The day has arrived and we depart from Miami (MIA) on an overnight journey to Germany.
Today we arrive in Germany at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Here we will be met by our professional, English-speaking tour escort who will remain with us for the duration of our trip. We will enjoy a cruise on the Rhine River (time and weather permitting), before making our way to the German city of Worms. We will enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. Overnight Worms. Dom Hotel or similar. D.
This morning, after breakfast, we will visit Worms’ Reformation Monument. Worms was the city where Martin Luther gave his famous “Here I stand” speech, and it’s monument to the Reformation is the largest in the world. We drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This city, which was the second largest in Germany during the Middle Ages, is known as Germany’s best-preserved walled town. We will enjoy a walking tour of the city before having lunch (not included). After lunch we will continue to the city of Augsburg – one of Germany’s oldest cities – where we will have an overview tour to include the old town and Augsburg’s 11th century cathedral (external views only). Overnight Augsburg. Dorint An der Kongresshalle Hotel or similar. B, D.
Today we will visit the Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial. Dachau was the first concentration camp established by the Nazis, and was operational between 1933 and 1945, when it was liberated by American forces. We will make our way to the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle, a palace built in the 19th century in the foothills of the Alps. Overnight Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Dorint Sporthotel** or similar. B, D.
Please note that Dorint Sporthotel does not have air-conditioning, as is the case more broadly with 3- and 4-star hotels in this region.
This morning we will enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. If the weather is clear, we will be able to see all the way to Italy. In the afternoon we will drive to Salzburg. Overnight Salzburg. NH Collection or similar. B, D.
After breakfast we will enjoy a walking tour of the city of Salzburg. We will see Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Gardens, and Salzburger Dom (exterior views only). We will tour Mozart’s birthplace, where we will see the violin he played when he was five years old. After taking time for lunch (not included), we will travel to Berchtesgaden, where we will visit the Eagle’s Nest – Hitler’s mountain retreat. Overnight Salzburg. NH Collection or similar. B, D.
Today we depart Salzburg for Prague, passing through Mondsee and Gmunden, and the lakes that lie between them. In the evening we will arrive in Prague. Overnight Prague. Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s or similar. B, D.
Today we will enjoy a full day tour of Prague, a city associated with the proto-reformer Jan Hus. We will visit the Hradcany District, to include Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Cathedral and the Golden Lane. We will visit Charles Bridge, Bethlehem Chapel, the Jan Hus Memorial, the City Hall, the Astronomical Clock, Our Lady of Tyn Church, and Wenscelas Square. Overnight Prague. Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s or similar. B, D.
Today we will drive from Prague to Berlin, stopping en route for lunch (not included). Once in Berlin, we will experience a half day bike tour of the city. Overnight Berlin. Park Inn Aleksanderplatz or similar. B, D.
Today we will continue our tour of Berlin. We will see the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (exterior views only), the Memorial to Murdered Jews, the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse, the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, the Topography of Teror, the Berlin Cathedral, and Alexanderplatz (exterior views only). In the afternoon we will have free time. Overnight Berlin. Park Inn Aleksanderplatz or similar. B, D.
Today we drive to Wittenberg, the home base of the first magisterial reformer, Martin Luther. We will visit the Castle Church where Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door, along with the City Church, Luther Memorial, Juden Strasse, the Luther House, and the Luther Oak Memorial which is located at the site where it is believed that Luther burned his papal bull of excommunication. Overnight Erfurt. Radisson Collection or similar. B, D.
After breakfast we will enjoy a walking tour of Erfurt, including a visit to the Augustinian Monastery where Luther once lived. We will visit the Merchants’ Bridge, the University of Erfurt where Luther studied, Cathedral Square, and the Cathedral where Luther first celebrated mass (exterior views only). Overnight Erfurt. Radisson Collection or similar. B, D.
Today we will visit Eisenach, and Wartburg Castle where Luther was taken after a staged kidnapping, and where he translated to New Testament into German. We will continue on to Frankfurt. Overnight Frankfurt. Novotel or similar. B, D.
Early this morning we will transfer to Frankfurt Airport, where we will begin our journey home. Later today, we will arrive back in Miami (MIA).
