Your own personal tour through LutherCountry

In 2018, when I had the opportunity to go on a personal tour through LutherCountry, I decided to travel with my dad. 

That decision was inspired. 

The bratwursts on the market square in Weimar, the early morning mist settling around the base of the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, the reverberating sound of the church bells from the Castle Church in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg — all of it was richer watching my father enjoy the tastes, sights, and sounds of LutherCountry for the first time. 

At the end our journey, saying our goodbyes at Berlin’s Tegel airport, we tearfully said to one another, “we may never get the chance to do something like this together again.” 

Little did we know that two years later, we would be feeling the weight of those words all the more. Since that trip, we’d been planning for both my parents to come in May 2020. The hotels were booked, the itinerary set, and the flights confirmed. You could almost smell the bratwurst that we were going to be chowing down on together. 

Then, COVID-19 happened. 

Your Personal Tour Through LutherCountry

In lieu of detailed itineraries, the plan for this trip is pretty straightforward:

September 10, 2020

1:00 PM EST // 10:00 AM PST

Register in advance for the meeting HERE. 

The webinar will be held via Zoom. Participants need a working internet connection, the volumed turned on, and a comfortable chair to sit back in and experience LutherCountry virtually.

All-in-all the webinar will last around one hour, depending on the Q&A session.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Having planned for months to welcome my parents to our new home in Germany, we were devastated when we had to cancel everything. And I know, we are far from alone. 

Many of you also canceled, postponed, or gave up on long-hoped-for trips to dream destinations. Many of you told me that you were planning to come to Germany this summer or were hoping to come to the Christmas markets this year. 

COVID-19 upended those plans. 

Feeling our pain, the two German states that make-up “LutherCountry” — Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt — are coming to the rescue and bringing LutherCountry to our homes with, “Your personal tour through LutherCountry” on Thursday, September 10th.

The “Your personal tour through LutherCountry” webinar will be hosted by LutherCountry expert Mike Adams, CEO of TourComm Germany, who will guide participants to stops along the way, including Wittenberg, Eisleben, Erfurt, and the Wartburg. 

Each city played a special role in Martin Luther’s life and the story of the Reformation. 

That story will come alive with the help of tour guides such as Katerina von Bora in Wittenberg, my friend, and Texan-turned-German, Rev. Dr. Robert G. Moore, Rev. Scott Moore at the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, and special guests from the Wartburg and Eisleben.

My dad appreciating the historical significance in Martin Luther’s room at the Wartburg, Eisenach. (PHOTO: Ken Chitwood)

For those who have lost loved ones, whose livelihoods have been threatened, or whose lives are at risk on the frontlines, travel can be pretty far down on the priority list in the midst of the pandemic. In the end, traveling is a privilege. 

And yet, people are starting to travel again — camping, taking road trips, or small weekend getaways with loved ones — and planning for dream-trips in the future when restrictions are lifted and life returns to a bit of normalcy. 

“For many of us, travel is a vibrant part of life. It is part of what makes life worth ‘living.’”

As we all slowly come to the realization that the virus will be with us for quite some time and that we will have to adjust our lives accordingly, he role that travel plays in our lives will have to change too. 

Planned trips may be delayed awhile. When we are finally able to travel again, those trips might look very different than before the pandemic. 

With that in mind, LutherCountry is not only going to take you on a “personal tour,” but invite you to share your own questions and concerns. At the end of the webinar, participants will be invited by Mike Adams to ask anything they like about Luther and his homeland and how they might be able to plan their next trip to LutherCountry, whenever that may be. 

The famous Martin Luther statue in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg (PHOTO: Ken Chitwood)

Maybe it will be to see the Oberammergau Passion Play, scheduled for May 2020 only to be postponed until May 2022, the same year as the 500th anniversary of Luther’s translation of the Bible. Or, perhaps it will be to celebrate the 500th wedding anniversary of Katherina von Bora and Martin Luther in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg in 2025. 

Whatever your dreams, the “personal tour through LutherCountry” webinar might be the perfect place to start your planning. 

What's the deal with #LutherCountry?

Ok, so I went on the trip.

I saw the sites.

I took the pictures.

I posted pretty much all of them on Instagram!

But, what did my dad and I actually experience? What did we think? What is there to learn about Luther and enjoy about Germany on a #LutherCountry tour? Is a trip like this worth it for someone like you?

Great questions!

How to navigate German Christmas markets like a pro

Usually I write about religion. Every once and a while, I like to dabble in travel.

After my trip to Germany with #TestingLutherCountry in October I was inspired to write a piece about the German Christmas markets popping up all over Deutschland.

