Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

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

Day 1: Sunday, July 17, 2016: Flights
We will depart the US today on our overnight flight from Omaha to Berlin, Germany (IF)

Day 2: Monday, July 18, 2016: Berlin
On arrival in Berlin, we will transfer to tour centrally-located 4-star hotel and have breakfast at the hotel. We will then have free time to explore Berlin. Our tour director Astrid will meet us in the hotel lobby in the early afternoon and take us on a panoramic tour of Berlin as an introduction to our Reformation tour, with photo stops. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (IF/D)

Day 3: Tuesday, July 19, 2016: Potsdam, Wittenberg
After breakfast, we will drive to Sanssouci Palace and Gardens in Potsdam, the summer residence of Frederick the Great and his retreat from the challenges of war and diplomacy. Sanssouci was built between 1745 and 1747, in an Italian Rococo style. The gardens were created by Peter Joseph Lenné, Prussia’s greatest landscape gardener. We will continue on to Lutherstadt-Wittenberg and dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 4: Wednesday, July 20, 2016: Wittenberg
Wittenberg was Martin Luther’s home for 30-plus years and the birthplace of the Reformation. We will enjoy a guided walking tour of Wittenberg this morning with costumed guides. We will visit the Luther House Museum, where Martin Luther and his family lived. This Reformation museum’s collection includes Luther’s desk, his pulpit, and first editions of his books. Nearby is St. Mary’s Church, a twin-towered gothic church where Luther preached the Reformation, got married (1525), and baptized his six children. We will go to the spot where Luther reputedly burned the Papal Bull, by which Rome condemned him as a heretic. In the Castle Church we will see Luther’s tomb and gather outside the doors where Luther posted his 95 Theses against the sale of indulgences—and launched the Reformation in 1517. We will have lunch in the Brauhaus Restaurant then an afternoon at leisure. We will meet up again at 4 pm for the Wittenberg English Ministry service. (Please note that some churches and museums may be closed in 2016 for renovations) (B/L)

Day 5: Thursday, July 21, 2016: Eisleben, Leipzig
Eisleben is where Luther was born and also where he died and it is sometimes referred to as his Bethlehem and Jerusalem. We’ll visit both these homes with our guide, as well as St. Anne’s, an old miner’s church famous for the Biblical Scenes hewn in stone. We will also visit St. Peter and St. Paul Church where Luther was baptized. We will then continue to Leipzig. Luther was here more than once, but Leipzig is really the town of Johann Sebastian Bach and he served as cantor in St. Thomas Church for 27 years. We will dine at our hotel. We can arrange tickets for anyone wishing to attend a concert this evening. (B/D)

Day 6: Friday, July 22, 2016: 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 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 is our visit to Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church), where Luther preached and Johann Sebastian Bach performed and directed the famous St. Thomas Boys choir. We will have lunch at one of Luther’s favorite places, the Auerbachs Keller restaurant, which dates back to 1525. The rest of the day is at leisure. There is an optional motet concert in St. Thomas’ Church at 6 pm. (B/ L)

Day 7: Saturday, July 23, 2016: Bastei, Dresden
On the way to Dresden we will take a tour through the scenic landscape  known as “Saxon Switzerland”. We will have a 3-course lunch in the Berghotel in Bastei with panoramic views. In Dresden we have a choice of touring the VW Manufacturing Plant or the Historic Green Vault. Both options end with a walking tour of the city, then we will check-in to our hotel. (B/L)

Day 8: Sunday, July 24, 2016: Dresden
This morning our bus will take us on an excursion to the magnificent Schloss Wackerbarth, including wine-tasting and lunch at the Castle.  On our return to Dresden, we have the option of attending Evensong (in German) at Germany’s largest Protestant church, the Frauenkirche, which has now been fully restored after being damaged during WWII. J.S. Bach was the first to play on the Silberman organ when the church was originally built.  (B/L)

Day 9: Monday, July 25, 2016: Erfurt
After breakfast, we will travel to Erfurt, where our local guide will take us on a tour including St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Severin’s Church and the famous Merchant’s Bridge. After time to purchase lunch, we will check-in to our hotel. Later in the afternoon, we will tour 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 join the service in the chapel. This evening we will dine in a local restaurant. We spend two nights in Erfurt. (B/D)

Day 10: Tuesday, July 26, 2016: 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. In the afternoon we will go to the Hainich Nature Park and enjoy the Canopy Walk in the Thuringian Forest. We will dine in our hotel in Erfurt. (B/D)

