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10 Day
Germany
Reformation Tour
September 16-25, 2010
Day 1: Depart USA
Overnight flight to Europe.
Day 2: Arrive
Innsbruck
Transfer to
your hotel in Innsbruck,
capital of Austrian Tyrol.
Innsbruck is a gem in the middle of the Alps with wonderful scenery,
extensive history and numerous shops to explore.
Day 3: Innsbruck Walking Tour, Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau
A walking tour today will include the Triumphal Arch commemorating the
wedding of the Duke of Tuscany, Saint Anna’s Column and Swarovski
Kristallwelten, a wonderland of crystal works of art by artists past and
present. This afternoon we stop at the Rococo-style chapel in the Meadow
and Ludwig II’s most luxurious former residence, the Neuschwanstein
Castle. We continue to the charming town of Oberammergau, site of our
Passion Play tomorrow.
Day 4: Oberammergau
Performance
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 5:
Augsburg
This morning, we travel north to the ancient city of Augsburg, the place where the Augsburg Confession was presented. Our morning drive will allow for time to rehearse this important document and digest the tremendous meaning it has as the basis for much of our doctrine today. It
was also 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). We drive to our
hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Romantic Road, Rothenburg, Heidelberg, Worms,
Frankfurt
Early
this morning we travel the panoramic "Romantic Road" and visit
the best preserved medieval town in all of Europe, Rothenburg. We
see the quaint Rathaus (town
hall) with its tower, have free time for coffee and shopping in the many delightful shops. You may choose to visit on your own the Kriminal-museum, housing all manner of
Medieval instruments of torture. Next, 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 dinner and the evening in Frankfurt.
Day 7: Eisenach, Erfurt
This morning we travel to 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. A castle tour includes Luther's apartment, a chapel and lovely panoramic scenery. This afternoon we spend time in nearby Erfurt, where Luther attended the
university. A highlight will be the Augustinian Monastery where he spent
his early years as a monk. You will find it interesting and uplifting to hear how his studies brought him to his understanding of scripture. We end our day in Erfurt for dinner and
overnight.
Day 8: Erfurt, Eisleben,
Berlin
Leaving Erfurt 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. Continuing on to Berlin, we enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating city including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and many other sights. We stay in Berlin for dinner and
two overnight stays.
Day 9: Wittenberg, Leipzig
We continue 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 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. We return to Berlin for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Departure
We transfer to the airport for our flight home.
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Single Supplement - $400 (limited basis at some properties)
Call for availability.
Price Includes:
Tourist class and moderate first class accommodations, breakfast daily,
5 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.
Oberammergau Hotel Choices:
Hotels will be assigned on a space available basis. Special upgrade tickets may be available. Please contact Pilgrim Tours for details.
Hotel
Angerbrau
(or similar) , Murnau (Package Price)
www.angerbraeu.de/index.html
Dates still available: September 16
(Category
1 Seating)
Not Included:
Gratuities, airfare, meals not listed, optional travel
insurance.
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