Ideal Travel Oberammergau 2010 Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Wednesday June 9, 2010 – Flight to Europe
  Departure from the US and overnight flight to Europe.
 
Day 2 Thursday June 10, 2010 – Arrival Frankfurt – Worms – Heidelberg
  Upon your arrival in Frankfurt, your English speaking guide and your bus driver are waiting to welcome you to Germany. Board your private deluxe motor coach en-route to our first stop, the city of Worms, which played a huge role in the life of Martin Luther. We continue to the beautiful city of Heidelberg, where will walk up to the “Student Prince” castle and then stroll along the Hauptstrasse - and maybe have a lunch snack. Early afternoon finds us on the Autobahn for 3 hours, and your chance to take a catnap before arriving in the area of Biberach an der Riss. Dinner (included) at a local restaurant, then a time of rest - feather beds and all!
 
Day 3 Friday June 11, 2010 – Oberammergau and Passion Play performance
  After breakfast at your hotel, we depart for Oberammergau, and once you arrive in the village, the local organizers will take over. After you have checked into your hotel, and received your official program booklet, it will be lunchtime. The first part of the play starts at 2.30pm, and it’s only a few steps from your hotel to the Festival Hall. The performance will be in German, with an English translation of the text available. During a 3-hour intermission you will enjoy dinner in a restaurant in Oberammergau, and you also have free admission to the village museum. Then at dusk the second half of the play starts, which will last until about 10.30pm. If necessary you may use the shuttle service back to your hotel.
 
Day 4 Saturday June 12, 2010 – Neuschwanstein Castle – Rothenburg
  Your permanent guide and driver will pick you up after breakfast, but before leaving the area, we will visit Neuschwanstein, one of the most spectacular castles the world has ever seen - the famous "wedding cake" castle. We’ll now travel north to the city of Rothenburg. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes - this is cobblestone day! Upon arrival, your guide will take you on a walk that will include a stroll high up along the city wall and into the parish church. Here, you will see the Holy Blood altar, a remarkable piece of woodcarving. Our last stop is the old castle area to catch a romantic view of the lovely Tauber river valley. Your time is now free to: watch the master draught clock in the market square… take a break in a sidewalk café… or visit Käthe Wohlfahrt's year-round Christmas Store. Dinner and overnight will be at a cozy guesthouse in a nearby village.
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Day 5 Sunday June 13, 2010 – Eisenach - Wartburg Castle
  This morning we would like to offer you to visit a church service en route to the city of Eisenach. This is one of the major Luther sights: here Martin spent 3 years as a student, finding food and shelter in the house of Ursula Cotta. Luther also preached in the local church, the Georgenkirche. Most importantly, however, it is here that he became the “victim” of a fabricated hold-up, and was taken as a “prisoner” to the Wartburg Castle. Under the protection of the local prince he spent some 10 months as “Junker Jörg” in this “mighty fortress” which later reappeared in a hymn sung still today. It was during that time that Luther translated the New Testament from the Greek into German. We will visit the castle to see the room where Martin Luther lived and worked. We continue our journey to the city of Arnstadt for dinner and overnight.
 
Day 6 Monday June 14, 2010 – Bach in Arnstadt – Erfurt Augustinian Monastery
  The city of Arnstadt has a beautifully restored Old City, which is restricted to only pedestrian traffic. The musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach began his career here, being employed as cantor to what is now called the “Bach Church.” However, our main destination today is the city of Erfurt. In his early years, Luther attended the local university, but after he had taken a vow to become a monk, he entered the Augustinian Monastery and lived there for 6 years (1505-1511). There were many scenes from the movie “Luther” (2003) shot here on location. One of the most curious sights in Erfurt is a bridge by the name of Krämerbrücke, which is completely covered with houses, nowadays containing small stores. As we further explore the city you will visit the two churches high up on a hill, the Cathedral of Mary and the Severi church. Walk up the vast outside staircase – a sea of steps so large it is regularly used for theatrical performances – e.g. to perform the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”, or in more recent years, even a new musical on Martin Luther. Return to Arnstadt for dinner and overnight.
 
Day 7 Tuesday June 15, 2010 – Zeitz – Descendant of Martin Luther
  Today we travel to Zeitz, a very charming little city that is known for its connection to Martin and Katie Luther and their descendants. During a guided walk of the city you will learn that Martin himself was frequently here on business. You’ll also be taken on an adventurous march through the “underground” world of the city – the fascinating basements of the medieval houses. The parish church has among its treasures a first print poster of Luther’s 95 theses – it’s one of only three left in the world today. In the evening you’ll share a meal with all the nice people who are contributing to making your visit a unique experience. Some artistic surprises will be waiting for you, too. We’ll keep that part a surprise! Overnight in Leipzig area.
 
Day 8 Wednesday June 16, 2010 – Eisleben and on to Wittenberg
  This morning we continue to the little city of Eisleben, which is sometimes referred to as the “Bethlehem and the Jerusalem of the reformer.” Upon arrival we’ll meet our local guide who will take us around the city to see the house where Martin was born. By some strange twist of fate, Martin returned to Eisleben as an old man, his purpose being to settle a dispute within the ruling family of the area. After three weeks he finally succeeded; one day later, he died. We’ll take a look around the church where he gave his last sermon, and where his body was laid. Mid afternoon we continue our journey to the city of Wittenberg. Our next two overnights in Wittenberg will be, we hope, at the very centrally located hotel, which in the 1500s used to be an inn that Martin Luther used for a (probably not always) quiet drink many times. It's on record! There is no organized dinner tonight – but your guide will point out some tried and tested restaurants nearby.
 
Day 9 Thursday June 17, 2010 – Extensive visits in Wittenberg – Luther meal
  Wittenberg was the spiritual center of the Lutheran reformation, and the entire day is devoted to the city. Our local guide Katja Köhler will start her tour at 9:00am with the “Luther House.” His wife, Katharina gave him a gate as a gift for his 57th birthday, which you can still see today, and which shows the Luther rose, the coat of arms of the reformer. Katharina and Martin kept an open house in Wittenberg, and the living room, it is claimed, is pretty much in its original state. Other sights will include the Schlosskirche (castle church) where according to tradition Luther nailed his 95 theses to the entrance door. Inside the church, visit the graves of Martin Luther and Phillip Melanchthon. The afternoon is free for you to explore Wittenberg on your own. At 7:00pm our very special dinner starts to unfold: A “Luther Meal” at the Stadtpalais Hotel, prepared in the authentic style of the 16th century. Guten Appetit! Second overnight at your hotel in Wittenberg.
 
Day 10 Friday June 18, 2010 – Torgau to Alsfeld
  It is often said that behind a great man there is always a great woman. This is certainly true for the woman in Martin Luther’s life: Katharina von Bora. In order to find out more about Katharina we’d like to take you on a visit to the nearby town of Torgau, this morning, the last of the “Luther cities”. The city has basically retained its 16th century face, so you’ll experience it just like Martin himself. Katharina fled here in 1552 from the pestilence, only to die in the same year. We’ll visit the Marien church, along with the castle church, which was consecrated by the reformer himself in 1544. In the early afternoon we’ll continue west along the Autobahn to the city of Alsfeld [393 km]. At our hotel a grand farewell dinner is waiting for us before you spend your last overnight in Germany.
 
Day 11 Saturday June 19, 2010 – to Frankfurt and departure
  The transfer to Frankfurt airport will take just under one hour – it is now time to say goodbye, or rather "Auf Wiedersehen" to your guide and your driver. We hope that this tour was the trip of your lifetime, and will bless you for many years to come. Have a safe journey home, and thank you for your confidence!