The history of the Western World was fundamentally altered in the 16th century when Martin Luther launched the Reformation in Wittenberg. WDAV invites you to visit the site of this pivotal event in person on its latest tour, Exploring Eastern Germany, June 6 - 17, 2008. You'll explore the land of the 18th century German Enlightenment whose luminaries include the musician-king Frederick the Great, the poet Schiller, the polymath Goethe, and composers G. F. Handel and J. S. Bach. You will experience this land of great religious and cultural heritage and have the opportunity to enjoy some of the Bach Festival in Leipzig. The trip will be escorted by Luther Wade, host of WDAV’s Viva Voce.

Your Host:

Dr. Luther Wade joined WDAV as host of Sunday’s Viva Voce in 1992. A retired university professor he is a regular contributor to Opera News magazine and a frequent lecturer on music and European history throughout our region. For some years now he has indulged his love of travel and music by organizing and leading private tours to Europe. Throughout the tour, he will share his vast knowledge and experience to help make your journey interesting and unique.


Intinerary:

Friday, June 6 – Depart U.S. for flight to Berlin

Saturday, June 7 – Berlin.
Morning flight arrival at Berlin International Airport from U.S. where you will be met by your tour guide who will escort you to your motorcoach. Transfer into the center of Berlin. Today we will enjoy a sightseeing tour through the center of the German capital. Explore the history of the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. See such sights as the Tiergarten, the government sector, the Brandenburg gate as well as the Potsdam Square, the famous shopping mall Kurfürstendamm, and Unter den Linden, as well as the magnificent Berlin Cathedral, the largest Lutheran church in Germany. Dinner and overnight Berlin Art’otel.

Sunday, June 8 – Potsdam and Sanssouci
Today we drive out to the old garrison and residence town of Potsdam situated just a stone’s throw away from Berlin that has become famous for its splendid palaces and gardens. We’ll visit the palace of Sanssouci, a favorite refuge of the great Prussian king Frederick II, a flutist and composer as well as a great general. Here the “philosopher of Sanssouci,” as he was called, entertained some of the most educated men of the 18th century, among them the French philosopher Voltaire, as well as J. S. Bach, whose Musical Offering is based on a theme proposed by the king. The excursion includes an extensive guided tour of Sanssouci Palace, a stroll in the magnificent park and a city tour of Potsdam where you will discover among other sights the Dutch Quarter and the Russian Colony Alexandrovka. Overnight Berlin Art’otel.

Monday, June 9 – Wittenberg and Torgau
Drive to Wittenberg, Luther’s home for over 30 years, situated along the Shor River. The University of Wittenberg is where Luther was a professor and posted his 95 theses on the door of the church in 1517, launching the Protestant Reformation. We will visit the Luther House, the Schlosskirche, the church where Luther is buried, and the Town Church to see Cranach’s Triptych Altar. We continue on to Torgau for a guided tour including the Castle, the Castle Church and St. Mary’s Church, where Katharina von Bora, Luther’s wife, is buried. It was here in 1530 that Luther and others drew up part of the Augsburg Confession. Dinner and overnight Halle Intercity Hotel.

Tuesday, June 10 - Halle and Eisleben
To Halle where Handel was born in 1685. Tour of the 300 year old “Francke Foundations,” a center of Lutheran Pietism that included an orphanage, school and Bible society. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was sent from the Francke Foundations in 1742 to Pennsylvania, where he became the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America. On to Eisleben and visit Luther’s Birth House, Death House, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, where Luther was baptized, and St. Andrew’s Church, where he preached his last sermon. Dinner and overnight Halle Intercity Hotel.

Wednesday, June 11 – Erfurt and Eisenach
Tour of Erfurt including the Augustinian Monastery and St. Mary’s Cathedral, where Luther was ordained, St. Severin’s Church and the tradesmen’s bridge. Travel to Eisenach, birthplace of J. S. Bach (1685). Visit the Bach Museum, Luther House, and St. George’s Church where J. S. Bach was baptized. Then to Wartburg Castle where Luther lived in protective custody and translated the New Testament from Greek to German. Dinner and overnight Erfurt Mercure.

Thursday, June 12 – Weimar and Buchenwald
Weimar is the spiritual and cultural center of classical German literature and a living picture book of German history. Wieland, Goethe, Herder and Schiller, as well as Bach, lived here. Their work made Weimar world-famous. It was also the site of the first democracy on German soil—known as the Weimar Republic. Weimar and culture—an ideal combination. The city offers a cultural range that is hard to match, covering the full range from literature and music to fine arts and museums. Among the highlights are the Nietzsche Archive, the Goethe and Schiller Houses, the Goethe and Schiller Archives and the art collections in the Bauhaus Museum. In total contrast, we will also visit the nearby Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp. Dinner and overnight Erfurt Mercure.

Friday, June 13 – Leipzig
On to Leipzig. We will enjoy a walking tour with a local guide, exploring the Bach heritage of Leipzig. First we will visit the St. Thomas Church, where Bach was Choir Master from 1723 to 1750; he is buried here. Martin Luther preached at the St. Thomas Church; Mozart played the organ here; Richard Wagner was baptized here. Across from the church we’ll visit the Bach Museum displaying still more of the composer’s life, his family, and his music. During Bach’s time, the Museum house was owned by the composer’s friend, Bose, and Bach often visited and played there. Today, the house also contains the Bach Archives and the Bach Research Institute. As Director of Music for the City of Leipzig, Bach was also responsible for music and education at the Nikolaikirche, which we will also visit. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the Bachfest. Overnight Leipzig Sea Side Parkhotel.

Saturday, June 14 – Leipzig
Free time and a further opportunity to explore the city Goethe called “little Paris” and is today known as “the Boomtown of the East.” Additional time to attend events of the Bachfest if desired. Overnight Leipzig Sea Side Park hotel.

Sunday, June 15 – Prague
Transfer to Prague. Afternoon walking tour of the Old Town, with its cobbled streets, and the Jewish Quarter, birthplace of Franz Kafka. See the Gothic Town Hall in Old Town Square, famous for its astronomical clock. Visit the Jewish Museum which houses the largest collection of Judaica in Europe, the Old New Synagogue and the Jewish Cemetery. You may also enjoy a walk across the 14th century Charles Bridge. Overnight Prague Caesar Palace.

Monday, June 16 – Prague
Today you will enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Prague’s Castle District. Hradcany Castle was the seat of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman emperors. Visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus, one of the finest and most ornate in central Europe, and the Basilica of St. George which was founded in 905. Stroll along the Golden Lane, a row of tiny houses dating from the 16th century. Complete your tour with a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto, an important place of pilgrimage, and the Strahov Monastery, with its glorious Baroque decorations, where you will enjoy a private tour of the ornate library. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight Prague Caesar Palace.

Tuesday, June 17 – Transfer to Prague Airport for your return flight to the U.S

(Itinerary subject to minor modification without notice.)

Trip Price:
$4123.00 double occupancy; single supplement $420.00. Includes a $125.00 tax deductible contribution to the WDAV 89.9 Classical Public Radio. Price does not include airline tax and fuel surcharge, which at present is about $300.00. The surcharge will be added to the final bill when flights are booked.
(Note: The above price is based on at least 15 participants. Should as many as 30 sign up, the price will be reduced to $3861.00.)

Included in the Price: