Exploring the Alpine Countries and the Oberammergau Passion Play

Exploring the Alpine Countries & Oberammergau's Passion Play

The Oberammergau Passion Play is an event that happens only once every 10 years. This 13 day tour will take us on a tour through Austria, Germany & Switzerland. Our tour begins in Vienna, Austria and includes a couple of days to explore the former capital city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We will cruise the Danube river and visit the medieval town of Durnstein. In Salzburg, we will enjoy a memorable evening at a Mozart Dinner Concert in the centuries old St. Peter's restaurant. From Austria, we will travel to Oberammergau, Germany where we will see the Passion Play. Our tour concludes with a visit to the Black Forest, Chateau de Chillon and Zermatt, Switzerland.

The Passion Play is based on the life of Christ and dates back to the 17th century. The town of Oberammergau vowed that if God were to spare them from the effects of the bubonic plague ravaging the region, they would perform a play every 10 years depicting the life and death of Jesus. The villagers believed they were spared after they kept their part of the vow when the play was first performed in 1634. The play, now performed repeatedly over the course of 5 months, during the first year of each decade, involves over 2,000 performers, musicians and stage technicians - all of whom are residents of the village.

Follow this link to view a video of the Oberammergau Passion Play - just click here!

13 Days
September 1-13, 2010

Your Tour Includes

Round trip air from Ottawa

Air taxes, fees ad surcharges (subject to increase until paid in full)

Highlights include: Vienna, Danube River Cruise, Salzburg, Mozart Dinner Concert, Munich, Oberammergau, Neuschwanstein Castle, Black Forest, Zermatt, Lucerne, Bern.

Oberammergau Passion Play

11 nights accommodation

Hotel transfers

11 Breakfasts

1 Lunch

7 Dinners

Tour escort/director for duration of tour provided by Collette Vacations

Note: Transportation to/from the Ottawa Airport is NOT included in this itinerary

Tour Pricing
Double (2 per room) - $5795 per person
Single (1 per room) - $6425 per person
(all prices are in Canadian $)

Insurance
Deluxe Cancellation and Full Medical flat rate and insurance of $375 per person (regardless of age). Cancellation insurance only is available for $325 per person.

Booking Details
To reserve this tour please forward a deposit of $1500 (per person) plus insurance if purchasing. Insurance must be purchased at time of booking. The final payment is due 120 days prior to departure.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Overnight Flight
Begin your tour with an overnight flight to Europe.

DAY 2
Vienna, Austria - Tour Begins
You arrive in the grand city of Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Tonight, in the picturesque wine-making village of Grinzing, you will join your fellow travellers at one of the local restaurants for a delightful welcome dinner, complete with local wines and traditional entertainment. Today, dinner will be included.

DAY 3
Vienna
Your Imperial Vienna tour highlights the baroque marvels of Schoenbrunn or Belvedere Palace. Touring Vienna's city centre, you view St. Stephan's Cathedral, beautiful baroque architecture, parks and gothic spires of a by-gone age. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening you are invited to dinner at a popular local restaurant. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 4
Vienna - Danube River Cruise - Melk - Salzburg
Depart Vienna and travel along the banks of the Danube to the medieval town of Durnstein. Embark on a cruise on the Danube River, gliding through the historic Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the world. Later you visit the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, before continuing to the "City of Music", Salzburg. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 5
Salzburg- Mozart Dinner concert
Enjoy a walking tour of the Altstadt (Old Town) highlighting the Cathedral, Mozart's Birthplace and Mirabell Gardens. You will not be able to miss recognizable locations from the "Sound of Music". Your afternoon is at leisure. The evening includes a memorable Mozart Dinner Concert at the centuries-old St. peter's Restaurant. In the stylish ambiance of the historic Baroque Hall, you will enjoy a traditional candlelight dinner (featuring recipes from the 17th & 18th centuries) while you listen to some of Mozart's most popular compositions performed by local artists in colourful, historic costumes. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 6
Salzburg - Munich, Germany - Oberammergau
Travel through the picturesque landscape of Austria to neighbouring Germany. Your destination is Munich, the beautiful capital of the state of Bavaria. upon arrival, enjoy a city tour featuring the Olympic Park, Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel. Next, depart for the quaint village of Oberammergau, nestled in the Bavarian Alps.. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 7
Oberammergau - Passion Play
Enjoy a performance of the Passion Play which originally took place in 1634. During the Thirty Year War, the village of Oberammergau was spared the Black Plague and for this reason, the villagers vowed that every ten years they would give a play to honour the life of Christ. the performers are native Oberammergauers. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast start to grown their hair and beards more than a year in advance. Also, the intricate costumes are made locally by the villagers. This is truly an unforgettable event. Today, breakfast. lunch and dinner will be included.

DAY 8
Oberammergau - Rhine Falls - Black Forest
Today you visit Wies Church, proclaimed as a World Heritage Site. You then view perhaps the most famous castle in Bavaria - Neuschwanstein - with its turrets and pinnacles. Continuing on the scenic route, you traverse southern Germany, skirting the northern shores of Lake Constance to the Rhine Falls, Europe's most powerful waterfall. You then proceed to the mysterious Black Forest - setting of legends and stories of yore! Don't forget to shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, Hummels and wood carvings! Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 9
Black Forest - Chateau de Chillon, Lake Geneva, Switzerland - Zermatt
Today, enjoy a visit to the Chateau de "Chillon - beautifully situated on Lake Geneva. Your travels continue through the wine-growing region of the Rhone Valley before beginning the ascent into the famous Swiss Alps. Upon arrival in Tasch, board a local train for the short ride to the spectacular Alpine village of Zermatt. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 10
Zermatt
Begin your day with an orientation tour of the village. The balance of th4e day is at leisure to explore this charming village, savour pastries at a local cafe or just relax. Today, breakfast, will be included.

DAY 11
Zermatt - Lucerne - Bern
This morning travel to the beautiful medieval city of Lucerne, the "Swiss paradise on the lake". Enjoy a leisurely-paced Alstadt (Old Town) walking tour exploring the hidden treasures of the city. In addition to its natural charm and tranquility, Lucerne has more than 800 years of history. Explore such medieval treasures as the covered Chapel Bridge (1833); the famous Water Tower which has served as a prison, watchtower and treasury; the Renaissance-style Town Hall; the baroque Jesuit Church; and the Lion Monument, carved from natural rock to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard. This afternoon, travel to the Swiss capital of Bern. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 12
Bern
Today, explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens and the gothic cathedral which dominates the Old Town skyline. This evening, join your fellow travellers in celebrating the end of a marvelous trip with a farewell dinner. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 13
Bern - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Bern. Today, breakfast will be included.