21 Day Tour  -  6 Countries

Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Austria, Switzerland, France

Day 1: Depart US
An overnight flight will bring us to Frankfurt, Germany by the next morning.  Meals are served on board.  

Day 2: Arrive Frankfurt
We arrive in Frankfurt where we are met by our tour bus and driven on a introductory city tour throughout Frankfurt, Germany.  During our city tour we will visit The Roemer (Town Hall), the seat of the Lord Mayor of Frankfurt. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to rest and prepare for rest of the tour. Dinner included. 

Day 3: Frankfurt - Eisenach - Erfurt
We depart Frankfurt this morning and drive through the wonderful German countryside to Eisenach, the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach.  We visit the formidable Wartburg Castle.  It was here that Luther, under “house arrest”, translated the New Testament into the German language in 1523.  Next we travel a short distance to Erfurt one of the most important landmarks on the "Luther Trail" in Germany and a city that boasts one of the most attractive medieval city centers in Germany, with patrician townhouses, half-timbered buildings, Europe's longest inhabited bridge, and enough churches to be called "The Rome of Thuringia." On arrival we take a short city tour and visit a one of the beginning steps of Luther’s reformation history, the Augustinian Monastery where Martin Luther took his vows as a monk in the church and lived in the cloister from 1505 to 1511. We overnight in Erfurt, Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 4: Erfurt - Eisleben - Leipzig - Berlin
Leaving Erfurt this morning we continue the Reformation Trail to Eisleben which is where Luther was born in 1483 and died in 1546.  We will visit the house of his birth and death, also St. Andrews Church where he preached his last sermon.  We also view the Luther Monument and St. Anne’s Church with the famous Biblical scenes hewn in stone.  A drive through the Thringian countryside brings us to Leipzig with a visit to St. Thomas Church.  This is where Johann Sebastian Bach was choirmaster and organist for 26 years.  We’ll see the beautiful Bach organ and maybe even hear the current organist practicing on this priceless pipe organ.  We travel to Berlin for overnight, Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 5: Half Day trip to Wittenberg
This is Martin Luther’s city.  He lived and taught here for 36 years.  You will visit the Castle Church and see the door where Luther posted his 95 Thesis, giving birth to the Reformation.  This beautiful church is also the burial site of Luther and Melanchthon.  We’ll view the university where Luther taught and visit the Luther House which is the greatest museum of Reformation History in the world.  This afternoon we return to Germany’s capital, Berlin.  We view the Olympic Stadium and visit the Pergamon museum to see the famous altar of Zeus from Pergamon, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Breakfast and Dinner included. 

Day 6: Berlin - Dresden - Prague
This morning we’ll see the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s greatest landmark and once part of the Berlin Wall and also visit Checkpoint Charlie, one-time border crossing before traveling on to Dresden. The remainder of the day you relax on our touring coach and enjoy the beautiful scenery of both Germany and the Czech Republic.  We make a short stop in Dresden where we view the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), ruin sight a reminder of the horrors of modern warfare. When we arrive in Prague the remainder of the day will be yours at leisure to explore the city or just relax in your hotel.  Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 7: Prague - Vienna
This is John Huss’ city.  A morning sightseeing tour takes us to the Royal Castle of Hradcany where we visit this historic Castle and into the old part of the city to view the Jewish Ghetto, Wallenstein Garden and other sights of this captivating city.  Reformer John Huss was educated at the University of Prague and became rector of the University.  A powerful preacher, from this pulpit John Huss began to reform the church and was burned at the stake as a result.  This afternoon we will drive to Vienna where we will check into our hotel.  Tonight you will feast on traditional Heurigen dinner in the charming suburb of Neustift.  Breakfast and Dinner included  

Day 8: Vienna
Today we will see the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Belvedere Palace, views of Prater amusement park, UN buildings and other vivid reminders of the city’s imperial history. We visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral the famous cathedral of Vienna. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to wander the streets of this wonderful city. Breakfast and Dinner included.   

Day 9: Day trip to Budapest
After breakfast we travel east, cross the border between Austria and Hungary, and reach Budapest. Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Our morning sightseeing tour includes all the main attractions:  the Parliament, Royal Palace, Castle Hill area, Coronation Church, Hero’s Square and Gellert Hill. We visit the Fishermans Bastion, a Medieval Castle whose walls were guarded by the guild of fishermen. In the afternoon you are free to explore Budapest on your own or just relax before returning to Vienna. 

Day 10: Vienna - Salzburg
Today we drive west through the beautiful hills and valleys of Austria.  Our destination is Salzburg, the city famous for its composers, operas, and The Sound of Music where a walking tour is featured.  We will arrive in time for you to relax before dinner. Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 11: Salzburg
Our sightseeing begins at a small memorial chapel in Oberndorf.  The original church on this site was where the favorite hymn, Silent Night, was first sung in 1818.  We return to the old, walled city of Salzburg, considered to be one of the most exquisite cities in Europe, After lunch, we’ll visit the hideout of the notorious Adolph Hitler, the Eagle’s Nest.  The excursion to the top of this infamous retreat is accessible by special bus up the mountains of Obersalzberg at Berchtesgaden.  The rest of the journey will be on foot via a 400 foot tunnel and another 400 feet up via elevator.  Breakfast and Dinner included.   

