Experience the Reformation on a GTI Signature Study Tour to Germany and you'll see Scripture in a new light.
This unforgettable GTI Signature Tour will journey to the heart of the Reformation – Germany! Trace the life, ministry, and theology of Martin Luther and other Reformers whom God used to reignite the evangelical movement. Explore historical sites in Wittenberg, Coburg, and Nuremburg, among others. See the many sides of Germany: medieval streets, pastoral countryside, outdoor cafes, ancient structures and modern cities like Berlin and Munich. Experience not only German culture and cuisine, but the history of theology and the defense of the Gospel!
The uniqueness of this trip includes being in Europe vs. the Middle East, walking instead of hiking, singing hymns along the way, discussing WWII and figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as visiting stunning spectacles like the Neuschwanstein castle in the Bavarian Alps. It will be as though we are walking along the timeline of church history, even standing in front of the door where legend says Luther nailed his 95 Theses.
The Reformation is truly relevant to the whole Evangelical Church, regardless of your denomination or church style. Studying Scripture and the principles of “faith alone, Scripture alone, and Christ alone” helps remember God’s mighty power to save. Listen to the special podcast episode as Rich Ferreira and Rich Liverance walk through this exciting itinerary. Space is limited so register now!
Auf Wiedersehen (until we meet again)!
Dan van Voorhis is an author, historian, professor, and speaker at 1517. After receiving his Ph.D. in History from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. van Voorhis spent 11 years teaching history and political thought at Concordia University, Irvine. He is a Scholar-in-Residence at 1517 and the host of the daily podcast The Christian History Almanac. Dan is married to Beth Anne, and they have two sons, Coert and Raymond. While in graduate school Dan focused on Reformation era Germany and spent time living in Wittenberg and travelled throughout the country doing archival research while also taking in the historical sites related to the Reformation, the World Wars, and the Cold War. As a professor, German history was amongst his favorite classes to teach. He has led study abroad trips before and looks forward to experiencing these sites again with the group.
Each person will arrange their own flights to arrive in Berlin by September 11th.
Arrive in Berlin and transfer to hotel on your own. If you would like help GTI can assist with options. Enjoy a free day once you arrive to rest, relax or explore the city. A group dinner and orientation will happen in the evening. Overnight in Berlin.
Today, you meet your tour escort and embark on your journey. Go on a sightseeing tour of all the highlights Berlin has to offer. Visit the grand Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of union and peace, as well as the magnificent “Reichstag”, where most important decisions are being made by the German government. If available, explore this politically essential building with a guide and take a walk around the spacious glass-dome, enjoying a fantastic view of the city. Stroll down the lovely boulevard “Unter den Linden” and visit the picturesque Museum Island, which marks Berlin’s historical center. Located here is one of the capital’s most famous buildings, the Berlin cathedral. The vivid church life of the cathedral’s congregation and in the twin city Berlin-Cölln demonstrate this perfectly. Today’s final stop is the city’s most beautiful plaza, the Gendarmenmarkt, gorgeously framed by the German and French cathedrals. In the afternoon, you leave Berlin and depart for Wittenberg. Dinner and overnight in Wittenberg.
This morning, you start exploring Lutherstadt Wittenberg. When it comes to Luther, there is almost no city more important than this one. The legend of the 95 theses nailed to the door of the Castle Church, though not quite accurate, still gets told across the world. Visit this famous door, as well as the Luther House, the town hall, the historic center and the Town and Parish Church St. Marien, the oldest building in Wittenberg. Then, you proceed to Eisleben, where Luther was born and died. Discover the houses, where he took his first and his last breaths. During a tour of Eisleben’s town center you see the Church of St. Peter and Paul, St. Andrew’s Church and the Old Town with its charming historical houses. In the late afternoon, you drive to Erfurt for dinner and overnight.
Start the day with exploring the historic center of Erfurt on a guided walking tour. Marvel at the Merchants' Bridge - the longest continuous bridge with inhabited buildings in Europe -, the Luther Memorial, the Town Hall and the Merchant’s Church. Explore the Fish Market, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the ‘Anger’, the city’s central square. It was here, in this beautiful city, that Luther decided to become a monk. Visit the Augustinian Monastery, a place that shaped and taught the young Reformer for six years. Take a glimpse at the small “cell”, where Luther lived during his stay in the monastery. Then leave Erfurt behind and travel to Eisenach. This afternoon you have the chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Wartburg Castle. Here Luther found refuge during his exile and translated the New Testament from Greek into German. Take a look at the spartan room he lived and worked in. Transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Eisenach.
