be at leisure. (B)
Day 10: Tuesday, August 6, 2019: Coburg, Nuremberg
This morning we will head south to the lovely city of Coburg to visit the famous Veste Coburg, the fortress where Luther took refuge and lived during the discussion and writing of the Augsburg Confession. Visitors to the castle can see the Luther Room, the art treasures in the various collections, and the royal building with the Luther Chapel. Cranach the Elder painted the walls and ceiling of the festival hall with impressive hunting scenes. In the afternoon, we will hear more details about the dukedom of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha. Queen Victoria’s husband, Albert, was a member of this prestigious family. The walking tour will take us through the medieval old city to the Market Square with the Prince Albert Memorial. We will arrive in Nuremberg in time to dine in our hotel. (B/D)
Day 11: Wednesday, August 7, 2019: Nuremberg
We will focus on World War II history today, as we tour the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, and the Palace of Justice. The afternoon will be at leisure and options will include a visit to Albert Durer’s house, a gingerbread class, Nuremberg Castle and the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, which focuses on German culture. (B/D)
Day 12: Thursday, August 8, 2019: Munich
When we arrive in Munich, we will have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Nymphenburg Palace and the Pinakothek Museums, as well as see the historical center of Munich. This evening will be free to dine in the restaurant of our choice. (B)
Day 13: Friday, August 9, 2019: Ettal, Oberammergau, Neuschwanstein, Munich
Today’s day trip will be to Southern Bavaria. We will start with a visit to Ettal Abbey. Bonhoeffer wrote part of Ethics while he was here from 1940-41. We will continue to nearby Oberammergau, home of the Passion Play that has been performed regularly since 1664. In the afternoon, we will tour Neuschwanstein Castle, then return to Munich for our Farewell meal. (B/D)
Day 14: Saturday, August 10, 2019: Flight
We will transfer to Munich Airport for our return flights. (B)
Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
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!
Pre-tour nights are available. Please contact us for details!
Berlin, Germany
July 29-31, 2019
Mövenpick Hotel Berlin
Schönebergerstr. 3
10963 Berlin Mitte
Wittenberg, Germany
July 31-August 2, 2019
Luther Hotel
Neustraße 7-10
06886 Wittenberg
Leipzig, Germany
August 2-4, 2019
Radisson Blu
Augustusplatz 5-6
04109 Leipzig
Erfurt, Germany
August 4-6, 2019
Augustinerkloster
Augustinerstraße 10
99084 Erfurt
Nuremburg, Germany
August 6-8, 2019
NH Nuremberg City Center
Bahnhofstr. 17-19
90402 Nuremberg
Munich, Germany
August 8-10, 2019
Maritim Hotel München
Goethestraße 7
80336 München
Group flights will be available for this tour. We can either assist you with flights or you can book your own, once the tour is a guaranteed departure. Please ensure we have a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.
*Price based on a minimum of 25 participants.
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• All transfers, as a group
• Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below
• Round-trip air transportation
• Single supplement ($650)
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance (details sent with reservation form)
• Gratuities for tour director, and driver
• Deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Please send all checks to Reformation Tours, P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222.
• Final invoices will be sent in April 2019
• Final payment is due by May 14, 2019
• Reservations will be accepted after May 14, 2019, subject to availability
We offer coverage with the Professional Plan offered by Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company. We include $500 coverage in your tour price and you are welcome to upgrade to cover the full tour premium. The cost of the tour insurance is the tour cost (minus $500) x 6.14%. This will be automatically added to your invoice.
BENEFITS | TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE |
---|---|
Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% of Trip Cost |
Trip Interruption | Up to 150% of Trip Cost |
Trip Interruption (Return Air Only) | $750 |
Missed Connection | $500, after a 3+ hour delay |
Trip Delay | $200 a day, after a 6+ hour delay, up to $1,000 total maximum |
Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains | $500,000 |
Emergency Accident and Sickness | $50,000 max/$750 max for dental/ No deductible |
Security Assistance Services | $100,000 |
Baggage / Personal Effects - Lost, Stolen or Damaged | No deductible, $250 per article limit, combined limit of $500 for valuables, $1,000 total limit. |
Baggage Delay | $300, after a 12+ hour delay |
Accidental Death or Dismemberment 24 Hours | $10,000 |
Worldwide Travel Assistance, Business and Concierge Assistance | Included |
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Waiver (Must insure full, non-refundable cost of Trip) | Must be purchased within 21 days after your initial trip deposit. |
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs the following fees will apply, plus any non-recoverable expenses to our suppliers:
From time of deposit to until 100 days before departure: $100
From 99-15 days prior to departure: $350 plus any non refundable deposits
14 days or less prior to departure: No refund– Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour.
– Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period.
– For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply.
– Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found.
– Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.
We look forward to welcoming you on the tour.
You can fill out your reservations online by clicking the “Book Now” tab or click here to download the form.
You can either send a check made payable to “Reformation Tours” to P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222 or click here to pay by credit card.
We offer the Professional Plan by Roam Right Insurance, a division of Arch Insurance Company. We include $500 coverage in your tour price and you are welcome to upgrade to cover the full tour premium. The cost of the tour insurance is the tour cost (minus $500) x 6.14%. A quote will be automatically added to your invoice.
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P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222
Tel: (618) 222-9914
Fax: (618) 222-9917
Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
info@reformationtours.com
CST # 2093421-30