Join Bishop Chris deForest and Bishop Craig Miller on a Pilgrimage of Faith and Witness to Germany from Washington, DC (IAD) October 10 – 18, 2026

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Overnight flight to Germany. Meals served on board.

Day 2 – Sunday, October 11: Arrival in Berlin
Arrival in Berlin and transfer to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, enjoy an orientation of the city. Berlin offers important historical and religious landmarks, including the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, preserved as a symbol of reconciliation, and various churches that reflect Germany’s complex modern history. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Berlin.

Day 3 – Monday, October 12: Berlin Sightseeing (Full Day)
A full day exploring Berlin’s key sites. Visit the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of unity and peace, and view the Berlin Wall remnants and Checkpoint Charlie, which reflect Germany’s divided past. Stop at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Time permitting, visit Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), an important Protestant church, and Museum Island. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Berlin.

Day 4 – Tuesday, October 13: Berlin to Wittenberg (Half Day)
Travel to Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Reformation. Visit the Stadtkirche (St. Mary’s Church), where Martin Luther preached, and participate in the noon prayer service. See the Castle Church (Schlosskirche), where Luther posted the 95 Theses. Additional sites include Luther House (Lutherhalle Museum), where Luther lived and worked, and Melanchthon House, home of Philipp Melanchthon, Luther’s collaborator. Free time in the afternoon for further exploration. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Wittenberg.

Day 5 – Wednesday, October 14: Wittenberg to Leipzig (Half Day)
Travel to Leipzig. Visit St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche), where Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor and is buried. See St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche), an important church in Leipzig’s religious and civic history. Leipzig played a key role in the spread of Reformation ideas through preaching, education, and music. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Leipzig.

Day 6 – Thursday, October 15: Leipzig to Eisleben to Erfurt
Stop in Eisleben, Martin Luther’s birthplace and place of death. Visit the Luther Birthplace House and Death House (UNESCO sites), as well as St. Peter and Paul Church, where he was baptized. Continue to Erfurt. Visit the Augustinian Monastery (Augustinerkloster), where Luther lived as a monk, and Erfurt Cathedral (St. Mary’s Cathedral), where he was ordained. Also see St. Severus Church and the historic city center. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Erfurt.

Day 7 – Friday, October 16: Erfurt – Wartburg Castle – Eisenach – Erfurt
Excursion to Wartburg Castle near Eisenach (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Tour the castle where Luther translated the New Testament into German. Visit Luther’s room and other key areas of the fortress. In Eisenach, see St. George’s Church, where Luther preached, and the Luther House Museum. Return to Erfurt. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Erfurt.

Day 8 – Saturday, October 17: Erfurt to Würzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Travel to Würzburg. Visit the Würzburg Residence (UNESCO site) and St. Kilian’s Cathedral. Würzburg reflects the Counter-Reformation and Catholic response to Luther’s movement. Continue to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a well-preserved medieval town. Explore the Old Town, Market Square, St. Jakob’s Church (with the Holy Blood Altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider), and the town walls. Pastors depart for Frankfurt Airport. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rothenburg.

Day 9 – Sunday, October 18: Departure or Free Day in Rothenburg
Transfer to the airport for those departing. Remaining travelers have a free day to explore Rothenburg further or visit Ansbach, including St. Gumbertus Church, connected to Lutheran history. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rothenburg.

OPTIONAL POST-STAY ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
OCTOBER 18 – 21, 2026

Day 9 – Sunday, October 18: Rothenburg / Ansbach / Würzburg
Free day for optional visit to Ansbach to see the companion church and explore additional regional Lutheran sites. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rothenburg.

Day 10 – Monday, October 19: Rothenburg – Neuendettelsau – Augsburg
Travel to Neuendettelsau to visit Mission Eine Welt, the Bavarian Lutheran Church’s global mission center. Continue to Augsburg. Visit St. Anne’s Church (where Luther stayed in 1518) and the Augsburg Cathedral. Augsburg is the site of the Augsburg Confession (1530), a foundational Lutheran document. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Augsburg.

Day 11 – Tuesday, October 20: Augsburg – Munich
Travel to Munich. Visit key sites such as Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), St. Peter’s Church, and Marienplatz. Free time to explore the city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Munich.

Day 12 – Wednesday, October 21: Departure from Munich
Transfer to Munich Airport for departure.