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.
In the evenings, you'll have the opportunity to join the devotional
time. Enjoy browsing the proposed itinerary.
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IF = In flight
meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day
1: Departure
Our journey begins with our flight across the Atlantic Ocean to
Munich, Germany. If you would like to arrive early, we are happy
to arrange accommodations. Please note that flights are not included
in the price, but can be added in 2009. Group rates are available
for groups of 10 or more flying from the same departure point.(IF)
Day
2: Munich
On arrival in Munich, we will be met by our Reformation Tours'
Tour Director and begin with a short orientation tour of the city,
including the Olympic grounds, the Glockenspiel, the grounds of
Nymphenburg Castle, and the pedestrian zone. We will visit the
famous Hofbräuhaus in the evening where we can choose from
the menu. IF/B
Day
3: Salzburg
We'll
have a beautiful drive to Oberndorf and see the Silent Night Chapel,
where Father Josef Mohr wrote Silent Night and sang it for the
first time. We will continue to Salzburg and enjoy some free time.
This evening we will have a Mozart Concert during dinner at the
famous St. Peter’s Restaurant. Seated in Baroque opulence,
with candles and linen, we’ll savor the cuisine of Mozart’s
day. Superb musicians play some of his most famous compositions
to round out a great day in Austria. We will overnight in Salzburg.
B/D
Day
4: Salzburg
A morning walking tour of Salzburg will introduce us to this city.
We’ll visit the Salzburg Cathedral, the Getreidegasse (pedestrian
zone) the market and Mozart’s home. We are free in the afternoon,
and will have dinner on our own. B
Day
5: Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau.
On the way to Oberammergau, we'll visit Linderhof Castle, the
glitziest of King Ludwig II’s castles .Oberammergau, is
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 our hotel for the first of two nights and have a delicious
dinner, followed by a stroll through the village. (B/D)
Day
6: Oberammergau.
Today
is the highlight of the tour, the world famous Passion Play, which
has been regularly performed since Whitsun 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. In the afternoon and evening
we will be watching the performance of the play, with excellent,
pre-reserved seats. Almost half of the inhabitants of the town
perform in the play on the large open-air stage. (B/L/D)
Day
7: Innsbruck.
Leaving
Oberammergau, we’ll
head for Innsbruck, stopping first in Mittenwald. We’ll
have some time to stroll about in this marvelous Bavarian village
on the border between Germany and Austria. Coffee and chocolate
will entice us to sit at a local café. We’ll continue
on to Innsbruck, deep in the beautiful Austrian Alps and famous
for the Olympics. This is a gorgeous city and we’ll view
some of the best sights of Innsbruck and then tour the Wilten
Basilica, the Golden Roof and Court Church, (Hofkirche). This
afternoon will have some spare time for us all to savor legendary
Innsbruck on our own. We overnight and have dinner at our hotel.
B/D
Day
8: Venice
Today
will be wonderful as we drive to Italy, seeing the change in cultures
and landscapes from our comfortable coach. Italy will be very
special, so much to see, so different from the Germany and Austria
that we left yesterday. We’ll stop en route in Verona to
see the Romeo and Juliet Balcony and the Coliseum in the town
center, and have some time to savor special moments in this legend
of Italy. Our destination today is fabulous Venice–La Serenissima,
the “Serene One.” Built upon 117 islands, Venice is
a mosaic of canals, plazas, fascinating markets, and colorful
chaos! Italy never disappoints our travelers and we’ll be
so pleased to be on the canal, wandering the alleys of Venice.
B/D
Day
9: Venice
Today we'll visit the most famous sights in Venice including St.
Mark's Basilica, which is built over the tomb of the evangelist
Mark and the Doges Palace, the former seat of government in Venice.
The afternoon is free to enjoy shopping, visit a glass blowing
shop on the island of Murano, discover the winding back streets
of this romantic island, take a gondola ride through the charming
canals and have a free evening to enjoy Italian food. B
Day
10: Florence
Our
local guide will take us on a walking tour of historic Florence
to see Michelangelo’s incomparable “David” at
Academia, the Piazza della Signoria and the breathtaking view
from Piazzale Michelangelo; then Giotto’s Belfry and Duomo,
and the Baptistery 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 Friar Andelico
and the cells of Savonarola, who was prior of St. Mark’s.
Later this afternoon we explore and shop along the Ponte Vechio.
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 16th century. We will stay in
Florence this evening. B/D
Day
11: Assisi, Rome
This
morning we continue in a southerly direction and enter the region
of Umbria, where we arrive at its most beautiful town, Assisi.
Here a local guide acquaints us with the life of Saint Francis
and shows us the magnificent Basilica di San Francesco where he
is buried. We’ll learn why this man is still an example
of a Christ-centered life. We drive on to Rome and have a drive-by
tour of the best of Rome. After dinner we’ll be free to
have a walking tour with our escort. B/D
Day
12: Rome
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a guided visit of the Imperial
and Classical heart of Rome: Circo Massimo, Coliseum, San Pietro
in incoli Church with Michelangelo’s Moses, the Mamertine
Prison and the Forum – the market place of old Rome. In
the afternoon we’ll visit 2 major Basilicas: St. Mary Major,
St. Paul outside the Walls, as well as a visit to the catacombs
of San Sebastian. This evening is free to sample local restaurants
at our leisure, and we’ll all make memories that will serve
us for years to come. B
Day
13: Rome
The highlight this morning will be a guided tour of the Vatican
Museums, the Sistine Chapel-containing the stunning ceiling artworks
of Michelangelo- and St. Peter’s Basilica- considered to
be the greatest Church in Christendom. After lunch on our own,
we’ll walk throughout the ”Baroque” part of
Rome, allowing us to enjoy Piazza di Spagna , the Trevi Fountain,
Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The balance of the afternoon is
free. Farewell dinner and overnight at our hotel. B/D
Day
14: Return
We drive to the Airport for our return flight, with our escort
taking us all the way to security. We’ll return home with
many wonderful memories of incredible Italy, awesome Austria,
and gorgeous Germany. “Ariva Derce”, as the Italians
would say “Good bye.” B/IF