Sunday 23^rd May 2010

Depart from Australia via Singapore and Frankfurt to Berlin. (Meals in flight)

Monday 24^th May - Berlin

Early morning arrival to Berlin where we will be transferred to our hotel for check in and rest. Remainder of the day free to enjoy a stroll or a coffee along the famous Friedrichstrasse. Overnight Berlin. (D)

Tuesday 25^th May - Berlin

We'll be greeted this morning by our Reformation Tours expert guide and on our luxury tour bus we depart for a Berlin orientation tour. We will visit the famous Checkpoint Charlie and the Museum, Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Cathedral, the Reichstag building and the lively boulevards. This city has undergone momentous change in the 15 years since reunification. Afternoon visit to Berlin’s beautifully restored Synagogue that was destroyed during the war. We continue to Potsdammer Platz, a marvellous example of modern architecture. Overnight Berlin (B – D) (Meeting with representative from Chosen Peoples Ministry)

Wednesday 26^th May - Berlin

We begin our day with a visit to the Pergamum Museum which house the Biblicaly famous Processional Way and Gate of Ishta from Babylon at the time of Daniel. The alter of Zeus was transported by the Kaiser from Pergamum, Turkey, to also be added to the collection here. We spend the afternoon at Potsdam. Prepare to be dazzled as we visit Friedrich Wilhelm II (1712-86)'s summer residence, the Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam. Before leaving Potsdam, we'll visit Nikolaikirche (St Nicholas Church), said to be the largest domed church in Germany. This dome is decorated with scenes from the New Testament. We'll also drive past the Dutch Quarter, with its 134 Baroque-style homes, followed by the Alexander Settlement, with its quaint Russian-style homes. Overnight Berlin. (B-D)

Thursday 27^th May - Wittenberg

Next we'll tour the Lutherhalle (Luther House) Museum. In 1508, when Martin Luther came to Wittenberg, he lived here with other Augustinian monks. Later, Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora, raised six children here. 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 up that stoked the fires of the Reformation. . Overnight Wittenberg. (B-D)

Friday 28^th May - Wittenberg - Leipzig - Halle

After breakfast we will visit Stadtkirche St. Marien (St. Mary's church) where Luther preached and where his children were baptized. We’ll marvel at the amazing detail in the altar painted by Lucas Cranach in a Reformation theme. We’ll follow this with the Melanchthon House Museum, a tribute to Philipp Melanchthon, who presented the Augsburg Confession of Peace. Melanchthon was second only to Luther as the key person in the Reformation in Germany. He was also a strong advocate of education.

This afternoon we will have the opportunity to explore Leipzig. We’ll begin today with a walking tour, including seeing the Town Hall standing on the site of the Pleissenburg Castle, where Luther had his famous debate with Johann Eck. We'll also visit St Nicholas Church whose Pastor began peace prayer services that in 1989 led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. For lunch, there’s an optional meal at Auerbachs Keller Restaurant, made famous by Faust. In nearby Halle, we'll learn about Handel, the inspired composer of Messiah. We'll also hear how Halle Pietists influenced both Methodists and the Great Awakening. We return to Wittenberg for overnight. (B-D)

Saturday 29^th May - Eisleben, Erfurt

This morning, we'll make our way to Eisleben, which held a special place in Martin Luther's heart. This is where he was born and died. By touring the Birth House and Death House will gain a unique view of the life and times that he lived in. The walking tour will include the historic Old Town, with it’s medieval cobblestone streets. Luther frequently preached at St. Anne’s (the "Miner's Church") and St Andrews Church with its original pulpit. This is where he preached his final four sermons and where the first of his funerals was held.

In the afternoon we'll make our way to Efert Tonight, rather than a hotel, we'll have the privilege of staying in Luther’s Augustinian Monastery (subject to availability.) This is a real treat! We will be able to meet and fellowship with the Sisters of the Casteller Ring. This evening we'll be free to sample some local cuisine on our own. (B)

Sunday 30^th May - Erfurt, Eisenach

We’ll begin the day with a guided tour of Erfurt, including St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Severin's Church, ending with a special organ concert performed exclusively for our group.

