What
will we see each day?
Our
itineraries are designed to be not too full - or too empty! Each
day we'll have breakfast at our hotel, followed by the day's activities.
Each day you'll have the opportunity to join devotional time led
by Pastor Caroline or Pastor Brad. Enjoy browsing the proposed
itinerary. Back
to top
IF = In flight
meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Click here for pre-tour options
Day
1: Monday, June 14, 2010: Overnight Flight to Munich, Germany
Our journey back in time begins with an overnight flight from
the US. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight! (IF)
Day
2: Tuesday, June 15, 2010: Munich
We’ll be greeted at the Munich Airport by our driver and
taken on a Munich orientation tour. We will see the Olympic Stadium
and Tower, Nymphenburg Palace, the Rathaus and then stop to take
a pleasant walk in the city center through Marienplatz and past
the Glockenspiel. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner with
classic Bavarian cuisine and a live Bavarian folklore show at the world famous Hofbrauhaus. We'll
stay at the Hotel
Prinzregent and der Messe in Munich. (IF,D)
Day
3: Wednesday, June 16, 2010: Wieskirche, Linderhof, Oberammergau
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart the city of Gemutlichkeit
for the Bavarian countryside stopping to tour the Wieskirche or
"Church in the Meadow", a UNESCO World Heritage site
with incredible Rococo art. We also tour King Ludwig II’s
Castle Linderhof with its beautiful grounds and grotto. We'll
finish our exciting day with our arrival in Oberammergau, home
to the world famous Passion Play, depicting the story of Christ,
acted out for hundreds of years by the villagers. We’ll
check into the Hotel am Wiesenhang
in Bad Kohlgrub (a spa village very close to Oberammergau) and
have a delicious dinner. (B, D)
Day
4: Thursday, June 17, 2010: Oberammergau
The morning is free for exploring Oberammergau. After lunch at the Hotel Gasthof Zur Rose, we
will attend the Passion Play, the highlight of our tour. The history
of the Oberammergau Passion Play begins in 1633. In the middle
of the Thirty Years War, after months of dying and suffering from
the plague, the people of Oberammergau took a vow to perform the
“Play of the Suffering, Dying and Resurrection of our Lord
Jesus Christ" every ten years. During Pentecost in 1634 they
fulfilled their promise for the first time. Today we attend the
41st production of the play. After a dinner intermission at the Hotel Gasthof Zur Rose, we return
to the Passion Play Theater for the rest of our production. (B,
L, D)
Day
5: Friday, June 18, 2010: Liechtenstein, Lucerne
We
depart Oberammergau today and stop for lunch in the postage stamp
country of Liechtenstein. Then we continue on to the charming
Swiss town of Lucerne, beginning with a late afternoon walking
tour to view the City Walls and famous covered wooden bridges.
The Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) is a symbol of Lucerne and you've
seen pictures of it, but now it's time for us to walk its planks.
It originally dates back to the 14th century. Close by is the
Spreuerbrucke (Spreuer Bridge), dating from 1408. You'll view
the ornate patrician houses along the cobbled streets. We'll overnight
at the Best Western Hotel Rothaus, where we'll enjoy a group dinner. (B, D)
Day
6: Saturday, June 19, 2010: Return
Today some of us return home as we transfer to the Zurich International
airport about an hour to the north of Lucerne.
End
of 6 Day Tour
Day 6: Saturday, June 19, 2010: Lucerne Area
The rest of us enjoy the beauty of God's creation with a trip
to the famous alpine railway station of Kleine Scheidegg, with
views of Eiger (Bear), Mönch (Monk) and Jungfrau (Maiden)
peaks. We begin this two valley roundtrip excursion with a stop
at the spectacular Trümmelbach Falls. From nearby Lauterbrunnen,
we take a cog wheel train to Kleine Scheidegg. Dinner is on our
own tonight. (B)
Day 7: Sunday, June 20, 2010: Torino
We start early this morning passing through the beautiful Italian
Lakes area en route to the Piedmont area where some of the Waldenses
were located, going back to at least the 11th century. We will
visit the cathedral named Il Duomo of Torino e Capella della Sacra
Sindone, where the Shroud of Turin is kept. Although we can’t
see the original, there is a photographic reproduction on display.
We will also visit the Museo
della Sindone. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Torino.
We'll overnight at the Jolly
Hotel Ligure. (B)
Day
8: Monday, June 21, 2010: Montecatini Terme
We continue south along the Ligurian Sea to the fishing villages
known as the Cinque Terra. We begin with a boat ride along the
sea, and then return by train and on foot, with a lovely stroll
down Lovers Lane, a spectacular walk along the sea. These villages
have a special character, as we observe the life of the fishermen
and the abodes to which they return. Afterwards we drive to Montecatini
Terme our home for several days, atstay
at the Hotel
Ercolini & Savi. (B, D)
Day
9: Tuesday, June 22, 2010: Florence
Our
entire day is devoted to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance.
Upon arrival in Florence we meet a local guide for a walking tour
of historic Florence to see Michelangelo’s incomparable
“David” at Accademia, the Piazza della Signoria and
the breathtaking view from Piazzale Michelangelo; then Giotto’s
Belfry and Duomo, and the Baptistry with its renowned “Gate
of Paradise.” We also visit the Convent and Museum of St.
Mark, a former Dominican monastery which contains important frescoes
by Fra Angelico and the cells of Savonarola, who was prior of
St. Mark’s. (B)
Day
10: Wednesday, June 23, 2010: Florence
Today is a free day in Florence to either explore this fascinating
city or take an optional excursion (ask Kim for details). We can
explore and shop along the Ponte Vecchio. This bridge, built in
1345, is a riot of life and color and is famous for rows of shops
lining both sides that have been reserved for gold and silversmiths
since the 16th century. Explore the leather markets, visit the
Uffizi Gallery, and much more. Dinner is on our own tonight. (B)
Day
11: Thursday, June 24, 2010: Monteriggioni and Siena
This
morning we visit delightful Siena, where our local guide will take us on a walking tour, followed by free time for lunch. We will then depart for Monteriggioni, another small medieval
town that is still enclosed in its fortified walls. We will end
our day with a tour of the Fattoria Poggio Alloro vineyard and winery highlighted by a
farewell wine tasting dinner in the gentle hills of the Chianti
countryside. (B, D)
Day 12: Friday, June 25, 2010: Return/Rome
Some of the group transfer to the airport for the return flight home and the rest of us head to Rome. On arrival we will meet our local guides for a walking tour of Ancient Rome with headsets, including the Colosseum. This evening is free to dine at the restaurant of our choice. We will be staying at the Hotel Torino. (B)
Day 13: Saturday, June 26, 2010: Rome
After a relaxed breakfast, we will meet our tour guide at the Vatican, for a tour of this amazing museum. Our farewell dinner is at our hotel this evening.
Day 14: Sunday, June 26, 2010: Return
We depart to the airport after breakfast and arrive back in Chicago later the same day.