Day 1: Berlin
Arrive at the airport, & transfer to the hotel. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay in Berlin.
Day 2: Berlin – Wittenberg
Tour Germany’s capital city today. See the lovely Charlottenburg Palace & the historic Brandenburg Gate. Take a stroll down avenue Ku’damm, a lively city street with shops showcasing the latest fashions. Visit the Holocaust Memorial, & see the tower at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, still bearing the effects of a World War II bomb. Other highlights of this morning’s tour include Tiergarten park. Afterward, travel to the city where the Protestant Reformation began. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay in historic Wittenberg.
Day 3: Wittenberg – Leipzig
Follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther & his journey toward reformation today as you visit several historic sites in Wittenberg. Visit the Luther House. This modern-day Reformation museum was once the Luther family home. Items on display include manuscripts & Luther’s pulpit. Visit Castle Church where Luther posted his controversial “95 Theses” in 1517. Next, visit the house of prayer that not only bore witness to Luther’s sermons about the Reformation, but also saw Luther & his wife exchange their marriage vows, St. Mary’s Church. Other highlights in Wittenberg include a tour of the Melanchthon House. Afterward, travel to the city of Leipzig. Take a stroll through Market Square, & see the famous St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach once was a musical director. Enjoy dinner & an overnight stay in Leipzig.
Day 4: Leipzig – Eisleben – Erfurt
After breakfast, head to the town where Martin Luther was born, Eisleben & see St. Peter & St. Paul Church, where Luther was baptized. Enjoy a tour of St. Andrew’s Church, where he preached for the last time, & visit Luther’s Death House Museum. Afterward, head for Erfurt to see St. Augustine’s Monastery, where Luther resided for several years as a monk.
Day 5: Erfurt – Eisenach – Erfurt
Travel to Eisenach after breakfast this morning. See the Nikolai Gate & Nikolai Church (c. 12th century). Explore Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated portions of the Bible. Other highlights in Eisenach include the Martin Luther & Johann Sebastian Bach monuments. Head back to Erfurt for dinner & another overnight stay.
Day 6: Erfurt – Coburg – Mainz
Discover Veste Coburg. This historic fortress, which dates back to the 13th century, was Martin Luther’s temporary home, at the time of the Imperial Diet of Augsburg. Inside the citadel you’ll find the Luther Room, where Luther stayed & continued the translation work he began at Wartburg Castle. Later today, travel to Mainz for dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 7: Mainz – Worms – Mainz
Leave Mainz after breakfast, & travel to Worms, an ancient city along the Rhine River. In the year 1521, the Diet of Worms was held here. Luther was questioned about his work during this famous meeting, & before the meeting came to a close, he left the city fearing for his safety. As a result, a warrant for his arrest was put into effect. See the monument commemorating Martin Luther & the Reformation, & tour Trinity Church. Next, discover the beauty of Germany’s Rhine Region as you cruise along the Rhine River. Tonight, enjoy Mainz at your leisure.
Day 8: Mainz – Rothenburg – Nuremberg
Visit the museum commemorating Johann Gutenberg & his invention of the printing press. Highlights include original prints of the Bible. Afterward, head to Rothenburg. In addition to its medieval presence, this German town features charming houses, decorated with colorful flowers blooming from window boxes. Explore St. Jakob's Church, where you’ll marvel at the incredible detail of Tilman Riemenschneider’s “Holy Blood Alter,” an early 16th-century masterpiece portraying the Last Supper. Other highlights in Rothenburg include the 14th-century town wall. Travel to Nuremberg for dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 9: Nuremberg – Augsburg – Munich
After breakfast, visit St. Lorenz Church. This Gothic-style church dates back to the Middle Ages & features three organs. Enjoy a visit to the city of Augsburg on the way to Munich.
Day 10: Munich – Oberammergau – Munich
Explore Munich this morning. See where the 1972 Summer Olympics were held, & visit the 15th-century, Gothic-style cathedral, Frauenkirche. Take a stroll through Marienplatz square to see the Old & New Town Halls. Later today, visit the town of Oberammergau, & see the lovely Linderhof Palace. Return to Munich for dinner & an overnight stay.
Day 11: Munich – USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Munich, & board return flight home.