Day 2 • Berlin
Day 4 • Wittenberg
Day 5 • Eisleben
Day 7 • Rothenburg
Day 10 • Neuschwanstein
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
We start our journey to Europe with a flight to Berlin, Germany.
Day 2 • Berlin
We arrive in Berlin, which was for so long a symbol of the world’s division into two opposing camps. Today it is a modern metropolis with a lively economic and cultural life. En route to our hotel, we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour with our Signature Tours International Manager. We view such sites as the Brandenburg Gate, the State Opera House, and the Berliner Dom. After checking in to our hotel, we have time at leisure before gathering for dinner. We stay overnight in Berlin.
Day 3 • Berlin
Day 3 • Berlin/Wittenberg
Today we take a half-day sightseeing tour that includes the Pergamon Museum. The Pergamon Museum is one of the museums on Museum Island. It houses original-sized, reconstructed monumental buildings such as the Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, and the Ishtar Gate. Our morning includes a 45-minute Spree river Cruise before we have lunch on our own. This afternoon we travel to Wittenberg for dinner and the night.
Day 4 • Wittenberg/Leipzig
Wittenberg will be forever famous as the place where on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church. A simple call for debate became the spark that ignited the Reformation. We tour the Castle Church, as well as Stadtkirche (City Church), known as the “Mother Church of the Reformation,” due to the fact that Martin Luther did the majority of his preaching here. We also visit Lutherhouse, the largest museum for reformation history in the world. We have lunch on our own before traveling to Leipzig. Upon arrival, we will stop for a tour of St. Thomas Kirche. Johann Sebastian Bach was Leipzig's musical director and choirmaster of the St. Thomas' Boys Choir between 1723 and 1750. This city is dedicated to keeping alive the music and history that Bach has created for them. We have time to relax before gathering for dinner. We spend the night here in Leipzig.
Day 5 • Leipzig/Eisleben/Erfurt
Departing Leipzig, we travel to Eisleben, hometown of Martin Luther. We tour Luther’s House, where he was born on November 10, 1483 and died in 1546. We enjoy lunch on our own before we travel to Erfurt, where upon arrival, we have some time at leisure. The first documentary reference to Erfurt dates back to 742 AD. The former wealth of the city is reflected in the many carefully restored Renaissance and half-timbered houses. There are many other historical buildings, which together with the Krämerbrücke make up one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany. Erfurt is also known as “erfordia turrita” (Erfurt, city of towers and spires). This title was given on account of the city’s 36 parish churches and chapels as well as its 15 monasteries and other ecclesiastical buildings. We’ll have dinner and stay the night in Erfurt.
Day 6 • Eisenach
Day 6 • Erfurt/Eisenach/Erfurt
Our day begins with an excursion to Eisenach, where we visit Wartburg Castle and Luther House. The castle's history has been colored with theological and artistic highlights rather than that of military reasons. During 1521 and 1522, Martin Luther lived here while in exile, making good use of his time by translating the New Testament into German. Luther House is where Martin Luther lived as a schoolboy with the Cotta family from 1498 to 1501. The half-timbered house preserves the two rooms used by Luther and displays Reformation artifacts. We have lunch on our own and an afternoon to explore on our own. Our Tour Manager is available to direct us. We then return to Erfurt for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 • Erfurt/Rothenburg O.T
Today we transfer to one of the oldest towns on the “Romantic Road”, Rothenburg O.T. We enjoy a guided walking tour, where we view many of the towns’ historical sites, including St. Jakob’s Church, the most important church in Rothenburg. There is free time for lunch before an afternoon at leisure under the guidance of our Tour Manager. Dinner and the night are in Rothenburg O.T.
Day 8 • Augsburg
Day 8 • Rothenburg O.T./Augsburg/Innsbruck
We leave behind Rothenburg as we travel to Augsburg, where the disputations between Luther and the Papal legate took place and the Protestant confession of faith was proclaimed for the first time. We see the Town Hall, the Fuggers’ Town Mansion, and the Cathedral during a guided tour. We then continue our journey to Innsbruck for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 • Oberammergau/PASSION PLAY
Today is the day we have all been waiting for! We depart Innsbruck for Oberammergau. This small town of peasants and craftsmen, encircled by the wooded foothills of the Ammergau, owes its fame to the internationally renowned Passion Play. Performed only once every ten years, and involving 1,100 amateur actors from the local population, this play, re-enacting the final days for Christ, lasts an entire summer’s day. This is sure to be a day we will never forget. Dinner and overnight are in Oberammergau.
Day 10 • Oberammagau/Wies/Neuschwanstein/Lucerne
We travel into the high country today to Bertchtesgaden, Hitler’s mountain nest, in what many feel is the most beautiful corner of Europe. Nearby is the village of Au, with its citizens dressed in delightful old-time costumes. We continue to 800-year-old Innsbruck, a city of charm and vitality. Here we see Maria Theresa’s Golden Roof, the court palace and the church. After dinner you might enjoy a walk in this Bavarian resort area. Overnight is in Innsbruck.
Day 11 • Lucerne
Day 11 • Lucerne
Today we enjoy a morning guided walking tour of Lucerne. Unquestionably one of Europe's most charming cities, Lucerne also has the added virtue of stunning lakeside and mountain sceneries on its doorstep. Its fame as a tourist resort is kept up from year to year by an incredible choice of attractions. The town has a remarkable site at the northwest end of Lake Lucerne, where the Reuss River resumes its course. The center of Lucerne is a pedestrian area of cobbled streets bordered by houses, shops and hotels painted in medieval style or decorated with displays of flowers. Above the old town is the original city wall from which you can admire the splendor and variety of the scenery. There is time for lunch on our own before an afternoon at leisure to explore under the guidance of our Tour Manager. Dinner and overnight in Lucerne.
Day 12 • Lucerne/Zurich/Hometown, U.S.A.
Today, we transfer to the Zurich airport for our return a flight to the U.S., bringing with us many memories to share with friends and family back home.