Walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther on this faith-based Germany tour highlighting the European Reformation and featuring the Oberammergau Passion Play, which has been performed every 10 years since 1634. Visit the Castle Church in Wittenberg, seen as the home of the Reformation, where Martin Luther is said to have nailed his 95 theses to the door in 1517, criticizing the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church and calling for a return to the word of God.
About the Oberammergau Passion Play
An opportunity that arises once every ten years is an opportunity not to be missed. A theatrical tradition since 1634, the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play is a much- anticipated re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ - - from His entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection - - performed only once a decade in the quaint Bavarian village of Oberammergau.
In 2020, two thousand actors, singers and musicians – all residents of this tiny hamlet 60 miles from Munich – will take the stage once again to enlighten, entertain, and move an audience that has traveled from afar to witness the glory. This is your chance to be a part of this rich tradition, surrounded by majestic mountains and picturesque meadows, and to be a part of Oberammergau’s unique history.
Devastated by the Black Plague in 1633, the frightened survivors of Oberammergau re-enacted the crucifixion of Christ, vowing to God that if they were spared, they would perform the Passion Play every ten years. Their prayers were answered, and 2020 will mark the 42nd production of the play as well as the town’s continued commitment to its grateful pledge.
ITINERARY ------July 9 – July 20, 2020 (B) = Breakfast Included. (D) = Dinner included. Tour TLO* - dates, prices, and terms and conditions will be advised at time of reservation and are subject to change. Itinerary subject to change.
July 9/July 10 Flight departs to Germany. Arrive in BERLIN, Germany. Meet Tour Director at a Welcome dinner at hotel (D) Day 1 Hotel: Crowne Plaza Berlin – Potsdamer Platz, Hallesche Strasse 10, Berlin.
July 11 BERLIN-WITTENBERG. Berlin sightseeing, including the elegant Ku’damm, the restored Reichstag, Charlottenburg Day 2 Castle, Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and the 21-foot Victory Column in Tiergarten Park. Visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, drive along Unter den Linden Boulevard, and pass the State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie. In the afternoon, continue to Wittenberg, Martin Luther’s hometown and birthplace of the Reformation (B, D) Hotel: Luther Hotel, Neustrasse 7-10, Wittenberg.
July 12 WITTENBERG-LEIPZIG. Guided walking tour and visit to the Luther House, where Martin Luther and his family lived. Day 3 Visit St. Mary’s Church, where Luther preached reform, got married, and baptized his six children. See the door of Castle Church, where Luther posted his 95 Theses, launching the Reformation in 1517. Continue to Leipzig for a walking tour and a visit to the Thomaskirche, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as a cantor. (B, D) Hotel: Westin Leipzig, Gerberstrasse 15, Leipzig.
July 13 LEIPZIG-EISLEBEN-ERFURT. Begin in Leipzig. Continue to Eisleben, where Luther’s life began and ended. Visit his Day 4 Birth House and Death House Museums, as well as St. Peter & Paul Church, where Luther was baptized, and St. Andrew’s Church, where Luther preached his last sermon in 1546. Continue to Erfurt, whose 36 churches, 15 monasteries, and other ecclesiastical buildings have earned it the nickname “Thuringian Rome.” A highlight is an inspirational visit to the Augustinian Monastery where Luther lived as a monk. (B) Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel Erfurt, Juri-Gagarin-Ring 127, Erfurt.
July 14 ERFURT-EXCURSION TO EISENACH. Journey to Eisenach. Visit Luther House, St. George’s Church, where Luther was Day 5 a choir boy and later preached, and see the Luther and Bach Memorials. Also visit Wartburg Castle, where Luther lived in disguise as “Knight George.” It was during this time that Luther translated the New Testament from Ancient Greek into German in just ten weeks. (B, D)
July 15 ERFURT-COBURG-WIESBADEN. Continue south to Coburg and visit Coburg Fortress, where Luther lived and was Day 6 protected during the Imperial Diet (highest representative assembly) of Augsburg in 1530. (B, D)
July 16 WIESBADEN. EXCURSION TO THE RHINE VALLEY, WORMS and MAINZ. Enjoy a scenic Rhine cruise past castle- Day 7 crested cliffs and terraced vineyards. Visit Worms, where the Imperial Council passed judgment on Luther in 1521, and the Cathedral where Luther presented his case, as well as Trinity Church and the Reformation monument. Continue to Mainz to visit the Gutenberg Museum, which houses original copies of the Bible. (B) Hotel: Mercure Wiesbaden City Hotel, Bahnhofstrasse 10-12, Wiesbaden.
July 17 WIESBADEN-ROTHENBURG-NUREMBERG. Journey to the medieval walled town of Rothenburg for a walking tour to Day 8 St. Jacob’s Church with its masterpiece Altar of the Holy Blood. There will be time for shopping for the town’s famed Christmas ornaments. Continue to Nuremberg, the first town to accept the Reformation in 1525. The walking tour features the gothic St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, where you can pause for quiet meditation. (B, D) Hotel: NH Collection Nuernberg City, Bahnhofstrasse 19, Nuremberg.