Today stroll the city of Eisenach and admire all its beautiful sights, such as the Luther House and St. Georg’s Church, where Luther preached while “on the run” and later, in 1685, Johann Sebastian Bach was baptized. Afterwards continue to Coburg. The Veste Coburg is one of the largest and most well-preserved medieval castle complexes in Germany. In 1530 Luther took refuge and lived here for six months. After exploring the fortress take a walk through the charming historical city. Dinner and overnight in Coburg.
Driving south you reach the city of Nuremberg. According to Luther, Nuremberg was “the eye and ear of Germany”. In those days it was a center for media, with its 21 printing houses, and therefore massively important to the spread of the ideas of the Reformation. Walk through the historic center and visit sights such as the Albrecht-Dürer-House and the churches St. Lorenz and St. Sebald. Afterwards continue on to Augsburg. It was here in 1518 at St. Anna's Church that Luther met the papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther submit to the pope. The city was also site of the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, where the Augsburg confession was presented, in which Lutherans explained the nature and teachings of their confession. In the town hall, the Peace of Augsburg was signed in 1555, making the division of Christianity legal. Overnight in Augsburg.
After breakfast it is time to head to the Dachau Concentration Camp. Walk around the site, visit the museum with its reconstructed barracks and crematorium, and learn about the Holocaust, its victims and survivors. A short drive finally brings you to Munich. On a walking tour through the historic center enjoy the view of famous buildings and squares, including the Marienplatz with the town hall and its glockenspiel, as well as the "Frauenkirche" with its distinctive onion dome towers. Also discover the delicious shops that make up the Viktualienmarkt. Overnight in Munich.
Today explore Germany’s most famous castle! Neuschwanstein, perched high up on a mountain in the Alps, fascinates with its shimmering white towers that appear to be touching the clouds. The castle seems to be plucked straight from a fairytale book, so it is no surprise that it inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was originally built according to King Ludwig II’s wishes and dreams of owning his own medieval-looking castle. The majestic façade conceals an unbelievable splendor inside: very exquisite furniture, luxurious decors and masterly art. In the afternoon transfer back to Munich for a farewell dinner at the famous Hofbräuhaus. Overnight in Munich.
Today it is time to say goodbye to Germany. Transfer to the Munich Airport for your flight home. We trust you will leave with great memories, fascinating experiences, and spiritual refreshment.
We crafted this a ground-only study tour so you can tailor it to be the European trip of your dreams. Booking your flights to Germany allows you to fly from any airport with any airline and use points or frequent flyer mileage. Fly early, stay late, and explore other parts of Europe. Enjoy the amazing Reformation Study Tour with GTI in Germany and then have the flexibility to explore other beautiful locations. We are here to help you with suggestions if you need them, so give us a call.
More than simply a statement about pricing, “All Inclusive” describes GTI’s holistic approach to facilitating purposeful travel and experiential learning in cooperation with our Ministry Partners.
Your tour leader, study materials, and even itinerary are biblically focused, creating a journey that will draw you more deeply into God’s Word with each step you take.
Each stop on your itinerary is selected because it provides an experience than brings meaning and emotional significance to the information you will be learning.
There’s no need to worry about wasting time and money haggling or being surprised by hidden costs. Except for souvenirs and optional upgrades, every part of your trip is covered.
Our secure online payment and registration system allows for payment plans and reminders, easy passport and document uploads, and confidence that your money and information is safe.
Friends and family can receive daily updates of text, photos, audio, and video from you and other participants to keep up with where you are and what you’re learning via the GTI Online Tour Journal.
We take care of everything so you can stay focused during your Study Tour, including providing you with a hydration backpack, study guide, plug adapter, and even a flashlight (when the trip calls for it).
We have spent years developing relationships with experienced guides and drivers because they are an integral part of a study tour. And if you already have a trusted guide/driver you prefer that’s ok too!
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