Trip Itinerary
Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner
Day 1: Tuesday, October 24, 2017: Overnight Flight to Frankfurt, Germany
Our journey begins with an overnight flight to Frankfurt. (IF)
Day 2: Wednesday, October 25, 2017: Arrival in Mainz
Welcome to Germany! On arrival in Frankfurt we transfer to nearby Mainz. There will be time to freshen up and relax from our flight. Tonight we will gather together for welcome dinner and orientation meeting with our guide. (B, D)
Day 3: Thursday, October 26, 2017: Worms, Mainz
Our morning begins in Mainz as we focus on Bible printing history and the contribution of Johann Gutenberg, who developed moveable type. We are amazed as we view original copies of the Bible in the Gutenberg Museum. We also view Mainz Cathedral, dating back to 975. We have some free time for munch then drive to Worms. There is no better way to spend an afternoon following the footsteps of Luther. We see the site of the Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), now a park, with a plaque commemorating the Diet of Worms and the Reformation Monument. We hear the stories of Luther as he responded “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me.” Before returning to Mainz we enjoy dinner at an area winery. (B, D)
Day 4: Friday, October 27, 2017: Marburg
Our destination today is the university city of Marburg for a tour of the Old City with the St. Elizabeth Church and the Castle. Through its 800 year history, Marburg has had many famous residents and visitors, among whom are Elizabeth of Thuringia, Martin Luther, and the Grimm Brothers. Dinner is on our own tonight.(B)
Day 5: Saturday, October 28, 2017: Eisenach, Erfurt
In 1521, while fleeing from the wrath of the Pope, Luther took refuge in the Wartburg Castle after a fake kidnapping staged by his friend and protector, Frederick the Wise. We will tour the Wartburg and see where Luther finished translating the New Testament into German in just eleven weeks. Luther spent time in the nearby town of Eisenach at as school boy and sang in the choir of St. George’s Church, where the Bach family also worshiped. The afternoon is free to explore the town or tour the Bach Museum and Luther House Museum. Then we will continue on to Erfurt. Dinner tonight is at the Luther Cellar. (B, D)
Day 6: Sunday, October 29, 2017: Erfurt
A local guide will take us on a tour including St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Severin’s Church and the famous Merchant’s Bridge. We will end at the Augustinian Monastery where Luther became a monk on July 17, 1505. We will be able to see his monastic quarters, including one cell furnished to look as it would have done when he lived there. At the end of the tour we will have a group worship service in the chapel. (B)
Day 7: Monday, October 30, 2017: Wittenberg
This morning we travel to Wittenberg where our local guide will take us on a tour of Lutherstadt. It was here in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses and Melanchthon helped forge Reformation Theology. Here the Cranachs painted now famous portraits of Luther. We will spend time in the Lutherhalle (Luther House) Museum, where Luther lived first as a monk, then later with his wife and children. We’ll be able to view some of Luther’s very own personal library, rare manuscripts, and early Bibles. The tour will also include Castle Church, Stadtkirche St. Marien (St. Mary’s church) where Luther preached and where his children were baptized, and the Luther Oak where he burned the edict from Rome, condemning him as a “heretic”. (B, D)
Day 8: Tuesday, October 31, 2017: Wittenberg
Today is a free day in Wittenberg to enjoy the festivities of Reformation Day. (B, D)
Day 9: Wednesday, November 1, 2017: Berlin
We drive to Berlin today for a city tour which will include a stop at the famous Brandenburg Gate for photos. We will also see the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively boulevards, followed by visits to WWII Topography of Terror Museum and Cold War Check Point Charlie Museum. Our afternoon will be free to explore on our own. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel. (B)
Day 10: Thursday, November 2, 2017: Return
Today we transfer to the airport for our return flight home. (B)
This is a Reformation Tours itinerary, sold with permission by Special Group Tours.
FURTHER INFO:
What are accommodations like?
Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!
Mainz, Germany
October 25-26, 2017
Hotel Novotel Mainz or similar
Augustusstrasse 6
Mainz, 55131
Marburg, Germany
October 26-27, 2017
Ringhotel Bellevue or similar
Hauptstraße 30
Wolfshausen/Lahn, 35096
Erfurt, Germany
October 27-30, 2017
Augustinian Monastery or similar
Augustinerstraße 10
Erfurt, 99084
Wittenberg, Germany
October 30-31, 2017
Best Western Stadtpalais
Collegienstraße 56/57
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Berlin, Germany
October 31 – November 1, 2017
Mövenpick Hotel Berlin
Schöneberger Strasse 3
Berlin, 10963
Flight Information
Please arrange to be in Frankfurt on the morning of October 25, 2017. If you would prefer to arrive earlier, we can arrange a pre-tour hotel nights in Berlin. We can either assist you with flights or you can book your own. Please ensure we have a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.
October 25, 2017: Please arrive in Frankfurt in the morning, preferably before 10 AM.
November 2, 2017: You can depart from Berlin at any time.