July 18 NUREMBERG-OBERAMMERGAU. Drive to picturesque Oberammergau, where the afternoon and evening are Day 9 dedicated to the world-famous Passion Play (B, D). Hotel: Romantik Hotel Boeld, Konig-Ludwig-Strasse 10.
July 19 OBERAMMERGAU-MUNICH. Continue to Munich for sightseeing. Enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B, D) Day 10 Hotel: Holiday Inn Munich City Centre, Hochstrasse 3, Munich.
July 20 / Day 11 MUNICH. Tour ends with breakfast. (B) Flight departs Germany.
Additional Information About Reformation Tour featuring Oberammergau Passion Play
Hotels Hotels will be as listed, or similar. Oberammergau hotel will be located in the village of Oberammergau.
Transportation Transportation provided by motor coach, boat cruise. There will be a mandatory, daily seat rotation on the motor coach. For the enjoyment of all passengers, adherence to the rules of the Tour Director regarding seat rotation is required. Alcohol consumption is not allowed on the motor coach.
Wi-Fi Free wi-fi will be available on motor coach and in most hotel lobbies. Connectivity is not guaranteed, and is often disrupted.
Meals Full buffet breakfast (B) daily; 8 three-course dinners (D) with wine, including a welcome dinner in Berlin and a farewell dinner in Munich.
Tickets Oberammergau ticket category is located in section TC1. Actual seat numbers are not available.
Single / Triple Single and triple accommodations are very limited, on request and subject to availability.
Extra Nights Extra hotel nights are on a request-only basis, and subject to availability.
Air Prices Air prices will be available in September 2019.
Cancellation Fees Cancellation fees are covered by the optional travel insurance protection plan provided premium has been paid and reason for cancellation is insurable. Those who do not purchase travel protection should be aware of the following cancellation penalties: 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 40% of total price 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 60% of total price 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price On departure day or later: 100% of total price
Language All tour directors, local hosts, local guides, and ships’ crew speak English, and all vacation commentary is conducted in English. The passion play is performed in German, and you will be given an English text.
Ability to Travel Please report any disability requiring special attention while on this tour at the time you make your reservation. Globus will make reasonable attempts to accommodate special needs of disabled travelers, but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so nor responsible for any denial of services by air carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Accommodations outside of the United States of America may not accommodate wheelchairs or be wheelchair accessible. The Americans With Disabilities Act is not applicable outside of the Unites States of America. A qualified and physically able companion should accompany travelers who need special assistance. Motorized scooters and motorized wheelchairs are not suitable for this tour, and are not permitted.
Passport A passport is required to travel internationally. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the conclusion of your trip.
Gratuities Gratuities are included for services during your tour, including wait staff at included meals, hospitality staff at hotels, porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your Tour Director, local host, local guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the tour price, and are discretionary.
Price Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare. Air schedules will be released in September 2019.
Land Price (without air) $3,249.00 Pre-Paid Gratuities 98.00 Estimated Booking Total $3,347.00
add optional Travel Protection** **379.00 $3,726.00
**Protect your travel investment with Trip Mate, Travel Protection Plan Plus. Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company (a Crum & Forster Co.). This is a brief description of the travel plan available. Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are detailed in the Certificate of Coverage. The Certificate of Coverage fully details the coverages, provisions, limitations and exclusions of the plan offered and is available upon request, at any time prior to your purchase of the plan. For information, contact Sandy Nelson (816) 808-8345.
TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN Schedule of Coverages Coverage Limit Part A Trip Cancellation Cash Refund Up To Trip Cost Part B Trip Interruption 150% of Trip Cost Missed Connection $1,000 Travel Delay (up to $150 per day) $1,000 Medical Expense/Emergency Evacuation Accident and Sickness Medical Expense $50,000 Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation $500,000 Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation $25.000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment 24-hour other than air flight $25,000 Air Flight Only $100,000 Baggage and Personal Effects $2,500 Baggage Delay $250
Part A – Cancellation Waiver Program is provided by Globus Family of Brands. Part B – Travel Insurance Benefits are provided by United States Fire Insurance Company.
How To Make a Reservation: Contact Sandy Nelson at Cruise Planners (816) 808-8345 or [email protected]. Provide exact passport name, date of birth, and non-refundable deposit of $600 per person. Final payment is due in March 2020. ______
Heartland Presbyterian Center is delighted to present information about this exciting trip, solely because Heartland believes its patrons and friends will find the information interesting and useful. Heartland is not affiliated with the trip in any way, and is not supporting, promoting, or recommending the trip, and is not assuming any liability whatsoever related to the trip or to providing information about it.
This tour is being offered by Globus, a tour company started in 1928, and today the largest tour operator worldwide. The local organizer of this tour is Sandy Nelson, franchise owner of Cruise Planners, American Express Travel Representative, and the nation’s largest and most awarded home-based travel Sandy Nelson (816) 808-8345 advisor franchise network. www.sea-breeze-cruises.com [email protected]