Germany/Lutherland (Poland Pre Tour)

DAY 1 – Departure
Our journey begins as we depart on our overseas flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

DAY 2 – Eisenach
Upon our early morning arrival in Frankfurt, we meet our guide and coach driver and depart for Eisenach.  En route we stop in Bad Hersfeld for lunch.   Then continue on to Eisenach where we check into our hotel before a local guide introduces us to the city. We see the splendid Martin Luther Statue in town and St. George’s Church. We also stop to see the Lutherhaus where Luther lived as a teenager. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel in Eisenach. (L,D)

DAY 3 – Eisenach – Erfurt
After a delicious breakfast we make our way to the Wartburg Castle.  It was here, in 1521, while fleeing from the wrath of the Pope, Luther took refuge after a fake kidnapping staged by his friend and protector, Frederick the Wise. This is where Luther translated the New Testament into German in just 11 weeks! Then we take a short drive to Erfurt for a guided tour of Erfurt, including St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Severin’s Church. We tour the Augustinian Monastery where Luther became an Augustinian monk on July 17, 1505. We will see his monastic quarters, including one cell furnished to look as it would have done when he lived there. This evening we will dine in the “Luther Cellar” restaurant.  We overnight in Erfurt. (B,D)

DAY 4 – Eisleben – Wittenberg
We stop this morning in Eisleben for a guided tour of the place where Luther was born and where he died.  We see Luther’s birth house and death house.  Then we continue on to where we begin our sightseeing tour with a visit to the inspiring Schlosskirche (Castle Church), and the historic “Theses Doors.” It was here in Wittenberg, where Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were courageously given to this prominent university town and to the world. We visit the beautiful St. Mary’s Church, where Luther preached and his children were baptized. We’ll marvel at the amazing detail in the reformation theme altar painted by Lucas Cranach. We also tour the Lutherhalle (Luther House Museum). In 1508, when Luther came to Wittenberg, he stayed here with the other Augustinian Monks. Later, Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, raised six children here. Now this is home to the largest collection of Reformation artifacts in the world. We’ll be able to view some of Luther’s very own personal library, rare manuscripts, early Bibles and some of the very pamphlets that Luther had printed, stoking the fires of the Reformation! We overnight in Wittenberg. (B,D)

DAY 5 – Wittenberg – Leipzig – Wittenberg
After worship this morning we drive to one of Europe’s flourishing trade and commercial centers during the Middle Ages, and which became the center of resistance to Communist rule just over a decade ago. Here we have the privilege of visiting the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church), the home of the faithful “Pray for Peace” Christians, and the powerful force that transformed Germany’s East and West. In 1989, thousands of East Germans gathered by candlelight in this church to form human rights and pro-democracy demonstrations, that led to the destruction of the infamous Berlin Wall and the dissolution of East Germany. Another Leipzig highlight will be our visit to Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church), where Luther preached and Johann Sebastian Bach performed and directed the famous St. Thomas Boys choir.  After some free time, we return to Wittenberg for overnight. (B,D)

DAY 6 – Berlin
This morning we drive north to Berlin, where we begin with a tour of Berlin highlighting the three centers of Berlin: the west around Kurfürstendamm Blvd and Memorial Church, the new center around Potsdamer Square, and the east around Unter den Linden, Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz.  This afternoon we have the option of free time to explore on our own or visit the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Museum. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Berlin Pastor and Professor of Theology who resisted National Socialism during a time when tyranny and racism ruled Germany, victimizing religious, ethnic and social minorities. A guest speaker will share with us the history of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. (B,D)

DAY 7 – Poznan
Today we drive to Poznan where we are introduced to the Von Promnitz family of Poland as history is uncovered and learn of Count Von Promnitz connection to Luther. (B)

(Those not joining the Treasures of Poland tour, would be dropped off at the Berlin Airport.)

Royal Treasures of Poland Tour: Day 7-13