The Rhine, Bavaria & the Passion Play 2010

Day 1 - Arrive Basel, Switzerland and embark your luxury ship
Step aboard the intimate, 5-star River Ambassador and settle in to your spacious, light-filled stateroom. Then gather with fellow guests in the ship’s elegant restaurant for a sumptuous 4-course dinner accompanied by your choice of fine regional wine, beer or soft drinks. Meals D

Day 2 - Winding along the Wine Roads of Alsace
Alight in the medieval town of Breisach and cross the Rhine for a memorable excursion along the romantic Wine Roads of Alsace, one of France’s premier wine-producing regions. Discover the charming villages and vineyard-laced landscapes that wind along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. You’ll tour Colmar, famed for its historic medieval center and walk along cobbled streets to see St. Martin’s Church, a Gothic masterpiece of the 13th century. A stop in the 16th-centuiry wine village of Riquewihr reveals picturesque half-timber homes surrounded by rolling vineyard estates famed for their Riesling wines. You’ll have time to relax and refresh onboard before this evening’s festive Captain’s Welcome Dinner. Meals B,D

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

Day 3 - Cruising the Charming Canals of Strasbourg, France
Today’s excursion explores this handsome medieval town set in the heart of Alsace. Journey into Old Town with your guide for a leisurely canal cruise, the perfect way to appreciate the fine half-timber homes, picturesque covered bridges and medieval watchtowers that grace the fairy tale district of La Petite France. See the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, constructed from the region’s distinctive rose-hued stone, and then return to ship for a relaxing evening onboard. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - 1,000 Years of History in Speyer, Germany
Set on the banks of the Rhine, the ancient city of Speyer was one of the great cities of the Holy Roman Empire. Today’s escorted excursion takes you on a fascinating walking tour through the town’s historic center, filled with finely preserved architecture of centuries past. The highlight of your visit is the Speyer Cathedral. This celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site is a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 11th century, the basilica is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross with four imposing towers and two grand domes. For nearly 300 years, this was the burial site for the emperors of Germany. Back onboard, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow guests in the inviting Panoramic Lounge, take in the scenery from the expansive Sun Deck, relax back in your stateroom, or invigorate with a visit to the Fitness Center. Tonight, another sumptuous dinner awaits in the restaurant. Meals B,L,D

Day 5 - Wine Tasting in Rüdesheim, Germany
With a rich history dating back to Roman times, the picture-perfect town of Rüdesheim is celebrated today for its architecture, captivating ambience… and wine! Though less than 500 feet long, the world-famous Drosselgasse is a narrow winding alley lined with numerous wine taverns, pubs and shops. From spring through autumn, it’s bustling with music and revelry every afternoon and evening. You’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own before your afternoon wine tasting at Castle Vollrads, a historic wine estate set amidst the vineyard-covered hills of the Rheingau. Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - Cruising the Rhine to Koblenz
Graced with more than 40 castles and the fabled Lorelei Rock, the middle Rhine Valley is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Relax with fellow guests in the lounge, retreat to the privacy of your river-view stateroom, or head up to the Sun Deck to take in these unforgettable vistas. Later, you’ll step ashore in Koblenz for a guided walking tour. Stroll along winding narrow lanes and through medieval squares graced with fountains and finely preserved architecture. In the historic Old City, you’ll see two 12th century churches, St. Florin and Our Lady. Return to ship for another sumptuous dinner, accompanied by your choice of fine wine, beer or soda. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - Cologne’s Glorious Cathedral
Your visit to this picturesque city features the spectacular twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Six centuries in the making, it was constructed in seven stages between 1280 and 1880! Inside you will see the Three Kings Shrine, a finely wrought gold altar piece, and lovely stained glass windows that escaped destruction during World War II. Your walking tour through the Old Town also shows you the “Praetorium”, the ancient Roman-era foundations of this historic city. This evening, gather with fellow guests for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Disembark in Amsterdam and Fly to Bavaria
Disembark the River Ambassador after breakfast this morning and transfer to the airport. Note: The flight from Amsterdam to Munich is not included in the Cruise & Tour fare, but can be purchased as part of your attractively-priced international air ticket.

Arrive in Munich and journey with your Tour Escort by deluxe motorcoach to Berchtesgaden, an historic market town and spectacular Alpine resort. Enjoy lunch at your hotel, the 5-star InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort. 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 have 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 Documentation Center. 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.

Next up is 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

A leisurely cruise down the beautiful Rhine River, fully-escorted touring from Munich into the Bavarian Alps to Berchtesgaden, and premium center-orchestra seats for the 2010 Passion Play. Enjoy 7-nights aboard Uniworld’s intimate, award-winning River Ambassador, 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.

• The stylish River Ambassador offers light-filled riverview staterooms, superb Continental cuisine, complimentary regional wines and beer with dinner, and a 24-hour specialty Coffee & Tea Bar

• Discover all the highlights of the Rhine Valley 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 "The European City from the Middle Ages to the Present"

• 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

Bavaria: InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort
Oberammergau region: Hotel Ludwig der Bayer or Hotel Schillingshof
Cruise: A standard outside cabin onboard the River Ambassador

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.