We will then head for fascinating Eisenach. In 1521, while fleeing from the wrath of the Pope, Luther took refuge in the Wartburg Castle 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! Also the home of composer J S Bach. In the Bachhaus Museum we will enjoy hearing authentic musical instruments being played.

In the town of Eisenach, we'll see the splendid Martin Luther Statue and St. George's Church. Martin Luther was a school boy in Eisenach and also sang in the choir. In 1521 he preached on his journey to and from the imperial parliament in Worms (The Diet of Worms).

We'll make a brief stop in Marburg, famous for the meeting place of Ulrich Zwingli, the Swiss Reformer from Zurich and Martin Luther in 1529 in an attempt to unify differing doctrinal issues. This was a major event in the Reformation, and we'll be on the spot where it happened. We'll see St. Elizabeth’s Church, dating from 1283 and hear about Phillip of Hesse, a local leader who greatly aided the Lutheran Reformation, and see 14th century frescoes. If time permits, we'll watch the Rathaus (town hall) "ancient mechanical clock, which delights onlookers every hour as various animated figures spring to life," according to author Irving Hexham in "The Christian Travelers Guide to Germany."

We'll enjoy a relaxed group meal this evening in Rudesheim, on the banks of the Rhine. This beautiful town dates back to before the Roman era. Sites include Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum, the Drosselgasse, a lively street with live evening music, a Medieval Torture Museum (not for the faint of heart!), and the Rheingau Wine Museum. You can also take a cable car up to the Niederwald Monument for a fabulous view. Overnight Rudesheim. (B-D)

Monday 31^st May - Rhine Cruise, Mainz, Worms, Rudesheim

What better way to start the day than with a Rhine cruise! We’ll board the boat at St. Goar and sail past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley rock.

In the afternoon we will take an excursion to Mainz, Alzey and Worms before returning to Rudesheim for the evening meal and overnight stay.

In Mainz we'll focus on the contribution of Johann Gutenberg, who developed moveable type. We'll be amazed as we view original copies of the Bible in the Gutenberg Museum. We'll also visit Mainz Cathedral, dating back to 975.

On the way to Worms, we'll stop at Rheinhessen Castle in Alzey, where 350 Anabaptists were killed in 1529. We will also see the nearby Mennonite village at Weierhof.

In Worms we’ll have a brief local walking tour to see the site of the Worms Debates (Diet of Worms), now a park, with a plaque commemorating the Diet of Worms, the Reformation Monument, St. Peters, and the Church of the Holy Trinity. Our guide will also share about another Reformer, William Tyndale, who finished his printing of the English Bible in Worms, escaping persecution in England. In 1525 his New Testament was printed and smuggled back into England. It was the first translation of the Bible from the original Greek into English --indeed, it was the first translation of a Greek book into English.

This evening we will be free to explore Rudesheim on our own and enjoy the local restaurants. A second overnight stay in this attractive Rhineland town of Rudesheim. (B)

Tuesday 1^st June - Heidelberg, Strasbourg.

Heidelberg is a gorgeous town on the Neckar River. We’ll have a walking tour of the Old Town, the famous Stone Bridge over the Neckar River, and then tour Heidelberg Castle. This is where the Heidelberg Confession was written in 1653.

Entering France, we head for Strasbourg, home of the E. U.'s European Parliament, the "City of Hope," or "Refuge of the Righteous" as the Anabaptists refer to it. This is where John Calvin wrote his famous books on systematic theology.

Martin Bucer, another Reformation leader was from Strasbourg and is buried in St. Thomas's Church, the principle Protestant Church since 1549. Also related to Strasbourg was Peter Waldo, whose followers were known as "Waldensians," "Poor in Spirit," or "Poor Men of Lyons." In 1184 Pope Lucius III excommunicated them, and in 1211 more than 80 were burned as heretics in Strasbourg, beginning several centuries of persecution.

Due to growing persecution in Paris, Calvin settled in Strasbourg to live the life of a quiet Christian scholar and author. His first draft of the Institutes in 1536 was instantly popular as it presented Reformed doctrine in an easy to read, systematic manner. Calvin later went on to Geneva, Switzerland.

