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13 Day Switzerland & Germany
Reformation Tour

 


August 2-14, 2010
 



Day 1: Depart USA

Overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2: Arrive Switzerland
Transfer to your hotel in Zurich with the remainder of the day free

Day 3: Zwingli's Zurich
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 4: 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 5: Rhine Falls, Constance, Innsbruck
This morning we will stop near Schaffhausen to view the Rhine Falls, the most powerful waterfalls in Germany. This is definitely a "Kodak moment".  From here we travel eastward 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 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. We arrive in Innsbruck, capital of Austrian Tyrol. The remainder of the day is free for shopping through the quaint medieval lanes and enjoying dinner at our hotel. 

Day 6: 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 7: 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 8: Augsburg, Wurzburg
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). Our lodging and dinner this evening will be in Wurzburg.

Day 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 tour the beautiful city of Leipzig, Bach's city, including a visit to St. Thomas Church where Bach was choir master and organist.  We return to Berlin for dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Departure
We transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Price Per Person (double occupancy)
 

Departure Dates Approximate
Air Cost

Land
Package

August Call For Prices $3519.00


Limited Space - Reserve Today:
Pilgrim Tours     800.322.0788

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Single Supplement - $550 (limited basis at some properties)
Call for availability.

Price Includes:
Tourist class and moderate first class accommodations, breakfast daily, 7 dinners, Passion Play tickets (Including play tickets, 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: August 2
(Category 1 Seating)

Not Included:
Gratuities ($9.00 per day will be pre-collected), airfare, meals not listed, optional travel insurance. Special rates for airfare will be available 10-11 months prior to departure.

 
 

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