Day 12: Salzburg - Oberammergau - Hohenschwangau - Innsbruck
Today we will see the most beautiful scenery possible.  We’ll journey from Salzburg to Oberammergau, famous not only for its wood carving tradition and tromp d’oeil paintings but especially for its Passion Play, which has been held every decade for more than 367 years.   You’ll have time to shop for some wood carvings and Christmas items before we make our way to Hohenschwangau to visit King Ludwig’s fairy-tale castle, the model for Disneyland.  Then we cross some rugged mountains to Innsbruck. Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 13: Innsbruck - Vaduz - Zurich
This morning we tour the Alpine city of Innsbruck.  The Anabaptist faith spread rapidly in the Tyrol in the 1520’s although many followers deserted the area due to persecution.  Highlights of the area include a visit to Saint Jacob’s Cathedral, the famous “Golden Roof”.  After lunch we make our way to the tiny country of Liechtenstein and its capital city, Vaduz. After time at leisure we cross the border into Switzerland and Zurich, the most prominent Swiss city.  Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 14: Zurich - Zollikon - Lucerne
This is Ulrich Zwingli’s city.  Our tour of Zurich will be mainly of the old part of the city.  It was here that Felix Manz was martyred in the Limmat River.  We’ll visit the Grossmunster Church and its statue of Ulrich Zwingli, one of the most important Reformers.  Our guide will take us on a walking tour to see the many other attractions Zurich has to offer.  After lunch we travel to the tiny village of Zollikon.  We’ll visit the house where, on a cold January evening in 1525, the first Anabaptist congregation was founded.  We’ll also tour the Tauferhohle, also known as the Cave of the Anabaptists, where the congregation met during times of persecution.  Once in Lucerne we’ll see the impressive city walls, the famous covered wooden bridge, and Thorwaldsen’s masterful Lion Monument.  Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 15: Lucerne - Brienz - Grindelwald - Interlaken
Today we travel to Brienz where some of the most famous wood carvers in the world live and then to the panoramic village of Interlaken, enjoying the charming scenery along the way.  En-route we have a visit to the village of Grindelwald, also known as the “Glacier Village”.  From Grindelwald, we travel up and up via cog railway to the spectacular peak of the Jungfraujoch.  The view from 11,000 feet will take your breath away.  Return to Interlaken for overnight.  Today’s excursion will be etched upon your memory for a long, long time.  Breakfast and Dinner included. 

PLEASE NOTE:  THE COST OF MOUNTAIN EXCURSION IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE BECAUSE THIS TOUR IS BASED ON WEATHER CONDITIONS.  

Day 16: Interlaken - Montreux - Lausanne - Geneva
Today continuing on though Switzerland we arrive in Montreux, where we take some free time to explore the town and then continue with a visit to Chillon Castle, a massive castle situated on the edge of Lake Geneva. We then take a boat ride form Montreux across Lake Geneva to Lausanne where we continue to Geneva. Breakfast and Dinner included. 

Day 17: Geneva
Geneva is known as John Calvin’s city.  We begin our sightseeing with a visit to St. Peter’s Cathedral, where Calvin taught the doctrine that made him famous throughout the Protestant faith.  Other Reformation sites of interest we visit are Calvin’s Academy, the Reformation Monument and the Reformation Museum.  The remainder of the day you are free to explore Geneva at your leisure. Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 18: Geneva - Colmar - Strasbourg
We bid a fond farewell to unforgettable Switzerland and drive through the enchanting Black Forest area of Germany.  Our journey then takes us to France and the area known as Alsace.  With a stop at the quaint city of Colmar we see the work of Mathias Grunewald with a visit to the Unterlinden Museum.  We then make our way to Strasbourg, driving through some of the finest French wine country.  Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 19: Strasbourg
This is Martin Bucer’s city.  In the center of Western Europe, Strasbourg is the world headquarters for the House of Europe. We visit the single-spired Gothic Cathedral in the center of the old city as the cathedral features the impressive and unique Astronomical Clock.  We also view the University of Strasbourg, which features statues of all the great Reformers on the top of the building.  Strasbourg is also known as the city of Reformer Martin Bucer, who was the link between Luther and Calvin.  Perhaps the quaintest site we’ll visit is La Petite Strasbourg with its narrow streets and half-timbered houses.  We’ll also visit the Palais de Rohan and find a wonderful vantage point to get some beautiful pictures of the impressive city of Strasbourg.  Breakfast and Dinner included.  

Day 20: Strasbourg - Heidelberg - Worms - Mainz
After leaving Strasbourg behind, we’ll cross back into Germany and our first stop is the world-famous university city of Heidelberg, where Melanchthon studied.  We’ll visit Heidelberg Castle and view the old city before we drive on to Worms, an important city during the Reformation.  It was here that Martin Luther was tried for heresy.  We’ll visit the cathedral and view the monuments erected in memory of Luther.  Our final city of the day is Mainz where we visit the Gutenberg Museum.  It was here that Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type and printed the world-famous Gutenberg Bible.  Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 21: Depart for Home
We transfer this morning to the airport for our flight home, filled with memories of some of the most beautiful of God’s creation anywhere and with a new appreciation for the dedication and vigor of those reformers who sacrificed so much for the faith.