An Excursion to Luther & Bach Country: A Historical and Cultural Immersion
Presented by Peace Lutheran Church Ft. Myers, Florida Hosted by Pastor Walter Still
Join us on an exciting trip to Germany from August 7-17, 2018. As you walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther and J.S. Bach, your appreciation for these great teachers of the faith will be re-formed. Pastor Walter, along with local guides, will lead you on a pilgrimage of historical sites, worship and singing in churches. Ric Jaeggi will direct those who love to sing. Your trip will benefit from significant work that was done by the church and state for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. All members and friends of Peace, singers and non-singers alike, are welcome! Your excursion to Luther and Bach country has been carefully planned to maximize cultural, spiritual and educational opportunities. The itinerary is structured with activities, group interests, free time and flow of tour in mind. An experienced tour escort will travel with the group to insure that all participants have an enjoyable and rewarding tour.
Tour arrangements by American Music Abroad Tuesday, August 7 FRANKFURT AIRPORT - EISENACH Arrival at Frankfurt International Airport on individual flights. Meet fellow travelers and your tour escort for lunch at Paulaner in the Squaire Restaurant at the airport. Following lunch, board your deluxe coach and travel to Eisenach. Dinner and overnight in Eisenach. Wednesday, August 8 - EISENACH It was here in Eisenach that Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. This morning, visit the historic town. Enjoy an organ concert, followed by worship service conducted by Pastor Walter in St. George’s Church where Martin Luther sang as a student. Later visit the Bachhaus and Museum dedicated to the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This evening you will be treated to a medieval dinner with Erfurt Building live entertainment. Overnight in hotel. Saturday, August 11 ERFURT - EISLEBEN - LEIPZIG Travel to the colorful village of Eisleben, where Luther was born in 1483. Visit the Luther birth house/museum, St. Andrew’s church where Luther spoke his last sermon, and the Luther Sterbehaus (death house) museum where presumedly he died in 1546. As a final tribute, join Pastor Walter as he conducts an Affirmation of Baptism & Eucharist service in Sts. Peter & Paul Church. Late afternoon travel to Leipzig for dinner and overnight.
Bachhaus, Eisenach Thursday, August 9 - EISENACH - ERFURT Your morning begins with an exciting visit to Wartburg Castle. After climbing the steep ancient path via private vans, you will tour this well-preserved hilltop castle dating to medieval times. Luther lived here incognito under the protection of Frederich the Wise in 1521. Afternoon travel to city of Erfurt. Dinner and overnight in Erfurt. Altar Piece, Eisleben Friday, August 10 - ERFURT This morning’s customized guided sightseeing tour visits the Sunday, August 12 - LEIPZIG Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Severus Church and the Preacher’s The morning is free to attend church service in one of Church. Learn how this city was important in the lives of Leipzig’s wonderful historic churches. Your afternoon both Luther and Bach. Afternoon visit to the Augustinian guided sightseeing tour by a local guide includes a visit to Monastery which dates to the 13th century and was home the house/museum of composer Felix Mendelssohn. Tonight, to Martin Luther from 1505 - 1511. Independent dinner. you will be treated to dinner in one of Leipzig’s oldest and Overnight in Erfurt. most authentic keller restaurants, popular since the 15th and 16th centuries and visited by Goethe and others. Overnight in Leipzig. Monday, August 13 - LEIPZIG Your morning guided walking tour includes a visit to St. Thomaskirche, where Bach was Kapellmeister from 1723 until his death in 1750, and is buried. Pause for a brief service lead by Pastor Walter and a private performance by Ric on the “Bach organ.” Visit the 16th century Old Town Hall and St. Nikolaikirche. Learn how the congregation of this church was important in the communist era, and during the peace movement before the fall of the wall. Independent dinner in Leipzig and opportunity to attend a concert at the Bach statue in front of St. Thomaskirche. Overnight in Leipzig.