Day 11: Wednesday, July 27, 2016: Rothenburg
This morning we will drive through the Thüringian Forest to the wonderfully preserved medieval town of Rothenburg. We will begin with a walk along the city wall. Inside St. Jacob’s Church we will see the famous carved “Holy Blood Altar” by Tilman Riemenschneider. We will continue through the lower town gate into the area where the castle once stood. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax, browse stores like Käthe Wohlfahrt’s year-round Christmas store, or visit the local history museum which includes the oldest kitchen in Europe. We will dine at our hotel. (B/D)

Day 12: Thursday, July 28, 2016: Worms,  Mainz, Rudesheim
Our guide in Worms will take us to see the amazing Cathedral, followed by the site of Luther’s Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), now a park, with a plaque commemorating Luther’s brave stand for faith and truth. We’ll have a photo stop at the stunning Reformation Monument, followed by a visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity. We will continue on to Mainz where we will tour the Erzgebirge Palace, where we can purchase German handicrafts such as nutcrackers, candle arches and pyramids. We will end out day in the delightful town of Rudesheim, next to the Rhine, and dine in our hotel. (B/D)

Day 13: Friday, July 29, 2016: Marksburg Castle, Rudesheim
We will visit Marksburg Castle in Braubach, and be transported back to the Middle Ages when kings ruled, battles were fought just with swords, feasts abounded, and the common peasants had to pay for it all. Towering high on a hill overlooking the river, this castle is probably the most beautiful of its kind in Germany. We will then enjoy a delightful and picturesque cruise from St. Goarshausen, past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley Rock back to charming Rudesheim. We will have a farewell meal in a special restaurant this evening. (B/D)

Day 14: Saturday, July 30, 2016: Return
We transfer from the hotel to the airport for our flights. (IF)

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!

Pre-tour nights are available.  Please contact us for details!

Berlin, Germany
July 18-19, 2016
Hotel Residenz
Meinekestraße 9, 10719
Berlin

Wittenberg, Germany
July 19-21, 2016
Best Western Stadtpalais
Collegienstraße 56/57
06886 Wittenberg (Lutherstadt)

Leipzig, Germany
July 21-23, 2016
Victor’s Residenz Hotel
Georgiring 13, 04103
Leipzig

Dresden, Germany
July 23-25, 2016
Hotel Elbflorenz
Rosenstraße 36, 01067
Dresden

Erfurt, Germany
July 25-27, 2016
Victor’s Residenz Hotel
Häßlerstraße 17, 99096
Erfurt

Rothenburg, Germany
July 27-28, 2016
Hotel Rappen
Vorm Würzburger Tor 6-10, 91541
Rothenburg

Rudesheim, Germany
July 28-30, 2016
Central Hotel
Kirchstraße 6, 65385
Rudesheim

Flight Information

We have arranged group flights for this tour (see below). If you would like to travel independently please arrange to be in Berlin on the morning of July 18, 2016. If you would prefer to arrive early, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel night in Berlin. 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.

Flights with United ($1,775 per person)

What’s included in the land price of $2,699?

Price based on a minimum of 20 participants

Your Tour Includes

•   Land transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
•   Double occupancy accommodations in centrally-located 3 and 4 star hotels with good bus access.
•   Meals as indicated in the itinerary
•   Professional tour director  throughout the tour
•   Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
•   Entrance fees included as per itinerary
•   All taxes and tips except as indicated below

Your Tour Does Not Include

•   Round-trip flights from Omaha ($1,775 per person, including taxes and fees)
•   Single supplement $350
•   Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
•   Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for months beyond return date.
•   Passenger trip cancellation insurance ($280 per person)
•   Gratuities for tour manager, and driver

Payment Schedule

Please send all payments to Reformation Tours, P.O Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222. Please call (800) 303-5534 if you would like to pay by credit card (3% surcharge).

•   Deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour.
•   The second payment of $2,800 is due by March 3, 2016
•   Final invoices will be sent in April 2016
•   Final payment is due by May 3, 2016
•   Reservations will be accepted after May 3 2016, subject to availability, and will need to be paid in full

Insurance

Group insurance through MH Ross is available, which covers the land and approximate air cost. Payment is due with final payment. Alternative options will be available after this date for late sign-ups. Click here to read about the coverage.

The cost depends on the total cost of the tour:

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Rest assured we have very competent partners and take risk avoidance very seriously. We make every effort to give you worry-free travel that is safe and well orchestrated.

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