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10 Day
Germany & Switzerland Reformation Tour
May 11-20, May 18-27, June 1-10,
June
15-24, July 6-15, August 3-12,
August 31-September 9, September 14-23,
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 full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodies flight to
Frankfurt.
Day 2: Arrive
Frankfurt - Heidelberg (2 Nights)
You will be mete at the airport by your tour manager and transferred to
your hotel in the Heidelberg area, one of the oldest university towns in
Germany. This afternoon we will explore the winding streets of the Old
Quarter.
Day 3: Day Trip
to Heidelburg & Worms
Today our touring surrounds this historic city. Heidelberg, ancient
capital of the Palatinate and home of Germany's oldest university, was
most importantly, 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 Heidelburg.
Day 4:
Heidelburg
- 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. Overnight in Augsburg for the
evening.
Day 5: 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 6: 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 7: Constance, Zurich (3 Nights)
Departing later in the morning we Travel westward bringing us to a
resort town on the border of Germany and Switzerland, Constance. Some
historians suggest that it is here that the Reformation actually got
it's start in 1415, with the execution of Bohemian reformer John Huss.
You will see the house in which he faced his accusers and the place just
outside the main town where he was burned at the stake. On the way to a
new country on the tour, Switzerland, you will stop near Schaffhausen to
view the Rhine Falls, the most powerful waterfalls in Germany. This is
definitely a "Kodak moment". Overnight in Zurich.
Day 8: Zwingli's
Zurich, Lake Lucerne
Zurich is definitely a combination of the old and the new. It is divided
(as are many European cities) into the modern cosmopolitan district and
the Auld Stadt (old city). Most of the time during your stay will be
spent seeing the sights connected with Ulrich Zwingli. It was in Zurich
where the Reformed branch of the Reformation got its start under his
leadership beginning in 1520. Today you will see his monument, the
church where he was pastor (the Grossmunster), and the Guild Hall and
Museum in which you will find artifacts and works of art associated with
the Reformation. Zurich is also the origin of the Swiss Brethren
Anabaptist Movement. It had its start in the home of Felix Manz in 1525.
Its location is a few blocks from Zwingli's church. This afternoon you
are free for some independent shopping before dinner.
Day 9: Day Trip
to Lucerne
This morning we travel to lovely Lucerne for a fjord-like lake cruise
and free time in the historic cobblestone shopping district to shop for
watches. We also enjoy a brief walking tour of historic Lucerne
displaying medieval heritage every step of the way. See the impressive
city walls, the famous covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses
lining cobbled streets, and Thorwaldsen's masterful Lion Monument. We
have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the main streets of
Lucerne before our drive back to Zurich. En-route we take a leisure
drive through picturesque landscapes before arriving for our final
overnight.
Day 10: Depart Zurich for USA.
Arrival back in our home town is scheduled for mid-afternoon.
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Approximate Price Per Person
(double occupancy):
Pricing confirmed Summer 2008
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Dates |
Approximate Land &
Air |
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East Coast |
Central |
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West Coast |
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May, September,
October |
$3909.00 |
$4013.00 |
$4084.00 |
$4152.00 |
$4265.00 |
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June, July,
August |
$4396.00 |
$4500.00 |
$4569.00 |
$4640.00 |
$4710.00 |
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Limited Space - Reserve Today:
Pilgrim Tours 800.322.0788
Reservation Form
Pilgrim Policies
Insurance Info
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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, 8 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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