Highlights of Bavaria and Oberammergau
When the Black Plague swept through Europe in the 1600s, the small town of Oberammergau was spared. The residents of the town believe their vow to God to perform the Passion of Christ every 10 years if they were spared was the reason and henceforth every generation since then has kept the promise to perform the Passion Play. The play is performed every 10 years by the residents of the town. As a matter of fact, you have to be a native or have lived there for at least 20 years in order to be a part of the play. Over half the town is involved in the performance either acting, singing in the choir, playing in the orchestra or designing costumes and sets. 2020 will be the 42nd time the play will be performed. It runs 5 days per week, beginning May through October. It is 5 1/2 hours long, with a 3-hour break for dinner. The play takes place outdoors where the sky and mountains become the dramatic backdrop.
Fly Hometown to Munich
Welcome to Germany and its largest city Munich. On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Time to rest or to start exploring the lively Bavarian capital.
Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel.
| Meal Plan | Dinner |
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Coach to Munich to Regensburg
After a hearty German breakfast, we begin our sightseeing with our local guide who will show us Germany’s “Secret Capital” including the Olympic Stadium, built for the 1972 Olympics; the 1,000-foot-high Olympic Tower; and Konigsplatz, used for Nazi rallies during World War II. We’ss drive along the Ludwigstrasse and see the Bavarian Arch of Triumph and Field Marshall Hall. Also, we take to visit lively Marienplatz with the old and new Town Halls and the gothic Frauenkirche.
This is after we arrive in Regensburg and take a guided walking tour to see the Stone Bridge, the oldest preserved bridge of its kind in Germany along with the Porta Pretoria, built in the 2nd century by Emperor Marcus Aurelius; and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Also included is a lovely early evening cruise on the idyllic Danube River.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Coach Regensburg to Nuremberg
This morning we visit the Thurn Und Taxis Palace, a former Benedictine monastery that was converted into the residence of the Princes of Thurn und Taxis in 1812. This family started the first large-scale postal service in Europe in the 15th century. We then head to Nuremberg, known for its children’s toys and gingerbread. Here we will admire the impressive medieval ramparts as we walk through the pedestrian area of the charming Old Town and see St. Sebald Church, painstakingly reconstructed as a monument to peace from the rubble of near-total wartime destruction. Also, we’ll admire the Schoner Brunnen, a 14th-century fountain dedicated to the Holy Roman Empire.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Excursion to Bayreuth and Bamberg
Look forward to an exciting day! Our first, stop in Bayreuth for an orientation of this city of festival fame. Richard Wagner came to Bayreuth in 1871 and was not satisfied with the existing 18th-century theater, the Markgrafliches Opernhaus, so he had a new one built. Today, the festival hall is used exclusively for the Bayreuth Festival, and only works by Wagner are performed there. From here we continue to picturesque Bamberg, the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste “smoked beer,” a type of beer with a distinctive smoky flavor imparted by using malted barley dried over an open flame. Later, we’ll enjoy a guided walk along the cobblestone streets and admire the unique architecture of the houses.
Late afternoon we return to Nuremberg and our hotel.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Coach Nuremberg to Black Forest
A short drive this morning takes us to medieval Rothenburg with its ramparts and towers, cobblestone lanes, and 16th-century houses. We will have time to learn how the town survived the Thirty Years’ War, and also time to shop for quaint Christmas ornaments. Later we are off to Stuttgart for an exciting visit to the Mercedes Benz Museum. Finally, we enter the famous Black Forest for our overnight stay.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Black Forest to Fussen Region
A beautiful drive this morning takes us to sparkling Lake Constance where we have time for a leisurely stroll. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the scenery of the Alps Region.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Coach Fussen to Oberammergau
A highlight this morning is our visit to King Ludwig’s magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most famous castles and the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle at his theme park. Our guide will take us through this fairytale castle on its craggy outcrop high above a sparkling lake. We’ll also have time to visit the Museum of the Bavarian Kings with an optional opportunity to take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Our afternoon and evening are dedicated to the world-famous PASSION PLAY, held every 10 years and performed by the people of Oberammergau.
Every 10 years in the tiny village of Oberammergau, 60 miles from Munich, the Passion Play comes alive as the local inhabitants stage an elaborate 5-month event to honor a 400-year-old pledge. The reenactment of the Crucifixion of Christ is acted out on open-air stages and is a fascinating celebration not to be missed. The 7-hour play is performed 5 days a week starting at 2:30 pm with a dinner break and ending at 10:30 pm. Since it only takes place every 10 years, the global interest is huge and early booking of your group is essential.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Coach Oberammergau to Munich
A late morning excursion takes us to visit King Ludwig’s, Linderhof Castle. We then head to Munich for our last night. Our afternoon is at leisure for last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Tonight we enjoy a farewell at a local restaurant.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Fly Munich to Hometown
We transfer to the airport to connect with our flights home.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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