An afternoon flight from Australia on Tuesday takes us through to Singapore where we can check-in to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.

After a leisurely morning in Singapore on Wednesday we fly to Europe arriving in Frankfurt in the evening.

Thursday you can enjoy a day at leisure – explore Frankfurt’s Alt Stadt (Old City) including the Romerberg where the reconstructed gabled half- timbered buildings give an idea of how beautiful the city’s medieval core once was. Visit the nearby medieval Lutheran church of St Nicholas which was lucky to sustain only minor damage during the war. Enjoy your choice of many museums including the Goethe House

We leave Frankfurt and travel to the “fairytale” walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Considered the best-preserved medieval town in all of Germany, Rothenburg offers photo opportunities everywhere you turn. Enjoy a walking tour and soak up the sights including the splendid renaissance Town Hall which dominates the beautiful Market Square. Along with the Rathaus we will visit the Kriminal Museum and the famous Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village.
We drive further south to the Bavarian capital of Munich where we will enjoy traditional German food in a local restaurant. Why not try the delicious Monastery style beer – Prost!

Explore the best of Munich with our city tour. Visit historic Marienplatz, the city’s central square since 1158; famous for the Glockenspiel, Marienplatz is named for the Marian Column and is dominated by the New Town Hall and the reconstructed gothic Old Town Hall. Wander the grounds of the superb Nymphenburg Palace, once the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs and one of the largest royal palaces in Europe.
In the afternoon we will travel onto Oberammergau, a small village in the Bavarian Alps. As well as the Passion Play, Oberammergau is famed for its buildings adorned with incredible Biblical murals, the best known being The House of Pilate.

This is the day we have long been anticipating, a chance to experience the unique event that is the original Passion Play. Since 1634 the Villagers of Oberammergau have performed the “Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” once every 10 years to fulfil their solemn oath to God. In 2020 it will be the 47th time the Community of Oberammergau have performed the Passion Play that they have preserved throughout the centuries.

Our wonderful day will begin with Sunday worship and then a relaxed morning looking around the small village of Oberammergau. We will have a light lunch before the Passion Play starts in the afternoon (dinner will be served during intermission) Be prepared to be swept away by music and singing of breathtaking beauty, a memorable performance that takes you on an emotional journey. All in all, a marvellous way to spend a Sunday!

Another wonderful day when we visit the breathtakingly beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle, arriving at the castle in fairy-tale style by horse and carriage. Located in the Bavarian Alps, the surrounding landscape is almost as picturesque as the building itself.

We travel across the border to Innsbruck in Austria. Innsbruck flourished from 1200s as part of major European trade routes and when Emperor Maximilian chose to live in Innsbruck in the 1490s it became the centre of European politics and culture. This Imperial influence can be seen in the grand architecture of the late-medieval Altstadt including the famous Golden Roof.

Marvel at the Baroque magnificence of the city when we wander the pedestrian Maria-Theresien-strasse to enjoy the streetscape and view the famed Triumphal Arch.
Enjoy time at leisure to take in the beauty of this city before we have dinner at a traditional Austrian restaurant.

Tuesday we travel onto Italy, enjoying glorious scenic views en route. The magnificent city of Venice awaits; this improbable marvel is built within the Venetian lagoon across 118 small islands that are connected by 400 bridges. With time at leisure to explore you will see why it has been named the “Most beautiful city in the world” as recently as 2016.

Experience the watery wonder of Venice. Discover the city on foot with the highlights of our morning walking tour including St Mark’s Square and Cathedral, Bridge of Sighs and a Glass Factory Tour. An afternoon private boat tour of the lagoon islands will take us to Murano, famed for its glass, past the brightly coloured fisherman’s houses of Burano, the “lace making island” and onto Torcello. Here we will visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to see the incredible 12th-century Byzantine mosaic of The Last Judgment.

We leave the “City of Bridges” to travel to Verona, the “City of Love”, immortalised by Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy “Romeo and Juliet.” This UNESCO listed city is famed for its architecture and we visit the 14th-century residence known as “Juliet’s House” as well as the huge 1st-century Roman Amphitheater.

From Verona we travel south to the Tuscan capital of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence’s relative small size makes it easy to explore this treasure chest of a city, overflowing with cultural, archi- tectural and artistic masterpieces.

On Friday enjoy one of Florence’s most iconic sights, the 15th century Duomo, or Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore; once the largest church in Europe, the Duomo is still the third largest church in the world. Visit the nearby 14th Century Gothic Giotto’s Bell Tower and wander the Piazza del Signoria where the large replica of Michelangelo’s statue “David” stands. Visit Academia Galleria, the home of the original marble statue of “David” and view the Ponte Vecchio, the famous medieval bridge spanning the Arno. Tonight, we have something special in store when we travel out into the countryside for a true “Taste of Tuscany” when we will enjoy dinner at a Tuscan farm.

