10 Days / 8 Nights
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Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen (Martin Luther). Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in 1517 objecting to the sale of indulgences (coined well in a saying attributed to Johann Tetzel: As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs) marked a new and irresistible force of discontent throughout Germany and Europe. As we pick up the trail of Luther and others who participated in this earth-changing series of events known as the Reformation, we will not only be awed by the splendor and beauty of Germany, we will also gain an understanding of and deep appreciation for the courage and convictions of those who led the way. Perhaps we will even come away with a desire to live our own lives more purposefully.

 
 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Departure from the USA Depart on an overnight flight to Berlin, Germany

Day 2: Berlin Upon arrival in Berlin, meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager and begin with an orientation tour of the city Enjoy a 1-hr Spree River Cruise Check-in to the hotel for dinner and overnight

Day 3: Berlin Breakfast at the hotel Guided tour of Berlin, seeing the Unter den Linden Strasse, the Russian War Memorial and the Brandenburg Gate. Also see what remains of “the Wall” and “Checkpoint Charlie,” as we pass into the western sector to experience Kurfurstendamm Strasse. Visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Afternoon at leisure for individual exploration and sightseeing Dinner, on own Return to the hotel for overnight

Day 4: Wittenberg / Leipzig Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out Transfer to Leipzig via Wittenberg Wittenberg is of such importance in Luther’s life that its official name is Lutherstadt-Wittenberg (Luther City Wittenberg). We will visit All Saints’ Church (also known as the Schlosskirche or “Castle Church,” built 1496–1506), City Church (a Gothic church in which Luther preached during the Reformation, was married (1525) and baptized his six children), Luther’s well preserved house where he and his family lived (it contains many Reformation relics, including Luther’s desk, his pulpit, and first editions of his books) and the Renaissance mansion of Philip Melanchton, Luther’s right-hand man Continue to Leipzig We will have much to think about as we gather for dinner and enjoy an overnight stay in Leipzig

Day 5: Eisenach / Erfurt Breakfast at the hotel This morning we drive up a steep forested slope to Wartburg Castle, which looms over the city of Eisenach, the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach. We will visit the Bachhaus, the first worldwide museum to be dedicated to the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach, and also visit the Lutherhaus, one of the oldest and most picturesque half-timbered buildings remaining in Eisenach. Now, the Lutherhaus is a museum featuring multimedia exhibits relating Luther’s teachings. We will also explore the Marktplatz with the Georgenkirche (the Church of St. George) where Bach was baptized and where the Gothic baptismal stone still stands. A private worship service may  be organized in the chapel of the Wartburg Castle Continue to Erfurt and see the Augustinian Monastery and St. Mary’s Cathedral Dinner, on own Return to Leipzig for overnight

Day 6: Leipzig / Munich Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out Half-day sightseeing in Leipzig includes seeing the Altes Rathaus (St. Niholas Church), St. Thomas’ Church, and the Bach Museum. Transfer to Bavaria’s capital, Munich Dinner, on own Check-in to the hotel for overnight

Day 7: Munich Breakfast at the hotel A guided tour of Munich includes the Marienplatz (with its famous Glockenspiel), Frauenkirche, Hofbräuhaus, and entrance to Nymphenburg Palace. Nymphenburg Palace was the summer residence of the Bavarian sovereigns, begun in 1664 in the style of an Italian palazzo, after centuries of enhancements, it now bears a strong resemblance to Versailles Palace Lunch, on own Afternoon at leisure for individual sightseeing, reflection, and/or shopping Dinner, on own Return to the hotel for overnight

Day 8: Neuschwanstein / Oberammergau Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out Transfer to Oberammergau via Neuschwanstein Castle (made famous by the Walt Disney model in Anaheim), built by the infamous Ludwig II (including entrance and uphill transport) Continue to Oberammergau, site of the world-famous Passion Play which is performed every 10 years, for dinner and overnight

Day 9: Oberammergau Breakfast at the hotel Attend the Passion Play The Passion Play has been performed since 1634 by local inhabitants in open-air stages in the village. The play is a staging of Jesus’ passion, covering the short final period of his life from his visit to Jerusalem and leading to his crucifixion In 1633, the residents vowed that if God spared them from the bubonic plague, they would produce a play thereafter for all time depicting the life and death of Jesus. The village was spared and the play is now performed every year ending in zero. The production starts in the early afternoon and will have a break for dinner before its completion later the same evening Return to the hotel for overnight

Day 10: Depart for home Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out Transfer to the Munich airport for the return flight home

Explore more Oberammergau Itineraries Tour 2 (8 Nights / 10 Days) Berlin / Wittenberg / Wartburg / Eisenach /  Erfurt  / Leipzig / Munich / Neuschwanstein / Oberammergau

Tour 3 (8 Nights / 10 Days) Heidelberg / Munich / Salzburg / Innsbruck / Neuschwanstein / Oberammergau

Tour 4 (8 Nights / 10 Days) Vienna / Melk / Salzburg / Innsbruck / Neuschwanstein / Oberammergau

© Faith Journeys LLC

Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on the amazing trip to the Holy Land that my wife Jan and I experienced along with 24 others. For me a dream God planted in my heart a year ago came true. After visiting the Holy Land last year with a friend on an educational type tour I had a deep longing to return with a group of Christians and worship in various sacred sites. Overall, the most repeated phrase I've heard from people is "It truly did turn out to be The Trip of a Life-time". Thank you to the Faith Journey's Team for making this pilgrimage possible.
Pastor Frank Janzow, Ascension Lutheran Church