14 Day Passion Play 2010, Switzerland & Italy

DAY 1, Sunday - Depart USA
Depart the USA for Switzerland. Your flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.

DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Zurich, Transfer to Lucerne
Arrive in Zurich and transfer to your hotel in Lucerne. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner. (D)

DAY 3, Tuesday - Lucerne City Tour
This morning enjoy a walking tour of the old town of Lucerne, said to be one of Switzerland's most charming medieval cities. Learn interesting facts about Lucerne's history and see all that Lucerne is renowned for: the baroque churches, the covered bridges and turret towers, the narrow cobblestone streets & squares and, of course, Lucerne's trademark - the Chapel Bridge with the Water Tower. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)
Optional: Half Day Pilatus Tour ($109)

DAY 4, Wednesday - Travel to Innsbruck, Innsbruck City Tour
Today, the first stop will be in the Principality of Liechtenstein, where you can see the Crown Princes’ Palace perched above the capital town, Vaduz. Next continue to Austria, and through the 13 km Arlberg Tunnel to follow the rushing river Inn to the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck. On arrival, visit the Wilten Basilica and see the Ski Jump, before entering the pedestrian-friendly Old Town to see the Hofburg Palace, Golden Roof and arcade main square. (B)
Optional: Tyrolean Folk ($65)

DAY 5, Thursday - Full Day in Innsbruck
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Innsbruck on your own. (B)
Optional: Full Day Salzburg Tour ($39)

DAY 6, Friday - Visit Linderhof Castle, Passion Play Performance Oberammergau
Begin with a visit to Linderhof Castle built by “Mad” King Ludwig II and admire the ornately decorated castle with its gardens and fountains. Drive via Ettal to nearby Oberammergau and spend the rest of the day in this delightful village. Lunch will be served at a local inn. View the pretty chalets with flower balconies and painted facades as you head to the famed Passion Playhouse to take your seat for this "once-in-a-lifetime" event. The history of the Passion Play at Oberammergau goes back to 1634, when the village of Oberammergau was miraculously saved from the ravages of the Black Death. Since that date, the play has been performed every ten years on the decade. There will be ample time for hunting down a hand carved wooden figurine, a special craft from this area, or perhaps a cuckoo clock. Continue to Oberammergau area for overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, Saturday - Verona Sightseeing En Route to Venice
Descend to the Valley of the River Inn in Austria on the way to the Brenner Pass into Italy. Continue past the fruit orchards of Trentino to Verona. Enjoy a break here to see the Roman Amphitheatre, still used during the famous opera festival, and the “Juliet Balcony” in this historic city, the setting for Romeo and Juliet. Arrive in Venice late afternoon. (B,D)

DAY 8, Sunday - Venice City Tour
Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Visit St. Mark's Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. View the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit the Doge's Palace, whose facade features a massive late-Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own. (B)
Optional: Gondola Ride with Music ($66)

DAY 9, Monday - Pisa Sightseeing En Route to Florence
Travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. En route to Florence, visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting with local specialties. Evening at leisure. (B)

DAY 10, Tuesday - Florence City Tour
Today's morning tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo's David is housed. Walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery's renowned "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the "Old Bridge". Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. This evening, dine in an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside. (B,D)

DAY 11, Wednesday - Sun Route Via Assisi to Rome
Today travel along the famous "Sun Route" motorway to the medieval the city of Assisi, renowned for its 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Continue to your hotel in Rome. (B,D)

DAY 12, Thursday - Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Today begins with the visit to the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Stroll through St. Peter's Square, passing Bernini's famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter's Basilica, where you will view Michelangelo's Pieta. This highly-finished marble sculpture depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion and is considered to be among the most compelling of all works of art in the Western world. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Optional: Piazzas of Rome ($45)

DAY 13, Friday - Tour Ancient Rome
This morning, a historic tour of "ancient Rome" takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music, then enjoy an illuminated tour of the city. (B,D)

DAY 14, Saturday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

• Chapel Bridge & Water Tower, Lucerne
• Hofburg Palace & Golden Roof, Innsbruck
• Linderhof Castle
• Passion Play Performance, Oberammergau
• Roman Amphitheatre & Juliet's Balcony, Verona
• Doge's Palace, Venice
• Wine tasting with local specialties at Tuscan countryside farm
• Michelangelo's David, Florence
• Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi
• Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, Rome
• Forum & Colosseum, Rome
• Dinner with Opera Singers, Rome
• Wine & mineral water with all dinners
• Whisper technology enhanced touring

• Flights NYC-Zurich, Rome-NYC
• Airline fuel surcharges
• 12 nights accommodations
• All transfers
• 19 meals: 12 buffet breakfasts, 6 dinners with wine, 1 lunch
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of an English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Services of local guides in all major cities
• Entrance fees per itinerary

Not included: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee, restaurant tips of $25, optional tours, tips to local guides, driver, and tour manager

Lucerne: Radisson SAS Hotel Lakefront Center
Innsbruck: Grauer Bar Hotel
Oberammergau Area: Superior Tourist Class Hotel
Venice: Grand Hotel Principe
Florence: Grand Hotel Cavour
Rome: Grand Hotel Palatino

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.