W.L.S. Lutheran Heritage Study Tour. Tour Escorted and Guided By:
Professor Aaron Christie, Dean of Chapel, Professor of Worship and Homiletics
Professor Joel Otto, Dean of Students, Professor of Church History & Education
This is not your typical “off the rack” trip to Germany. We hope to put the Lutheran Reformation into perspective as we tour sites that stretch from the time of Emperor Constantine to the present. The sights, sounds, and tastes of our Lutheran heritage will come alive in some of our favorite places.
W.L.S.students should inquire about financial aid. WELS/ELS pastors may take the tour for STM credit. WELS members are cordially invited to attend as well! This will be a small group to maximize our time together and provide easy accessibility to the sites on the itinerary. We look forward to traveling with you!
Cordially, Professors Christie and Otto
QUESTIONS? Contact 1.844.777.1517 or email info@luthertours.com
ITINERARY
Meals: B-Breakfast, L- Lunch, D-Dinner
Day 1, Depart U.S.A. to Frankfurt, Germany
Day 2, Arrive Frankfurt- Herzlich Willkommen in Deutschland! Worms, Speyer
Upon arrival the group will be met at the airport by our professional European Tour Director who will accompany the group to the waiting private motor coach and throughout the journey. Your journey along the Reformation Road begins in the city of Worms. Just a short drive south from the airport to Worms is the location where Luther was summoned in 1521 to appear before an Imperial Diet to justify his conduct. Professors will lead a guided city walk. Stand in awe as you view the world’s largest Memorial to the Reformation and visit the Worms Dom (St. Peter Cathedral) location of the Diet of Worms in 1521, during which Martin Luther was condemned as a heretic, and the Reformation Memorial Church of the Holy Trinity- the largest Protestant church in Worms.
Afterwards, we continue our journey along the Reformation Road to the city of Speyer, a UNESCO World Heritage town and also regarded as the birthplace of the Protestant faith for the Protestation at Speyer of 1529. It was here the noble representatives of the princes who were supporters of Luther met at the Diet of Speyer and protested against the ban on Luther's teachings. This protest leads to the division of the Christian faith into Catholic and Protestant. Professors will lead a guided city walk including visits to the Speyer Dom, neo-Gothic Memorial Church with its Luther Monument (Gedächtniskirche der Protestation). This evening dinner is on your own at one of the hotel or local restaurants. Suggestions for dining will be offered at restaurants nearby the hotel. Overnight Speyer
Day 3, Trifels Fortress, Mosel Winery Visit, Trier (B, L)
We will begin our day by observing high mass at the Speyer Dom, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, we continue our journey with a guided tour of the Trifels Fortress where Richard the Lionhearted was kept prisoner by the Holy Roman Emperor on his return to England from the Middle East. The Crown Jewels of the Empire were kept here. The original jewels now reside in Vienna.
Your journey continues to the medieval city of Trier. Along the way enjoy a drive through the gentle landscape of budding vineyards and fertile orchards of the wine region. The group will visit a local winery including wine tastings and lunch with regional cuisine. This evening we overnight in Trier, Germany's oldest city, founded in 16 B.C. by Roman Emperor Augustus.
Professors will lead a guided city walk to explain the Roman, Gothic and Renaissance monuments and churches. Dinner is on your own. Dining suggestions will be provided within walking distance of the hotel. Overnight Trier
Day 4, Trier, (B, D)
Professors will lead a guided city walk of Trier including Porta Negra, Constantine’s Basilica, the Cathedral District and of course the Roman ruins! This evening the group will meet for dinner at the hotel. Overnight Trier
Day 5, Eltz Castle, Rhine River Cruise, Mainz (B)
This morning the group will enjoy a guided tour of the Eltz Castle - one of the most beautiful and best-preserved castles in Germany. It lies in a romantic setting surrounded by an unspoiled landscape - like a fairy-tale castle come to life.
