Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Discover the historical legacy of the Reformation as you walk the path taken by Martin Luther, affectionately known as the father of Protestantism, on your journey through Heidelberg, Wittenberg, and Frankfurt. Experience the history of towering landmarks including the Worms Cathedral, Heidelberg’s famous castle, and the captivating Luther Monument. You’ll also explore the Augustinian monastery where Martin Luther lived and conducted his first Mass in 1507 and end your tour in the bustling city of Frankfurt, the perfect place to reflect on the continued legacy and important role of faith in the 21st century.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Germany (Frankfurt)
Day 2
Arrive in Frankfurt
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Travel to Heidelberg
Day 3
Heidelberg Tour Director-led sightseeing
Join your Tour Director for a sightseeing tour of Heidelberg, a charming city surrounded by mountains, forests, and the Neckar River. Stroll through Market Square for views of Germany’s oldest university, then visit Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance landmarks north of the Alps. Learn about its turbulent history from the Thirty Years’ War to a lightning strike in 1764, and explore the castle courtyard to see the world’s largest wine barrel, a symbol of the city’s enduring spirit and charm.
Worms excursion
Located on the Rhine River, Worms is one of Germany’s oldest cities, shaped by emperors, medieval legend, and the Protestant Reformation. Visit Dom St. Peter, a High Romanesque basilica that dominates the historic skyline, and view its rosette window and decorated Chapel of St. Nicholas. Continue to the Luther Monument, the world’s largest Reformation monument honouring Martin Luther and other key figures.
Day 4
Travel to Nuremberg via Rothenburg
Rothenburg Tour Director-led sightseeing
Christmas reigns year-round in Rothenburg, a jewel along Germany’s Romantic Road. Walk the medieval city walls and visit the Rathaus on the Marktplatz, where a unique clock reenacts the legendary wine-drinking feat of a former mayor during the Thirty Years’ War. Across the square, the Gothic St. Jacob’s Church adds grandeur to this storybook town.
St. Jakob's Church visit
Visit St. Jakobskirche, a beautifully preserved 14th-century Gothic church. Inside, view one of Germany’s most treasured works of art, Tilman Riemenschneider’s Holy Blood Altarpiece, completed in 1504.
Franciscan Church visit
Built in 1285, this church is Rothenburg’s oldest. It features an altar carved by Tilman Riemenschneider as well as stained-glass windows created by Johannes Schreiter.
Day 5
Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial visit
Dachau, the first of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps, became the model for thousands that followed. Now a memorial and museum, it honours the 206,000 prisoners held here from 1933 to 1945 and traces the rise of the Nazi party, pre-1930s anti-Semitism, and the lives of those imprisoned.
Day 6
Travel to Erfurt via Coburg and Eisenach
Coburg Fortress visit
Towering above the border between Upper Franconia and Thuringia, Coburg Fortress is one of Germany’s largest and best-preserved castle complexes. During the 16th century, Lucas Cranach the Elder frequented the fortress, drawing inspiration and creating sketches within its walls.
Lutherhaus visit
Visit the Lutherhaus, where Martin Luther lived from 1498 to 1501. This picturesque half-timbered house is one of Eisenach’s oldest buildings and now serves as a museum, featuring engageing multimedia exhibits that explore Luther’s life, teachings, and historical context.
Wartburg Castle visit
Explore Wartburg Castle to see the Lutherstube, where Martin Luther lived and worked; the Neue Kemenate, now home to an impressive art collection; and the Singing Hall, traditionally linked to the legendary minstrels’ contest portrayed in Tannhäuser.
Erfurt city walk
Founded as a Catholic diocese in 742, Erfurt flourished as an important trading centre during the Middle Ages. Nicknamed “Thuringian Rome” for its abundance of churches, the city also played a key role in the life of Martin Luther, who spent six years here, first as a student at the University of Erfurt and later as a monk at the Augustinian Monastery.
Day 7
Lutherstadt Wittenberg guided excursion
Explore Lutherstadt Wittenberg on a guided excursion through the town that helped spark the Protestant Reformation. Visit Schloss Wittenberg and the historic Rathaus, both former residences tied to the city’s civic and religious life, before continuing to Cranachhaus and Melanchthonhaus, homes of influential Reformation leaders. Step inside St. Mary’s Church, where Martin Luther once preached, and conclude at the Schlosskirche, where he posted his Ninety-Five Theses—95 statements that challenged Church practices and reshaped Christian history.
Day 8
Augustinian Monastery visit
Explore the Augustinian Monastery, where Martin Luther lived as a monk and celebrated his first Mass in 1507 after being ordained as a priest. Dating to the 13th century, the monastery also houses a rare book library and a permanent exhibition focused on Luther’s life.
St. Mary's Cathedral visit
Set atop a broad staircase rising from Cathedral Square, St. Mary’s Cathedral is home to the world’s largest free-swinging bell, the Gloriosa, and features an elaborate Gothic chancel with a striking series of stained-glass windows.
Merchants' Bridge visit
Built in 1325 over the Gera River, the Merchants’ Bridge is an arched stone structure lined with houses on both sides. Today, it's filled with bookstalls, cafés, and antique shops. In medieval times, two churches stood at either end of the bridge; one of them, the Ägidienkirche, still remains.
Travel to Frankfurt
Frankfurt city walk
Explore Frankfurt’s historic heart on a walking tour through key landmarks that trace the city’s past and present. Discover the Altstadt, once one of Germany’s largest half-timbered towns before much of it was destroyed during World War II. Stop at the Hauptwache, a Baroque structure that once served as the city’s military headquarters and later as a police station, now rebuilt above a major transit hub. Continue to Römerberg, where a major reconstruction project restored sections of the medieval old town, and view the Römer, Frankfurt’s iconic town hall. The walk also includes Paulskirche, now home to a museum highlighting the area’s political and cultural history.
Kaiserdom (Imperial Cathedral) visit
Explore the Kaiserdom, also known as St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. Despite its name, it is not a true cathedral, as it has never served as the seat of a bishop. The title reflects its historic role as the site where kings and emperors were elected and crowned. The current Gothic structure is the fifth church known to stand on this site and has undergone several periods of modification and restoration over the centuries.
Day 9
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions.
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Focused time for devotionals, prayers, and scripture throughout the program
Scenes from Germany
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
