The Danube, Bavaria & the Passion Play 2010

Day 1 - Arrive Passau, Germany and embark your luxury ship **
Step aboard the intimate, 5-star River Beatrice and settle in to your spacious, light-filled stateroom. Then gather with fellow guests in the ship’s elegant restaurant for a delightful dinner accompanied by your choice of fine regional wine, beer or soft drinks. Meals D

**Some departures operate in reverse and embark in Budapest; see 'Notes' section below.

Day 2 - Explore Passau
The only city in the world to sit at the confluence of three rivers, Passau enjoys a setting that is both unique and beautiful. With a history that dates back more than 2,000 years, Old Town is a maze of narrow Medieval streets wedged into a triangle formed by the Inn and Danube Rivers. Your expertly guided walking tour reveals centuries-old merchants’ homes and fine Italianate Baroque churches – testament to Passau’s wealthy and illustrious heritage as a strategic trading center close to the borders of Austria and the Czech Republic. Strolling along these winding narrow lanes leads you to St. Stephan’s Cathedral for a concert featuring Europe’s largest pipe organ. Return to ship with time to relax and refresh before the Captain’s Welcome Dinner. Meals B,L,D

Day 3 - Visit Salzburg, Austria… The City of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Alight in the charming town of Linz for your in-depth, full-day excursion to Salzburg. Spread along the banks of the meandering Salzach River, the City of Mozart is filled with impressive Baroque architecture, charming cobbled streets and colorful gardens. Indeed, you’re sure to recognize the enchanting Mirabelle Garden from scenes in The Sound of Music! Your walking tour through the Old Town features the imposing 15th century Cathedral and a pleasant stroll along Getreidegasse, the city’s celebrated pedestrian shopping street and home to the birthplace of Wolfgang Mozart. Return to ship for dinner and a relaxing evening onboard. Meals B,D

[Note: Lunch will be served onboard ship for those choosing not to join today’s full-day Shore Excursion]

Day 4 - From Melk through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein
Step ashore this morning to visit the spectacular Melk Abbey. Set on a 180-foot promontory high above the Danube, this is perhaps the finest Baroque building in the world! With a history that stretches back for centuries, Melk is still a working Benedictine Abbey and on your escorted visit through this spectacular site, it would not be unusual to see black-robed monks or students walking through the grounds.

Return to ship for lunch as the Beatrice sails through the enchanting Wachau Valley, one of the most scenic regions in all of Europe and home to some of the Continent’s greatest cultural treasures.

Later in the day, your ship arrives in romantic Dürnstein, surrounded by lovely terraced vineyards of the Wachau Valley wine region. The legends surrounding this historic town have much to do with the Christian Crusades of the 12th century. In 1193, King Richard the Lion-Heart was returning from his campaign to capture the Holy Land, when he was seized here by a local Duke – and held for ransom in the fortress whose ruins still dominate this picturesque town. On your walking tour through Dürnstein, you will admire lovely Burgher homes of the 16th and 17th centuries – finely preserved - and see the ornate Collegiate Church. At the Domäne Wachau, we invite you to sample some of the finest Wachau Valley Riesling wines. Meals B,L,D

Day 5 - Delight in the Charms of Vienna
The former Imperial capital of the mighty Habsburg Empire is an architectural showcase of impressive Baroque and Neo-Classical architecture. Drive along the elegant Ringstrasse, graced with many of Vienna’s most celebrated monuments. Then join your guide to stroll from the grounds of the Hofburg, once the winter palace of the Habsburgs, and along bustling city streets to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This beloved Gothic gem has figured prominently in Vienna’s history, from Mozart’s funeral in 1791 to Napoleon’s farewell edict in 1805. Before returning to ship, visit the Baroque State Hall of the Austrian National Library, a breathtakingly beautiful room filled with rare manuscripts, priceless autographs, globes, maps and other historic memorabilia. Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - From Vienna and Along the Danube
Enjoy a leisurely morning while your ship is docked here close to the city-center of Vienna. In the afternoon, your Danube voyage continues as the Beatrice sails downstream through the enchanting landscapes of Slovakia en route to Budapest, the Queen of the Danube. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - Discover Beautiful Budapest
This morning’s sightseeing reveals the rich history and majesty of Budapest . At the Fishermen’s Bastion, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the Danube River and the graceful Chain Bridge, the oldest and most beautiful of the city’s seven bridges. Across the river stands the imposing neo-Gothic Parliament. You also explore the historic Castle Hill district and St. Matthew’s Church with its lovely 15th century white stone steeple.

Your ship is berthed overnight here in the heart of Budapest, affording you plenty of time to step off ship and explore more of this enchanting city at your own pace. Stroll down the Vaci Utca, a pedestrian street lined with folk art galleries, shops and boutiques. You can also join city residents and visitors alike for a relaxing afternoon of coffee, tea and pastries at the fashionable Café Gerbeaud, located on Vorosmarty Square for over 125 years.

Day 8 - From Budapest to Berchtesgaden… A scenic journey by rail and coach
After an early morning breakfast onboard ship, you’ll be escorted by our resident staff to the Budapest Station to embark your scenic rail journey westward to Salzburg. Upon arrival midday, you’ll continue your journey by deluxe motorcoach, traveling into the heart of the Bavarian Alps to Berchtesgaden, an historic market town and spectacular mountain resort.

Enjoy lunch at your hotel, the 5-star InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort & Spa. This contemporary retreat offers spacious, elegantly appointed guestrooms and superb views of the surrounding forested peaks. Relax in your room, take a stroll in the fresh mountain air, or indulge yourself at the Mountain Spa – one of the finest in Europe. We’ve made exclusive arrangements for you to enjoy complimentary access to the Spa and free use of your guestroom mini-bar.