We'll tour the Cathedral of Strasbourg, St. Thomas's Church, and also see the Statue of the Reformers in the University, the Astronomical clock and the historic "La Petite Strasbourg" quarter. We'll enjoy some fabulous French cuisine and stay overnight in Strasbourg. (B)

Wednesday 2^nd June - Strasbourg to Oberammergau

This morning we drive by the European Parliament Building styled on the tower of Babel, and if it can be arranged, make a short visit. From Strasbourg we travel through picturesque German countryside to the quaint alpine region of Oberammergau for overnight (B-D)

Thursday 3^rd June - Oberammergau Passion Play

The PASSION PLAY will be presented after lunch in a full afternoon and evening of theatre. This unique drama will enrich us spiritually and be a vivid reminder of our Saviours suffering, death and resurrection. Overnight nearby Oberammergau. (B-L-D)

Friday 4^th June - Black Forest to Zurich

This morning, we'll pass through the Black Forest region of Germany to Switzerland. At Lake Constance, we'll get our cameras out for the Schaffhausen Waterfalls, where the mighty Rhine River roars at Europe's highest waterfall. From there, we will learn the story of Czech Reformer John Hus in Constance. The Constance Cathedral, site of the Council of Constance in 1415, is where Hus was sentenced to death for his so-called heresy. We'll see the Hussenstein, the stone which marks the very spot where Hus was burned at the stake.

Continuing on to Zurich, we’ll meet up with our local expert guide from the International Baptist Church, who will accompany us as we learn much more about Zwingli on a tour of the key Reformation sites in Zurich. We’ll tour Zwingli’s church, the Grossmünster, where we'll hear excerpts from his old sermons and admire the world famous Chagall stained glass windows. Outside, we'll see the Zwingli Statue. We'll have a stroll through the historic Auld Stadt (old city) and enjoy the Swiss heritage. Zwingli walked these very streets! We’ll also see the Helferei (where Zwingli lived). We’ll tour the Guild Hall and Museum, which has some interesting displays and art from the Swiss Reformation. We'll view the Fraumunster, Zurich’s famous Catholic Cathedral. We'll be staying overnight in the Zurich area and you'll be free to sample typical Swiss cuisine (B)

Saturday 5^th June - Lucerne, Geneva

This morning we'll visit the charming Swiss town of Lucerne, beginning with a brief walking tour to view the City Walls and famous covered wooden bridges. The Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) is a symbol of Lucerne and you've seen pictures of it, but now it's time for us to walk its planks. It originally dates back to the 14th century. Close by is the Spreurerbrucke (Spreuer Bridge), dating from 1408. We'll view the ornate patrician houses along the cobbled streets.

In the afternoon we'll take a leisurely drive through spectacular scenery to Geneva before settling into our hotel for the final two nights. We'll enjoy a group dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Geneva. (B-D)

Sunday 6^th June - Geneva

It was here in Geneva that John Calvin and John Knox brought Christ's teachings to eager listeners. Our full-day tour will start at the waterfront, famous for its Flower Clock and English Gardens, and continue to the old town area, where we'll tour Cathedral St. Pierre (St. Peter’s Cathedral). This is where John Calvin preached and stoked the fires of the Reformation in Geneva, winning thousands to the Lord. You can see Calvin's chair. It's only 157 steps up to the top of the North Tower, where the view is worth the effort. Under the Cathedral are the ruins of a Roman sanctuary, a 4th century basilica, and a 6th century church.

Close by is the Auditoire de Calvin (Calvin's Academy, also known as The Protestant Lecture Hall), where the inspired theologian himself taught. John Knox also taught here for three years. Next we go to the impressive Reformation Monument. Four statues of four Reformation leaders stand as sentinels. Overnight Geneva. (B-D)

Monday 7^th June

Departure to Australia or other European destinations

Tuesday 8^th June

Evening arrival home. Memories to last a lifetime and a wealth of knowledge of our church Reformation greats and the places and times in which they lived