DAY 1 - Departure
Our journey begins as we board our international flight from Minneapolis to Munich, Germany. (Inflight Meals)
DAY 2 - Salzburg
Upon arrival in Munich, we meet our driver and board our coach to begin our exciting alpine adventure. Our travels today take us first to Altötting, Bavaria’s most commonly visited pilgrimage site. We see the Black Madonna in the chapel in the center of the village and explore some of the churches surrounding the square. We continue to Oberndorf, where we see the “Silent Night Chapel.” It was here that Fr. Josef Mohr and Franz Gruber performed their composition of this world famous hymn for the first time on Christmas Eve in 1818. We continue to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, and the city of “The Sound of Music.” Central Hotel Gablerbräu, Salzburg, Austria (D)
DAY 3 - Salzburg
We rise early this morning and enjoy a locally-guided city tour of Salzburg, including the Salzburg Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s birth house, and sights from “The Sound of Music.” We then have the remainder of the day at leisure in the Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s beautiful pedestrian shopping area. You might wish to take the funicular to the Salzburg fortress, which looks down over the beautiful old city. Central Hotel Gablerbräu, Salzburg, Austria (B,D)
DAY 4 - Salzburg
After breakfast we drive to nearby Berchtesgaden, one of the most scenic areas in Germany. We board a local coach and drive partway up the Kehlstein Mountain to an elevator which takes us the rest of the way to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, the foreboding mountain top retreat that Hitler used during WWII. We later return to Salzburg for overnight. In the evening we have the option to attend a musical performance in Salzburg, the city of Mozart. Central Hotel Gablerbräu, Salzburg, Austria (B)
DAY 5 - Oberammergau
After breakfast we drive through the Bavarian countryside to the Linderhof Palace, showplace of King Ludwig II. Linderhof was the favorite of King Ludwig’s three palaces, tucked into an intimate setting in the woods. There are four pounds of gold leaf in every room and a beautiful collection of vases. We will take time for a guided tour of the palace. Time allowing, we will also visit the beautiful rococo cloister in Ettal. We drive to Oberammergau for overnight. Hotel am Wiesenhang, Oberammergau, Germany (B,D)
DAY 6 - Oberammergau
The morning is free for exploring Oberammergau. After lunch we will attend the Passion Play, the highlight of the tour. There will be an intermission for dinner and then return to the Passion Play theater for the rest of the production. Hotel am Wiesenhang, Oberammergau, Germany (B,L,D)
DAY 7 - Sarnen am Sarnersee
As we continue southward today, we enter Switzerland, and soon notice the scenic splendor of perhaps the most beautiful country in the world. We make a stop in Liechtenstein, a postage stamp country. We continue on to Einsiedeln in the foothills of the Alps. Einsiedeln is another pilgrimage site. We then drive a short distance to our hotel in the mountains near Lucerne. Hotel Krone Sarnen, Sarnen, Switzerland (B,D)
DAY 8 - Sarnen am Sarnersee
After breakfast we begin a wonderful day of sightseeing. We take a short drive over the Brünig Pass to the Bernese Oberland, the heart of the Swiss Alps. We now enjoy an excursion via cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen, the “village of the waterfalls,” to the Kleine Scheidegg for a panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains! After time for lunch we continue our train ride down the other side of the mountain to Grindelwald, the “village of the glaciers!” Hotel Krone Sarnen, Sarnen, Switzerland (B,D)
DAY 9 - Sarnen am Sarnersee
After breakfast we drive to Lucerne on the magnificent Vierwaldtättersee. We take time to cross the famous wooden Chapel Bridge, and stop to see the poignant Lion Monument, designed by the Danish sculptor Thorwaldsen, as a memorial to Swiss mercenaries that lost their lives defending the King of France. We enjoy some free time in Lucerne before driving to our hotel for a farewell dinner. Tonight we will enjoy our dinner with some Swiss folklore entertainment. Hotel Krone Sarnen, Sarnen, Switzerland (B,D)
DAY 10 - Return
Sadly our travels end today, as we transfer to the Zurich airport for our return flight to Minneapolis. We take with us new friends and memories of ancient castles, opulent palaces, scenic alpine views, and, of course, the inspiring memory of the Passion Play. (B)
Arrival: Munich, Germany by 8:00 AM
Departure: Zurich, Switzerland after 10:00 AM