In the Footsteps of the Reformers
Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation
September 12 – 22, 2017
Experience the fascinating
history and modern-day
significance of the German
and Swiss Reformation while
retracing the steps of Martin
Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John
Calvin. Tour highlights include
Wittenberg, Erfurt, Heidelberg,
Strasbourg, Zurich and Geneva.
Lectures by Dr. Maag will add
to our enjoyment and provide
enlightening insights into the
Reformation. Don’t miss this
unique opportunity!
September, 2017
12, Tuesday
Departure from the U.S.
13, Wednesday
Berlin, Wittenberg
Arrive in Berlin and take a panoramic tour
of this once-divided city that includes the
Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and
remnants of the Berlin Wall. We’ll then
head to Wittenberg, the “cradle” of the
Reformation, and have a welcome dinner.
St. Thomas Church in Leipzig
Market Square in Wittenberg
Led by Reformation experts
from the H. Henry Meeter
Center for Calvin Studies at
Calvin College
Dr. Karin Maag, Director and
Paul Fields, Curator
14, Thursday
Wittenberg
15, Friday
Leipzig, Eisleben, Erfurt
Start the day with a guided tour of the
Lutherhalle, formerly a monastery that
was later Luther’s home, and the house
of Philipp Melanchthon, a close friend to
Luther and fellow reformer. Also visit St.
Mary’s City Church and the Castle Church.
Tradition has it that Luther affixed his 95
Theses to the door of the Castle Church
in 1517, marking the beginning of the
Protestant Reformation. Enjoy an evening
lecture by Karin Maag.
Leipzig awaits today, a cultural center
known for its literary and musical heritage.
Our guided tour includes the renowned St.
Thomas Church and we’ll have time for
lunch before heading to Eisleben, where
Luther was born and where he died. Here
we’ll visit Luther’s birth house and museum
and the Church of St. Andrew, where
Luther delivered the last sermons of his
life and where his funeral service was held.
End the day in lovely Erfurt, the “Town of
Flowers.”
16, Saturday
Erfurt, Eisenach
Visit the Augustinian monastery where
Luther lived and worked, the massive St.
Peter’s Cathedral, and the Krämerbrücke—
a unique bridge structure lined with shops.
Then travel to Eisenach to visit Wartburg
Castle, where Luther crafted his translation
of the New Testament from Greek into
German. Also visit the Bach House and St.
George’s Church, where Bach was baptized
and Luther preached while under the ban
of the Holy Roman Empire. Attend an
evening lecture.
17, Sunday
Frankfurt, Mainz, Heidelberg
Travel to Frankfurt to attend an Englishlanguage worship service. After time for
lunch, continue to Mainz to visit the
Gutenberg Museum, home to two original
editions of the world-famous Gutenberg
Bible. Then travel to Heidelberg to visit
the romantic Heidelberg Castle and walk
through the historic city center. Have
dinner, followed by an evening lecture.
Heidelberg
20, Wednesday
Bern, Broc, Geneva
18, Monday
Strasbourg, Zurich
Make a stop in the French city of
Strasbourg, which figured prominently
in the Reformation. A walking tour will
introduce us to the Cathedral Quarter and
Petite France, the city’s well-preserved
historic core; and we’ll tour the European
Parliament. Continue to Zurich and start
getting acquainted with the city with visits
to the Grossmünster, the Fraumünster, and
St. Peter’s Church.
19, Tuesday
Zurich, Kappel, Zurich
Take in a lecture by Karin Maag this
morning. We’ll then ascend the Uetliberg
Mountain for impressive panoramic views,
enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Zurich,
and take an excursion to the Benedictine
monastery at Kappel for dinner.
Travel to Bern, one of the few medieval
cities preserved intact. See the Old Town
with its Clock Tower, lovely squares and
fountains, and intriguing shops. Make a stop
in Broc to take a guided tour of the Maison
Cailler Chocolate Factory and continue to
Geneva, the “Rome of Protestants.”
21, Thursday
Geneva
Start the day with a final lecture,
followed by a guided tour that includes
the Cathédrale St.-Pierre, where Calvin
preached, the International Museum of
the Reformation, and the Reformation
Monument. If it can be arranged, we’ll also
visit l’Auditoire. Afterward, have time
to explore. We’ll cap off our Switzerland
experience with dinner at a restaurant and a
cruise on the beautiful Lake Geneva.
22, Friday
Return to the U.S.
Tour Inclusions:
• Air transportation from Grand Rapids
or Chicago to Berlin and returning
from Geneva, including all taxes
and fees.
• Land transportation for the complete
itinerary by deluxe, air-conditioned
motorcoach.
• Accommodations in moderate firstclass and superior first-class hotels
based on two persons sharing a room
with private facilities (the single
supplement is $490).
• Breakfast daily and five dinners.
• A multi-lingual European tour
manager to accompany the group
from arrival until departure.
• Sightseeing and admission fees in
accordance with the itinerary.
• Tipping and taxes on all services,
including gratuities to the tour
manager and motorcoach driver.
Tour cost
The projected tour cost is $4,300 per person,
based on double occupancy.
Please contact the Calvin College Alumni
Association for more information, and to
request a complete brochure when they are
available in October.
alumni@calvin.edu
(616) 526-6142
Strasbourg
3250 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616.957.8113 | 800 GO WITTE
groups@wittetravel.com | wittetours.com