Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

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

Day 1: Arrival
Our journey begins as we board our international flight to Berlin, Germany. IF

Day 2: Berlin
Upon our early morning arrival in Berlin, we meet our tour leader and coach driver. We begin with a tour of the city. We’ll see the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively boulevards. This city has undergone momentous change in the 25 years since reunification. We will stop to visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum then have the afternoon free to relax before our welcome dinner at our hotel this evening. B/D

Day 3: Berlin, Leipzig, Wittenberg
After breakfast we drive to Leipzig, the city where the “freedom march” began. We’ll see both the St. Nicholas church and the St. Thomas church where Bach was the organist. We will also visit the seminary of our sister church, the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church. We’ll end the day in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, our home for the next two nights. B/D

Day 4: Wittenberg
A full day in Wittenberg, where the Reformation officially began in 1517 awaits us. A local guide joins us for a tour of Lutherstadt-Wittenberg beginning at the site where Luther posted his 95 Theses. Although the original door was destroyed in a fire, the replica has all 95 Theses in bronze, which is magnificent. Next we tour the Lutherhalle (Luther House) Museum. In 1508, when Martin Luther came to Wittenberg, he lived here with other Augustinian Monks. Later, Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, raised six children here. We’ll dine this evening in a local restaurant and ask local pastors to join us. B/D

Day 5: Eisleben, Erfurt
After breakfast we stop in Eisleben, where Luther was born and also where he died. It’s sometimes referred to as his Bethlehem and Jerusalem. We’ll visit both these homes, as well as St. Anne’s, an old miner’s church famous for the Biblical Scenes hewn in stone. Then we drive through the Thuringian countryside to Erfurt where we tour the Augustinian Monastery in which Luther lived six years as a monk. We will have time to stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, and walk across the famous Krämer Bridge. We will stay in Erfurt this evening and soak up the atmosphere of this historic city. B/D

Day 6: Eisenach, Erfurt
This morning we take a day-trip to nearby Eisenach for a tour of the Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament into German. Afterwards we drive to the city center and have a special communion service in St. George’s Church, where Luther sang and worshipped as a teenager and where J.S. Bach was baptized. We’ll enjoy hearing about the authentic instruments in the Bach Museum. In the afternoon we’ll return to Erfurt for some free time. We’ll have the opportunity to dine independently at a restaurant of our choice this evening. B

Day 7: Coburg, Rothenburg
This morning we 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 nowadays will be able to see the Luther Room, the art treasures in the various collections and the royal building with the Luther Chapel. We’ll end the day in Rothenburg, a well-preserved medieval city, with ramparts, a city gate and town hall. Perhaps the most famous town on the “Romantic Road”, Rothenburg is indeed a jewel. It is a nearly intact medieval walled-city without a single modern building within. We enjoy a meal together at our hotel in this wonderful city, followed by the Night Watchman’s tour. B/D

Day 8: Romantic Road, Oberammergau
We begin the day with some free time to explore this storybook town. We’ll the board the coach and drive the Romantic Road past the medieval towns of Dinkelsbühl and Noerdlingen and on to the beautiful Bavarian village of Oberammergau. The Thirty Years’ War and the plague of 1632 threatened to wipe out the local population. The survivors made a pledge that they would perform a passion play every 10 years and no further deaths occurred. We’ll overnight in this delightful village. B/D

Day 9: Bavarian Alps and Castles, Salzburg
This morning we’ll visit King Ludwig’s spectacular Linderhof Castle, nestled in the Bavarian Alps, near Oberammergau. This afternoon, it’s off to the Eagle’s Nest where we’ll have a fabulous view of the Alps. We’ll overnight in Salzburg. B/D

Day 10: Salzburg, Munich
We have a walking tour of Salzburg this morning. Our tour includes the Mirabel gardens, a walk over the river, the Cathedral, a walk through the cemetery where a famous American general is buried, the Mozart statue and the Getreidegasse, the major shopping street in Salzburg. In the afternoon we will travel to Munich for overnight. Dinner will be at our hotel tonight. B/D

Day 11: Munich
This morning we take an orientation tour of the main sights of Munich. We’ll drive by the Olympic Stadium, Nymphenburg Castle, the New and Old Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum and we’ll take a walk to Frauenkirche, the New City Hall, Marienplatz and the famous “Glockenspiel”. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, we can either visit Dachau or have free time for shopping. Tonight we celebrate the conclusion of our tour with a traditional Farewell Dinner at the famous “Hofbräuhaus”. It is time to reminisce about the places visited and the new friends we’ve made along the way. Our final overnight is in Munich. B/D

Day 12: Departure
Our motor coach takes us to Munich airport for our return flight home.

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!

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.