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.
Our itinerary includes two nights accommodation in Oberammergau itself and tickets for the Passion Play, combined with visits to Innsbruck, Salzburg and the Bavarian Castles. It is sure to be a very memorable experience.
Additional dates available on request for parish, diocese
or other groups. Please call us for details.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Return ferry Dublin-Holyhead - Return overnight cruise ferry Hull-Zeebrugge with dinners and breakfasts on board
- Luxury coach with fully qualified Driver/Escort - 7 nights hotel accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast
- Admission ticket to the Oberammergau Passion Play with lunch and dinner - Entrance to Oberammergau Museum and Play Programme - book
- Entrances to Linderhof Palace and the Royal Castle of Hohenschwangau - City tour of Innsbruck including the Olympic Ski Slope and Swarovski Crystal
- Excursion to Salzburg - Orientation tour of Cologne - Visit to Bruges.
HOTELS
Best Western Queens Hotel, Karlsruhe
Hotel Schilcherhof, Oberammergau
Hotel Grauer Baer, Innsbruck
Ramada Hotel, Koln-Bruhl
COST
€1,295 per person sharing
€165 single supplement
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ITINERARY
MONDAY 16TH AUGUST
We pick you up from your local pick up point and drive to Dublin for the ferry to Holyhead and onward journey to Hull. Here we board our overnight cruise ferry to Zeebrugge with en-suite cabins and meals on board. (Dinner, B&B)
TUESDAY 17TH AUGUST
Our route today takes us across Belgium and into Germany for an overnight stop in Karlsruhe. (Dinner, B&B)
WEDNESDAY 18TH AUGUST
We continue south towards Bavaria where we spend two nights in Oberammergau. This pretty village is full of charming painted buildings and is a delight to stroll around and explore. (Dinner, B&B)
THURSDAY 19TH AUGUST
This morning is at leisure 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 which has an interval at 17.00hrs for dinner. (Lunch, Dinner, B&B)
FRIDAY 20TH AUGUST
We depart after breakfast for Innsbruck, capital of Austria’s Tyrol region. En route we enjoy a highlight visit to King Ludwig’s Palace of Linderhof with its fabulous rococo interiors and gorgeous grounds featuring terraced gardens, statues and fountains. We also visit the Royal Castle of Hohenschwangau where King Ludwig spent his childhood. A guided tour will show us the opulent interiors of this neo-Gothic creation, built over the site of a 12th century fortress. We continue to our hotel in Innsbruck for the next 3 nights. (Dinner, B&B)
SATURDAY 21ST AUGUST
This morning’s sightseeing tour of Innsbruck includes the Olympic Ski Jump and the famous Golden Roof. We also visit the Swarovski Crystal Centre with its enchanting displays of Swarovksi crystals, ornaments and jewellery. The afternoon is at leisure to soak up the atmosphere of this delightful Tyrolean city. (Dinner, B&B)
SUNDAY 22ND AUGUST
We make an early start for a full day excursion to Salzburg, home of Mozart and ‘The Sound of Music’. We have several hours to explore this lovely city and to see some of the famous ‘Sound of Music’ sites. Perhaps visit the Cathedral or the Hohensalzburg Fortress, take a stroll through the delightful Mirabell Gardens or go to Mozart’s birthplace – now a fascinating museum. We return to Innsbruck in time for dinner at our hotel. (Dinner, B&B)
MONDAY 23RD AUGUST
Today we return northwards to an overnight stop in Cologne. (Dinner, B&B)
TUESDAY 24TH AUGUST
After an overview of Cologne’s city centre with its magnificent cathedral we continue through Belgium to Bruges for a brief stop before we board the overnight cruise ferry at Zeebrugge. Cabins and meals on board are included. (Dinner, B&B)
WEDNESDAY 25TH AUGUST
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. |