The world famous Passion Play is performed every 10 years by the villagers of Oberammergau in Germany. It is customary that all performers are born in Oberammergau – the villagers themselves wrote the play and designed and built the theatre. The history of the Passion Play began in 1633, during the Thirty Years War, after months of dying and suffering caused by the plague that swept across Europe. In Oberammergau the villagers attempted to cut themselves off from the outside world, however a homesick man managed to sneak into the village and brought the disease with him. As a consequence, 84 residents died within 3 weeks. In desperation the village made a solemn oath that if God stopped the plague then, as thanks, they would present a play depicting the life of Christ. Miraculously, the plague took no more lives in the village and, true to their word, the villagers performed their first play in 1634 and have continued to do so to this day.
Additional dates available on request for parish, diocese
or other groups. Please call us for details.
COST
€1495 per person sharing twin room
€225 per person single room supplement
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ITINERARY
THURSDAY 15TH JULY
We pick you up from your local pick up point and drive to Dublin for the ferry to Holyhead and onward journey across the Pennines to Hull. Here we board our overnight cruise ferry to Zeebrugge with en-suite cabins and meals on board. (Dinner, B&B)
FRIDAY 16TH JULY
Our journey today takes us across Belgium and into Germany, with comfort stops en route, for an overnight stop in Karlsruhe. (Dinner, B&B)
SATURDAY 17TH JULY
We continue south towards Bavaria where we spend two nights in the charming market town of Murnau, close to Oberammergau. (Dinner, B&B)
SUNDAY 18TH JULY
This morning we drive to Oberammergau and spend free time in the village to enjoy the lovely surroundings and perhaps visit one of the shops specialising in carved wooden figurines. We also include entrance to the Oberammergau Museum. After lunch, we take our seats for the Passion Play, with Category 1 tickets, which has an interval for dinner (incuded) at 17.00hrs. The performance resumes at 19.45hrs, ending at 22.30hrs with immediate transfer by luxury coach back to our hotel. (Dinner, B&B)
MONDAY 19TH JULY
Today we travel through Austria and into Italy, passing lnnsbruck and climbing up and over the breathtaking Brenner Pass. We arrive into our hotel along the shores of Lake Garda this afternoon and have time to relax before dinner. (Dinner, B&B)
TUESDAY 20TH JULY
After breakfast we set off for the lovely city of Verona, famed as the home of Romeo and Juliet. We enjoy a city tour seeing famous Piazza Bra, the magnificent Roman Arena and Juliet’s balcony. There is free time to explore the city then we return to the hotel for evening dinner. (Dinner, B&B)
WEDNESDAY 21ST JULY
Spend a free day or enjoy an optional full day excursion to Venice, the city of canals, gondolas and palaces, returning to the hotel for dinner this evening. (Dinner, B&B)
THURSDAY 22ND JULY
Early departure this morning as we leave Italy and head for our overnight in the Swiss city of Lucerne. On arrival there will be time to look around this charming lakeside city with its famous wooden covered bridges, gaily bedecked with flowers, and historic buildings. The views from the lakeside to the surrounding peaks are wonderful. Dinner in the hotel this evening. (Dinner, B&B)
FRIDAY 23RD JULY
We drive northwards to Zeebrugge for our evening ferry to Hull. Includes cabins and all meals. (Dinner, B&B)
SATURDAY 24TH JULY
We disembark in Hull this morning and drive to Holyhead for the afternoon ferry to Dublin. Onward transfers follow to your original pick up points. |