Day 1: Depart USA
Overnight flight to Europe.
Day 2: Arrive Berlin
Arrive in Berlin where we enjoy a inspirational guided tour of this fascinating city including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and many other sights. We spend the evening in Berlin.
Day 3: Wittenberg, Leipzig
We embark on the Reformation Trail today with a visit to Wittenberg where Martin Luther lived and taught for 36 years. You will see the Castle Church door area 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greatest museum of Reformation History in the world with a detailed history display of his life and accomplishments, historical documents and an outstanding collection of period paintings of his life and family members. This afternoon we travel to the beautiful city of Leipzig, Bach's city, with free time and a visit to St. Thomas Church where Bach was choir master and organist. Our lodging for the next two nights will be in Leipzig.
Day 4: Erfurt, Eisleben
This morning, we spend time in Erfurt, where Luther attended the university. A highlight will be the Augustinian Monastery where he spent his early years as a monk and the famed doors that he closed on his protesting friends after saying, "You can see me today, but never again." You will find it interesting and uplifting to hear how the studies here brought him to his understanding of Scripture. Leaving Erfurt, we visit Eisleben which is noted among the most significant in Luther's history; he was born here in 1483, 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.
Day 5: Dresden - Prague
This morning we depart southwest for the border of Germany and the Czech Republic. Before arriving at the border, we stop for free time in Dresden. One of Germany’s most beautiful cities, Dresden was virtually destroyed during the night of 13/14 February 1945, when Allied Forces mounted a vast carpet-bombing raid on the city. We have free time in the city center where meticulous restoration work is in progress to return the city centre to its former glory. We have lunch and free time before traveling south to Prague. After hotel check-in and dinner, enjoy an independent evening walking tour of this beautiful city which is even more impressive by night; all of the buildings are illuminated and appear to be out of a movie set. Walk across the St. Charles Bridge for a view of the city from a unique angle. It is not surprising to learn that Prague was the major filming site for the movie, "Amadeus."
Day 6: Prague
This morning we take a nice introductory tour of Prague including the Old Town. This afternoon is at leisure for independent sightseeing and shopping before dinner on your own. Following our dinner, we enjoy an river cruise displaying the famous sights along Prague’s riverfront.
Day 7: Prague, Terezin Concentration Camp, Bratislava and Budapest
We depart Prague this morning and visit the Terezin memorial and concentration camp. This former garrison town was built at the end of the 18th century by Emperor Joseph II as an ingenious system of military fortresses. However, when the Nazis took control of the Czech Republic during World War II, they converted the whole area into a concentration camp and Jewish ghetto. We continue on to beautiful Bratislava for lunch on our own and then travel to the capital of Hungary; Budapest also named ‘Paris of the East,’ where we check into our hotel and enjoy our dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Budapest – Vienna
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 a visit to Castle Hill area with outside views of the Royal Palace, then the Fisherman’s Bastion, a medieval castle whose walls were guarded by the guild of fishermen with a remarkable view of the Danube and colorful city. In the afternoon, we make our way west entering Austria, the musical capital of Vienna. Upon our arrival in Vienna, the heart of the Hofburg Dynasty, we transfer to our lodging for the next two evenings.
Day 9: Vienna
This morning, following breakfast, we visit one of Europe’s most renowned cathedrals, St Stephens. We then have a panoramic city tour viewing Vienna’s most famous historic sites including the Ringstrabe, with its magnificent buildings, the State Opera House, Parliament, etc. We then visit Hofburg Palace, residence of the Hapsburgs and home of the famous Spanish Riding School. The highlight of touring today will be a visit to Schöenbrunn Palace and the royal apartments. We then have a final farewell dinner in a local Vienna restaurant.
Day 10: Depart for home
We have an early morning departure from Vienna arriving home the
same day.
