The day starts with breakfast at the hotel.  Very few know how to put on a breakfast spread like the Germans!  Take your time, unwind, and enjoy yourself.

Morning Prayer at one of the historic Churches in town, where Luther preached hundreds of sermons.  As a part of Luther500, you'll have special and private access to this sacred and historic space, not just for exploring as a tourist but for a brief time of prayer in the same space where Luther prayed 500+ years before. (You can come back later in the day, too, of course, and have more time, but we'll also be back in here a number of times as a private group for some Evening and Morning prayers.)

Guided walking tour of the town.  See the highlights and learn about their historic significance with an overview from a professional tour guide and Lutheran Pastor who has guided thousands of visitors along the historic streets of Wittenberg. He will also be able to draw your attention not just to the places but to their significance in shaping Lutheran theology, alerting you to things you may want to explore further throughout the week on your own.

Lunch is on everyone's one. Choose from the many options at Bratwurst stands, Döner Kebab stands, and restaurants.

Afternoon Interest-Center Options include  Cranach home and workshop, Melanchthon home and museum, Luther home and museum (all very kid friendly too); historic churches, Reformation museum exhibits, bicycle tours,  service projects,  guided tours and workshops led by experts, or of course general shopping and strolling and ice-cream eating.  There are plenty of playgrounds, even a free zoo almost in the shadow of the Castle Church. 

Evening Program - get to know the others on the trip, enjoy some group singing, share your reflections, play some group games and generally enjoy and celebrate together.

Evening Prayer is in a Church again.

Gemutlichkeit at the Biergarten or around town or back at the hotel.

Breakfast is at the hotel, the wide spread of German breakfast foods.

Depart from Wittenberg on a Motor Coach to one of the other key Luther sites, or a fabulous German city. You'll receive a lunch box to go on the day trips and have a chance to enjoy dinner on your own in the places you visit.  

You have free choice from three different excursions:

Option 1:  Eisleben and Erfurt  

Eisleben is the place of Luther's birth, baptism and death. His Birth House and Death House in Eisleben have been designated a World Heritage Site.  You'll have a chance to visit those along with the Church of St. Peter and Paul where Luther was baptized. You'll have the chance to participate in a brief private worship service, a remembrance of baptism, here, which is a special opportunity for Luther500 participants. You'll also visit the church of St. Andrew in Eisleben where Luther delivered the last four sermons of his life, ordained town ministers, and where he lay in state following his death.

Later, you'll head to Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia where among the many sites, you'll visit the Augustinian Monastery where Luther took his monastic vows and celebrated his first Mass. Dinner is on your own in Erfurt and Evening Prayers will be at the Monastery as part of your Luther500 experience.

Option 2:  Leipzig and Torgau

Leipzig, well known as the place where JS Bach served as Kantor of the Thomas Church for many years, was also home to Felix Mendelssohn, and played a key role in the 1980's toward the fall of Communist rule over the eastern part of Germany. This center for trade, commerce art and education is a lovely place to visit.
The afternoon stop is in Torgau, home of Martin Luther's wife Katharina von Bora. In Luther's time, Torgau was the seat of the local administration. The first new "Lutheran" church was dedicated by Luther in Torgau. Evening prayer will be in the church where Katharina is buried.

Option 3:  Berlin

One of Europe's most vibrant capital cities, this is the place for shopping, history, museums and cultural immersion. We'll enjoy a guided tour of key sites including the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, remnants of the Berlin Wall, The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial, the Tiergarten, and more.  Stroll along the Spree, enjoy free time in Berlin and meet up with the group at St. Mary's church (the oldest in Berlin) near Alexanderplatz for evening prayer as a special opportunity for Luther500 participants.

The groups return late to Wittenberg.  There will be an opportunity for some group reflection and music, and plenty of Gemutlichkeit.

There is so much to see in Wittenberg,  you'll love having this day to follow up on what you've seen partially, or to get to the options you could not get to earlier in the week.  Also, it's your chance to get the souvenirs!

Breakfast at the hotel.  Go ahead, it's vacation.  Try the special pastries and the breads!  You'll want brotchen when you get back home!

Morning Prayer at one of the historic Churches in town.

Throughout the day, different Interest Centers are offered as well as servant projects and fun activities. 

Or take advantage of the Luther500 coupons which give you free admissions at the museums and exhibits in Wittenberg! Visit the places where Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, and Lucas Cranach lived and worked.

Evening Prayer in one of the historic churches in town, followed by plenty of Gemutlichkeit.

After our evening it's time to pack for our move towards Worms tomorrow!

Today we leave Wittenberg and make our way to Worms.

At our en-route stop you'll tour the extraordinary Wartburg Castle where Luther lived under the protection of the Elector, disguised  as a knight.  It was here, exactly 500 years ago in 1522, that he translated the New Testament into German, giving  common people, for the first time, access to the Holy Scriptures in the  common language.   

We continue our way to Worms where we settle in to our new accommodations, and have dinner. Later we meet for evening prayer at Trinity Church in the center of Worms.

A full day in Worms where we celebrate the 501st jubilee of Martin Luther's confession at the Imperial diet.

Morning prayer will be in Magnus Church. Archeologists say it originated in the 8th century, and it is the oldest Lutheran church in south-west Germany. Martin Luther preached here during the imperial diet 1521. 

Throughout the day, various options are offered. You may join a walking tour of the town, stroll along the Rhine, tour the cathedral, or take a photo at the world's largest Reformation memorial. And don't miss getting into Martin Luther's footsteps by slipping into the bronze shoes at the very place where he stood. 

Our festive Farewell Dinner and Gemutlichkeit will be in a biergarten at the Rhine river.

We'll meet in the mid-morning at the Wormser Convention Center for some final fellowship and group reflections. Lost And Found, Michael and George, (and friends) will share  Luther: The Rock Opera, a 24-song cruise through the start of the reformation with 300 images projected to set the scene. You'll hear the songs and easily picture the places where it all happened, from the posting of The 95 Theses in Wittenberg to the Imperial Diet in the city of Worms (which took place just a few blocks from the room you will be in)!

Then the moment comes where we have to say Farewell to one another, to depart for more adventure: ongoing travels in Europe, or the return to Frankfurt for morning flights home.