Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner

Day 1: Wednesday,: Flight to Berlin
We will set off from the USA on our overnight flights to Berlin, Germany.

Day 2: Thursday: Berlin
Our Tour Director will meet us at the airport and escort us to our waiting luxury air-conditioned bus. We will begin our time in Germany with a chance to relax after the flight in a centrally-located café. In the afternoon, we will explore Berlin on a bus orientation tour, including the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust memorial, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively boulevards, with photo stops at key places. After checking into our hotel, we will enjoy our welcome meal. (D)

Day 3: Friday: Berlin
Today is a free day to explore Berlin at our leisure. Options include the Pergamon Museum, the Holocaust Museum, a World War II tour, or shopping. There will be an optional excursion to Sanssouci Palace and Gardens in Potsdam, the summer residence of Frederick the Great. This evening we can arrange tickets for a classical concert (price will vary) (B/D)

Day 4: Saturday: Wittenberg
This morning we will take a short drive to Wittenberg and meet our local guide who will take us on a tour of Wittenberg. It was here in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses and worked with Melanchthon to help forge Reformation Theology. Here the Cranachs painted now famous portraits of Luther. We will spend time in the Lutherhalle (Luther House) Museum, where Luther lived first as a monk, then later with his wife and children. We’ll be able to view some of Luther’s very own personal library, rare manuscripts, and early Bibles. The tour will also include Castle Church, Stadtkirche St. Marien (St. Mary’s church) where Luther preached and where his children were baptized and the Luther Oak where he burned the edict from Rome, condemning him as a heretic. During the day we will have a special service with the Wittenberg English Ministry. (B/D)

Day 5: Sunday: Erfurt
After breakfast, we will travel to Erfurt, then have free time for lunch and a stroll around this delightful medieval town. Our local guide will then 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 done when he lived there. At the end of the tour we will have a group worship service in the chapel. This evening we will dine in the “Luther Cellar” restaurant with a traditional meal from his time.  (B/D)

Day 6: Monday: Eisenach, Heidelberg
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. After free time for lunch, we will drive south to Heidelberg and check into our hotel, where we will stay for two nights. (B/D)

Day 7: Tuesday: Rhine Cruise, Heidelberg
Before we cruise on the Rhine River, we will take a cable car over vineyards to the Germania Monument with a gorgeous Rhine view, followed by a winery tour and tasting and visit to St. Hildegard Abbey. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a delightful and picturesque cruise from St. Goarshausen, past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley Rock to charming Rudesheim.  We will return to Heidelberg in the afternoon. (B/L)

Day 8: Wednesday5: Black Forest, Zurich
We will drive through the Black Forest area of Germany today, before crossing over into Switzerland. In Zurich, we will learn about Zwingli and the Anabaptists on a tour of the key Reformation sites. We’ll tour the Grossmünster, St. Peter’s Church, the Helferei (where Zwingli lived) and see the Zwingli Statue. We will overnight in Zurich’s delightful Old Town. (B/D)

Day 9: Thursday: Alps, Mürren
On our drive to our hotel in spectacular car-free Mürren, we will stop at the magnificent Trümmelbach Falls. The afternoon is free to either take a cable car to up the Schilthorn Mountain, visit nearby Wengen or relax in charming Alpine Mürren. (B/D)

Day 10: Friday: Geneva
We will take a leisurely drive to Geneva today, then enjoy a special tour of the home of the World Council of Churches and the United Nations Building. We will dine at our centrally-located hotel. (B/D)

Day 11: Saturday: Geneva
We will join our guide for a tour of the impressive Reformation Monument. We will also see St. Pierre’s Cathedral, where John Calvin preached. We can see his chair and a restored section decorated as it would have been before Calvin. For the hardy, it’s only 157 steps up to the top of the North Tower, where the view is worth the effort. Our final stop is an audio guide tour through the incredible Reformation Museum. Below the museum and the Cathedral, we can see the ruins of a Roman sanctuary, a 4th century basilica, and a 6th century church. The rest of the day is free before our farewell meal. (B/D)

Day 12: Sunday: Fly
Unfortunately we must say “Auf Wiedersehen” to Europe, and transfer to the Geneva 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.

What are accommodations like?

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!

Sample hotels

Berlin, Germany
Maritim Hotel
Stauffenbergstraße 26,
D-10785 Berlin

Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany
Luther Hotel
Neustrasse 7-10
D-06886
Wittenberg

Erfurt, Germany
Augustinian Monastery
Augustinerstasse 10
D-99084
Erfurt

Heidelberg, Germany
Bayerishche Hof
Rohrbacherstrasse 2
D-69115
Heidelberg

Zurich, Switzerland
Hotel Alexander
Niederdorfstrasse 40
CH-8025
Zurich

Grindelwald, Switzerland
Hotel Eiger
Dorfstrasse
Im Tuftli
CH-3818
Grindelwald

Geneva, Switzerland
Hotel Royal Manotel
43 Rue de Lausanne
CH-1201
Geneva

If you are interested in a quote for your group, please CLICK HERE to tell us more about your tour requirements or call (800) 303-5534.