Our Great Heritage Reformation Tour
Lutherhalle Museum Zwichau Wartburg Castle Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber Salzburg Munich
Wittenberg
We invite you to join us on a tour that explores “Our Great Heritage” with stops at Reformation era sights in Wittenberg, Zwickau, Erfurt, and Eisenach.
Our tour host, Rev. Justin Dauck, currently serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Plymouth, Nebraska, as well as Christ Lutheran Church, in nearby Beatrice. He resides in Plymouth with his wife, Beth, and their four children. Before coming to Plymouth, Justin served congregations in South Dakota and taught at Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), a preparatory high school in Saginaw. As part of his Seminary training, Justin vicared (interned) at Open Bible Lutheran Church on the Ft. Apache reservation in Arizona and assisted the missionary to the Lutheran Church of Cameroon.Justin also serves on the board of directors for the WELS Historical Institute and enjoys digging into our Lutheran history. This interest has led him to previous visits to the “Luther lands.” He also helped to plan and chaperone a trip for high school students in German class at MLS in 2012. While much of what we do is looking back on this tour, we will also learn more about how the Gospel continues to be proclaimed and spread through the work of our sister church in Germany, the Evangelische Lutherische Frei Kirche (ELFK). Our Sunday in Zwickau will include a worship service at one of our sister congregations, a tour of the city and its Reformation history, as well as time spent with brothers and sisters in Christ.
The final days of our tour include a survey of history and culture with a stay in the medieval village of Rothenburg, a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp, an overnight in Salzburg, Austria, and two nights in Munich before departure back home.
Trip Itinerary
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Thursday, July 25, 2024: Overnight flights
Our journey begins as we board our international flight to Berlin, Germany. A pre-tour night is available in Berlin if you’d like to rest after the journey. (IF)Day 2: Friday, July 26, 2024: Berlin
Upon our early morning arrival in Berlin, we meet our tour leader and coach driver and pick-up early arrivals. We begin with a panoramic tour of the city with photo stops. 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 changes since reunification. We will stop to visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum then continue on to Wittenberg, where we’ll dine in our hotel. (B/D)Day 3: Saturday, July 27, 2024: Wittenberg
A full day in Wittenberg, where the Reformation officially began in 1517 awaits us. A local guide will join 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. The tour also includes St. Mary’s Church and 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. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)Day 4: Sunday, July 28, 2024: Zwickau
We will have a leisurely drive to Zwickau this morning, which was the first city after Wittenberg to adopt the Reformation. Our tour will include Zwickau Cathedral (St. Mary’s), the Dr. Martin Luther School, the Priest Houses, and the ELFK bookstore. During leisure time, there’s the option to visit the Robert Schumann House or the August-Horsch Museum which showcases 115 years of car manufacturing, including Audi and Trabant. We will dine in Zwickau with invited guests. (B/D)Day 5: Monday, July 29, 2024: Erfurt
After breakfast we will drive through the Thuringian countryside to Erfurt where we will 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 the monastery in Erfurt this evening and soak up the atmosphere of this historic city. (B/D)Day 6: Tuesday, July 30, 2024: Eisenach, Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber
This morning we will visit nearby Eisenach, for a tour of the Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament into German. In the afternoon we will travel to 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 a Night Watchman’s tour. (B/D)Day 7: Wednesday, July 31, 2024: Romantic Road, Dachau, Salzburg
We’ll the board the coach and drive the Romantic Road past the medieval towns of Dinkelsbühl and Noerdlingen. We’ll make a stop at Dachau, where we’ll tour the Concentration Camp and prayerfully remember those who were interned. We’ll then continue on to Salzburg where we’ll have a special dinner with music. (B/D)Day 8: Thursday, August 1, 2024: 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 visit Berchtesgaden and board a local bus for a ride up the Kehlstein Strasse to Hitler’s Nest. There is a spectacular view into Austria. We can also enjoy coffee or an ice-cream in the cafe. We’ll end the day at our final hotel in Munich. (B/D)Day 9: Friday, August 2, 2024: Munich
This morning we will 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”. The afternoon is at leisure, before we conclude 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 10: Saturday, August 3, 2024: Departure
Our motor coach takes us to Munich airport for our return flight home.Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
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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!
Wittenberg, Germany
July 26-28, 2024
Best Western Hotel Soibelmanns
Collegienstraße 56-57
06886 Lutherstadt WittenbergZwickau, Germany
July 28-29, 2024
Best Western Hotel Plaza
Olzmannstraße 57
08060 ZwickauErfurt, Germany
July 29-30, 2024
Augustinian Monastery
Augustinerstrase 10
99084 ErfurtRothenburg, Germany
July 30-31, 2024
Hotel Rappen
Vorm Würzburger Tor 10
91541 Rothenburg ob der TauberSalzburg, Austria
July 31-August 1, 2024
Hotel am Mirabellplatz
Mirabellplatz 8
A-5020 SalzburgMunich, Germany
August 1-3, 2024
Maritim Hotel
Goethestraße 7
80336 Munich -
Arrival and Departure Transfers
Transfers are automatically included if we have booked your flights.
If you have booked your own flights, we can still provide transfers, as long as we have your flight details on file and a phone number to give to the driver. We will include your transfer information in your final packet. Transfers will be arranged for each arrival, so that you won’t have to wait for other tour members if their flight is delayed. Transfers can be arranged for the day of your choosing, but we can’t arrange transfers if you arrive or depart by train.
Please note that individual transfers are booked through a third-party and you will be responsible to communicate with the company in case of delays.
Flight Information
Various flight booking options are available for this tour, including group air.
Option 1: We will reserve group air flights if we have 10+ flying from the same airport.
Option 2: You may request a flight quote from us when the tour is a guaranteed departure by filling out this form. Payment is due at the time of booking.
Option 2: You may book your own flights, making sure you land in Berlin on the morning of Friday, July 24, 2024 no later than 10:00 AM. If you would prefer to arrive earlier, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel night in Berlin. You are welcome to depart from Munich at any time on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Please send us a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it. Please note that if you would like to use air miles you will need to book directly with the airline.
What’s included in the land price of $3,299?
*Price based on a minimum of 20 participants.
Your Tour Includes
• 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
• Group arrival and departure transfers
• All taxes and tips, except as indicated below
• Full color tour book
• Personalized travel appYour Tour Does Not Include
• Round-trip air transportation
• Individual arrival and departure transfers
• Single supplement ($500)
• 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 (options available)
• Gratuities for the tour director and driverPayment Schedule
The deposit of $350 per person is due at the time of booking and can be paid online.
• Final invoices will be sent in March 2024
• Final payment is due by April 25, 2024
• Reservations will be accepted after April 25, 2024 subject to availabilityCancellation
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. All cancellations must be in writing and the date of postmark will determine the amount of refund due. 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. Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended.
Cancellation penalties:
• Up to 12 weeks prior to arrival: $100 per person
• 12-8 weeks prior to arrival: $350 per person
• 8-6 weeks prior to arrival: 25% of land costs + any non-refundable land and air deposits
• 6-4 weeks prior to arrival: 50% of land costs + any non-refundable land and air deposits
• 4 weeks prior to arrival: No refund + any non-refundable land and air depositsReformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary.
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Click on the map to see a larger version. The numbers refer to overnights in these locations.