11-Day Journey to Germany, Cradle of the Reformation
with Matthew Shackelford
$5,695
Start Date: June 7, 2026
End Date: June 17, 2026
Location: Germany
You will experience Germany’s rich reformation history and culture. Martin Luther was one of the big reformers who touched off something much larger than himself, namely, the Reformation—the sundering of the Church and a fundamental revision of its theology. Once he had divided the Church, it could not be healed. His reforms survived to breed other reforms, many of which he disapproved of. So, this trip is a way back to our Christian roots. On this unique tour, you will learn not just about the Reformation but also what happened prior and its aftermath. We will be involved in the process of the Reformation and throughout the must-see Reformation sights with Germany’s finest cities & towns.
- Dr. Matthew Shackelford
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Sunday, June 7
BEGINNING OF OUR TOUR
Depart USA for Berlin, Germany
Day 2: Monday, June 8
BERLIN
Arrive in Berlin. Explore the city and see famous sites such as Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Unter den Linder, Checkpoint Charlie, and Charlottenburg. Dinner Hofbräuhaus Berlin and Overnight in Berlin.
Day 3: Tuesday, June 9
LUTHERSTADT WITTENBURG
After breakfast, drive to Lutherstadt Wittenberg, known as the cradle of the Reformation. Enjoy a walking tour, visiting the most historic sites of Luther’s life and work. Begin at the inspiring Castle Church and marvel at the door where Luther nailed the 95 Theses. Visit the beautiful St. Mary’s Church, where Luther preached and where his children were baptized. Continue to the Luther House Museum, home to the largest collection of Reformation artifacts in the world. After lunch, visit the Melanchthon house. Melanchthon was Luther’s advisor and helped establish the German educational system. His final resting place is in the Castle Church beside his companion, Martin Luther. Dinner and overnight in Lutherstadt Wittenburg.
Day 4: Wednesday, June 10
EISLEBEN/ERFURT
In the morning, travel to Eisleben, the city where Martin Luther was born, baptized, and died. Take a short walking tour of the historic old town. Visit two award-winning museums—Martin Luther’s Birth House and his Death House. Adventure to Erfurt, where Martin Luther was ordained as a priest and studied theology. Experience a guided tour of Erfurt’s Luther Trail in the picturesque old town. Enjoy sites such as the Augustinian Monastery, where Luther served as a monk, the Luther Memorial, and the Collegium Maius, where Luther lived as a student. Dinner and overnight in Erfurt.
Day 5: Thursday, June 11
EISENACH
Begin the day at the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Wartburg Castle. See the place where Martin Luther took refuge from 1521-1522 after his excommunication. Stand in awe of Luther’s study, where he first translated the New Testament into the German language. Next, take a guided tour of Eisenach. Visit St. George’s Church, where Luther sang as a boy and where Johan Sebastian Bach was baptized. Explore Lutherhaus, the house said to be where Luther lived during his schooldays, now an award-winning museum. In the evening, visit the birthplace of the most important figure in Protestant Church music—Johann Sebastian Bach. Today, the Bachhaus is one of the largest musician's museums in Germany. Experience a short, memorable concert on five Baroque keyboard instruments. Return to Erfurt for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Friday, June 12
COBURG/ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER/HEIDELBERG
Enjoy an enchanting, early-morning drive through the Thuringian Forest to Franconia. Stare in wonder at the “Veste Coburg” (Coburg Fortress), one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses of Germany. Martin Luther sought protection at the Fortress during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530 while under an Imperial ban. During his stay, Luther continued with his work translating the Bible into German. Continue to the tiny Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most famous town on the “Romantik Road.” Ramble through this impeccable, medieval, walled city without a single modern building. Step inside St. Jakob’s Church for a view of the intricate altarpiece carved by Tilman Riemenschneider. Continue to Heidelberg for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Saturday, June 13
HEIDELBERG/SPEYER/ULM
Spend the morning in the romantic university town of Heidelberg with its spellbinding castle and narrow roads. Continue to Speyer to explore the Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest remaining Romanesque church in the world. See the famous “Gedächtniskirche der Protestation” (Memorial Church), a United Protestant church of both Lutheran and Reformed confessions. Next, drive to Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein. Gaze at the Ulm Minster, the tallest church spire in the world, stretching 405 ft in the air. Continue to Augsburg for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Sunday, June 14
AUGSBURG/DACHAU
Journey to Augsburg, one of Germany’s most historically significant cities. Visit St. Annes Church, constructed as a monastery in 1321, known for its elaborate interior. See the townhall and the “Fuggerei,” the world's oldest public housing complex still in use. Learn about the “Augsburg Confession,” the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Protestant Reformation. Proceed to Dachau, the location of the first concentration camp built by Nazi Germany. Visit the poignant site and hear the dark history of the longest-running concentration camp of WWII. Proceed to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Dinner and overnight in Munich.
Day 9: Monday, June 15
MUNICH/HOHENSCHWANGAU/NEUSCHWANSTEIN
Spend a day dedicated to the most famous castles of Bavaria. See Hohenschwangau Castle and Neuschwanstein Castle. Neuschwanstein is the most visited castle in Germany, perched high upon a mountain in the beautiful Alps. The shimmering white towers of the castle among the clouds are instantly recognizable to many as the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Visit the Museum of the Bavarian Kings and learn about Germany’s royal history. Return to Munich for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Tuesday, June 16
MUNICH CITY TOUR
After breakfast, spend time in the historic Old City. Visit Marienplatz, Glockenspiel, Church of our Lady, and Viktualienmarkt. End the tour at Hofbräuhaus, Munich's largest tourist attraction after the Oktoberfest. Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is frequented by locals, many of whom keep their personal mugs at the pub. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city. Dinner and overnight in Munich.
Day 11: Wednesday, June 17
MUNICH/USA
Transfer to Munich Airport for your return flight home with your luggage packed with keepsakes and your heart full of memories!
PRICING
- $5,695 per person based on double occupancy.
- Single room supplement - $1,495
- $500 per person with registration to secure space.
- 50% of the total amount is due on or before December 9, 2025
- Balance due on or before March 9, 2026
Tour information
PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.
CANCELLATION POLICY: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to ninety days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.
AIR: The Air Included option covers round-trip, economy-class airfare from the departure city listed in the itinerary. All group seating is assigned by the airline and cannot be changed by Signature Tours. Seat changes can only be made during check-in at the airport. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the Air Included option. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Frequent flyer, TSA Precheck, and Global Entry numbers can only be added at check-in.
LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000pp will be deducted from the Air Included price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours at least 6 months prior to the departure date. Land Only Passengers arriving with or before the group are welcome to join the group bus at no additional charge. For those not traveling with the group, Signature Tours can provide contact information to arrange a private transfer.
GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met on arrival by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants not traveling with the group are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.
HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a private bath and shower.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of single rooms are available at additional supplement prices. Signature Tours and/or the group leader will make every attempt to pair single participants requesting a roommate. However, the single supplement fee will be charged for each person occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstance.
MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary.
SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary are included, as well as an expert English-speaking guide.
LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions.
TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.
NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, visa fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Trawick International. Please click here for more information or to enroll in the plan. A preexisting medical condition waiver is available if purchased within 21 days of registration.