11 Days Oberammergau: Rome to Munich
With Florence – Venice – Innsbruck – Neuschwanstein – Oberammergau
DAY 1:
Arrrival in Rome. Visit of the Catacombs of St. Domitilla. Half day guided tour through Ancient Rome (Colosseum, Forum), panoramic drive through Rome. Arrival at hotel, check-in, dinner, overnight.
DAY 2:
After breakfast, the group will have a full day guided tour through the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, the participants may see the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain. Return to the hotel, dinner, overnight.
DAY 3:
Check-out from the hotel and departure for Tuscany. First stop: Siena, free time; stop-over in San Gimignano (optional for the whole group: winetasting). Then the tour continues to Montecatini. Check-in at the hotel, dinner, overnight.
DAY 4:
Full day excursion to discover Florence with a local guide. The tour includes the Cathedral (Duomo), Giotto’s Belltower and the Baptistery’s “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti. Other nearby sights include Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Florence’s many outdoor markets known for leather goods and fine jewelry. Time will be available to purchase lunch. Visit the Accademia and admire Michelangelo’s David. Leisure, return to Montecatini in the late afternoon. Dinner, overnight.
DAY 5:
Leave for a stopover in Pisa to admire the Miracle Square with the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistry. Free time for lunch. The tour continues to the Venice area. Check-in at the hotel, dinner, overnight.
DAY 6:
Enjoy a day in Venice. The private boat will take you to St. Mark’s Square. First, you will have a guided tour of the St. Mark’s Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Rialto, then free time. In the afternoon, return to the hotel by boat, dinner, overnight.
DAY 7:
Check-out from the hotel after breakfast. The coach will bring you to Verona. Free time for lunch and a walk through the town. In the afternoon, departure for Innsbruck. You cross the Alps at the spectacular Brenner Autobahn to Austria. Dinner and overnight: Innsbruck.
DAY 8: Innsbruck
After breakfast you explore the capital of Tyrol with a local guide. The historic center is a wonderful mix of medieval history, grand architecture from the Kaiser’s time, combined with some modern elements – and surrounded by the panorama of the Alps. In the afternoon you will stop at a place which opens the mystery of the mountains like no other. The Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystall Worlds) are a one-of-its-kind display of the world’s most wonderful crystal. In the Chambers of Wonder, internationally recognized artists, designers, and architects have interpreted crystal in their own ways. 16 show rooms were created, each of which has a different thematic focus. Dinner and overnight: Innsbruck.
DAY 9: Neuschwanstein Castle
Leave Austria this morning and make your way to Oberammergau. On your way is Neuschwanstein Castle, the most photographed location in the world and the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle that we all know so well. We will tour the castle and to see the architectural fairytale for ourselves. Our hotel tonight is not far from the castle. Overnight: Schwangau.
DAY 10: Oberammergau
This is the day where you enjoy the original Passion Play, held every ten years, and performed by the inhabitants of Oberammergau. It’s a short drive to Oberammergau in the morning where you will check in to our hotel and have a light lunch before the Passion Play starts in the afternoon. Dinner will be included in a break of the performance. Dinner and overnight: Oberammergau or neighboring village.
DAY 11: Munich
On our way to Freising we stop in Munich and join a local guide for a walking tour of the Bavarian capital. Our visit includes the historic Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz (Mary’s Plaza), the revered twin-towered Frauenkirche (Our Lady’s Church), the most familiar landmark of old Munich, and more. Our last evening will be in Freising. Among the places to see in Freising is the market square with the St Mary column, St. George church, and the Romanesque Cathedral (built 1159 to 1205). Our Farewell Dinner will be in a Bavarian Beergarden Tavern tonight. Dinner and overnight: Munich / Freising.
DAY 12: Departure
After breakfast we say goodbye to Europe as we get transferred to Munich Airport to catch our return flight home.