Today we depart the United States on our overnight transatlantic flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Welcome to Germany!

Upon arrival in Frankfurt, meet our local representative and motorcoach and begin our journey through the land of the Protestant Reformation.

Travel south to the ancient city of Worms, one of the most important places in the life of Martin Luther.

HERE I STAND

In 1521, Martin Luther was summoned before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms.

Luther was ordered to recant his writings and teachings.

Standing before some of the most powerful political and religious leaders in Europe, Luther refused to abandon his convictions.

Although the precise wording traditionally attributed to Luther is debated, his appearance at Worms has become forever associated with the words:

“Here I stand.”

Visit the impressive Luther Monument, depicting Luther surrounded by other important figures of the Reformation.

We also see Worms Cathedral and the area associated with the Diet of Worms.

Our journey has begun at the place where Luther's convictions placed him directly against the power of both Church and Empire.

Continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Dinner & Overnight: Worms / Rhine Region

Following breakfast, travel north toward Eisenach.

Rising above the surrounding countryside is magnificent Wartburg Castle, one of the most important Luther sites in Germany.

Following the Diet of Worms, Luther was declared an outlaw.

For his protection, Frederick the Wise arranged for Luther to be taken secretly to Wartburg Castle.

Disguised as “Junker Jörg” – Knight George, Luther lived here in hiding.

THE BIBLE IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE PEOPLE

During his approximately ten months at Wartburg, Luther undertook one of his most influential works—the translation of the New Testament from Greek into German.

His translation helped make Scripture accessible to ordinary German-speaking Christians and profoundly influenced both Christianity and the development of the German language.

Visit the famous Luther Room, where tradition remembers Luther working on his translation.

The German National Tourist Board identifies Wartburg and Luther's Bible translation as one of the major highlights of Germany's Reformation route. (Germany Travel)

Continue to Erfurt.

Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight: Erfurt

This morning we discover the city that played a decisive role in shaping the young Martin Luther.

Luther came to Erfurt as a university student before making a decision that would change his life.

Following his famous experience during a violent thunderstorm, Luther entered the Augustinian Monastery in 1505.

Visit the Augustinian Monastery, where Luther lived, studied, prayed and wrestled with profound questions concerning sin, salvation and the righteousness of God.

Walk through the monastery and church and learn about the spiritual struggles that eventually helped lead Luther toward the theology that would become central to the Protestant Reformation.

The monastery remains one of the most authentic Luther sites in Germany; Erfurt tourism specifically identifies the Luther cell, chapter house, cloister and church among its Luther-related sites. (Erfurt Tourismus)

We also enjoy portions of Erfurt's beautiful medieval Old Town.

Later, travel toward Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight: Wittenberg

Today we spend the morning in perhaps the most important city of our Reformation journey:

LUTHERSTADT WITTENBERG

It was here that Luther lived, taught and preached and where the events of the Protestant Reformation unfolded.

Visit the famous Castle Church, traditionally associated with Luther's posting of the 95 Theses on October 31, 1517.

See the famous doors commemorating the theses and visit the interior of the church where Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon are buried.

Continue to the Luther House, where Luther first lived as an Augustinian monk and later with his wife Katharina von Bora and their family.

Today it houses an extraordinary collection interpreting Luther's life and the history of the Reformation; Wittenberg tourism describes it as the world's largest museum devoted to Reformation history. (Lutherstadt Wittenberg)

We also see sites associated with Philipp Melanchthon, Luther's friend, colleague and one of the great intellectual leaders of the Reformation.

Our visit provides time to walk the streets that Luther himself knew and to consider how events in this relatively small German town ultimately influenced Christianity throughout the world.

This afternoon we begin our journey south.

Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight: Central Germany / Nuremberg Area

Following breakfast, enjoy an introduction to Nuremberg.

Nuremberg became an important center for the spread of Reformation ideas. Its printers helped circulate theological writings, while the city officially adopted the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

Explore portions of the historic Old Town and see St. Lorenz Church, one of Nuremberg's great medieval churches that became Lutheran during the Reformation.

Continue south toward Augsburg.

THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION

Augsburg occupies another critically important place in Protestant history.

In 1518, Luther was summoned here to appear before Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther recant his teachings.

Several years later, in 1530, Protestant leaders presented Emperor Charles V with the Augsburg Confession.

Written primarily by Philipp Melanchthon, the Augsburg Confession became one of the foundational confessional documents of Lutheran Christianity.

Visit St. Anne's Church, associated with Luther's stay in Augsburg.

Walk through portions of Augsburg's historic center as we consider how the Reformation moved from the convictions of an individual monk into a movement that transformed nations.

Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight: Augsburg

Following breakfast, travel south into the magnificent Bavarian Alps.

Our destination is the picturesque village of Oberammergau.

