Alpine Explorer with the Glacier Express & Oberammergau Passion Play 2010

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Begin your tour with an overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2: Stresa, Lago Maggiore, Italy - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in picturesque Stresa on Lago Maggiore. Tonight you are transported by boat to Isola dei Pescatori, one of the most characteristic islands of the Borromeo Gulf. Enjoy a delicious meal while surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Day 3: Stresa - Lugano, Switzerland - Stresa, Italy
Today, drive through the beautiful Lake District of Italy, cross into Switzerland and the lakeside resort of Lugano. Here you will enjoy beautiful views of Lake Lugano and excellent shopping opportunities. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the lake area.

Day 4: Stresa - Zermatt, Switzerland
Depart Stresa for a scenic motorcoach ride into the heart of the Alpine mountains. The breathtaking views of the Italian and Swiss Alps will leave a lasting impression on you. Upon arrival in Tasch, board a local train for the short ride to the spectacular Alpine village of Zermatt.

Day 5: Zermatt
Following an orientation tour of the village, the balance of the day is at leisure. Get an up-close look at the famed Matterhorn, enjoy some fine shopping or just relax at your hotel.

Day 6: Zermatt - Glacier Express - St. Moritz
Today you board the famous Glacier Express. Be prepared for an unforgettable train ride on the world’s most exciting narrow-gauge railway. You travel through a series of tunnels and bridges as you traverse some of the most spectacular Alpine scenery in the world: majestic mountains, verdant valleys, picturesque canyons, glistening glaciers and snowcapped peaks. Your destination is St. Moritz, playground of the rich and famous.

Day 7: St. Moritz - Innsbruck, Austria
Enjoy your drive through the picturesque Engadine Valley. Shortly, you cross into Austria and continue along the scenic Inn Valley. Arriving in the capital of the Austrian Tyrol, Innsbruck, time is allowed for lunch, independent sightseeing and shopping. Be sure not to miss the famous Golden Roof.

Day 8: Innsbruck - Salzburg - Innsbruck
Drive through the Austrian countryside to historic Salzburg, one of Europe's most beautiful and romantic spots. Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Salzburg’s historic “Old Town” - The Altstadt. Your sightseeing includes such highlights as the Cathedral, Mozart's birthplace and Mirabell Gardens. You will not be able to miss locations from the "Sound of Music". The afternoon will be at leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the centuries-old St. Peter’s Restaurant.

Day 9: Innsbruck - Munich, Germany - Oberammergau
You drive a short distance to the frontier of Germany, crossing the border into Bavaria. Soon you arrive in the Bavarian capital of Munich where you have a walking tour featuring the Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel and the Olympic Park. Next, depart for the quaint village of Oberammergau, nestled in the Bavarian Alps.

Day 10: Oberammergau - Passion Play
This afternoon, witness a performance of the Passion Play. The original performance dates back to 1634. During the Thirty Year War, the village of Oberammergau was spared the Black Plague and for this reason, the villagers vowed that every ten years they would give a play to honor the life of Christ. The performers are native Oberammergauers. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast start to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance. Also, the intricate costumes are made locally by the villagers. During the break of the performance, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip.

Day 11: Oberammergau - Tour Ends
Depart for home with many fond memories of your Alpine adventure!

Behold spectacular Alpine vistas and enjoy a performance of the famed Oberammergau Passion Play on this journey through Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. After a drive through Italy’s Lake District, cross over to Switzerland for views of Lake Lugano or a chance to peruse the shops. In Zermatt, climb aboard the Glacier Express for an unforgettable train ride through the Alpine scenery of majestic mountains, verdant valleys, picturesque canyons, glistening glaciers and snowcapped peaks. The birthplace of Mozart and Mirabell Gardens are featured during your leisurely walking tour of Salzburg, Austria, before treating your taste buds to a scrumptious dinner at the centuries-old St. Peter’s Restaurant. You’ll cross the border into Germany and the Bavarian capital of Munich, where a walking tour includes the Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel and the Olympic Park. Your final destination finds you in Oberammergau, a quaint village nestled in the Bavarian Alps. Here, you’ll witness a performance of the world-renowned Passion Play, whose origins date back to 1634, when the villagers of Oberammergau vowed to perform a play every ten years in honor of Christ’s life if they were spared from the Black Plague.

• Most meals
• Services of a professional tour manager who accompanies you throughout your tour
• Expert local guides
• All listed hotels, taxes, service charges, and gratuities for baggage handling
• Admission charges where applicable
• Private, deluxe, climate controlled motorcoach

Stresa, Lago Maggiore, Italy: Stressa Hotel
Zermatt: Hotel Alex
St. Moritz: Hotel Monopol
Innsbruck: Hotel Innsbruck
Oberammergau: Oberammergau Hotel

For terms and conditions of this Oberammergau Tour, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive tour prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the tour origination city, we are able to offer the land portion of the package or tour, at the price quoted.