The Glennie School Cultural and Historical Trip to Germany and Prague BUCHENWALD HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL Reformation, Persecution and Resistance A taste of German history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and the best of Prague. June/July Holidays 2015 Hosted by Rev'd Kate Powell Tour Cost: $7,885.00 per person BASED ON TWIN SHARE ACCOMMODATION Featuring: Rhine River, world's largest Memorial to the Reformation, Gutenberg Museum, Wartburg Castle, Augustinian Monastery, Buchenwald concentration camp, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall Memorial Centre, and Prague (Czech Republic).
ITINERARY DAY 1 Depart Brisbane for Frankfurt via Dubai (Meals in Flight). DAY 2 Arrival Frankfurt Upon arrival at Frankfurt airport, we will be welcomed by the local tour guide who will accompany the group throughout the tour. Transfer to our hotel in Mainz. Rest of the day at leisure. Welcome dinner. Overnight Mainz. (D) DAY 3 Rhine River cruise - Koblenz (210kms) Today, our journey begins with a short drive to the quaint and charming village of Bingen. Here we start a relaxing Rhine River cruise through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley which is one of the most magnificent and oldest cultural landscapes in Europe. We sail past magnificent castles and the famous Lorelei rock and arrive in Koblenz, the only city, situated on the banks of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. We tour the historical Old Town with its charming and romantic streets between the St. Castor s Basilica and "Liebfrauenkirche" (Church of Our Beloved Lady). The sight-seeing tour continues with a visit to the Monument of Emperor Wilhelm I at "Deutsches Eck" (German Corner) and the town s landmark, the "Schängel" Fountain in the courtyard of the present Town Hall. Time at leisure. Overnight Mainz. (B-D) MAINZ CATHEDRAL DAY 4 Worms - Heidelberg (210kms) Following breakfast we drive to Worms, thought to be one of the oldest towns in Germany. We visit the world s largest Memorial to the Reformation, Europe s oldest Jewish cemetery and the Holy Sands and St. Peter s Cathedral. The cathedral is one of the most exquisite examples of Romanesque architecture and was the scene of several milestones of European history. In 1048, Bruno of Egisheim-Dagsburg was elected Pope Leo IX here; in 1122, the Concordate of Worms ended the Investiture Contest, the struggle for supremacy between the emperor and the Church; and in 1521, Martin Luther was summoned by Emperor Charles V to recant his teachings before the Diet of Worms, a historic assembly that was to change the history of Christianity. We then proceed to Heidelberg, a gorgeous town on the Neckar River, where romanticism is both past and present. Our walking tour includes the Old Town, the famous Stone Bridge over the Neckar River, the Heidelberg Castle and the Church of the Holy Ghost. Time at leisure in Heidelberg. Overnight Mainz. (B-D)
NECKAR RIVER, HEIDLEBERG DAY 5 Mainz Today we visit the birthplace of printing, the Gutenberg Museum where the evolution of printing is documented, and Gutenberg s first Bible is on display; also the world s tiniest Bible. Jon Gooseflesh, better known as Johannes Gutenberg is considered to be the most important individual-contributor of the Second Millennium. We then tour St. Martin's Cathedral, built in the 8th century and towering over the city in all its might and grandeur - the coronations of seven kings took place there. Another highlight will be a visit at St. Stephen s Church, which houses the only Chagall windows in Germany. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Mainz. (B-D) DAY 6 This morning, we depart Mainz to visit one the most magnificent and important sites related to the Reformation and Martin Luther - Wartburg Castle. We tour the Great Hall, Art exhibition, the Elisabeth Hallway and the Luther Room where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German. We continue on to Erfurt, the spiritual home of Martin Luther. It was here that Luther obtained a degree in 1502 and a doctorate of philosophy in 1505, and where he took the decisive step to become a monk after he was caught in a violent thunderstorm nearby. Our walking tour begins in the historical section of the city including St. Mary s Cathedral, where Luther was ordained as a priest, the Augustinian Monastery with a permanent exhibit depicting Luther s life as a monk, and to the Church of St. Severus, where Luther preached his sermons. The 11th-century Old Synagogue of Erfurt was undiscovered for centuries and today houses a museum of extraordinary medieval artefacts. In 2011, it received the award of the Best European Tourism Project. Overnight Erfurt. (B-D) WARTBURG CASTLE
DAY 7 Weimar - Buchenwald concentration camp (50kms) Today, we visit the nearby Weimar: The so called Bauhaus School opened in 1919 in Weimar and was closed down by the National Socialists in 1933. The buildings by various Bauhaus professors - established the Bauhaus Style, which decisively shaped the architecture of the 20th century not only in Europe but also the cityscape of Tel Aviv. But Weimar had already become a famous city in the 18th century, the so-called Weimar Classic Period, when the most important writers and humanists (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller), lived and worked in there. Then we continue to, Buchenwald one of the concentration camps built by Hitler, depicting the darkest chapters of German history. We visit the permanent exhibition and the grounds. We return to Erfurt for free time. Overnight Erfurt. (B-D) DAY 8 Leipzig - Wittenberg (245kms) After breakfast, we drive to Leipzig, the city of Johann Sebastian Bach but also the cradle of the German peaceful revolution in 1989, which ended up in the re-unification of Eastern and Western Germany. We tour the city and view St. Thomas