The focus of our journey now shifts.

For the past several days we have studied the men and women who sought to reform the Church.

Now we turn our attention to the One who stood at the very center of their faith:

JESUS CHRIST.

Upon arrival, explore Oberammergau's charming village center with its beautifully painted homes, traditional woodcarving shops and spectacular Alpine surroundings.

We learn about the extraordinary story behind the Oberammergau Passion Play.

A PROMISE MADE NEARLY 400 YEARS AGO

In 1633, during the Thirty Years' War, plague reached Oberammergau.

The villagers made a solemn vow that if their community was spared from further deaths, they would regularly perform a play depicting the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In 1634, they fulfilled that promise with the first Passion Play.

Generation after generation has continued the tradition, and in 2030 the village will once again present the Passion Play. The official Passion Play organization confirms both the 1633 vow, the first performance in 1634 and the next Passion Play in 2030. (Oberammergau Passion Plays)

Tonight our Tour Host may wish to lead a special devotional as we prepare our hearts for tomorrow.

Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight: Oberammergau

THE SPIRITUAL CENTERPIECE OF OUR JOURNEY

Today we experience one of the Christian world's most remarkable traditions:

THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

Our morning is intentionally relaxed, allowing time to enjoy the village and reflect upon the experience ahead.

Later we make our way to the famous Passion Play Theatre.

For hours, the villagers of Oberammergau portray the final days of Jesus Christ:

His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

His teaching and final days with His disciples

The Last Supper

His prayer in Gethsemane

The betrayal of Judas

His arrest and trial

Pontius Pilate

The journey toward Calvary

The Crucifixion

His death

and ultimately...

HIS RESURRECTION.

FROM REFORMATION TO PASSION

The placement of Oberammergau at the end of our Reformation journey is intentional.

Throughout Germany we have encountered people who risked reputation, security and even their lives because of their convictions concerning Scripture and the Gospel.

But here in Oberammergau, our attention moves from the Reformers to the One they sought to proclaim.

For nearly four centuries, this small Bavarian village has gathered once each decade to tell the story of Christ's Passion.

The official Oberammergau Museum describes the Passion Play as the world's largest and best-known, emphasizing both its continuity across more than three centuries and the participation of the village community in retelling the story of Jesus' suffering and death as a message of hope and redemption. (Oberammergau Museum)

For the Christian traveler, this is much more than another sightseeing experience.

It provides an opportunity to set aside the distractions of everyday life and reflect again upon the Cross, the sacrifice of Christ and the hope of the Resurrection.

Following the conclusion of the Passion Play, return to our hotel.

Breakfast, Passion Play Meal & Overnight: Oberammergau

Following breakfast, enjoy a leisurely departure from Oberammergau.

Depending upon the final schedule, we could make a brief stop at Ettal or enjoy additional time in the Bavarian Alps before continuing toward Munich.

Upon arrival, begin our introduction to Bavaria's historic capital.

Visit Marienplatz, see the New Town Hall and famous Glockenspiel, and walk through portions of Munich's historic Old Town.

Munich provides an interesting conclusion to our Reformation journey because Bavaria remained one of the strongest centers of Roman Catholicism during the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.

We can therefore discuss the religious division of Germany and how Protestant and Catholic regions developed differently following Luther.

Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight: Munich

Today enjoy a full day exploring Munich.

Our sightseeing includes the historic Old Town, Frauenkirche, Marienplatz, the Residenz area and other important landmarks.

We also explore the lesser-known story of Protestant Christianity in Munich, including St. Matthew's and the eventual establishment of a Protestant community within predominantly Catholic Bavaria.

The afternoon can introduce another important chapter of German history—the rise of National Socialism in Munich and the events that ultimately led to World War II.

For Christian groups, this creates an opportunity to conclude our journey by considering questions of faith, conscience, political power and Christian responsibility.

Enjoy some free time for shopping and independent exploration.

Tonight gather for our special Farewell Dinner.

Breakfast, Farewell Dinner & Overnight: Munich

Following breakfast, transfer to Munich International Airport for our return flight to the United States.

As we journey home, we reflect upon an extraordinary pilgrimage through the heartland of the Protestant Reformation.

We stood in Worms, where Luther refused to abandon his convictions.

We entered Wartburg Castle, where he translated Scripture into the language of his people.

We walked through the monastery in Erfurt, where Luther wrestled with questions of faith and salvation.

We visited Wittenberg, where the Reformation took root.

We traveled to Augsburg, where Protestant beliefs were articulated before an emperor.

And finally, in Oberammergau, our attention turned from the Reformers to the One at the center of their message as we witnessed the story of the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We return home with a deeper understanding of the Protestant Reformation and, we pray, a renewed appreciation for the Gospel that inspired it.