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13 Day
Germany & Austria
Reformation Tour
May 8-20, May 15-27, May 29-June 10,
June 12-24, July 3-15, July 31-August 12,
August 28-September 9,
September 11-23, 2010
Projected Dates, will be confirmed
Summer 2008
Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of
the group
Day 1: Depart
USA
Enjoy your overnight flight to Berlin with dinner en route.
Day 2: Arrive
Berlin -Leipzig (2 Nights)
Upon arrival this morning, we will be met and taken on a brief tour of
Berlin. View the remains of the Wall, drive by Brandenburg Gate and
other sights before continuing on to our lodging for the next two nights
in Leipzig.
Day 3: Day Trip
to Wittenberg
We begin today, the Reformation Trail to Wittenberg where
Martin Luther
lived and taught for 36 years. You will see the
Castle Church
door where Luther posted his
95 Theses,
giving birth to the Reformation. This beautiful church is also the
burial site of Luther. We see the university where Luther taught and
the Luther House which is the greatest museum of Reformation History in
the world. This afternoon we return to the beautiful city of Leipzig,
Bach's city, and a visit to St. Thomas Church where Bach was choir
master and organist.
Day 4: Leipzig -Eiselben
- Erfurt (1 Night)
Leaving Leipzig we visit Eisenben which is noted among the most
significant in Luther's history; he was born here in 1483 and died here
in 1546 and old manuscripts indicate that he felt a special affinity to
Eisenben. We will see the house of his birth and death, St. Andrews
Church where he preached his last sermon, the Luther Monument, and St.
Anne's Church with the famous Biblical scenes hewn in stone and many
other sites. Additional places of interest will be found in nearby
Erfurt, where Luther attended the university. A highlight will be the
Augustinian Monastery where he spent his early years as a monk. We will
overnight in Erfurt.
Day 5: Erfurt -
Eisenach - Coburg - Goetz - Wurzburg (2 Nights)
Our day begins in Eisenach, birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach. It was
here at the formidable Wartburg Castle that Luther, under "house
arrest", translated the New Testament into the German language in 1523.
We then tour on through scenic Thuringer Wald to view the fortress of
Coburg know as Veste, the place of Luther's imprisonment in 1530. Time
permitting; you may want to pay a visit to nearby Goetz Factory, where
the world famous Hummel figurines are made. Your day will end at a
restful hotel near Wurzburg, where a well deserved supper and lodging
for the next two nights awaits.
Day 6: Day Trip
to Heidelburg & Worms
This morning we travel on to one of the most charming cities in all of
the world - Heidelberg, ancient capital of the Palatinate and home of
Germany's oldest university. But most importantly, it was a stronghold
of German Reformed Protestants beginning in 1560. One of the great
confessional statements of the Reformation, the Heidelberg Catechism was
produced here in 1563. Heidelberg Castle, a most impressive historic
landmark of Germany, stands majestically overlooking the Neckar River.
The structure, now largely in ruins, preserves numerous examples of
Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque German architecture. Our next stop is
in Worms. It was here, during the
Imperial Diet
in 1521, that Martin Luther challenged the entire Roman Catholic
establishment by his refusal to recant the great doctrines of
Protestantism. It was also here that
William Tyndale
completed the printing of his English version of the New Testament in
1525 which he had begun in Cologne. After seeing St. Peter's Church and
the symbolic Luther memorial near the town square, we will return to our
lodging for the evening in Wurzburg.
Day 7: Wurzburg
- Rothenburg on the Tauber - Augsburg (1 Night)
This morning, one of the highlights of your trip will be a visit to the
best preserved medieval town in all of Europe, Rothenburg. What a
delightful day you will have visiting the quaint Rathaus (town hall)
with its tower, the Kriminal-museum, housing all manner of Medieval
instruments of torture and especially for the ladies, one of the most
fascinating Christmas stores you will ever see - Kathe's (pronounced
Katie's). After lunch you will travel south to the ancient city of
Augsburg. It was here in 1518 at St. Anne's Church that Luther met the
papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther submit to the
pope. Augsburg was also the site of another Imperial Diet (1530) at
which Protestants presented their confession, the foremost doctrinal
statement of the Lutheran church. In the town hall the Peace of Augsburg
was signed in 1555 ending for a time the religious wars in Germany
between the Catholics and the Protestants. We overnight in Augsburg for
the evening.
