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Day 2 • Salisbury Cathedral
Day 4 • Oxford
Day 8 • Heidelberg Castle
Day 11 • Munich
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
We begin our journey as we board a plane for our flight over the Atlantic to London, England.
Day 2 • London/Bristol
Upon arrival, we are met by our friendly representative from Signature Tours International, who assists us in boarding our awaiting motor coach. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful English countryside as we travel to Bristol. En route we visit Stonehenge, the most celebrated prehistoric monument in Britain as well as a World Heritage Site. Some believe that Stonehenge may have been constructed as a sanctuary for a sun-worshipping cult or as an astronomical observatory, or perhaps a combination of the two. Our next stop is Salisbury Cathedral, a beautiful and historic building, and an international symbol of Christianity. There is free time for lunch on our own before continuing to Bristol for dinner and the night.
Day 3 • Wesley's House
Day 3 • Bristol/Bath
Today we enjoy a visit to John Wesley’s Chapel, ‘New Room’, and John Wesley’s House. John Wesley was an 18th century Anglican clergyman and Christian theologian who was an early leader in the Methodist movement. The Chapel, ‘New Room’, was built when he started preaching outdoors to the poor people of Bristol. We step back into the 18th century with a visit to Wesley's House. Built by Wesley in 1779, he lived here the last eleven winters of his life. The house also provided a home for the preachers of the Chapel, their families and servants. There is time for lunch on our own before an afternoon excursion to Bath , a fashionable spa town, where people came to enjoy the social life or seek a cure for ill health in one of the many natural hot springs. We return to Bristol for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 • Bristol/Oxford/London
The day includes travel to London starting in Oxford, "the City of Dreaming Spires". Oxfords origins go back 1000 years with its streets being dominated by the stonewalls of the colleges. Oxford is a brilliant and vibrant multi-cultural city full of history and heritage. It is home to world-renowned museums, charming shops and cafes, beautiful gardens and meadows, and much more. Our tour includes Christ Church, where we see the Great Hall, which was the location used as a double for Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter movies. Christ Church is Oxford's largest college, re-founded by Henry VIII in 1546. We visit Christ Church Cathedral, the smallest cathedral in England, and we have free time for lunch on our own before continuing to London for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 • Wesley's Chapel
Day 5 • London
This morning we take a half-day guided city tour of London, including entrance to Wesley’s Chapel and House. The Chapel was built by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and opened on November 1, 1778. It is the first Methodist Church built specifically for the celebration of Holy Communion, as well as for preaching services. Our next stop is at Westminster Abbey, where the Kings and Queens of England have been crowned since 1066. We have free time for lunch on our own and an afternoon at leisure under the guidance of our Tour Manager. Dinner and overnight are in London.
Day 6 • London/Brussels/Luxembourg
Our tour continues as we board the EuroStar train for Brussels, the capital of Belgium. There is time for lunch on our own during our train ride. Upon arrival in Brussels, we enjoy a brief sightseeing tour before transferring by coach to Luxembourg. Dinner and the night are in Luxembourg.
Day 7 • Luxembourg/Worms/Heidelberg
This morning we visit the grave of General George Patton, Jr. who was born on November 11, 1885 and died December 21, 1945. Patton was a leading U.S. Army general in World War II. Many viewed Patton as a pure, ruthless and ferocious warrior, known by the nickname "Old Blood and Guts”. We transfer to Worms, where Martin Luther appeared at the Imperial Diet in 1521. There is free time for lunch as well as a visit of the Luther Monument and the Luther room. The Luther room is the location where Luther faced Kaiser Karl V during the Diet of Worms. We continue to Heidelberg for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 • Heidelberg
Our day begins with a guided sightseeing tour of Heidelberg, including entrance to the Heidelberg Castle. The Heidelberg Castle, known as the Schloss, is one of Germany’s most romantic locations, with a long and turbulent history. First constructed in the early 15th century as a residence for the Palatine princes, it was destroyed twice during war times, and was once struck by lightening. Stones have even been removed to construct other buildings, thus it has a variety of architectural styles. There is free time for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to explore on your own. Take a walk down the Hauptstrausse and enjoy the shopping or cross the Neckar River on one of the many bridges. Your tour manager is available to direct you on options for sightseeing. Dinner and the night are in Heidelberg.
Day 9 • Heidelberg/Augsburg/Oberammergau
Departing Heidelberg, 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. Then we continue our journey to Oberammergau and the highlight of our trip, the Passion Play. There is free time en route to have lunch on our own. Dinner and overnight are in Oberammergau.
Day 10 • Passion Play
Day 10 • Oberammergau/PASSION PLAY
Today is the day we have all been waiting for! 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 of Christ, lasts an entire summer’s day. This is sure to be a day we will never forget. We have dinner and spend the night in Oberammergau.
Day 11 • Oberammergau/Munich
After an unforgettable day in Oberammergau, we board our motor coach for travel to Munich. Munich, a cultural center and the capital of Bavaria, is also the largest center for industry and commerce in southern Germany. Munich was host to the XX Olympic games in 1972. There is free time for lunch before an afternoon guided sightseeing tour including Nymphenburg Palace and Frauenkirche, the largest and most important church in the capital city of Bavaria. Nymphenburg Castle was the one-time summer residence of Bavarian rulers and has been finished in the style of an Italian palace. Tonight we gather for a Farewell dinner and stay the night in Munich.
Day 12 • Munich/Hometown, U.S.A.
We transfer to the Munich Airport for our return flight to the U.S., bringing with us many memories to share!!