15 Day Passion Play 2010 & Italy

Details

Tour Operator

Gate 1 Travel

Duration

15 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart the USA	Depart the USA for Germany. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in flight entertainment for your journey
Day 2	Munich	Arrive in Munich and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner Overnight: Munich Meals: Dinner
Day 3	Munich City Tour, Travel to Oberammergau	This morning, enjoy a guided tour thorough Munich's sights. See the Nymphenburg Palace and the Olympic stadium from the 1972 Games before driving through bohemian Schwabing to the Hofburg, National Theatre and the Marienplatz with the famous glockenspiel clock with its dancing mechanical figures. After time for lunch, drive south to the Bavarian Alps region Overnight: Oberammergau Area Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4	Visit Linderhof Castle, Passion Play Performance Oberammergau	Begin with a visit to Linderhof Castle built by 'Mad' King Ludwig II and admire the ornately decorated castle with its gardens and fountains. Drive via Ettal to nearby Oberammergau and spend the rest of the day in this delightful village. Lunch will be served at a local inn. View the pretty chalets with flower balconies and painted facades as you head to the famed Passion Playhouse to take your seat for this "once in a lifetime" event. The history of the Passion Play at Oberammergau goes back to 1634, when the village of Oberammergau was miraculously saved from the ravages of the Black Death. Since that date, the play has been performed every ten years on the decade. There will be ample time for hunting down a hand carved wooden figurine, a special craft from this area, or perhaps a cuckoo clock. Return to hotel for overnight Overnight: Oberammergau Area Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5	Venice	Descend to the Valley of the River Inn in Austria on the way to the Brenner Pass into Italy. Continue past the fruit orchards of Trentino and Verona to arrive in Venice late afternoon Overnight: Venice Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6	Venice	Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its fine glasswork industry. Then, visit St. Mark's Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. View the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and visit the Doge's Palace, whose facade features a massive late Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own Optional: Gondola Ride with Music (PM) Overnight: Venice Meals: Breakfast
Day 7	Florence	Travel through the stunning panorama of Tuscany to Pisa. On arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. The four monuments of this extraordinary piazza make for a unique architectural blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. En route to Florence, visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a wine tasting with local specialties. Evening at leisure Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast
Day 8	Florence	Today's morning tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo's David is housed. Walk to the Duomo, celebrated for its magnificent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and view the Baptistery's renowned "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the "Old Bridge." Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Florence. This evening, dine at an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the countryside Overnight: Florence Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9	Rome	Today travel along the famous "Sun Route" motorway to the medieval city of Assisi, renowned for its 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto's frescoes. Continue to your hotel in Rome Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10	Rome	This morning, a historic tour of "ancient Rome" takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Afternoon at leisure Optional: Piazzas of Rome (PM) Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast
Day 11	Rome	Today begins with the visit to the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Stroll through St. Peter's Square, passing Bernini's famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter's Basilica, where you will view Michelangelo's Pieta. This highly finished marble sculpture depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion and is considered to be among the most compelling of all works of art in the Western world. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music, then enjoy an illuminated tour of the city Overnight: Rome Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12	Pompeii Tour, Travel to Sorrento	Drive south, passing by the famous Monte Cassino Abbey, founded by St. Benedict of Norcia in 529. Destroyed on four separate occasions, it was last rebuilt after being the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War. View Mt. Vesuvius in passing the Bay of Naples, before reaching Pompeii. Visit the ruins of this best preserved Roman city, including the Temples of Apollo and Jupiter, and the Forum. Continue to Sorrento Overnight: Sorrento Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13	Sorrento	Enjoy a full day at leisure in Sorrento. Strikingly beautiful and picturesque, even by Italian standards, Sorrento is set along the sea, with stunning escarpments plunging into the Gulf of Naples. Take a walk to see firsthand why this town has long been beloved by poets and artists Optional: Full Day Capri Overnight: Sorrento Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14	Scenic Amalfi Drive	Today, enjoy panoramic view of the enchanting towns along the scenic Amalfi Coast. Pass the distinctive white Moorish homes of Positano on this legendary road overlooking the Mediterranean, to reach the coastal town of Amalfi: a UNESCO World Heritage Site Overnight: Sorrento Meals: Breakfast
Day 15	Depart for the USA	Transfer to the airport in Naples for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

Lodging

	Holiday Inn City Centre		Hotel Garmischer Hof
	Kur und Ferienhotel Gertraud		Grand Hotel Adriatico
	Grand Hotel Palatino		Massimo D'Azeglio
	Hotel Central		Hotel Carlton & Grand Canal

Disclaimer

*Not Included:
Airport taxes & fees, optional tours, and gratuities.

Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Jul 24 departure will be accommodated at the Kur und Ferienhotel Gertraud, Bad Kohlgrub.

Jun 5 departure will be accommodated at the Massimo D'Azeglio in Rome.

Some departures may stay at the Hotel Cristina in Sorrento.