History & Art in Eastern Germany

   

Itinerary  -  3 to 11 May 2008

 Day One

Arrive Berlin by air then transfer by coach to Wittenburg, the town of Luther's "ninety-five theses" published in 1517, that led to his break with Rome and sparked off the Reformation.

2 nights at the Acron Hotel. Dinner in SchlossKeller

 Day Two

Walking tour of Wittenburg, Lutherhaus, Schlosskirche, StadkircheStMarien, Cranachhaus, the remarkable 20th Century Hundertwasserschule (opportunity for church service in English at 11.30 in the Fronlichnamskapelle). 

 Day Three

150km - with stops enroute - to Erfurt by coach via Eisleben, a centre of industry in the sixteenth century and the houses where Luther was born and where he died.  Luther studied at the Kloster and the city still has an important theological faculty.

4 nights at the Hotel & Gasthof Nikolai.  Dinner in the hotel

 Day Four

Walking tour of Erfurt, which has been lavishly restored to its beauty of the 16th and 17th cenutruies - Alttstadt, Dom St Marien and Severikirche, we shall see some of the many museums and churches. 

 Day Five

Day trip to Eisenach by train - Georgenkirche,  Lutherhaus and Bachhaus - Luther studied here and J S Bach was born here.

 Day Six

100km by coach through the Thuringerwald to Schmalkalden, the picturesque village where the Protestant princes form a war league, then visit Schloss Wilhemsburg, a Renaissance castle with Europe's oldest organ, and to the Wartburg, the shrine of German Protestant ideals.

Dinner in hotel in Erfurt

 Day Seven

Transfer by coach, 150km, to Berlin.  If possible a visit will be made enroute to the gardens of Schloss Worlitz

2 nights in a three star hotel in the city centre 

 Day Eight

Walking in the city centre: the art of Berlin; GemealdeGalerie - Durer, Holbein, Italian and Dutch masters - and internationally famous sites: Pergamon Museum;  BerlinerDom; the monuments of the 20th century.  While in Berlin we will try to obtain concert tickets or opera tickets for those interested.

Dinner on our last evening is included

 Day Nine

Leave Berlin by public transport, 10km, for Berlin Tempelhof airport for flight back to UK

 

Tour Leader

 

Anthony Earl

Anthony was head of languages at Eltham College before early retirement.  He speaks Italian, French and German and has broad cultural interests in all these areas.  Anthony has accompanied and led several tours for The Travellers Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Renaissance & Reformation in Eastern Germany

Germany in the later middle ages had a very turbulent history. Cities and small principalities vied with each other for power and influence, wealthy cities grew rapidly, based on trade and commerce. The nobles, churchmen and merchants lavished their wealth on buildings: palaces, churches, town halls and houses were enriched with paintings and sculpture and all were much influenced by the Renaissance ideas and tastes that spread from the south.

The Reformation spread Protestantism through many of the German principalities and cities, but this was not a peaceful movement and resulted in revolt, war and destruction that ravaged many areas by the 16th & 17th centuries.

This tour is intended for all of us interested in German culture and history, and is an opportunity to visit some of the areas that have been relatively closed to the West until the reunification of Germany.

We will travel by air and coach, and for short journeys by train, to visit those cities and small towns closely associated with the Reformation and with the Renaissance art to which it was linked. Although Martin Luther is a centre of interest, we shall spend time appreciating other great cultural figures in literature, art and music. Most notable were Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) who came from Nuremburg and was deeply influenced by Italian Renaissance ideas, and his contemporary Lucas Cranach (1472-1553) who was noted for his portraits, including those of Luther. Much later, J S Bach, who was a devout Lutheran, worked in Leipzig, Brandenburg and other cities.

There may be opportunities to hear musical performances. Old German cities have a particular lively charm, and the landscape of eastern Germany has sweeping hills, gentle valleys and wide views. 

Provisional Costs: Including flight to Berlin, 7 nights B&B in twin bedded rooms, 4 dinners, using good hotel, of character where possible, all transport and touring by coach, entrance fees and guided visits £895 per person.

Extras: Insurance, Single room supplement £225, additional meals and tips.