Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

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

Day 1: Flight to Berlin
Our journey from Berlin to Munich by Rail will begin with an overnight flight to Berlin. Please contact us if you would like assistance in booking flights.  Early arrivals will be welcome to join Frank for an optional dinner at a local restaurant. (IF)

Day 2: Arrival Berlin
Upon our arrival at Berlin airport, we will take a transfer (included) to our hotel, where we will meet our host.  The afternoon will be at leisure. We will get to know our fellow travelers at the welcome meal this evening.  (B/D)

Day 3: Berlin
Following breakfast we will board our bus for a guided sightseeing tour in Berlin, including the Brandenburg gate, Reichstag Parliament, remnants of the Berlin Wall, as well as former Checkpoint Charlie.  We will have a leisurely afternoon with time for individual visits in museums, shopping, or an ice cream in one of the many cafés.  We will meet up again for dinner at a local restaurant.  (B/D)

Day 4: Wittenberg
We will take the regional Express this morning for our day-trip to Wittenberg, the cradle of the Reformation. Our local guide will take us on an orientation tour, including Castle Church, where Martin Luther posted the 95 theses, and the Town church, with its marvelous Cranach Altar.  We will also visit the Lutherhaus Museum, then have free time to visit the Melanchthon Museum or simply enjoy strolling the streets and getting some “Reformation atmosphere” in the town where Martin Luther and his fellows lived, taught, and preached. Dinner will be in Wittenberg before we take our train back to Berlin. (B/D)

Day 5: Leipzig, Erfurt
This morning we will board the InterCityExpress (ICE) high-speed train from Berlin to Leipzig. Our local expert guide will meet us at the station and take us on a walking tour of the city. Luther was here more than once, but Leipzig is really the town of Johann Sebastian Bach. He served as cantor in St. Thomas Church for 27 years. We will also admire the beautiful old city hall, which houses Katharina von Bora’s original wedding ring. We will continue our journey on a second IVC train to Erfurt in the afternoon.  Here, Luther took the decisive step to turn to theology and the monastic life when he was caught in a violent thunderstorm nearby and made a vow to become a monk.  We’ll join a local guide 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. (B/D)

Day 6: Wartburg Castle and Eisenach
Today’s day trip will be to nearby Eisenach.  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 at as school boy and sang in the choir of St. George’s Church, where the Bach family also worshiped. The afternoon will be free to explore the town or tour the Bach Museum and Luther House Museum. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure, before we return to Erfurt for dinner and a second overnight stay. (B/D)

Day 7: Nordhausen and Harzquerbahn
We will catch the Regional Express to the picturesque town of Nordhausen, where we will board the narrow-gauge Trans-Harz Railway (“Harzquerbhan” in German).  This steam train will take us from Nordhausen (184 m / 440 ft) up to the Brocken Mountain (1,125 m / 3,690 ft), crossing through small streets, magnificent bridges, and dark forests.  After a lunch break on the peak, we will make our way back downhill into Nordhausen, and take the Regional Express to our hotel in Göttingen, where we will dine at our hotel.  (B/D)

Day 8: ICE high speed to Nuremberg
The contrast could not be greater: After the historic steam travel experience of the previous day, we will travel on the InterCityExpress (ICE) high speed tracks via Kassel and Fulda, shooting through tunnels and over bridges straight to Nuremberg, reaching speeds up to 280 kmh/175 mph.  After check-in at our hotel, we will join a local guide for a tour of the city and its impressive Castle. (B/D)

Day 9: Nuremberg, Munich
We will enjoy the morning in Nuremberg for individual visits to museums or shopping (or to sleep in…).  Nuremberg is well known for its long tradition of toy manufacturing, which is honored in a nice toy museum.  Rail enthusiasts can visit the largest collection of heritage railway vehicles in the German Railroad museum.  Nuremberg was also the city where the Nazis held their party rallies in the 1930s, and the Documentation Center presents this history on the rally grounds where it occurred.  Later in the afternoon we will board another ICE train and speed into Munich for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

Day 10: Salzburg
Today we will have the opportunity to visit nearby Austria, on a day-trip to Salzburg, home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  We will meet our local guide at Salzburg station for a walking tour of this City of Music.  The afternoon will be free to enjoy the city independently and we will meet back at the station to return to Munich. (B)

Day 11: Munich
In the morning we will have the option of attending a service at an English-speaking church, or a free morning. In the afternoon, our local guide will take us on a walking tour of the Bavarian capital.  Our Farewell dinner will be in a typical Bavarian beer garden restaurant. (B/D)

Day 12: Return
A bus will take us to Munich airport for our home-bound flights. (B/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!

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.