Late in the afternoon, join your Tour Manager aboard a traditional wooden boat for a specially-arranged private cruise across Lake Königsee. Surrounded by rugged granite peaks and steep, towering cliffs in Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany’s deepest lake resembles more a fjord than a typical mountain lake. Your excursion brings you to St. Bartholomew’s Church, set on a peninsula and accessible only by water. You’ll have a chance to step ashore here and explore this historic pilgrimage church, capped by diminutive onion-shaped domes against a picture-perfect backdrop of forests and snow-laced mountain peaks.

This evening, you’ll enjoy a very special dinner in a pristine Alpine setting. The clear mountain air will invigorate your senses as you take in the sweeping views from this authentic, rustic high-mountain chalet. Enjoy a 3-course Bavarian dinner, fine regional wine, local beers and festive live entertainment. Meals B,L,D

Day 9 - From Berchtesgaden to Oberammergau
After a hearty buffet breakfast, your sightseeing begins at the Nazi Documentation Center. Built upon the old foundations of the second seat of the Nazi Administration, the museum offers a fascinating look into this chapter of Germany’s history. From the Center, you can descend by steep stairs into the veritable war rooms of the Third Reich. These bunkers were built in 1943 after the Battle of Stalingrad pierced the Nazi’s perception of their own invincibility. You’ll be awed by this vast underground network; carved into solid subterranean rock are miles of tunnels, offices, meeting rooms and special living quarters for Hitler.

Your sightseeing continues with a breathtaking drive that climbs nearly 2,000 feet in less than 4 miles. Carved into the solid rock face of a soaring 6,000-foot Alpine peak, with only one switchback, this seemingly impossible road was completed in only 13 months between 1937 and 1939. After this thrilling ride in specially-built panoramic coaches, a gleaming brass elevator transports you up a mountain shaft to the Eagle’s Nest, the infamous teahouse built for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday. Perched on a mountain summit, its construction was an engineering marvel and the views from here are truly breathtaking.

Return to the InterContinental Resort for lunch and then continue along the picturesque Alpine Road toward Oberammergau. Check-in to your inviting hotel, the Schillingshof or Ludwig der Bayer, and then enjoy dinner and a peaceful overnight in this pastoral mountain region. Meals B,L,D

Day 10 - Oberammergau & the Passion Play
You’ll enjoy a guided stroll through this enchanting village, set in a picturesque Alpine valley in the shadow of towering peaks. Visit the Oberammergau Museum to learn the inspiring history of this town, and delight in Oberammergau’s colorfully painted homes, centuries old and wonderfully preserved. Along the way, charming shops reveal the woodcarving skills of many of the town’s residents, whose families have perfected this craft over the past 800 years. Following lunch, you’ll be escorted to the historic Passion Play Theater, extensively renovated for the Millennium. This impressive venue now offers theater-style seating and a heated floor, ensuring your comfort as 2,000 actors take to the open-air stage, framed by a natural backdrop of spectacular Alpine scenery. The once-in-a-lifetime Passion Play is presented in two parts, including dinner in-town during intermission. Following the performance, you return to your hotel. Meals B,L,D

Day 11 - Oberammergau / Munich Airport
Following breakfast, you’ll have an escorted transfer to Munich Airport for your homeward flight. Or, extend your stay here in Europe. Our travel planning experts can assist you and your travel agent with all arrangements including hotels, meals, sightseeing, and transportation. Meals B

• The brand-new River Beatrice offers light-filled riverview staterooms (80% with French balconies), superb Continental cuisine, complimentary regional wines and beer with dinner, and a 24-hour specialty Coffee & Tea Bar
• Discover all the highlights along the Danube River with six included shore excursions hosted by terrific English-speaking guides. Your sightseeing is enhanced with our state-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system
• Comprehensive ship's program includes local cultural entertainment and our signature lecture "Austria's History in the Context of the House of Habsburg"
• Explore ashore on your own at a leisurely pace with complimentary use of our onboard bicycles
• Fully escorted touring through the Bavarian Alps to spectacular Berchtesgaden for an overnight at the 5-star InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort; Germany's newest luxury spa resort is set amidst the forested splendor of the Bavarian alps
• Enjoy a delightful cruise excursion on Lake Königsee, surrounded by magnificent Alpine peaks, and a fine Bavarian dinner in an authentic, rustic high-mountain chalet
• Marvel at the vast underground war rooms of the Third Reich and visit Eagle's Nest, the breathtaking mountaintop teahouse built for Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday
• Your 2-night stay in the Oberammergau region includes a guided village walking tour and premium center-orchestra seats for the 41st presentation of the historic Passion Play

Three unforgettable experiences on one comfortably-paced journey… A leisurely cruise along the storied Danube River in the heart of Central Europe, fully-escorted touring through the Bavarian Alps to spectacular Berchtesgaden, and premium center-orchestra seats for the 2010 Passion Play. Enjoy 7-nights aboard Uniworld's brand-new, ultra-luxurious River Beatrice, a stay at the stunning InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort & Spa with comprehensive sightseeing, and fine Bavarian hotels in charming Alpine settings close to the Oberammergau Passion Play Theater.

• Luxury river ship
• 5-star resort & spa
• The finest hotels in the Oberammergau region
• All meals including wine and beer with dinner onboard
• All sightseeing and shore excursions, luggage handling
• Port charges and all on-tour transportation

Berchtesgarden: InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort & Spa
Bavaria: Hotel Schillingshof or Hotel Hotel Schillingshof
Cruising: A standard outside cabin onboard the River Beatrice

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.