Day 8: Charming
Bavaria (2 Nights)
Continuing further south today, we stop at the Rococo-style Chapel in
the Meadow and Ludwig II's most luxurious former residence, the
Neuschwanstein Castle. This afternoon's adventure takes us to the little
hamlet of Eibsee where we climb into a modern cable car that will take
us to the summit of the tallest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze. Here
it snows year round, so you will need a sweater, but the panoramic view
will warm your heart. It is absolutely spectacular! We continue to the
charming town of Oberammergau, site of our Passion Play tomorrow.
Day 9: Passion Play
Today is dedicated to the Oberammergau, site of the famous Passion Play
and magnificently painted houses. This play, hundreds of years old has
lasted throughout time. We enjoy the lengthy program, spending the
evening nearby in one of the lovely housing locations available.
Day 10: Innsbruck to Salzburg (1 Night)
Departing Oberammergau in the late morning, we travel south into the
Alpine country of Austria for a visit to Innsbruck. Innsbruck is a gem
in the middle of Alps with wonderful scenery, extensive history and
numerous shops to explore. From here, travel to Salzburg, one of
Europe's most charming cities, admired equally for its magnificent
setting among the Alps and for its special fame in the world of music as
the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We have dinner and overnight
in Salzburg.
Day 11: Salzburg
to Vienna (2 Nights)
Following breakfast we explore the Baroque city forever associated with
both Mozart and the “Sound of Music.” A baroque jewel in a perfect
mountain setting on both banks of the Salzach River, the city and the
surrounding countryside are dominated by the magnificent Festung
Hohensalzburg, a 12th century fortress 500 feet above the town. We visit
the birthplace of Mozart, now a museum; also the 17th century
Residenzplatz, with its 40-foot high fountain; and the Benedictine Abbey
of St. Peter. This afternoon we travel to the nearby Mirabell Gardens,
scene of the Sound of Music, before having the rest of the day at
leisure for independent shopping and sightseeing. We set off traveling
east arriving in Vienna for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Vienna
Our sightseeing today begins with a visit to Hofburg Palace,
residence of the Hapsburgs and home of the famous Spanish Riding
School. We attend a morning training session of the beautiful and
famous white Lippizaner horses. We then continue to Schonbrunn Palace
to see the apartments occupied by emperor Franz -Josef. This afternoon
we continue by viewing some of the most important sights of Vienn via a
panoramic motorcoach tour: the Hofburg, former Imperial winter residence
and scene of the Vienna Congress; the Ringstrasse, with its magnificent
buildings such as the Opera House, National Museums, Parliament, the
Burgtheater, the University and the Votive Church; St. Charles' Church,
Vienna's most beautiful Baroque church; the Musikverein, Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra; and Belvedere Palace, which was built for Prince
Eugene, Commander of the Imperial Army. We return to our hotel where you
are free to explore at your leisure. We have dinner and our final
overnight in Vienna.
Day 13: Depart
Vienna for USA.
We travel to the airport for our flight home arriving back in our home
town today.
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Price Includes:
Roundtrip airfare
from JFK (discount airfare available nationwide), air taxes
(subject to change until ticketed), tourist class
accommodations, breakfast daily, 11 dinners, Passion Play tickets (Including housing,
breakfast, lunch & dinner, admission ticket to the Oberammergau Museum, playbook),
luggage handling in hotels
(1 piece per person), expert guide throughout, entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary, modern
transportation.
Not Included:
Gratuities, lunches, optional travel
insurance
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