Oberammergau Passion Play & the Highlights of Austria & Bavaria

Day 1 : Fly to Munich

Relax and enjoy an overnight flight to Germany.

Day 2 : Salzburg

Herzlich willkommen in Deutschland! We meet our European guide in Munich and travel by motorcoach to Salzburg, Austria. 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. Tonight we get to know our fellow traveling companions at a Holiday Vacations Welcome Dinner in the city and enjoy a two-night stay in Salzburg.

Day 3 : Alpine Beauty

We depart for the quaint alpine town of Berchtesgaden at the foot of the Watzmann, the third highest mountain in Germany. We’ll take a short train ride into the city’s salt mine and learn about its 500-year history. Next we visit The Eagle’s Nest teahouse atop Kehlstein Mountain, witnessing Obersalzberg’s alpine beauty and learning about its role in World War II. This evening we return to Salzburg for a private dinner at St. Peter’s Stiftskeller accompanied by a string quartet performing selections by Mozart.

Day 4 : Tyrolean Alps

Board the Achensee Steam Cog Railway and travel from Jenbach to Seespitz with views of Tyrolean mountains, meadows and forests. The adventure continues on a breathtakingly beautiful cruise of Lake Achensee, the largest lake in the Tyrolean Alps. Next we tour Tratzberg Castle with a knowledgeable guide. Discover how this Renaissance-era stronghold demonstrates Gothic, Habsburg, and Fugger influences in its exquisite parlor, courtyard, King’s Room and more. In the late afternoon we arrive in Innsbruck, Tyrol’s skiing capital, where we stay for two nights.

Day 5 : Innsbruck

Surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes and picturesque villages, Innsbruck has been the site of two Winter Olympics, most recently in 1976. Narrow, twisting streets and tall houses built in the Late Gothic style reflect the city’s medieval past. Our guided walking tour of the city includes the Imperial Palace, Court Church, and the Goldenes Dachl (“Golden Roof”), a 15th-century stone balcony covered in gilded copper tiles. Afterwards, take a gondola cableway up Nordketten mountain to visit Karwendel Nature Park, Austria’s largest protected area.

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. We arrive in Garmisch area nestled in the Bavarian Alps near Oberammergau for a two-night stay.

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.

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. We stay in Munich for the final night of our fabulous vacation.

Day 9 : Return Home

We return home with memories of our wonderful Alpine adventure.