Wartburg Castle Tuesday, August 14 The price per person includes: LEIPZIG - DRESDEN Excursion to Dresden, Transportation in Germany via deluxe motor coach one of Germany’s most with toilet. picturesque cities. Dresden The services of an English-speaking escort from was destroyed by Allied lunch meeting at Frankfurt Airport on August 7, 2018 planes in February, 1945. until morning of August 17, 2018. On your guided tour of the city, you will view Accommodations in 4-star hotels in double-occupan- some of the remaining cy rooms with private bath and toilet. (Limited single effects of the World War rooms are available at an extra cost.) II bombing as well as All tips and taxes normally appearing on hotel bills the extensive rebuilding (including VAT). and renovations to the 10 Breakfasts; 1 Lunch; 6 Dinners magnificent structures. Visit the awe-inspiring All tips and taxes normally appearing on restaurant Frauenkirche. Originally bills of included meals (including VAT). a Catholic cathedral, it was Tips to local guides, donations and fees. rebuilt in the 18th century as a Lutheran church. After the Porterage of one piece of luggage in and out of hotels. destruction of 1945, the remaining ruins were left for 50 years as a war memorial. The reconstruction, which was financed Entrance to Bachhaus in Eisenach. by donations from all over the world, was completed in 2005. Entrance to Wartburg Castle. This afternoon, visit the famed Volkswagen Transparent Guided sightseeing tour of Erfurt. Factory for a guided tour of the facility. Dinner in a restaurant in Dresden; return to Leipzig for overnight. Entrance to Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt. Entrances to Luther’s birth house and the house Wednesday, August 15 - LEIPZIG - WITTENBERG museum commemorating his death. Our touring ends with a powerful all day excursion to Guided sightseeing tours of Leipzig. Wittenberg. Visit Lutherhaus with its detailed educational exhibits, Town Church where Luther preached, Christ Entrance to Mendelssohn Haus in Leipzig. Chapel where Pastor Walter preached during his recent Guided sightseeing tour of Dresden. Wittenberg English Ministry, and the Castle Church where Entrance to VW Transparent Factory in Dresden. Luther nailed his 95 theses. On your private guided tour, learn about the times of Martin Luther as well as life during Entrance to Lutherhaus in Wittenberg. the communist occupation. Late afternoon private organ Pastor Walter Still led worship opportunities and concert by Ric and the professional organist of the Castle organ concerts in various locations. Church . Independent dinner in Wittenberg before returning to Leipzig for overnight. The tour price does NOT include: Expenses of passports, visas (if necessary), tips to tour escort and coach driver, excess baggage charges, forwarding of baggage, transportation charges incurred as a result of a deviation from the printed itinerary, insurance, loss of personal property, expenses for laundry, alcoholic beverages, mineral waters, soft drinks, after dinner coffee/tea, or food or beverages not on menus of the included meals and all other items not stated specifically in the preceding list.
Door of Luther’s 95 Theses, Castle Church, Wittenberg Thursday, August 16 - LEIPZIG - FRANKFURT This morning, board the coach for return travel to Frankfurt Airport. Stop en route for an fascinating visit to a historic brewery. Dinner and overnight in hotel at the Frankfurt International Airport. Friday, August 17 - FRANKFURT - USA Independent travel back to the United States with memories of your rich experiences of Luther and Bach country!
Itinerary is subject to change if deemed necessary. Thomaskirche, Leipzig TOUR PRICE (excluding airfare) RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT per person, double occupancy: $ 1820.00 Tour participants shall be covered by all conditions, provisions, rules, regulations, waivers and agreements entered PAYMENT SCHEDULE into with American Music Abroad during the time on the tour, whether spent in this country or abroad, from the date of Due December 1, 2017: $200.00 deposit per person with joining American Music Abroad until released by American completed information form (Persons who made the initial Music Abroad. $100.00 deposit, need only submit an additional $100.00 with the completed application form.) American Music Abroad is not responsible for claims for loss, theft or damage, to any personal property, including Due February 1, 2018: additional $300.00 per person but not limited to luggage, baggage or money brought on the tour. Any such losses, whether covered by insurance or Due April 1, 2018: additional $400.00 per person uncovered, shall not be the responsibility of American Music Abroad. Participants assume all liability for any and all losses Due June 1, 2018: final payment of $920.00 per person or damages, whether personal or property, which may arise from this trip. HOW TO MAKE PAYMENTS Any medical expenses incurred by or on behalf of individual participants must be reimbursed to American Music Abroad The initial deposit must be by check made payable to Peace and its staff; such special expenses shall include but not Lutheran Church. The deposit and completed information be limited to medical or psychological care, drugs or other form must be submitted to the church office by December treatments, transportation including airfare to or from any 1, 2017. point for any reason including ill health and communication costs. Subsequent payments will be made directly to American Music Abroad. Credit card payments or checks are American Music Abroad does not act as warrantor or guarantor acceptable. for the various companies, institutions and associations whose services; accommodations and equipment are made available Upon the receipt of your application and deposit, American in connection with its tours. American Music Abroad Music Abroad will email you a welcome letter and directions expressly assumes no responsibility or liability arising from on making payments. American Music Abroad will send a the provision or use of any such equipment and/or services, current invoice via email approximately 1 week prior to the including but not limited to transportation, room, food and due date for each payment. performance sites. All rates are based on tariffs and costs in effect November 2017 and are subject to change and/or confirmation when final CANCELLATION SCHEDULE payment is made. In the event that it becomes necessary or advisable, for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary Beginning December 1, 2017, $100.00 per person is non- or arrangements, such alterations may be made. Additional refundable. expenses, if any, shall be borne by participants, conversely, refunds will be made if any savings is effected. A total of $250.00 per person is non-refundable between February 15 and June 15, 2018. Any and all rights, demands, actions, causes of action and claims for injury, damage and/or loss arising during the period After June 15, 2018, the refundable portion is limited due to of tour membership or under this agreement that a participant pre-payment of coach and hotels. may have against American Music Abroad, its organizers, owners, employees and volunteers, both personally and in their official or professional capacities shall be waived and released by the tour participant; this waiver and release shall include but not be limited to any and all claims which may result from American Music Abroad’s exercise of discretion, service or transportation providers and equipment, and the acts, defaults or defects thereof, as well as any and all damages arising from natural or political events. American Music Abroad accepts no responsibility for loss or additional expenses resulting from improper passports, visas or other documents. In the event that membership must be cancelled for any reason after the date of the final commitment, the refundable amount will be less expenses and cancellation fees from suppliers. American Music Abroad P.O. Box 1411, Voorhees, NJ 08043 (856) 874-1010 www.americanmusicabroad.com