Our Protestant tradition calls us to always be reforming which means that we, both personally and as a church, are always listening for and aligning ourselves with the ways God is moving in the world.

In this 13-day trip, we’ll have a chance to learn about the faith of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli that led them to seek reform of the 16th century Church sparking the Protestant Reformation. Through shared worship, learning, and fellowship, we will deepen our understanding of our Reformed heritage and reflect on what it means to be “Reformed and always reforming” today.

Our journey begins as we depart the US to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER).

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and depart from Geneva International Airport (GVA).

Welcome to Germany! After arriving in Berlin, we’ll journey to Lutherstadt Wittenberg. This is the city where the protestant reformation began, including where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church. Once settled into our hotel, you can enjoy a gentle stroll through the historic Market Square before having dinner together.

Overnight accommodations in Wittenberg, Germany (D).

Today, we’ll explore Wittenberg with our local expert guide Katja Köhler, bringing this city’s layered history to life. Our walking tour winds through the heart of the old city, exploring sites like the Melanchthon House, the Market Square, Town Church, Cranach Houses, and Thesis Door. After lunch, we’ll visit Castle Church as well as a local museum to deepen our learning of this area and historical context. The evening is yours to explore and have dinner on your own.

Overnight accommodations in Wittenberg, Germany (B)

Today after breakfast, we’ll travel to Erfurt, a beautifully preserved medieval city where several important places in Luther's formative years are located. Here, we’ll visit sites including: Augustinian Monastery (where Luther was a monk), Erfurt Cathedral (known as Dom St. Marien, where Luther was ordained), and St. Severus Church. Our day concludes with a walk across the Krämerbrücke, the famed medieval Merchants’ Bridge, and dinner options on your own.

Overnight accommodations in Erfurt, Germany (B).

We begin our day with a visit to the Buchenwald Memorial, a powerful memorial and museum at one of the largest and most significant former Nazi concentration camps on German soil. Our journey continues after lunch as we travel to Eisenach. Here we’ll have a guided tour of Wartburg Castle, a medieval fortress where Luther spent time in hiding and translating the New Testament into German. Afterwards, we travel to Würzburg and check into our hotel and have dinner together.

Overnight accommodations in Würzburg, Germany (B,D).

After breakfast, we’ll begin our day with a walking tour of Würzburg, including seeing the Residenz Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the lively Marktplatz, and crossing the Alte Mainbrücke (the Old Main Bridge) to explore its baroque statues. Afterwards, you’ll have the option to have a wine tasting just outside of town in the Franken countryside, where you’ll experience the history and context of the finest wine regions. Those who prefer, may use the time for further exploration of Würzburg instead. We’ll gather together again to travel to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities anywhere in the world. Our evening concludes in Rothenburg with dinner on your own and a night tour, exploring the city in the cover of dark.

Overnight accommodations in Rothenburg, Germany (B).

Departing early in the morning, we’ll travel to Heidelberg to attend worship at the Church of the Holy Spirit (Heiliggeistkirche), a famous site of reformation era history. After lunch, we’ll continue our exploration in Heidelberg, seeing Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg University, and going on the Philosophers' Walk (Philosophenweg) for panoramic views of the old town. The evening is yours to discover Heidelberg's many charms at your own pace with dinner on your own.

Overnight accommodations in Heidelberg, Germany (B).

After breakfast, we will take a short drive to Worms. Here, we’ll have a guided tour to visit the site of the Diet of Worms (1521), where Luther famously declared "Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise." We’ll also see the grand Luther Monument (Lutherdenkmal), the largest Reformation monument in the world, and the Cathedral of St. Peter. After lunch, our journey continues as we cross into France. Our day concludes in Strasbourg, where you’ll have free time to explore this lovely area and have dinner on your own.

Overnight accommodations in Strasbourg, France (B).