After time for lunch, we board the coach for a drive to the pier in St. Goar for a picturesque sightseeing cruise along the lovely Rhine River to Bingen, cruising past some of the most picturesque stretches of this majestic waterway. Our group will drive to Mainz for the night. Professors will lead a guided city walk and visit Mainz Cathedral. Overnight Mainz
Day 6, Eisenach, Wartburg Castle (B)
Today we continue our journey along the Reformation Road to the Luther city of Eisenach. Professors will lead a guided city walk to visit St. George Church, the LutherHaus and the Bach Museum, which houses an extensive collection of instruments from the 16th to 19th century and a permanent exhibition on the life and work of J. S. Bach. Your visit includes a musical performance on historical instruments from Luthers time.
This afternoon is a guided tour of the magnificent Wartburg Castle. You have the option to walk the Luther Way Trail from Eisenach city center or ride the coach to the castle. It was here where Luther took refuge while translating the New Testament into the German language. Our guided tour includes a visit to the Luther Room where “Junker Jörg” translated the Bible. Overnight Eisenach
Day 7, Coburg, Rothenburg (B)
Our journey continues as we step off the beaten-path to the well-preserved 11th century medieval town of Coburg and a guided tour of one of Germany’s largest castles Veste Coburg, the fortress where Luther took refuge and lived during the drafting of the Augsburg Confession. The guided tour includes the beautiful painted walls and ceiling of Cranach the Elder with impressive hunting scenes, the art treasures and the Luther Chapel.
After time for lunch the group will continue to Rothenburg, the quintessential medieval village and perhaps the most famous towns along the “Romantic Road”. Professors will lead a guided city walk along the cobblestone lanes with their wonderful variety of shops and medieval architecture we will learn more about the role Rothenburg played in the Thirty Years’ War. The group will visit the Medieval Crime Museum and stop at St. Jakob’s Church to view the Bible scenes depicted in the 500-year-old wood-carved altarpiece. Overnight Rothenburg
Day 8, Neuendettelsau, Nuremberg (B)
Today we visit the town of Neuendettelsau. Professors will lead a guided city walk to learn more about the life and faith of Wilhelm Löhe and his influence on American Lutheranism.
Afterwards we continue our journey to Nuremburg. Here we visit the German National Museum, home to a large collection of items relating to German culture and art extending from prehistoric times through to the present day. The Germanisches National Museum is Germany's largest museum of cultural history.
Afterwards, Professors will lead a guided city walk including views of the Imperial Castle and visits to St. Lorenz Church and St. Sebaldus Church. Overnight Nuremberg
Day 9, Leipzig Bach Festival (B)
This morning we continue our drive north to the majestic city of Leipzig, commonly known as the “city of music”. Professors will lead a guided city walk including, a visit to St. Nicholas Church, the home of thefaithful “Pray for Peace” Christians, and the powerful force that transformed Germany’s East and West, and the magnificent St. Thomas Church where Luther preached and Johann Sebastian Bach performed and directed the famous St. Thomas Boy’s Choir.
This afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration of the Bach Fest. Music lovers may also enjoy a stroll along the “Leipzig Music Trail” which links the places where composers Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Wagner lived and worked. It was here in Leipzig, that Schiller wrote his immortal “Ode to Joy”, later to be adopted as the principal theme of “Beethoven’s 9th Symphony”, also written in Leipzig. Or perhaps a visit to the Mendelssohn Haus Museum or the Bach Museum, home to the second-largest stock of Bach original in the world! Overnight Leipzig
Optional Musical Performance Tonight- PASSION / THOMASKIRCHE J. S. Bach: Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244.2, ticket price and time t.b.d.
