2014 Exporing Luther's Reformation
Gustavus Study Tour in Germany and Poland
October 4–16, 2014
[Day 1] Saturday, October 4 - Departure
Depart from the Minnespolia airport en route to Krakow, Poland. Meals and beverages will be served as appropriate during the overnight journey.
[Day 2] Sunday, October 5 - Arrive Krakow
Upon arrival in Krakow meet the tour manager and motorcoach driver who will be with the group for the duration of the trip. During the short drive to hotel, learn details of the day’s schedule as well as background information about this fascinating city.
Group welcome dinner (featuring a trip introduction by Professor Jodock, introduction of the tour participants, and an overview of the tour).
Overnight in Krakow.
[Day 3] Monday, October 6 - Krakow
Breakfast at the hotel.
For five hundred years, Krakow was the seat of the Polish kings. Miraculously unscathed during World War II and now on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, it is certainly one of Europe’s most charming cities. This morning’s walking tour will visit the area of Wawel Castle and its Cathedral before dropping down into the old town to see the Market Square, Cloth Hall, and St. Mary’s Church with its magnificent high altar by Viet Stoss.
Lunch on own.
The afternoon and evening are free to continue our own sightseeing or to shop for Polish handicrafts at the Cloth Hall.
Evening dinner on own.
Overnight in Krakow.
[Day 4] Tuesday, October 7 - Krakow (Auschwitz and Salt Mines)
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning drive to Auschwitz, site of the notorious Nazi concentration camp.
Dr. Jodock will provide remarks during the drive to Auschwitz.
After a haunting visit to the death camp, go on an excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Salt Mines are a unique phenomenon, once described as being as remarkable as the Pyramids, but more useful. Each of the chambers is more spectacular than the one before – incredible to imagine that the gnomes, the chandeliers and the altars are all carved from salt.
Lunch on own.
Evening dinner on own.
Overnight in Krakow.
[Day 5] Wednesday October 8 - Krakow / Wroclaw / Dresden
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Silesia to visit the regional capital of Wrolaw, where both the city and its people reflect the turbulent history and changing ethnic influences through the centuries. With a local guide explore the city’s unique Cathedral Island, the magnificent Market Square with the defining landmark of the City Hall, and the streets of the old town lined with half-timbered houses.
Lunch on own.
Later, cross the border into Germany and continue to the Saxon capital of Dresden.
Group
dinner and overnight in Dresden.
[Day 6] Thursday, October 9 - Dresden / Erfurt
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning go on a walking tour of the city once called Florence on the Elbe because if its unique collection of artistic treasures, palaces and museums. Razed to the ground during World War II, the city has risen from the ashes and, with the rebuilding of the Frauenkirche, has become the symbol of a Germany at peace with itself and its neighbors. Visit the Semper Opera House and the famous Zwinger Residence.
Lunch on own.
Continue to Erfurt for a pre-dinner lecture on Martin Luther by Dr. Jodock followed by a group dinner and overnight.
[Day 7] Friday, October 10 - Erfurt
Breakfast at the hotel.
As the capital of Thuringia and one of Germany’s oldest towns, Erfurt has 1250 years of history and an unforgettable skyline dominated by the spires of its Cathedral and St. Severi Church. This morning's walking tour of the city will also mark the beginning of our journey in the footsteps of Martin Luther, as we see the Collegium Maius where he attended the university and the remains of the Augustinian Monastery where he began his monastic life.
Lunch on own.
The afternoon and evening are free for individual sightseeing and shopping.
Evening dinner on own.
[Day 8] Saturday, October 11: Erfurt / Wartburg / Eisenach / Erfurt
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today begins with a short drive to the Wartburg, one of Germany’s most ancient castles. It was here that Martin Luther lived in hiding as Junker Jörg for 10 months following the decree that declared him an outlaw after the Diet of Worms in 1521. It was during this time that he translated the New Testament from the original Greek text into German.
Lunch on own.
Next the group will drive down the hill to Eisenach, where Luther attended school and sang as a choirboy, and where Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685.
Return to Erfurt in the late afternoon.
Evening dinner on own.
[Day 9] Sunday, October 12: Erfurt / Eisleben / Wittenberg
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart Erfurt and drive to the small market town of Eisleben to visit the houses where Martin Luther was born and where he died. Both houses have recently been transformed into state-of-the-art exhibitions, which explore the development of the Lutheran Reformation in the context of Luther’s own family history.
Lunch on own.
In the late afternoon arrive in Wittenberg for pre-dinner lecture on Martin Luther by Dr. Jodock, followed by a group dinner and overnight.
[Day 10] Monday, October 13: Wittenberg
Breakfast at the hotel.
Regarded as the very Cradle of the Reformation, Wittenberg is where Luther lived and worked from 1508 to 1546. Visit the Luther House, formerly the Augustinian Monastery, later the home of the Luthers and now the largest museum dedicated to the Reformation in the world.
Take a walking tour to the Town Church, where Luther preached, and the Castle Church, where he posted his 95 theses and where both he and Melanchthon are buried.
Lunch on own.
Drive to Torgau, called the ‘wet-nurse’ of the Reformation, because it was here that the articles were drawn up which later became the basis for the Augsburg Confession. The Castle Church has the distinction of being the first in the world constructed as a Lutheran church, which architecturally revised the focus of worship.
Return to Wittenberg for a late afternoon lecture by Dr. Jodock on Martin Luther and then an evening at leisure.
Evening dinner on own.
[Day 11] Tuesday, October 14: Wittenberg / Berlin 
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart Wittenberg to drive to Berlin, explore the history of this fascinating city. Re-instated as Germany’s capital and seat of government after re-unification in 1990, there are still 3 parts to this city – old East Berlin, old West Berlin and the ‘new’ Berlin which has grown out of the wasteland of ‘no-man’s land’ around the Wall.
On arrival, visit the home of Dietrich Bonhoeffer - the Lutheran pastor, theologian and martyr, who was an outspoken opponent of the Nazi regime and one of the few voices raised against the persecution of the Jews. His involvement in plans to assassinate Hitler led to his arrest in 1943 and execution in April 1945, just 23 days before Germany's unconditional surrender.
Lunch on own.
A city tour will explore not only the many reminders of Berlin’s recent tragic past - the remains of the Berlin Wall, the place where Checkpoint Charlie once stood and the Reichstag – but also the elegant avenue Unter den Linden, the Brandenburg Gate, once symbol of the divided city, the Cathedral and the beautiful symmetry of Gendarmenmarkt.
In the early evening, check into our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Afternoon lecture by Dr. Jodock on Jewish/Christian relations.
Evening dinner on own. 
[Day 12] Wednesday, October 15: Berlin
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue exploring Berlin's 20th Century role in world history, with a moving visit of the Topography of Terror, which documents the terrors of the Nazi regime. Also explore the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed by Peter Eisenman as Berlin's tribute to the victims of the Shoah.
Lunch on own.
The afternoon will be free for last minute shopping and individual exploration.
Farewell group dinner at a local restaurant.
[Day 13] Thursday, October 16: Berlin / USA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Journey back to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Anticipate arriving home this afternoon.
For more information
For more information, contact Laurie DeVillers from Trans World Travel at Laurie@transworldtravel.com or by calling the President's Office at 507-933-7538.
Trip arrangement provided by Trans World Travel.