FOOTSTEPS OF MARTIN LUTHER - 14 DAYS

This program wanders the historical way of reformer Martin Luther beginning in Frankfurt and wandering east to Berlin and then south ending in Bavaria for the thrilling Passion Play and concluding with a night in Munich where September visitors can enjoy the wonderful Oktoberfest 

Day 1 - DEPART USA -  Today, we depart our home city to connect with our transatlantic overnight flight to Frankfurt aboard a wide-bodied jet. We are served complementary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft.

Day 2 - MARBURG/MAGDENBURG - Upon our arrival at the airport we will be met by our tour manager and private luxury motorcoach for the drive to Marburg an der Lahn. Dominated by its Landgraves Castle , this is where Luther met with Zwingli in 1529 to discuss the Lutheran and Reform movements. Continue to Magdeburg and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - MAGDENBURG/BERLIN - After a short tour of Magdeburg , where Luther went to school as a boy and worshipped at the Cathedral we will depart to Berlin where we attend Sunday service with our co-religionists. Time permitting, we will have a guided orientation tour which will introduce us to all the famous sights - you will see the strategic Brandenburg Gate - the triumphal arch which is the very emblem of Berlin, built in 1789 inspired by the Propylaea of the Parthenon, Unter den Linden, the famous avenue 'under the lime trees' conceived in 1647, and the State Opera House. You will also see the massive Neo-Renaissance palace the Reichstag, which was damaged heavily in1945, and which has recently undergone an incredible rebuilding program under the direction of the world famous British architect Norman Foster. You will also see Potsdam Square and the famous Alexanderplatz. Dinner and overnight in Berlin.

Day 4 - WITTENBERG - This morning we drive to Wittenberg . This is where Luther lived for more than 40 years. We will visit the Museum of the Reformation at Luther House as well as Stadtkirche and Castle Church , where Luther posted his 95 theses on October 31, 1517 . Also of interest here is the Melanchthon House, Town Hall and University. Dinner and overnight in Wittenberg .

Day 5 - EISLEBEN/LEIPZIG - This morning we will go to Eisleben where Martin Luther was born in 1483 and died in February, 1546. We will see all of the sights associated with him here including the Church of St. Peter and Paul and the Luther Museum in the house where he died. Later, we continue to Leipzig , noting that Luther made the same journey on foot in October 1512 to receive the 50 gulden allocated to him for his doctoral thesis by Prince Frederic the Wise. Check in at our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 - LEIPZIG - an important and interesting city associated with Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Wagner. Our guided tour of the city includes St Thomas Church and Mädler Passage, the old City Hall and St. Nicholaus Church. This afternoon, we venture out into the Thuringian countryside to see the site of Catherina von Bora's grave in Torgau. Six years after Luther's death, trying to escape the Plague raging in Wittenberg , she died here on December 20, 1552. Time permitting we will return to Leipzig via Grimma, the town where she lived as a nun. Vestiges of the convent can still be seen. Dinner and overnight Leipzig .

Day 7 - EUFURT/EISENACH - Today's journey takes us to Erfurt , where Luther served as a monk at the Augustinian priory and later began his University work. We will visit the St. Severius Church and Cathedral and have free time for lunch before continuing to Eisenach for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 -EISENACH -  On our sightseeing tour we will visit memorials to Luther and to Sebastian Bach. We will visit Luther House and Luther's room with its collection of Bibles. A highlight today will be our guided visit to Wartburg castle , which lies just outside Eisenach . Here while in exile 1521/22 Martin Luther translated the Greek New Testament into German and we will see Luther's room. Dinner and overnight in Eisenach .

Day 9 - COBURG/NURNBERG - Leaving Eisenach this morning we traverse Thuringia to Bavaria . Our first stop will be in Coburg to visit the Fortress or 'Veste'. One of the most impressive in all Germany , it evokes memories of Luther's stay here in 1530 during the Augsburg Imperial Diet. It was probably here that he and Philip Melanchthon formulated the Augsburg Confession. The town was also the seat of the Saxe-Coburgs, whose marriages established them in many of the Royal houses of Europe . In the 19th C. it was said they rule over half the world!. Later we continue south to Nürnberg for dinner and overnight.

Day 10 - NURNBERG/OBERAMMERGAU - This morning, we will have a scenic drive on our way to Oberammergau . We will visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle and the Linderhof Castle , which were both built by mad King Ludwig. We will stop at the Monastery in Ettal before continuing to Oberammergau . We will check into our accommodations for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - OBERAMMERGAU/PASSION PLAY - Every 10 years this beautiful Bavarian village of craftsmen becomes world famous by hosting a Passion Festival. After a black plague epidemic in 1634 that miraculously was cut short, the inhabitants vowed to produce the festival. With inner conviction the amateur actors, all from the village, will present again the life and sufferings of Our Lord. The play shows the story of Christ's Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the resurrection and transfiguration. The structure of the play is living pictures from the Old Testament and acted scenes from the New Testament. The Play employs a large choir and orchestra. Our performance begins at 9:00 AM and concludes at 5:30 PM following a three-hour lunch break. Afterwards, we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight

Day 12 - MUNICH - This morning we depart for Munich and enjoy our tour, which passes the University, St. Paul's Church, German Museum, the 'Frauenkirche,' the Obelisk, Theatinir Church, Feldherrnhalle, English Gardens, Schwabing Artists Colony, Buergerbrau Kellar. This afternoon, a scenic journey to the Bavarian Alps where we will visit Linderhof Castle , one of King Ludwig's 'fantasy' buildings and have time for a stroll through old Oberammergau , site of the famous Passion Play which is performed every decade. We will stop at the Benedictine Abbey of Ettal before returning to Munich for dinner and overnight. (September Pilgrims can enjoy Munich's famous Oktoberfest).

Day 13 - WORMS - Driving on the Autobahn, we head west and north to the Rhine Valley , crossing fertile farming areas and varied scenery. On arrival in Worms, site of the famous Diet of 1521 when the Emperor, Charles V expelled Luther from the Empire, we will visit the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Peter's and the Luther Monument . Dinner and overnight in Worms .

Day 14 - RETURN TO USA - An hour's drive up the Autobahn and we'll reach Frankfurt airport for our flight back home, taking memories of this wonderful experience discovering Luther's Heritage.