Strasbourg holds a surprisingly rich Reformation heritage, and we’ll spend the day exploring this with our local expert guide. We start our morning at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals of Europe. You can even climb the tower to see breathtaking views of the city. We’ll then make our way to Saint-Thomas Church, the Lutheran parish where Martin Bucer ministered and where John Calvin worshipped during his years of exile in Strasbourg. We’ll then see the tomb of Marshal de Saxe by Pigalle and visit Martin Bucer’s home. In the afternoon, we’ll walk through the Petite France district and along the canals. Here, we can visit the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame for medieval and Renaissance art. We conclude our day with dinner together at a traditional Alsatian winstub.

Overnight accommodations in Strasbourg, France (B,D).

This morning we leave France and journey to Zürich, Switzerland. Along the way, we’ll stop in Basler to visit the Basler Münster Cathedral. After lunch, we’ll explore some of Zürich’s reformation highlights. We’ll first visit Grossmünster, Zwingli’s church and the birthplace of the Swiss Reformation. You are able to climb the Karlsturm tower for city views. We’ll continue our way just across the Limmat River to Fraumünster, which is famous for its luminous stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. We’ll then wander the Limmatquai waterfront, strolling through the charming Altstadt. Our day concludes with a visit to the Zürich Lindenhof for sunset views. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Overnight accommodations in Zürich, Switzerland (B).

Our day begins with a drive to Geneva, Switzerland. It is said that this is the city Calvin transformed into the "Protestant Rome.” The afternoon centers on two extraordinary sites. The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre was Calvin's home church for 23 years. Here, we’ll explore the remarkable underground archaeological site and climb the towers for panoramic views over Lake Geneva. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Calvin Auditorium, which is the lecture hall and chapel adjacent to the cathedral where Calvin trained Reformation leaders from across Europe (including John Knox). Here we will also gather for a time of worship and celebrate communion together. Our day concludes with options for dinner along the lake with views of the Jet d’Eau.

Overnight accommodations in Geneva, Switzerland (B).

We will spend our final full day together exploring Geneva. Our morning begins at the International Museum of the Reformation. Housed in a historic mansion next to the Cathedral, this excellent museum traces the Reformation from its earliest roots to the present. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Reformation Wall (Mur des Réformateurs). This is a short, peaceful walk through Parc des Bastions to the iconic 100-meter monument bearing the towering figures of Farel, Calvin, Beza, and Knox beneath Geneva's motto: Post Tenebras Lux, “After Darkness, Light.” Later in the day, you’ll have the option to visit the United Nations or CERN visitor center or simply stroll the lakefront. We gather together again for our Farewell Dinner, celebrating all that we’ve encountered along the way.

Overnight accommodations in Geneva, Switzerland (B,D).

Today, we conclude our journey in the footsteps of the Reformation. After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Geneva International Airport (GVA) for our return flights back to the US. (B)

*Registration opens on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 8:00 AM. Registration is open to First Presbyterian members only until October 2, 2026.

For more information, please contact:

Garrell Keesler, Director of FPC Travels

Email: fpctravels@firstpres-charlotte.org

Phone: 704-651-5606

*Registration Deadline is December 31, 2026

*Note about activity levels: Please note that this tour includes walking tours on uneven surfaces and stairs, standing for extended periods of time, bus tours on uneven roads, etc. This tour also includes frequent hotel and luggage transfers. For more information or questions regarding activity levels and mobility, please contact us.

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and depart from Geneva International Airport (GVA). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

*Travel insurance is highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through our trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes are available. Please contact us with any questions.

*A non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

The deposit is transferrable if the spot(s) are filled with a similar booking (double or single). This option is available until June 1, 2027. After that date, refund options will follow the terms & conditions.

Other payments due: first half payment is due by March 20, 2027 and final payment is due by June 20, 2027. If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

*Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted (Credit Card fees will apply).

Sarah Raymond

Sunlight Tours Founder and Trip Director

For more about Sarah, see OUR STORY