Church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as choir master and music director and greatly influenced the music of the day; the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations), the largest monument of its kind in Europe and one of Leipzig s most important landmarks; the Alte Rathaus (old city hall), one of the most impressive examples of the Renaissance style in the city and St. Nicholas Church, one of Leipzig s oldest churches and starting point of the peaceful evolution. After lunch and free time we continue to Wittenberg for the night. Overnight Wittenberg. (B-D) DAY 9 Wittenberg Today we visit Luther Hall, the Augustinian monastery where Luther lived as a monk and later, with his wife and family. It is the largest museum of Reformation history in the world. We also visit the Market Square and Town Hall, and the Schlosskirche, where Luther famously posted his 95 Theses on the Castle Church door sparking the beginning of the Reformation. Luther is buried here alongside his fellow reformer, Philipp Melanchthon. We also tour St. Mary s Church, where Luther did the majority of his preaching. In the afternoon, we will have the rare opportunity to take part in a typical German tradition: coffee & cake in the private homes of Wittenberg families. Overnight Wittenberg. (B-D) BRANDENBURG GATE
DAY 10 Berlin (120kms) After breakfast, we leave Wittenberg for Berlin, Germany s capital city since 1990. We begin our Berlin stay with a panoramic city tour with the Reichstag (Parliament), Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the refurbished city centre and Gendarmenmarkt, Alexanderplatz, the famous boulevard Unter den Linden, the Berlin Cathedral. Overnight Berlin. (B-D) DAY 11 Berlin This morning, we walk along the East Side Gallery. Spanning a length of just over 1km, it is the longest continuous section of the Berlin Wall that is still standing. Over 100 paintings by artists from all over the world adorn this memorial for freedom, making it the largest open-air gallery in the world. we then continue on to the infamous Checkpoint Charlie. Located at Friedrichstrasse, this was the sole crossing point between East and West Berlin for all members of the Allied forces, foreigners and officials of the GDR from 1961 to 1990. Today, this crossing point is marked by a replica of the original guard house, and a sign that once marked the border crossing. We continue to Bernauer Strasse, location of the Berlin Wall Memorial Centre. Situated at the border between East and West, it was here in 1961 that the houses were bricked up and the wall was erected. It was also at this stretch of wall where many dramatic escape attempts were documented. We will hear firsthand from a Memorial representative how the lives of those living in Bernauer Straße were affected by the construction of the Berlin Wall. In the afternoon time there will be some free time. Overnight Berlin. (B-D) DAY 12 Prague (350kms) TThis morning, we board the train for the trip to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Upon arrival we will be met by the local guide and tour the famous and largest ancient castle in the world Hradschin. Also, "The Child of Prague", situated in the baroque Maria de Victoria Church, Loreto Monastery and St. Vitus Cathedral. In the evening enjoy a dinner cruise on the Vtlava River. Overnight Prague. (B-D) PRAGUE CZECH REPUBLIC DAY 13 Prague After breakfast we explore the Jewish Prague with Jewish city hall (view from outside), Altneschul -oldest existing synagogue in Europe, Maisel Synagogue (Jewish museum), and the old Jewish cemetery. In the afternoon free time. Overnight Prague. (B-D)
DAY 14 Prague Today we tour the Old City with its Old Town Square, the Jan Hues Memorial, the picturesque Charles Bridge, the Carolinum the oldest university in Middle Europe, the Bethlehem Church where Jan Hus preached and Wencelas Square. Free time for last minute souvenir shopping. Overnight Prague. (B-D) DAY 15 Free morning. At mid-day you will transfer to the airport for your flight home to Australia. (B- Meal in flight) DAY 15/16 In transit to Brisbane via Dubai (where we will have an overnight stay at the Dubai Airport Hotel) (Meals in Flight). DAY 17 Arrive Brisbane. (Meals in Flight). SUMMARY OF TOUR Price includes: Round trip airfare from Brisbane to Frankfurt via Dubai and return from Prague to Brisbane. Airport assistance. Touring expenses in all countries visited with an English speaking tour guide in modern air-conditioned coaches. Nightly accommodation in 3 or 4 star hotels. Majority of hotel and airport baggage handling. And all entrance fees and meals where indicated (Breakfast Dinner). Also included are Air ticket and fuel taxes. Travel Insurance (Budget Plan). And tipping. Price does not include: Lunches or Beverages with meals. COST AUD $7,885.00 per person twin share. Optional: Single Room Supplement: AUD $885.00. (Cost subject to a minimum of 20 adults travelling). Business Class Upgrade quotes available on request. Additional Travel/Tours, Extensions and/or Stopover options available on request. NB. Any additional travel/upgrade expenses must be booked & paid in full 60 days prior to Australian departure. A minimal fee shall apply for Travellers deviating flights from the return date of the group. This tour is being made possible through Inner Faith Travel and Rev'd Kate Powell and the Glennie School. Every effort is made to provide accurate prices however, Tour costs remain subject to change at any time at the discretion of Inner Faith Travel due to currency fluctuations, flight rescheduling or airfare/land operator increases since the time of publication (01.02.14). To make an expression of Interest: Please email or phone Rev d Kate Powell. Email: powellk@glennie.qld.edu.au Phone: 4688 8808 ASAP. The group will be limited to 25 and places will be confirmed in order of booking. Note: Students in Year 9 and below must be accompanied by an adult.