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Achensee Cog Railway and Lake Cruise, ©Achensee Tourismus,
Salzburg, Austria
Neuschwanstein Castle
Oberammergau Passion Play
Marienplatz, Munich
featuring the renowned Oberammergau Passion Play
Departs: June 17th, 2022 Tour Dates & Pricing
Experience timeless Bavarian culture, the Austrian Alps, and the renowned Oberammergau Passion Play. Start in the adorable medieval Alpine village of Kitzbühel, Austria, a winter resort town filled with charm, class, and natural beauty. Witness the Tyrolean Alps from the Achensee Steam Cog Railway and during a cruise on Lake Achensee. Tour Salzburg, one of the most beautiful and historically rich cities in Austria, and explore the inspiration for Disney’s Magic Kingdom Castle at Neuschwanstein Castle. We arrive in the German village of Oberammergau for an extraordinary performance of its once-a-decade Passion Play. Then in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, we have a relaxing city tour and joyful farewell dinner at the famous beer hall, Hofbräuhaus, before we return home.
Hosted By: Kurt Pegler
WMBD/WYZZ Sports Director
WMBD TV
View Biography
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Day 1 : Fly to Munich
Relax and enjoy an overnight flight to Germany.
Day 2 : Kitzbühel
Herzlich willkommen in Deutschland! We meet our European guide in Munich and travel by motorcoach to the fashionable Alpine town of Kitzbühel, Austria. Tonight we get to know our fellow traveling companions at a Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner in this upscale winter resort town. Tonight we check-in to our Kitzbühel hotel for a four-night stay.
Day 3 : Tyrolean Alps
We board the Achensee Steam Cog Railway and travel from Jenbach to Seespitz with spectacular views of the Tyrolean mountains, meadows and forests. Our adventure continues on a breathtaking cruise of Lake Achensee, the largest lake in the Tyrolean Alps. We return to Kitzbühel with the remainder of the day at leisure to explore its posh shops and enjoy fine European dining.
Day 4 : Salzburg
Have a splendid journey from Kitzbühel to Salzburg this morning. Upon arrival we enjoy a guided walking tour of this marvelous city. Located along the Salzach River, Salzburg is known for its Renaissance and Baroque architecture, being the birthplace of Mozart, and one of the filming locations for The Sound of Music. Stroll through the Mirabell Gardens, across the Markartsteg pedestrian bridge into Old Town and past Mozart's birthplace. We return to Kitzbühel for dinner.
Day 5 : Oberndorf
Our destination today is Berchtesgaden, a charming town in the Bavarian Mountains nestled at the foot of Watzmann, the third highest mountain in Germany. We take a short train ride into the city’s salt mine and learn about its 500-year history. When we return to Kitzbühel, enjoy free time before we visit a traditional Tirolean farm in Oberndorf. We’ll receive a guided tour of the delightful farm filled with old-world charm plus a meat, cheese, and Schnapps tasting. Tonight we celebrate life the Tyrolean Folk way with dinner in Oberndorf.
Day 6 : Neuschwanstein Castle
Today we explore the inspiration for Disney’s Magic Kingdom Castle and one of the most recognized castles in the world, the fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle. Commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the mid-19th century, its Gothic architecture and richly decorated rooms were influenced by the operas of composer Richard Wagner. Explore quaint Oberammergau at leisure before arriving at our hotel in the Garmisch area for two nights.
Day 7 : The Oberammergau Passion Play
We experience the Oberammergau Passion Play today. In the 17th century, the people of Oberammergau made a holy covenant to portray the life and death of Jesus every 10 years if a plague would spare their community. Now a worldwide phenomenon, we feel the passion in our hearts as the incredible story unfolds before us featuring an impressive orchestra, choir, live animals, and more than 100 actors with speaking roles in production of The Passion Play.
Day 8 : Munich
The fun-loving city of Munich welcomes us today. We see some of Munich’s famous landmarks on a walking tour including the Glockenspiel animated clock in the Marienplatz, the town square. We’ll also see Munich’s oldest church Saint Peter, the open-air market Viktualienmarkt, the Bavarian State Chancellery and more. The remainder of the afternoon is ours to explore the city as we please. Optional attractions include a visit to the Beer & Oktoberfest Museum or browsing the shops at the Marienplatz. Tonight we gather for a joyful Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner at the Hofbräuhaus, one of Germany’s most famous beer halls. Our last night is in Munich.
Day 9 : Return Home
We return home with memories of our wonderful Alpine adventure.
June 17th, 2022 - June 25th, 2022
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double
$6799
Single
$7499
Final Payment Date: 03/14/2022
WMBD TV Pickup Locations:
East Peoria, IL - Holiday Inn & Suites
Normal, IL - Sam's Club
Chicago, IL - O'Hare International Airport
Kurt worked at WMBD 31 as a college intern from Illinois State University in 1987. Three years later, he was hired as a full time reporter.
Kurt has covered the Major League Baseball postseason, the NCAA Final Four, PGA and LPGA Tour events, NFL, NBA and NHL games along with NASCAR races. He’s been a finalist for the best downstate sportscast award presented by the Illinois Broadcasters Association every year since 1993, winning the honor in 1994, 2003 and 2004. He has also done play-by-play work for local broadcasts of Missouri Valley Conference men’s and women’s basketball games since 1993. Kurt has called the state tournament boys and girls basketball finals for the Illinois High School Association TV network since 2000.
Kurt has previously hosted several Holiday Vacation tours.
Join him and WMBD/WYZZ viewers on this spectacular vacation!
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.