Germany – The Reformation to Reunification
LDS History Tour with Sound of Music’s Salzburg, Austria
September 11-25, 2024
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Willkommen to Germany! Discover the 100-year time period that changed the world in Germany and prepared the way for the Restoration. Follow the courage of Saints during World War II and those who kept the Church growing in Communist East Germany.
- Examine the apostasy, how it affected Europe, and created a need for the reformation movement to commence.
- Learn of the courage of Martin Luther and other early reformers. See an early Gutenberg Bible, product of the early, moveable type printing press so important to the advent of the Book of Mormon.
- Learn of early Church history in Germany to understand life for Latter-day Saints in communist East Germany prior to the reunification of their beloved country. Attend Sacrament Meeting with a local ward. Attend a session at the Freiberg Temple, the only temple built in a Soviet country.
- Tour the picturesque World Heritage City of Salzburg, Austria where the iconic “Sound of Music” was filmed.
- Visit Sanssouci, considered the Versailles of Germany, home of the benevolent Friedrich the Great.
- Experience lavish palaces and castles.
- Enjoy lush countryside vistas from the spectacular Bavarian Alps to the metropolitan capital of Berlin.
- Spend a delightful day cruising the Rhine River.
- Scope out quaint shops teeming with local artisan treasures – cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, steins, and, of course, chocolates!
- Visit sites from well-preserved medieval town to the bustling modern metropolis of Berlin.
| Tour Day | Where we visit & what we will discuss & discover… |
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Day 1 |
Depart on overnight flight to Munich |
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Days 2,3,4 |
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Day 5 |
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Day 6 |
Spend a delightful day in Rothenburg ob der Taube, considered one of the best-preserved Medieval towns in the world. Be amazed at the incredible wood carving of the Heilege Blut Altar, walk the massive town wall. Walk along half-timbered homes built in the 14th Century. Enjoy the quirky Glockenspiel. Perhaps visit the Museum of Torture–for those who dare. |
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Day 7 |
Discuss the Great Apostasy as we prepare to see the spectacular Wurzburg Residenz, home of the Prince Bishops of Wurzburg. Travel to Worms and learn of the council where Martin Luther stood up for his beliefs before the Holy Roman Emperor (and was declared an enemy of the Empire for doing so). Then travel to Mainz, home of Johannes Gutenberg, to visit the Gutenberg Museum where we will see original Gutenberg bibles and a replica of his printing press – easily come to understand the significance this great invention had in bringing about the restoration of the gospel. |
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Day 8 |
Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the romantic stretch of the Rhine River with castles at every turn. We will stop at a few quaint towns along the river with opportunities to explore old castles, buy Bier Steins, hand-crafted cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, sumptuous pastries, and other favorites! |
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Day 9 |
 
Start the day in Cologne to visit the awe-inspiring Cologne Cathedral, one of the finest examples of a gothic-style cathedral. Onward to Wartburg, home of St. Elizabeth and where Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, “kidnapped” Martin Luther to keep him safe. Here, Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German in only 10 months! Joseph Smith considered this work the most accurate translation of the Bible. |
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Day 10 |
Travel into the areas of what was known as East Germany. Learn about the struggles of the Latter-day Saints during WWII and the subsequent isolation from the Church within Communist East Germany. Visit the city of Meissen, birthplace of Karl G. Maeser. Also visit the site where then-Elder Thomas S. Monson blessed East Germany, a place where previous tour members have compared to the Sacred Grove in NY. Spend the night in Dresden, once called the “Florence of the North,” to visit the historically significant Frauenkirche. |
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Day 11 |
Join in a session in the beautiful Freiberg Temple, the only temple to be built in a Soviet-run country (so far). Then visit Bach’s grave in Leipzig and drive by the homes of Felix Mendelsohn and Fredrich Schiller. End the day enjoying an evening with members of the Zwickau Branch, childhood congregation of Dieter Uchtdorf. |
| DAY 12 | 
Travel to historic Wittenberg Cathedral where Luther posted his 95 Theses, or points of discussion, to the door in 1517 challenging & protesting the teachings of the Catholic Church. Continue onward to Berlin. |
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Days 13 & 14 |
Visit the benevolent Frederick the Great’s famous Sanssouci Palace (considered the Versailles of Germany) in the beautiful, royal town of Potsdam, just outside of Berlin. In Berlin, visit significant sites including Brandenburg Gate, symbol of the reunification of Germany. See incredible remnants of the Berlin Wall preserved to “never forget.” Perhaps walk through the Holocaust Memorial. Enjoy free time to explore Berlin and possibly take in an evening musical performance by extremely gifted musicians.
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Day 15 |
Catch mid-day flight home from Berlin’s new airport. Travel home full of cherished memories and an increased appreciation for the sacrifices of so many faithful Saints (and a happy belly full of pretzels, Schnitzel, & lebkuchen!). |
Pricing – Smart phones swipe left/right
| Tour ID | Date/Days | Price if One per room | Price each if Two per room | Special Features & Hosts |
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| GR07 | Sept 11-25, 2024 15-day tour! | $5760 with SLC airfare OR $4180 if own airfare | $4665 each with SLC airfare OR $3085 each if own airfare | Breathtaking Germany with Salzburg, Austria. Discover key elements of the Reformation era through the Reunification of Germany. Hosts Mike Vielstich and Melissa Hoch |
TERMS: $200 deposit per person secures a seat first-come, first-served; full balance due 100 days prior to departure. Prices reflect 5% cash or check discount. Mail checks to MORMON HERITAGE ASSSOCIATION, 2367 W Goldenpointe Way, West Jordan UT 84088. Credit cards by phone (+5% card fee; card fee waived on initial deposit). MHA reserves the right to make changes, as necessary.
Package includes: Touring & lodging as listed above, all breakfasts and most dinners, entrance fees, deluxe charter bus, transfers, taxes, personal headsets while touring, and expert MHA & local guide services.
AIRFARE is additional and can be included or tour members may arrange own airfare. Call MHA office 801-272-5601 for schedule before purchasing any non-refundable/non-changeable airfare.
Not included: Tips to local guides & bus drivers, lunches, a few dinners, any airport meals, optional entrance fees during Berlin free time, any airline baggage or upgrade fees, optional trip insurance, personal expenses (souvenirs, photos, Wi-Fi, beverages, etc).
If you have to cancel, there are a few possibilities. If someone takes your place, you get a refund less any costs we incur to procure your replacement, $50 cancellation/administrative fee from registration thru May 1, 2024. May 2 thru July 25, 2024 $50 fee +any non-refundable expenses incurred in your behalf. July 26, 2024 thru departure 100% non-refundable. All plus single room supplement if your cancellation forces your roommate to single. Cancellation must be submitted to MHA in writing.
FIT to TRAVEL: Guests accept responsibility for being in good health and able to easily walk distances on uneven ground, navigate up & down many stairs & hills, and travel on own without aide. Many sites not accessible to physically challenged—if in need of oxygen, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory assistance, guests will find the tour extremely limiting in experience.
Passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond return date.
Mormon Heritage Association Inc – MHA Tours, is an independent, private entity which offers inspiring tours exploring the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tour hosts and tour planners are faithful members and diligent researchers/students of this history and are prepared to present the tours in a respectful and agreeable manner conducive to The Church of Jesus Christ’s teachings, attitudes, and direction.
Coronavirus vaccine proof NOT required – as always, tour members travel at own risk.