OBERAMMERGAU Passion Play 2020 

Day 1 : Detroit > Vienna
Overnight flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2 : Vienna
Upon arrival at Vienna Airport, you will be met by your guide and driver who will transfer you to the hotel for check-in, dinner, and overnight. D

Day 3:  Vienna
After breakfast, we will begin to tour the most important historical sights of Vienna. Begin our day with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral for visit and Mass. Then, we pass by the Hofburg Palace (the winter residence of the Habsburg emperors), the Capuchin Church (which contains the imperial vaults), St. Charles' Church (a splendid example of late Baroque architecture), and the Belvedere Palace (former residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy.) Drive around the Ring, one of the most magnificent boulevards in the world, passing the Vienna Opera, Museums, House of Parliament, City Hall, and the Burgtheater. You will have some free time for lunch at your own leisure. Later in the afternoon, we will experience an extended tour of the Schönbrunn Palace. Dinner and overnight.  B | D

Day 4: Vienna Melk Abbey – Lake District - Salzburg

After buffet breakfast this morning, we will drive through the magnificent scenery along the Danube, known as the Wachau, a region that is the pride of the historic preservation movement in Austria. We will stop for a visit in Melk, with its Abbey crowning the rocky hill overlooking the Danube. It is the best sample of Baroque architecture in Austria. Visit the Benedictine Abbey, which was founded in 1702. Its library contains over 80,000 books, and 2,000 manuscripts - all on religious subjects. Celebrate Mass, and then have time to grab lunch at your own leisure. After lunch, we drive along the Austrian Lake District, with marvelous views of the Salzkammergut region to Leopoldskron. This afternoon, we will arrive at the Baroque city of Salzburg, a jewel set on the beautiful banks of the Salzach River. 
Check-in at your hotel in Salzburg, in time for dinner and overnight. B | D

Day 5: Salzburg

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. This morning, you will be transferred to the Shrine of Maria Plain in Salzburg, where we will celebrate Mass at the Shrine. Continue on a guided tour of Salzburg’s sights starting at Mirabel Gardens, then along Getreidegasse, the city’s pedestrian street, lined with authentic 17th and 18th century buildings including the house where Mozart was born. View Monchsberg with the fortress “Hohensalzburg” which overlooks the city. See Residenzplatz, the center square of Salzburg, dominated by the dynamic sculpture of the Residenz Brunnen, the largest baroque fountain north of the Alps. The Residenz building, built in 1596, was once the palace of the Bishops. Nearby stands the Cathedral dating from 1614. Next, visit St. Peter's Abbey, next to the cemetery where the escape was filmed in "Sound of Music" and where most of Mozart's religious works were premiered. You will have time for lunch on your own, and then the remainder of the day free to spend at your own leisure. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.  B | D

Day 6 : Excursion to Bavaria - Silent Night Chapel Marktl am Inn – Altotting

After breakfast, we will begin the day with a visit to the Silent night chapel where the famous Christmas Carol was written. Then we drive north to the Austrian and Germany boarder, along the River Inn to the little town of Marktl am Inn home town of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI where we visit the local church where the Pope was Baptised at and his birth palce now functioning as a Museum. We depart for Altotting, with time to grab lunch on your own. Altotting hosts one of Germany's most celebrated shrines, the Chapel of Mercy. Altotting is Germany's Lourdes, with the Chapel's 13th century statue of the Blessed Virgin credited with numerous miracles. Altotting has been a place of pilgrimage in Germany for over 500 years. At the Shrine we visit the 750 year-old Black Madonna. We will celebrate Mass, and then return to Salzburg. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Salzburg.  B | D

Day 7  Altotting – Ettal - Oberammergau

Start the morning with breakfast, then depart for Bavaria to explore King Ludwig's majestic castle, the Cinderella-style Neuschwanstein, and the King's former residence. Lunch on own before we visit the Monastery of Ettal, almost 2700 feet above sea level, located in a narrow mountain valley of the Western Alpine foothills. Celebrate Mass at the Monastery, and then continue on our transfer where we will arrive in the late afternoon in Oberammergau, home of the famous Passion Play. The little village of Oberammergau, is home of the famous Passion Play of the life of Christ. The play dates back to 1633 when the Plague, the "Black Death", took a severe toll of lives in the small village. In their distress, the inhabitants turned to God and vowed that if the pestilence was taken from them, they would perform a play every ten years, depicting the suffering and death of the Savior. Their plea was heard and there were no further plague victims in Oberammergau. The first performance of the Passion play took place in 1634 in the village cemetery. Dinner and overnight.  B | D

Day 8 Oberammergau Passion Play: Performance Day

After breakfast, we will gather to celebrate Mass. Following a light lunch, we will make our way to the world famous Passion Play Theatre. We will attend the performance of a lifetime, the 42nd Oberammergau Passion Play. Oberammergau's sleepy village springs to life to put on a play that draws the eyes of the world upon it! Be part of the mission of the Passion of Christ, the greatest story ever told and spread the Gospel! Share His message of faith and love! The Oberammergau Passion Play tells the story of the Passion of Christ, beginning with His entry into the ancient city of Jerusalem, followed by His trial, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The play is held in a beautiful open air theatre that is praised for its superb acoustics and comfort, and it can accommodate up to 4,500 people. 

Day 9  Oberammergau - Munich

After breakfast, we leave Oberammergau and drive north to Munich (city of the monks). Capital of Bavaria, Munich is for sure the most beautiful city in Germany. Upon arrival, your local guide will take you on a guided tour which will include visit of the Marienplatz and the world famous “Glockenspiel,” the twin-towered Frauenkirche , the Church of Our Lady, most familiar landmark of old Munich. Continue on to see the town hall, and the magnificent boulevard Feldherrenhalle Ludwigsstrasse Siegestor, created by King Ludwig I in the middle of the 19th century. Pass by the Residenz, the palace of the kings of Bavaria, and the Hofgarten. Celebrate Mass at Fraunekirche. Enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping. We will meet again for Mass, after which we will conclude our stay in Munich with a stein of beer and a dinner at a local Brauhaus restaurant.  B | D

Day 10  Munich > Detroit

Today we fondly say Auf Wiedersehen to Germany, we say farewell to our fellow pilgrims and new friends! Although it’s an end of this journey, graces and blessings from our pilgrimage will last a lifetime.  B

Notes :

The Play is approximately five and a half hours long and is performed in two acts. Act I : 2:30pm - 5:00pm
Intermission: 5:30pm - 7:30pm; enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  Act II: 8:00pm - 10:30pm

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