Day 1 • Depart USA
Enjoy your overnight flight to Berlin with dinner en route.

Day 2 • Berlin, Leipzig
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 • Wittenberg, Leipzig
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 visit the beautiful city of Leipzig, Bach's city, and a visit to St. Thomas Church where Bach was choir master and organist.

Day 4 • Eisleben, Eisenach, Wartburg Castle
Leaving Leipzig we visit Eisleben 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 Eisleben. 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. Our day continues 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. Your day will end at a restful hotel, where a well deserved supper and lodging for the next two nights awaits.

Day 5 • Heidelberg, 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.

Day 6 • Rothenberg on the Tauber, Augsburg
This morning, one of the highlights of your trip will be a visit to the best preserved Medieval town in all of Europe, Rothenberg. 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 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 Oberammergau region for the next two nights.

Day 7 • Passion Play
Your morning is free to enjoy the delightful village of Oberammergau with outstanding opportunities for photos and shopping. Lunch is provided by the Oberammergau Committee. This afternoon and evening we enjoy the Passion Play production. The play depicts the story of Christ's Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the resurrection and transfiguration, a moving and spectacular experience. Each performance starts at 2:30 pm and ends approximately 10:30 pm, with a three-hour dinner break/intermission from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Day 8 • Constance, Zurich
Traveling westward brings 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 its 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 Switzerland, you will stop near Schaffhausen to view the Rhine Falls, the most powerful waterfalls in Germany. Overnight in Zurich.

Day 9 • Milan
This morning, we travel southward through the Alps to Milan. Tour the Duomo of Milan that is the fourth largest church in the world.  Also, pending availability, visit Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper at the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.  Overnight in Milan.

Day 10: Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s David & Free Time
Travel from Milan to Florence you will spend the afternoon enjoying a guided tour of Florence, one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals, which will include the Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry and a visit to the Accademia Galley, home of Michelangelo’s David. A stop will also be made on the hillside overlook across the river from Florence where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape. There will be time at leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Pont Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno River. Remember that Florence leather shops are the best in the world and bargains on excellent quality goods are abundant. It may be the time to purchase those special Christmas gifts.

Day 11: Assisi
After breakfast travel through scenic Tuscany and Umbria to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi. After lunch on your own, you will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful, medieval town, which will include the Basilica San Francesco, decorated with some of the most renowned frescoes in the world. Later this afternoon, we travel on to Rome.         

Day 12: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter Basilica (including the Scavi,) Scala Santa
After breakfast you will begin a full day of site seeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the traditional site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. The practice today is to climb the steps on your knees, stopping to pray on each step.   Additional sites include the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus and the beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake.
 
Day 13:  Basilicas, Catacombs
Tour the three other major basilicas of Rome.  You will get a full history and walk around St. Mary major, St Paul Outside the Walls, and St. John in Laterno. We conclude our day at the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries. 

Day 14: Home
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight home.