As November ends, Weihnachtsmärkte—Christmas markets—pop up all over Germany. The Advent tradition stretches back to the late Middle Ages, when folks stocked up on goods as winter approached. Eventually, the festive shopping experiences spread further throughout the German-speaking world. Today, you can even find German-style Christmas markets around the rest of Europe and in places as far-reaching as New York or Montreal. As beautiful as they are, though, the German Christmas market experience can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers.

First-timers can make their way through the stalls, snacks, and slang of Germany’s magical holiday markets with ease, thanks to these 10 essential tips and tricks.

Where are you going? The Official #TestingLutherCountry Itinerary Revealed

Two weeks from today I will take off to join my father in Frankfurt a.M. to start our official #TestingLutherCountry trip.

We couldn’t be more excited to go and share our experiences, encounters, and impressions with you via social media.

But before we go a lot of people have been asking me, “where exactly are you going?”

Great question!

Our trip will be an intensive tour of the places associated with Martin Luther — the 16th-century reformer — and his biography. Stretched out over a beautiful slice of the central German countryside between Schmalkalden and Lutherstadt-Wittenberg the itinerary will take us up mountains and into cities, across rivers and into the heart of the states of Thüringen and Sachsen-Anhalt.

Along the way we will learn about Luther, his life, and his legacy in the places where he wrote, argued, and (of course) drank beer!

The tour, and Luther’s story, are not just for theologians and religion nerds. Following along with the biography of Martin Luther also reveals the man’s — and the Reformation movement’s — impact on politics, education, language, the arts, and beyond. Being official #LutherCountry testers means we not only get to enjoy the history, art, gastronomy and (of course) beer in some of the most beautiful scenery in Germany, but also test the man himself — Martin Luther.

Part personal tour, part pilgrimage, this is a trip that takes you past the sites and into the spiritual and social setting of Martin Luther and the Reformation.

That means my posts will not only share what we are seeing, doing, and eating, but also explain and examine who Martin Luther was, what he did, and why that still matters today.

I’m excited to spend a night in the monastery where Martin Luther was a monk. I’m looking forward to drinking beer from some of the best brauereien (breweries) around. I’m going to cherish the quality time spent with my dad (we even get to stay in a “Romantik” hotel in the Wartburg Castle…haha!). I can’t wait to relax in the saunas along the way. I am going to snarf down as much German food as I can. I am going to read every placard I can about Luther and the land that came to bear his name.

However, above and beyond all of that I am thrilled to share that story with you.

Be sure to subscribe to my e-mail list for updates about the trip. Also, if you’re interested, you can follow along day-by-day via social media on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

For now, here’s the itinerary with some of the highlights of what we will be doing along the way. Have you ever been to #LutherCountry? See anything you recognize? Have any recommendations? Any questions or comments you want to share? Please be sure to leave a comment below or reach out via e-mail or social media. I’d love to hear from you!

Day 1: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (Frankfurt – Schmalkalden) 

• Guided City Tour and stay at the Luther House where Luther lived as a guest in 1532.

• Themed Dinner in the Luther House – a costumed guide will host 10 guest through the evening. Authentic stories about Luther’s life will be told between the courses. 

Day 2: Thursday, October 25, 2018 (Schmalkalden – Eisenach – Wartburg) 

Wartburg Castle (PHOTO: Ken Chitwood)

• Visit the half-timbered Luther House, where Luther lived during his study at the Latin school 

• Exclusive guided tour of Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament 

• Cozy dinner in Lutherstuben in Hotel Eisenacher Hof. As in medieval times, you will enjoy music, juggling and jests before and after dinner. 

• Overnight in Eisenach directly at Wartburg Castle in the 5-star Romantik Hotel (hehe!)
  

Day 3: Friday, October 26, 2018 (Eisenach — Erfurt)

• Exclusive English City Tour Erfurt including the famous Augustinian Monastery, where the Reformer served as a monk

• Lunch in an authentic German Restaurant in the heart of the city 

• Visit of the brand new Digital Showroom of Thuringia and a private tour 

• Dinner in a cozy traditional restaurant 

• Overnight directly in the Augustinian Monastery, Erfurt
  

Day 4: Saturday, October 27, 2018 (Erfurt – Weimar)

Goethe’s House in the Park an der Ilm in Weimar (PHOTO: Ken Chitwood)

• Visit the impressive Duchess Anna Amalia Library which preserves literature dating from the 9th to 21st centuries 

• Guided city tour in the UNESCO World Heritage City Weimar, where you will pass over 16 UNESCO objects, such as palaces, Goethe’s Residence or Schiller’s residence, St. Mary’s Cathedral where Luther was ordained as a priest and finally take a walk over the merchants’ Bridge, Europe finest example of a mediaeval inhabited bridge 

• Lunch — feasting on an original German Bratwurst (Sausage) at Weimar Market

• Visit the late Gothic Town church of St. Peter and Paul – also called “Herder Church” - with it’s fascinating Cranach triptych altarpiece 

• Dinner Köstritzer Schwarzbier beer house and restaurant

• Overnight in Weimar Grand Hotel Russischer Hof 4* hotel (fancy!)
  

