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Willkommen! Embark on an unforgettable journey through Germany & Salzburg, exploring powerful history that helped prepare the way for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Discover the pivotal 100-year period that changed the world. Visit sites tied to reformers like Martin Luther and follow the inspiring path of early Latter-day Saints—from their courage during WWII to their faith under communist rule. Attend an optional session at the Freiberg Temple and learn how God guided the reunification of Germany.
2 nights in Salzburg, 11 nights in Germany.
Experience grand palaces, majestic castles, the stunning Bavarian Alps, and a scenic Rhine River cruise. Browse charming shops filled with handcrafted treasures—cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, steins, chocolates, and more.
See more about the sites, below.
Places Visited
Day 1
Depart on overnight flight to Munich.
Day 2
Arrive in Munich, travel on our chartered bus to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. On the way, we stop in the tiny town of Oberndorf to visit the Stille Nacht Kapelle (Silent Night Chapel), home of the iconic "Silent Night" hymn. Continue to Salzburg where we'll ride the funicular (tram) to visit the massive Salzburg Castle.
Day 3
Follow the Von Trapp family as we visit the real sites of their incredible family story as well as locations for the filming of the beloved film, “The Sound of Music.” Enjoy a delightful walking tour to stop by Mozart's birth house and the majestic Salzburg Cathedral.
Day 4
Travel to the Bavarian city of Regensburg on the beautiful Danube River. Elder Orson Hyde stayed here on his way to and from his mission to the Holy Land. He learned German during his stay here and later taught the language in the School of the Prophets. See 2nd Century Roman ruins and enjoy a walk along the lovely Danube River.
Day 5
Attend Sacrament Meeting with local Saints. Then onward to visit the famous & picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle, from which Walt Disney patterned Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Walk, take the shuttle bus, or hop on the horse-pulled carriage go to up/down the hill to/from the castle.
Day 6
Spend a delightful day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world. We'll explore, shop, and explore some more. Be amazed at the skillful wood-carving craftsmanship of the well-preserved Heilege Blut Altar, walk the massive old-town wall and among charming & picture-perfect half-timbered homes built in the 14th Century. Enjoy the quirky Glockenspiel (musical town clock) with its chimes and moving figurines dancing on the hour. Perhaps even visit the Museum of Torture–for those who dare.
Day 7
Discuss the Great Apostasy as we prepare to see the spectacularly lavish 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 mighty Holy Roman Emperor (and was declared an enemy of the Empire for doing so).
Day 8
We start the morning in 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. Then off to the Rhine village of St Goar. We finally come to Cologne to visit the magnificent, gothic-style Cologne Cathedral (a stunning site! and where the remains of the Wise Men are purported to be).
Day 9
Onward to Wartburg, home of remarkable 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. This translation caused changes in religion and society that even effect much in our own lives, today.
Day 10
Travel into the areas of what was known as East Germany. Learn about the struggles of the Latter-day Saints during World War II and the subsequent isolation from the Church within Communist-run East Germany. We'll stop in Leipzig to visit the grave of Johann Sebastian Bach as well as the Nikolai Kirche where the Peace Protested began, which were part of the downfall of Communist rule. Spend the first of two nights in Dresden, once called the “Florence of the North,” where we will visit the historically significant Frauenkirche.
Day 11
Join in an optional session in the beautiful Freiberg Temple, the only temple to be built (so far) in a Soviet-run country. Then we visit the site where then-Elder Thomas S. Monson blessed East Germany in humble prayer (a site previous tour members have compared feelings felt in the Sacred Grove in NY).
DAY 12
We will worship with local Saints in Zwickau, boyhood home of Dieter Uchtdorf, and the town where his family learned of and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 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 for our last 3 nights.
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 solemn Holocaust Memorial. Enjoy free time to explore Berlin and possibly take in an evening musical performance by extremely gifted musicians.
Day 15
Catch a flight home from Berlin’s new airport. Travel home with a heart full of cherished memories and an increased appreciation for the sacrifices of many faithful Saints (and a happy belly full of pretzels, Schnitzel, & lebkuchen!).