Lutheran Woman on a Journey

Frauen auf Reisen

Day 1, Thursday, May 7, 2026: Depart the US 

Transatlantic overnight flight to Berlin, Germany. Part of the beauty of this trip is that women from many parts of the country (and world!) are joining together to experience this adventure. Some of us have airline points we can take advantage of, some have strong airline preferences, and some have more travel connections before or after this trip. Therefore, we are giving you the freedom to book your own flight itinerary. We will gather in Berlin Friday morning.

Day 2, Friday, May 8, 2026: Berlin Welcome to Berlin. After everything is settled, we will transfer to the Berlin city center for a morning of touring. Our visits include the bomb-damaged tower of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the famous Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and the “Unter den Linden” government district and the remains of the Berlin Wall. Returning to the bus, we stop for lunch as we make our way to Wittenberg, where Martin Luther once lived. We’ll check in at Old Latin school, take an orientation walk, and enjoy a traditional German dinner at Colleg Wittenberg. Thus ends our first first day.

Day 3, Saturday, May 9, 2026: Wittenberg 

This morning, we gather for the guided tour and discover the city where Martin Luther once lived and taught. On our tour in the “Footsteps of Martin Luther,” we visit places which were important in his life, like the Town Church, Castle Church, where Luther posted his 95 Theses and the Lutherhouse museum. Devotions at the Old Latin School will be led by its director, (Dr.?) Wilhem Weber.

Day 4, Sunday, May 10, 2026: Leipzig Sunday morning we have the privilege of joining the worship service at St. Luke’s Church (Lukaskirche, SELK)  in Leipzig. Worship at Lukaskirche is held in three languages simultaneously: German, English, and Farsi. Deaconess Kim Bueltmann, missionary to the Persian immigrants, is cantor and pianist. Following the service, the Persian ladies have offered to prepare dishes from their homeland for our lunch. Kim and fellow missionary Rachel Krause will also tell us about their mission work.

In the afternoon, a local guide will give you a tour of Leipzig. In May 1989, the people of Leipzig first organized the demonstrations that brought hundreds of thousands into the streets for the “Peaceful Revolution.” We will visit their rendezvous point at the Gothic St. Nicholas Church, built in 1165 as well as St. Thomas church, where Luther preached and where Bach served as cantor and choirmaster for 25 years. There is no group dinner tonight. We suggest going to the historic Auerbachs Keller, known for its famous scene in Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s Faust; Faust and Mephistopheles drank with the local students before flying away on a barrel. 

Day 5, Monday, May 11, 2026: Seiffen and Erfurt 

We head south to the Ore Mountains and visit Seiffen, a small picturesque town which is famous for its wooden toy industry and many Christmas traditions. Here, we will find anything and everything we might imagine to decorate our Christmas tree or our home, such as Nutcrackers, smoking men, Schwibbögen and Christmas pyramids. In the afternoon, we continue to Erfurt. Hotel check in. Dinner is planned at a local restaurant tonight.

Day 6, Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Eisenach 

In the morning, we take the bus to Eisenach, where we will tour the Wartburg Castle, where Luther disguised himself as a squire named “Junker Jörg” and hid away for ten months while he was on the run from imperial authorities. Here Luther created one of his most important works—the translation of the New Testament into German. On our guided tour of the castle, we will also see the room where Luther lived and worked on his translation. Back in Erfurt, we will visit the Augustinian Monastery, where Luther took his monastic vows and lived as a monk. 

The afternoon and evening are free for shopping at the famous pottery town, Bürgel. Admire the iconic blue and white pottery, tour the grounds and the museum, and perhaps find a special souvenir to remember the trip. Dinner is on your own. 

Day 7, Wednesday, May 13, 2026: Neuendettelsau 

We leave Lutherland and head south to Bavaria. Our destination is charming Neuendettelsau, where Rev. Wilhelm Loehe founded the first Deaconess Mother House, thus starting deaconess work in the Lutheran church. Your tour leaders, Deaconesses Pam and Sandra, will tell the story of Loehe’s connection to the deaconess history in the LCMS on our ride to Neuendettelsau. Upon arriveal we will be welcomed by a sister who will talk to us about their life in a Diaconal Center as well as their mission and their work, and show us around. Dinner and overnight will be in Neuendettelsau.

Day 8, Thursday, May 14, 2026: Rothenburg ob der Tauber 

We continue to Germany’s Romantic Road, which passes the most pictureseque places between the River Rhine and the Alps. Expect lush, green forests, rolling hills, and meandering rivers.The highlight, beyond all doubt, is Rothenberg ob der Tauber, which with its old houses, ramparts, magnificent buildings and narrow cobbled streets became a Mecca for visitors from all over the world. There will be free time for shopping souvenirs and lunch on our own before we head to our next destination.

Day 9, Friday, May 15, 2026: Heidelberg

This morning we have a guided city tour of Heidelberg, a city famous for its old-world charm and enchanting atmosphere. At the heart of Heidelberg lies its iconic castle, dating back to the 13^th century and offering breathtaking views of the Neckar River. A visit to Vom Fass, a German culinary shop will include tastings and demonstrations. We will top off the experience with a one-hour Neckar River cruise, and afterwards gather in the evening for a closing dinner and devotion. Our Journey together ends.

Day 10, Saturday, May 16, 2026: Frankfort

This morning we depart Germany from the Frankfort airport. Each traveler making their own flight arrangements.

TRIP COST: $2800 USD. The tour does not include airfare to or from Germany.