Day 4 •Leipzig
Day 5 • Berlin
Day 7 • Rothenburg
Day 9 •Salzburg
Day 12 • Zurich
Day 14 •Heidelberg
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
This is the beginning of our adventure! We board our plane for our overnight flight over the Atlantic Ocean to Frankfurt, Germany. Dinner is served on board.
Day 2 • Frankfurt/Marburg
On arrival, we are met by friendly Signature Tours representatives who assist us to our motor coach that takes us north to Marburg for overnight. The Colloquy of Marburg met here in 1529, in which Luther, Oecolampadius, Melanchthon and Zwingli all participated. Martin Luther drew up the “Articles of Marburg”, which embodied the most important points of doctrine so that the colloquy could arrive at a degree of unanimity.
Day 3 • Marburg/Eisenach/Erfurt
After visiting Marburg and sensing the intensity of these Reformers, we pick up the trail of martin Luther, driving through what was once East Germany. On our way, we see St. Michael’s, the oldest church in Germany, built in 822 A.D. Stopping in Eisenach, we visit the Lutherhaus, where the Reformer stayed, and Wartburg Castle, where he was kept in hiding. It was here that he did his translation of the Bible. We continue on to Erfurt, the sites of missionary work of St. Boniface in 741 A.D. and the Augustinian monastery where Luther lived as a friar. Dinner and overnight are in Erfurt.
Day 4 • Erfurt/Leipzig/Eisleben/Wittenberg
Today, we travel to Leipzig. Leipzig is famous for its commercial importance, its battles, its beauty, and its natives, which included Wagner, Mendelssohn, and Bach. We visit the University where Luther had his momentous disputation in 1519. A short distance away is Eisleben, where Luther was born, was baptized, founded a school, and died. The Bible Institution of Castein (Halle) is known as the authority for revision of Luther’s Bibles; here in 1508, he received his appointment in philosophy. Continuing on to Wittenberg, we see the restored burial church of the Reformers and the Latin text of Luther’s 95 Theses, which he nailed to the door of All Saints Church in 1517, touching off the Protestant Reformation. Dinner and overnight are in Wittenberg.
Day 5 • Berlin
We have a full day of sightseeing in the recently reunited city. We see the eastern sector with its famous Unter den Linden Strasse, the Russian War Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate, the world famous Pergamon Altar, and the Museum. We visit what remains of “the wall,” and Checkpoint Charley, as we pass into the western sector. Next, we see Kurfurstendamm Strasse, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and the Olympic Stadium. Then we have free time on our own to walk, shop, or sightsee some more. We have dinner and stay the night in Berlin.
Day 6 • Berlin
Day 6 • Berlin/Bayreuth/Nuremberg
We drive southward today through the fertile plains outside Berlin to the Borde (rolling hill country) of mid-Germany, inhabited since pre-historic times. We pass the home of the Wagner Festival, Bayreuth, the Franconian town where composers Wagner and Liszt are buried. We continue on to Nuremberg, one of the most beautiful medieval cities of Germany, known for its half-timbered houses, toys, and gingerbread. Dinner and the night are in Nuremberg.
Day 7 • Nuremberg/Rothenburg/Augsburg/Munich
When we arrive in Rothenburg, we are indeed in the 16th century as we climb the walls and ramparts and walk the cobbled lanes to see the quaint little shops. Taking the Romantic Road, we drive to Augsburg, where in 1530, the Augsburg Confession was adopted. The city derives its name from Augustus Caesar who founded it in 14 B.C. We continue to Munich for dinner and the night.
Day 8 • Munich
Day 8 • Munich
In this Bavarian capital we visit the decorated baroque Nymphenburg Palace, the City Museum, the Frauenkirche, and Old Peter, Munich’s oldest parish church founded in 1169. Later, we go to nearby Dachau to see Hitler’s infamous concentration camp and museum. On our return to Munich we stop at the Olympic Stadium. This evening, with free time on our own, enjoy a walk in Marienplatz to browse or just to see the old original Hofbrau and the famous Glockenspiel. Dinner and overnight are in Munich.
Day 9 • Munich/Salzburg, Austria
This morning we drive along the beautiful Chiemsee (known as the Bavarian Sea) and the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. We stop at Herrin Chiemsee Island to view King Ludwig’s splendid castle. We then drive on to the Salzkammergut Lake region, world famous since “The Sound of Music” was filmed here. Arriving in Salzburg, we see Mozart’s birthplace, the Cathedral, Mirabel Palace and Gardens, and places associated with “The Sound of Music.” We visit Obersalzburg Fortress for a panoramic view of this lovely city and then have dinner and stay the night here.
Day 10 • Bertchtesgaden
Day 10 • Salzburg/Bertchtesgaden/Innsbruck
We travel into the high country today to Bertchtesgaden, Hitler’s mountain nest, in what many feel is the most beautiful corner of Europe. Nearby is the village of Au, with its citizens dressed in delightful old-time costumes. We continue to 800-year-old Innsbruck, a city of charm and vitality. Here we see Maria Theresa’s Golden Roof, the court palace and the church. After dinner you might enjoy a walk in this Bavarian resort area. Overnight is in Innsbruck.
Day 11 • Innsbruck/Lake Constance
As we drive through the tiny province of Liechtenstein, the Alpine scenery is fantastic. Later, we cross into Switzerland and drive along Lake Constance to the city rich in Reformation history. The famous Council of Constance convened here in 1414 – 1418, making it the hub of the then Christian world. Here John Huss, Precursor of Protestantism and hero of the Czech nation, was burned at the stake. We see the commemorative stone of his death and the Gasthaus, where Frederick Barbarossa signed the Peace of Constance in 1183. Dinner and the night are in Constance.
Day 12 • Lake Constance/Zurich/Basel/Freiburg
Today, we travel to Zurich, the financial center of Switzerland and a city of great beauty. We see the monument to Zwingli, the prophet, priest and influential politician during the Reformation period. We travel on to Basel, where the Confession of Faith of the Swiss Reformed Church was born in 1531. Our tour also includes the Tomb of Erasmus, who managed to challenge and sharpen the wits of Martin Luther and Uldreich Zwingli. We continue along the Rhine River to Freiburg, the capital of the Black Forest region and one of the most delightful cities of Germany. Here Martin Waldseemuller made the first map that called America by that name. We see the famous Gothic Cathedral that begun in 1122, the Merchants’ Hall, and the University. Dinner and the night are in Freiburg.
Day 13 • Neckar River
Day 13 • Freiburg/Heidelberg
We follow the Rhine northward to romantic Heidelberg, the “Student Prince” city. Here we have free time on our own to enjoy the rest of the day. Visit the fascinating castle ruins, take pictures from the bridge over the Neckar River, attend an open-air theatre performance, stroll down the Hauptstrausse, or hike up Philosopher’s Way. Dinner and overnight are in Heidelberg.
Day 14 • Heidelberg/Worms/Frankfurt
Worms is the capital of the Burgandians, and its history dates back before the Romans. Here Martin Luther made his celebrated defense before the Diet in 1521. His excommunication led to the birth of the Protestant Church. We see St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Luther monument and the Church of the Holy Trinity, with its baroque façade and interior modeled to commemorate the Lutheran Reformation. We are awed as we feel the depth of dedication that Martin Luther and the Reformers exhibited for their God and Church. We then travel to Frankfurt for dinner and the night.
Day 15 • Frankfurt/Hometown, U.S.A.
We take with us many unforgettable memories as we board our flight back to the U.S.