Classic Pilgrimages: 10 Day Rome Forever & Passion Play 2010

DAY 1, Monday – Depart USA
Depart the USA on your flight to Rome, Italy. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

DAY 2, Tuesday – Arrive in Rome
Arrive in Rome and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort. 
 
Optional: Dinner with Opera Singers and Illumination Drive ($89)

DAY 3, Wednesday – Papal Audience
This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of the Eternal City including the Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses' Fountain, Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of Naiadi, Via Veneto, Piazzale Flaminio, Via Flaminia, the Olympic Village, Ponte Milvio, Lungotevere, Foro Italico, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Enjoy a short stop at the Stadio dei Marmi, before continuing along the Lungotevere toward Castel Sant'Angelo, arriving in Piazza San Pietro. Venture inside Nervi Hall to attend a Papal Audience and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father (subject to Holy Father's schedule). Here, you'll admire the round hall, the Hall of the Greek Cross, and the Tombs of St. Helen and St. Constance. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 4, Thursday – Christian Rome Tour
This morning join us for an exhilarating tour of Christan Rome. This tour departs from the Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses' Fountain and heads to Piazza della Repubblica, previously known as "dell'Esedra." We'll continue along the Via Nazionale towards the Basilica's of St. Mary Major. Here you can view the manger baby Jesus was laid following his birth. Then proceed to St. John in Lateran. Dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, this basilica is ranked first among the four major basilicas of Rome. Continue on to visit the well preserved site of the Holy Stairs, the 28 marble steps climbed by Jesus Christ to stand trial before Pilate's Palace. From this age-old pilgrimage site, the tour continues by coach, crossing the Piazza San Giovanni and Via Latina, to the Ancient Appian Way, where you will find the sacred Chapel of "Domine Quo Vadis." The tour concludes with a visit to the legendary Catacombs of St. Domitilla. Return to your hotel passing the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla en route. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. (B) 

DAY 5, Friday – Full day in Rome
Spend your last day in Rome at leisure. Explore the city on your own or perhaps take advantage of the optional tour of the Vatican Museums and Galleries, including the Sistine Chapel. (B) 

Optional: Vatican Tour ($79)

DAY 6, Saturday - Flight to Munich
Travel to the airport in Rome for a short flight to Munich, Germany. Upon arrival in Munich, tranfser to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant. (B) 

DAY 7, Sunday - Munich City Tour
After breakfast, take a morning city tour of Munich. Tour includes visits to two of the city's most important churches that Pope Benedict XVI served before being appointed Archbishop. From there continue on to the University of Munich and then to the 15th Century Church of Our Lady in the city centre. Afternoon at leisure to explore Munich on your own. (B) 

DAY 8, Monday - Neuschwanstein Castle Tour & Visit to Church of Wies En Route to Munich
This morning, venture into the densely forested mountains of southwest Bavaria. Here you'll see the dream-like castle of Neuschwanstein. This castle was built by the “Mad King” Ludwig and is known for its extraordinary architectural feats. Following Neuschwanstein proceed to a World Heritage Site, the Pilgrimage Church of Wies which houses the statue of the scourged savior. Then continue to Oberammergau area for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

DAY 9, Tuesday - Oberammergau Village Tour, Passion Play Performance
This morning enjoy a walking tour of the village. Then take some time to enjoy this quaint mountain village on your own. After lunch take your premium seats for the world famous Passion Play. The play has a running time of approximately 5 hours. Dinner is served during a 3 hour intermission. (B,L,D) 

Day 10, Wednesday – Depart for the USA
Transfer to Munich airport for your departure flight. (B) 

• Papal Audience at the Vatican (subject to Holy Father's schedule)
• Basilicas of St. Mary Major & St. John Laterano, Rome
• The Holy Stairs, Rome
• Catacombs of St. Domitilla, Rome
• Munich City Tour, including visit to the Church of our Lady
• Neuschwanstein Castle and the Church of Wies
• Passion Play Performance, Oberammergau
• Whisper technology enhanced touring while in Rome

• Flights NYC-Rome-Munich-NYC 
• Airline fuel surcharges
• 8 nights accommodations
• All transfers
• 12 meals: 8 buffet breakfasts, 3 dinners, 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 $10, optional tours, tips to local guides, driver, and tour manager.

Rome: Grand Hotel Palatino
Munich: Holiday Inn City Centre
Oberammergau: Superior tourist class hotel to be determined

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.