Day 02 – Frankfurt to Heidelberg

OBERAMMERGAU

PASSION PLAY 2010

 

TOUR I (Tour Reference TTT)

 

GERMANY

 

 

                                       

Arrive at Frankfurt airport. Meet and greet by your European tour director and transfer to the ancient university town of Heidelberg, associated with the „Student Prince“. Enjoy a walk through the town center, see the Market Square, which is flanked by the Gothic Church of Holy Ghost and visit the Heidelberg Castle. Welcome dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

A full-day excursion to the Rhine Valley is on the agenda today. We start in Ruedesheim, a beautiful small town at River Rhine, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2002. From Ruedesheim board the boat for an unforgettable trip on the Rhine River with its terraced vineyards, passing hilltop castles and the legendary Loreley Rock. The bus will pick you up in St Goar and drives you to Mainz, for a city walk including a visit to Gutenberg Museum, where you will see its collection of rare antique Bibles.

Dinner and overnight in Heidelberg.

 

 

 

                                       

Board your motorcoach this morning and travel to Rothenburg, the old Franconian city with its well preserved walls and small towers. Walking tour including the market square with the townhall and the Gothic church of St. Jacob with its famous Riemenschneider altar. Afternoon continue along Romantic Road to Augsburg - the over 2000 years old city founded by the Romans at the confluence between Lech and Wertach. The face of Augsburg has been shaped by its 2000-year history and within it the styles of all the major architectural periods are to be found. Fine spacious streets, monumental fountains and distinctive public buildings recall the profound thought and planning of the earlier citizens of Augsburg. The merchant Jakob Fugger, the composer Leopold Mozart and the writer Berthold Brecht are famous sons of the city. 

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Augsburg.

 

 

 

                                       

Drive on the Romantic Road to Royal Castle Neuschwanstein for a visit of this incredible fairytal fortress, built by Dream-King Ludwig II.

On the way make a stop to visit the Church in the Meadow (Kirche in der Wies), a jewel among rococco churches in Europe. Particularly with regard to the Passion Play this visit is especially memorable because one can recognize many of the performed scenes in the various mural paintings and ceiling frescos.

En route you will see the Benectine Monastery at Ettal.

Dinner and overnight in or around Oberammergau.

 

 

 

                                       

The history of the Passion Play at Oberammergau goes back to 1634, when the quaint alpine village of Oberammergau was threatened by the deadly and contagious disease known as the Black Plague that scourged Europe, killing two-thirds of the population of Germany. The people of Oberammergau vowed that if the village could be spared, a re-enactment of the life and suffering of Christ would be performed . The village was miraculously saved from the ravages of the Black Death. Since that date, the play has been performed every ten years.

Spend a leisure morning in Oberammergau. After lunch take seats in the theater to attend the performance of the world-famous Passion Play. This Play is performed by local villagers – often roles are handed down from generation to generation within families.

Dinner is included during a 3 hours break in the late afternoon. Performance lasts until 10:30 PM.

 

Overnight in or around Oberammergau.

 

 

Board your motorcoach and enjoy the fascinating trip to the Bavarian capital of Munich, passing Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is situated right at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. Enjoy the scenic route while driving along Lake Kochelsee and Lake Walchensee.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Munich.

 

 

 

  

                                       

Start the day with a morning sightseeing tour of Munich. First visit the Palace of Nymphenburg, residence of Ludwig I, King of Bavaria. It is famous for its “Gallery of Beauty”, a collection of painting of the most beautiful women of Ludwig’s day. Pass the former Olympic ground, see the classical buildings and many other interesting places as Royal Square (Koenigsplatz), Ludwigstreet, the University etc. Take a walk through the traditional center of the city with the Church of the Lady (Frauenkirche Cathedral) and Marienplatz where you can view the famous Glockenspiel. Afternoon at leisure.

 

Enjoy farewell dinner with Bavarian folklore show in the evening

Overnight at hotel.

 

 

 

Transfer to Munich airport for return flight.

Day 04  -  Heidelberg to Augsburg