Day 5: Sunday October, 28, 2018 (Weimar – Eisleben – Halle (Saale))

• Guided English Tour in Eisleben containing lovely churches and fascinating museums Halle (Saale) 

• Visit the two popular churches: Market Church and Halle Cathedral 

Day 6: Monday, October 29, 2018 (Halle (Saale) – Magdeburg)

• Entrance to Francke Foundations – from here Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was sent to Pennsylvania to found the first Lutheran Church in America. 

• Guided Tour through the town including the visit of the Green Citadel of Magdeburg

• Visit St John’s Church where Luther preached about “true and false righteousness” 

Day 7: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 (Magdeburg – Lutherstadt Wittenberg) 

The infamous Castle Church in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg (PHOTO: Ken Chitwood)

• Visit Luther House that was once home to Martin Luther and his family for many years 

• Guided Tour in Lutherstadt Wittenberg to the cradle of Reformation including the theses door at castle churches, Melanchthon House, St. Mary’s Town Church or rather known as the “Mother Church of the Reformation,” the Cranach House and Courtyard 

• Asisi Panorama “Luther 1517 – Wittenberg in Reformation times! Be amazed of the 360° display of the town and get an impression what the atmosphere was like from dusk until dawn

• Dinner in the authentic brewery Restaurant Brauhaus Wittenberg including a German beer tasting

 
Day 8: Wednesday, October 10, 2018 (Lutherstadt Wittenberg)

• Dive into the Reformation Festival during this special days: Reformation Day! 

• Take part in the worship services at the Castle Church in Wittenberg

• Explore the Reformation Festival and all it has to offer

Day 9: Thursday November 01, 2018 (Lutherstadt Wittenberg – Berlin)

• Depart from Berlin for home

Test #LutherCountry With Me!

I'm a fan of the Clash. You know, the famous British punk rock band? As you might have figured out already, I am also a huge religion-nerd, traveler, Lutheran pastor, and Ph.D. candidate in religious studies. 

Those different threads of my life are all coming together in my upcoming trip as the official LutherCountry “Tester.” From 23 October - 1 November my job will be to “test” the full LutherCountry experience and report back and share the story of the Reformation and its legacy based on first-hand experience in the lands, places, castles, monasteries, churches, and city-streets where it took place. 

I look forward to sharing all of this on Instagram and Facebook. I invite you to follow me @KenChitwood or @KenChitwoodPhD if we aren’t connected already. 

I also want to share my stories and experiences on my blog and via my e-mail newsletter. 

I know a lot of you are going to love getting e-mails from me throughout my journey in LutherCountry. Some of you, however, might not…

…so I am inviting you to sign-up for a special short-term e-mail list and subscription to my blog.  

Subscribe to the #TestingLutherCountry list!

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If you do, I promise you are going to get insider information, inspiring stories, and my in-depth reflections on the places and people that made the Reformation what it was.

Now, if you’ve been wondering how The Clash song fits in with all of this, let me tell you and give you a little taste of what my blogs and updates will be like in the weeks to come:

While I knew some things about the Reformation that class opened my eyes to the revolutionary power of the Reformation and the stunning stories of the people who were involved in it. 

Can’t wait to get back to Eisenach for Lutherhaus…and a restaurant there called “The Totally Crazy Potato House!”

In particular, my professor impressed upon me — based on his extensive experience traveling in the land of the Reformation and studying in Germany's archives —  how vital it was to see not only the big names and famous moments, but to take in the seemingly simple stories of individuals who can sometimes be considered tangential to the grand narrative. There we can see just how vital the Reformation was for individual lives and liberty. 

That is how I came to write "Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? The Choices Females Faced as Nuns During the Reformation." The Clash song-inspired title spoke to the struggle that women faced with new-found freedoms (including Katharina von Bora) and showed me just how meaningful the Reformation was, and is, for so many people across the world — Lutheran and non-Lutheran, great and small, known and unknown. 

As a Lutheran, a religious educator, and a writer I continue to be inspired by my Reformational heritage to learn more about the world, the people in it, and how through exploration and education we can continue to inspire, enlighten, and liberate one another with our stories and experiences.

Just as Lutheran ideas started in places like Erfurt and Eisleben and spread across the globe, it would be my humble honor to walk in the reformers' footsteps in Germany and go on to share my experience and inspiration with the world in photos, writing, and video. It would allow me to share my passion for the Reformation, its history, and its principles with a wide audience. And that, after all, is one of the things the Reformation is about — having your own experience with a source of knowledge, sharing your story, and inspiring others to step out into the world and do the same.

I hope you’ll join me as I Test #LutherCountry next month!