First a day at leisure to soak up the beauty of the city. Foodies may want to explore the famed Mercado Centrale, Florence’s oldest and largest food market with its maze of stalls crammed with fresh produce from truffles to cheeses. Artisan stalls upstairs offer freshly cooked produce in the food hall.
A guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery will introduce us to see some of the world’s greatest artworks including da Vinci’s “Annunciation”, Michel- angelo’s “Holy Family”, Raphael’s “Madonna” and Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus.”

Our Sunday begins with morning worship before we board the train from Florence to Rome. In Rome we will be met by the coach for an orientation tour of Italy’s historic Capital. Enjoy dinner tonight in a traditional Trattoria.

Founded almost 3000 years ago Rome offers the visitor an incredible experience with historical monuments and artistic masterpieces around every corner. We visit the ancient icons of Imperial Rome – the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine – that recall the era when the city was caput mundi (capital of the world). Rome’s later importance came from its role as the seat of the early Church and we visit St Peter’s Basilica, burial site of Jesus’ foremost Apostle and first Bishop of Rome. A guided tour of the Vatican Museum will amaze you with its many artistic and religious treasures, including the incredible Sistine Chapel.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to soak up ”La dolce vita.” Use your Hop-on / Hop-off bus ticket to further explore the many wonders of Rome – walk the Spanish Steps, view the Pantheon, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain (to ensure your return) or just wander, window shop and eat gelato. Whatever your choice you are in for a delicious day.

Today we travel to Pisa, once an important Maritime republic due to its location on both the Arno River and coast. The historic wealth of the city is reflected in its many beautiful Renaissance buildings and we visit Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower, Baptistry and Duomo on a walking tour of the old town.
From Pisa we travel to Genova (Genoa), a port city and the capital of northwest Italy’s Liguria region. A short orientation tour before we check- in to our hotel for the night.

We journey to Milan, the Italian city synonymous with culture, fashion and opera. Enjoy a half day walking tour that takes us to the Duomo Cathedral and Museum, San Gottardo in Corte Church (Ducal Chapel) and the Teatro Alla Scala (Opera House).

From Milan we travel to Stresa, an elegant lakeside town whose waterfront is adorned with Belle Époque palazzos and villas. With views across Lake Maggiore, this glorious location has long been a retreat for Europe’s aristocrats and favourite haunt for artists and writers.

Lake Maggiore is truly a magical place and when we cruise out you to the Borromean Islands you will comprehend why the French poet Montesquieu called it “the most beautiful place in the world.”

Enjoy visiting the sumptuous Borromean Palazzo on Islo Bella and see its splendid gardens, famous throughout the world for their landscaping and over 2,000 different plant species. A picnic lunch and a drive alongside the lake completes a perfect day.

Today we travel north into Switzerland, famous for its Alpine scenery. Enjoy our scenic journey as we drive to the German speaking city of Lucerne. With its colourful Altstadt full of frescoed medieval buildings and its lakeside location set amidst snowcapped mountains Lucerne has a dream-like beauty. Enjoy a walking tour of the compact city – admire the old fortifications including the 870m long Musegg Wall with its 9 towers and the covered Chapel Bridge. Other attractions include the large Baroque Church and the moving Lion Monument.

After Morning Worship in Lucerne we travel to beautiful Interlaken. With its unique setting between two lakes and views of the Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau Mountains, Interlaken would seem like a tourist cliche of Switzerland if it wasn’t real. So, let’s add a Chocolate Making Workshop and a Cheese Tasting to the mix to create the ultimate Swiss fantasy day.

We bid Switzerland “auf Weidersehen” and travel by train through the French countryside to say “Bonjour” to Paris. France’s capital city is renowned as a global centre of fashion, art, culture and gastronomy – the “City of Light” awaits our exploration.

Tuesday we will enjoy a half day tour of this beautiful city. See such landmarks as the Opera House, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower, drive down the fashionable Champs de Elysse and visit the Gothic masterpiece that is the Notre Dame Cathedral. An afternoon at leisure means you are free to shop, eat or wander and discover what you love best about Paris.

Be awed by the magnificence of the Palace of Versailles. When Louis XIV moved the Royal Court to Versailles in 1682 it became the France’s seat of political power and the Sun King ensured it would dazzle all who beheld it. Our guided tour will take us through some of 2300 rooms, including the famed Hall of Mirrors, and the vast landscaped Gardens.

On Wednesday enjoy a chance for last minute shopping in Paris before our afternoon flight
to Singapore.

A morning arrival in Singapore and an early check-in to our hotel. Time to relax and refresh before an afternoon tour of Singapore’s latest attraction, the stunning Gardens by the Bay.

This 21st-century botanic garden will amaze you with its greenery filled space-age bio-domes, high-tech Supertrees and whimsical sculptures. Our final dinner together will be a true celebration culminating in the spectacular Garden Rhapsody light show.

We depart Singapore today for our flights home. Our holiday may be at an end but the people we have met, the places we have seen and the incredible experiences we have shared are sure to live on in our memories.