Day 10, Worship Service ELFK, Torgau (B, D)
This morning group will worship at 9:15AM at St. Trinitasisgemeinde in Leipzig. An ELFK church located at the ELFK seminary. Afterwards, the group departs for Torgau, located on the banks of the Elbe River. Professors will lead a guided city walk including the history of Luther’s wife, Katharina von Bora, visiting the house where she lived and died, and St. Mary's Church with its famous Cranach altar and the place of Mrs. Luther’s burial. Next, a guided tour of Hartenfels Palace and Chapel, the best preserved early Renaissance palace in Germany and widely regarded as the first ever Protestant church. Also, the first embodiment of the Reformation message in architecture and art; the Hartenfels Chapel, was consecrated by Martin Luther.
The group will return to Leipzig for dinner at one of the historic restaurants in town, such as Auerbach Keller Restaurant with its Reformation art display on the walls of the “Luther Room” and the “Wine Cellar Room” including a reproduction (only one of its kind, original piece was destroyed) of the Leipzig Debate between Martin Luther and Dr. Eck. Overnight Leipzig
Day 11, Wittenberg, Dresden (B)
Our journey continues along the Reformation Road to Lutherstadt Wittenberg, home to the most historic sights of Luther’s life and work. Enjoy a relaxing drive through the German countryside to Wittenberg where you will walk through the historic place where Martin Luther and his fellow reformers lived, taught and preached. Professors will lead a guided city walk including visit to the Melanchthon Haus Museum, Castle Church with its historic 95 theses door, the beautiful Town Church with its marvelous Cranach altarpiece and the Lutherhalle Museum Augusteum to view a presentation of some of the important Reformation artifacts from the museum collection (main museum under renovations for 2024). This evening is at leisure in Wittenberg for dinner before continuing on to Dresden. Overnight Dresden
Day 12, Dresden (B)
Awake in Dresden, the fascinating city of art and culture. Its magnificent Baroque buildings and museums featuring world-class art, and its lovely setting on the Elbe combine to make it a stunning and beautiful city. Professors will lead a guided city walk including the Old City, views of the Semper Opera, Court Church, and Zwinger Gallery. This afternoon is at leisure, perhaps a visit to the Zwinger Art Museum housing works of art from the 15-18th centuries, or shopping for local crafts and traditional German products.
This evening worship service at the Frauenkirche through organ music, psalm prayer, and spiritual words. Central church tour afterwards. The Frauenkirche Protestant Church was destroyed in 1945 in a massive firebombing so intense the city of Dresden burned for nearly a week. Reconstruction of the church began in 1994 and after many years of rebuilding the church reopened in 2006. Suggestions will be offered for dining options within walking distance of the hotel. Overnight Dresden
Day 13, Eisleben, Erfurt (B)
After breakfast we depart for the Luther city of Eisleben. Professors will lead a guided city walk with visits to the Luther Geburtshaus where Luther was born and Luther Sterbhaus where he died, St. Peter’s Church where Luther was baptized, St. Andrews Church where Luther preached his last four sermons, and where his body was laid in state.
We continue our journey in the footsteps of Martin Luther and visit the city of Erfurt, where Luther took the decisive step to turn to theology and the monastic life, when he was caught in a violent thunderstorm nearby and vowed to become a monk. This evening is at leisure in Erfurt to dine at one of the restaurants conveniently located in the market square. Overnight Erfurt
Day 14, Erfurt, Weimar (B, D)
This morning we awake in the lovely city of Erfurt. Professors will lead a guided city walk including the medieval Kramer Bridge, the ensemble of St. Mary's Cathedral and the Church of St. Severus, and a guided tour of the Augustinian Monastery where Luther lived as a monk from 1505-1511 and where he studied, worshiped and was inspired to create the Luther seal “rose”.
This afternoon the group will depart for nearby Weimar for a guided visit of Herderkirche and then return to Erfurt for a farewell dinner. Overnight Erfurt or Frankfurt depending on departure flight time.
Day 15, Tour Ends (B)
Early morning group transfer to Frankfurt Airport for return flight to U.S.A.
Itinerary subject to change.
Wittenberg, Germany “Cradle of the Reformation”
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Travelers must travel with a passport valid for at least 6-months beyond your return travel date.
