Central Europe & Oberammergau

Day 1 New York, NY

Begin our Passion Play journey by departing for Budapest. Meals and overnight on board.

Day 2 Budapest

Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel with the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (D)

Day 3 Budapest

Our morning sightseeing tour is in the twin cities of Buda and Pest, divided by the Danube River. Joined by romantic bridges, the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe includes the Castle Hill at the heart of Buda, the Fisherman's Bastion, the 13th century Mathias Coronation Church and. the Buda Castle. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 4 Vienna

After breakfast we will depart for historic Gyor traveling into the Austrian lowlands enroute to Vienna. Vienna once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire is today a vibrant city with fascinating heritage and dramatic architecture. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 5 Vienna

After breakfast our panoramic guided morning tour will get us acquainted with the capital of Austria. We visit the main sights such as Hofburg Imperial Palace, with the Spanish Riding School. We will drive along the 2 mile Ringstrasse, viewing the Opera House, City Hall, the Houses of Parliament, the Burgtheater, Beethoven's Pasqualia Hans and St. Stephen's Dom. Afternoon visit to Schonbrunn Palace with its enchanting fountains. Dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 6 Prague

After breakfast we will drive to the Czech border and into Moravia for a lunchtime break in Brno, Napoleon's headquarters during the battle of the three emperors at nearby Austerlitz. An orientation drive will feature Spielberg Castle and other landmarks of the country's second largest city. Evening arrival in Prague. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B,D)

Day 7 Prague

After breakfast our guided sightseeing tour will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe's most dynamic capitals. See 1,000 year old Hradcany Castle, the former residence of Bohemian kings, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and cemetery, the Astronomical Clock and Wenceslaus Square, hub of modern Prague. Balance of the afternoon free to shop for hand-cut crystal or art books. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B,D)

Day 8 Munich

After breakfast we will drive west into Germany traveling via Pilsen, the world's beer brewing capital, since the Middle Ages. Here focus on the celebrated Romantic Road climbing from the lowlands into the Alps. Visit the ramparts and towers, cobbled lanes and 16th century houses of Rothenburg then catch glimpses of Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen, other jewels of medieval town planning. Evening arrival in, Munich. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 9 Oberammergau

After breakfast we will take a panoramic city tour by bus focusing on the main sights of this cultural center: Take in Marienplatz, the Palace, the City Hall with its famous Glockenspiel Clock and the Olympic Village. Then we will proceed via the quaint Alp and Olympic Games Resort of Garmish Parten Kirchen to visit King Ludwig II's magnificent Linderhof Castle, with its cascades and gardens. Continue on to Oberammergau site of the Passion Play for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 10 Oberammergau

Full day in Oberammergau for the Passion Play. The play takes almost eight hours to perform and the 124 speaking parts are performed by inhabitants of the village. The audience is seated in a roofed auditorium while the stage is open-air, dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 11 Lucerne

This morning we will drive to nearby Fussen to visit King Ludwig II's Castle Neuschwanstein. Then we will proceed through the Voral Mountains and enter the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. After a lunch stop continue to Switzerland and the lovely lakeshore city of Lucerne. We will take a guided walking tour of the Old Town upon arrival, featuring such sites as the market, the covered wooden bridges of Kapell and Spreuer, and the Lion Monument. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B,D)

Day 12 New York, NY

Transfer to the airport in Zurich where we will board our hometown flight to the U.S.A. Arrive home the same day. (B)