Munich, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, and Oberammergau.
Join Father John Davis from St Peters, Eastern Hil on a truly amazing tour of Eastern Europe’s classical cities. Visit fi ve of Europe’s most intriguing cities, from Munich with its many historic highlights and the Marienplatz to the “Golden City” of Prague to visit 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and more. Travel via Bratislava in the Slovak Republic to Budapest in Hungary and Vienna in Austria. In both Budapest and Vienna a Local Guide will take you into the main cathedrals. Of course a romantic cruise on the Danube River is included before entering Sound of Music country on your way to Salzburg, Mozart’s Birthplace. We then continue to the famed Oberammergau Passion Play perfomance.
Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play which was first performed in 1634. In the middle of the 30 Years War, after months of suffering and dying from the "Black Death", or plague, surviving villagers swore an oath to perform a "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years. The Play, originally made up of just actors from the village itself, has grown to a stage production comprised of almost 2000 performers, singers, musicians and stage technicians. The Play is performed in the 5,000 seat Passion Play Theater with its open air stage.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Fly to MUNICH
DAY 2: After arrival, check into your hotel. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
DAY 3: MUNICH - PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC.After breakfast we head toward the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest; and travel to Prague, the "Golden City". And tonight, How about an optional Czech folklore show? (B,D) Overnight in Prague.
DAY 4: PRAGUE. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive capitals. See 1,000-year old HRADCANY CASTLE, ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto, and the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, once the envy of the whole of Europe. The afternoon is at your leisure. This evening you may wish to join an optional dinner outing. (B) Overnight in Prague.
DAY 5: PRAGUE at your Leisure. Overnight in Prague.
DAY 6: PRAGUE - BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Travel to Moravia, where Napoleon established his headquarters during the Battle of Austerlitz. Stop for a short visit in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Then, follow the course of the Danube River to Budapest. Tonight, a delectable optional Hungarian specialty dinner can be arranged. (B) Overnight in Budapest.
DAY 7: BUDAPEST at your leisure, overnight in Budapest
DAY 8: BUDAPEST at your leisure, overnight in Budapest.
DAY 9: BUDAPEST- VIENNA Your Local Guide takes you through Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan city. See the elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world's second-largest Jewish synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen's Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then, visit the 13th-century ST. MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes Square. In the afternoon, drive through the Hungarian plains to Vienna, which was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire. (B) Overnight in Vienna.
DAY 10: VIENNA, Start your morning sightseeing with a Local Guide and vistas of Prater Park with its giant ferris wheel, and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then, drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House, the Jewish Quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit awesome ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL. Optional excursions to historic Schonbrunn Palace and to the wine village of Grinzing are available. (B) Overnight in Vienna.
DAY 11: VIENNA at your leisure. Overnight in Vienna
DAY 12: VIENNA - SALZBURG
DAY 13: SALZBURG at your leisure.
DAY 14: SALBURH- MUNICH. Follow the Danube River and pass the Sound of Music Lakeland to Salzburg. A pleasant stroll with a Local Guide takes you through the historical centre. Admire exquisite MIRABELL GARDENS, the Great Festival Hall, ST. PETER'S CHURCHYARD, and the monumental Domplatz. Also visit MOZART'S BIRTHPLACE in the charming Getreidegasse. A comfortable drive brings you back to Munich. Tonight, why not join an optional farewell dinner and have a stein of beer at the Hofbrauhaus? (B) Overnight in Munich.
DAY 15: MUNICH. – OBERAMMERGAU After breakfast, our morning sightseeing tour of Munich includes the Marienplatz with the famous Glockenspiel, and an outside visit of Nymphenburg Palace. After lunch, we enjoy a wonderful ride through the Bavarian countryside to Oberammergau. (B, D) Overnight in Oberammergau.
DAY 16: Oberammergau (Performance Day)The highlight of our tour will take place today when we attend the performance of the world-famous Oberammergau Passion Play. (B, L, D) Overnight in Oberammergau.
DAY 17: Departure Oberammergau This morning we transfer to Munich. An orientation tour of Germany's "Secret Capital" features the Olympic Stadium, 305 metre (1,000-foot-high) Television Tower, 17th-century Nymphenburg Palace, and MARIENPLATZ in the historic heart of the city. Return flight home, or ongoing flight within Europe.
DAY 18: RETURN FLIGHT HOME OR ONGOING FLIGHT WITHIN EUROPE