Non-US passport holders contact LT for credentials required to travel.
Additional credentials to travel due to Covid-19 may be required. You will be advised as details are received for your departure.
Tour level: Moderate Active Traveler, Walking Sightseeing Tour
Most sightseeing tours are walking tours and many of the historic sites you will visit date back hundreds to thousands of years and may not provide elevators and ramps for physically challenged travelers. If you or you will be traveling with someone who has special needs -use a wheelchair, walker, and hearing or visually impaired please contact LutherTours.
TOUR INCLUDES
WLS Professors Christie and Otto providing Lutheran Heritage and Reformation History Guidance, nuances of the unique environments and making history come to life. Their knowledge in Reformation and cultural history will ensure you have an exceptional journey of enlightenment.
European Professional Tour Director will travel with the group throughout the tour to assist with logistics, maintaining group schedule, assist with hotel check-in/out, site visits and group meals, emergency assistance while on tour.
Life Enriching Activities- spiritual and cultural experiences daily
Time to Reflect and Worship in sacred places
Deluxe Air-conditioned Motor Coach
13- Nights 4-star Hotel Accommodations
Hotel Taxes
Group Transfer in Europe with LutherTours group airfare purchase
Breakfast Daily, 1- Mosel Valley Winery Lunch with Wine Tastings, and 3- Dinners
Gratuities for Included Meals
Admissions and Sightseeing as indicated in itinerary
Local Guides for Museum and Castle visits as indicated
Bach Museum Musical Performance Eisenach
Wartburg Medieval Castle Visit
Worship Service at the churches where Martin Luther worshipped
Walk the “Luther Way” Hiking Trail
Special Event- Bach Festival Leipzig
Picturesque Rhine River Sightseeing Cruise
Private Organ Performance by Professor Christie
Reformation Altar Piece by Lucas Cranach, Wittenberg, Germany
TOUR PRICE is Per Person Based on Double Occupancy
$3,990 with 30-35 travelers
$4,090 with 25-29 travelers
$4,490 with 20-24 travelers
Single Occupancy Add $990
Tour prices subject to currency fluctuation.
OPTIONAL: GROUP AIRFARE is additional to the tour price and requires a minimum of 10 travelers on the same flights.
Group flight arrangements with Delta Airlines from Milwaukee, WI at $1,590 per person.
Group Airfare includes group airport transfers in Frankfurt, 1 checked bag, 1-carry-on bag, 1-personal item, and a preassigned seat
OPTIONAL: GROUP AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN EUROPE for those not purchasing LT group flight arrangements
Round trip airport transfers in Frankfurt with the group add $50 per person. You will travel on the motorcoach with the group upon arrival and departure of the group flights.
PAYMENT
Deposit $350 per person (nonrefundable) along with a completed tour registration form
Balance due 75-Days Prior to Departure (a reminder will be sent)
NOT INCLUDED
Passport Fee, Visa fee for non US passport holders
Gratuities for European Tour Director, European local tour guides, motor coach driver, hotel housekeepers
Personal Items such as internet Wi-Fi charges and phone calls, meals and beverages not listed
Any items not listed above under Tour Includes
Reformation Monument, Worms, Germany
Penalties up to 100% apply. Please be aware of the LutherTours complete Booking Agreement Terms and Conditions of Travel and Cancellation policy, a copy is included with each individual tour confirmation, available by contacting our office directly 1.844.777.1517 or online at www.LUTHERTOURS.com and click Terms & Conditions to view details.
All travelers must travel with a passport valid for at least 6-months beyond your return travel date. Non-US passport holders contact LT for additional credentials required to travel.
Additional credentials to travel due to Covid-19 may be required. You will be advised as details are received for your departure. Requirements change regularly, continue to check travel requirements up to the day of departure.
LT and its travel partners reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary. Prices subject to currency fluctuation. Itinerary subject to change.
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