15 Day Passion Play 2010 & Italy

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Germany. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

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

DAY 3, Monday - Munich City Tour, Travel to Oberammergau
This morning, enjoy a guided tour thorough Munich’s sights. See the Nymphenburg Palace and the Olympic stadium from the 1972 Games before driving through bohemian Schwabing to the Hofburg, National Theatre and the Marienplatz with the famous glockenspiel clock with its dancing mechanical figures. After time for lunch, drive south to the Bavarian Alps region. (B,D)

DAY 4, Tuesday - 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. Return to hotel for overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, Wednesday - Travel 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 and Verona to arrive in Venice late afternoon. (B,D)

DAY 6, Thursday - Venice City Tour
Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its fine glasswork industry. Then, 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 7, Friday - 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 8, Saturday - 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 at an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside. (B,D)

DAY 9, Sunday - Sun Route Via Assisi to Rome
Today travel along the famous "Sun Route" motorway to the medieval city of Assisi, renowned for its 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Continue to your hotel in Rome. (B)

DAY 10, Monday - 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. (B)
Optional: Piazzas of Rome ($45)

DAY 11, Tuesday - 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. 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 12, Wednesday - Pompeii Tour, Travel to Sorrento
Drive south, passing by the famous Monte Cassino Abbey, founded by St. Benedict of Norcia in 529. Destroyed on four separate occasions, it was last rebuilt after being the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War. View Mt. Vesuvius in passing the Bay of Naples, before reaching Pompeii. Visit the ruins of this best preserved Roman city, including the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Continue to Sorrento. (B)

DAY 13, Thursday - Full Day in Sorrento
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Sorrento. Strikingly beautiful and picturesque, even by Italian standards, Sorrento is set along the sea, with stunning escarpments plunging into the Gulf of Naples. Take a walk to see firsthand why this town has long been beloved by poets and artists. (B)
Optional: Full Day Capri ($115)

DAY 14, Friday - Scenic Amalfi Drive
Today, enjoy panoramic view of the enchanting towns along the scenic Amalfi Coast. Pass the distinctive white Moorish homes of Positano on this legendary road overlooking the Mediterranean, to reach the coastal town of Amalfi: a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)

DAY 15, Saturday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport in Naples for your departure flight. (B)

• Nymphenburg Palace, Munich
• Linderhof Castle
• Passion Play Performance, Oberammergau
• 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
• Visit to the excavations at Pompeii
• Scenic Amalfi Drive
• Wine & mineral water with all dinners
• Whisper technology enhanced touring

• Flights NYC-Munich, Naples-NYC
• Airline fuel surcharges
• 13 nights accommodations
• All transfers with purchase of air package
• 23 meals: 13 buffet breakfasts, 9 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

Munich: Holiday Inn City Centre
Oberammergau Area: Superior Tourist Class Hotel to be determined
Venice: Grand Hotel Principe, Venice
Florence: Grand Hotel Cavour
Rome: Grand Hotel Palatino
Sorrento: Hotel Central  (Some departures may stay at the Hotel Cristina in Sorrento.)

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.