Oberammergau and Baroque Cities 2020

We depart Dubai for Munich, the beautiful capital of Bavaria in the far South of Germany. This afternoon you will have time at leisure to relax or explore as you wish.

Explore the best Munich has to offer with our city tour including historic Marienplatz, the city’s central square since 1158. The square is dominated by the New Town Hall (famous for the Glockenspiel) and the reconstructed gothic Old Town Hall and Marian Column. Watch the Glockenspiel mechanical display and enjoy time at leisure in central Munich. From here it is off to the superb Nymphenburg Palace, once the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs and one of the largest royal palaces in Europe.

Today 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 42nd time the Community of Oberammergau have performed the Passion Play that they have preserved throughout the centuries. After a relatively short drive from Munich we will have time to admire the town’s beautiful muralled buildings before a light lunch. After lunch prepare yourself for an incredibly emotional experience – the Passion of the Christ.

We farewell Oberammergau and travel to Salzburg, believed to be the first place north of the Alps to receive Christianity and gateway for the spread of faith into Germanic Europe. After lunch we will visit St. Peter’s Church and Abbey, the spiritual heart of the city since the church’s foundation in the 7th century. Aside from its striking Christian architecture, the cemetery and catacombs are also a must-see for fans of “The Sound of Music”. Drive by the nearby 10th century Nonnberg Convent one of the world’s oldest continually active convents, known to us as home to “Fraulein Maria”. Salzburg is synonymous with music and famous as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Enjoy a late afternoon wander through the historic centre with our local guide – amongst the many pretty town houses and mansions we will also see Mozart’s birth place in Getreidegasse and his later residence.

Monday morning we will drive out to the glorious Mondsee Lake and visit the baroque St Michael Basilica, made famous for the wedding scene in the “Sound of Music” movie. Enjoy picture postcard views as we travel through spectacular alpine scenery.

Tuesday is a chance to enjoy the glory of Vienna – whether you love baroque streetscapes, imperial palaces, artistic and musical masterpieces or oldworld coffee-houses, Vienna offers something for everyone. A morning city tour will take us to see St Stephen’s Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with its distinctive tiled roof.
Be amazed at the secular and ecclesiastical treasures as we tour the Hofburg Palace and its Imperial Treasury.
The rest of the day you can spend at leisure – explore the Museum Quarter and see the works of such artistic greats as Klimt, Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Rembrandt or enjoy people watching as you indulge in afternoon tea at a KaffeeHaus. Don’t forget to try Vienna’s famous “Sacher-Torte”, the chocolate cake invented for royalty in 1832. The European leg of our wonderful spiritual journey is at an end so tonight we will celebrate with a delicious farewell meal.

A morning at leisure and a chance to do some last-minute souvenir
shopping before we depart Vienna in the afternoon for a flight to Dubai.

Today is a full day of leisure in Dubai. You might like to explore the Gold and Spice Souks or choose one of the many optional tours (available on tour). Tonight, will be a fitting end to your holiday as we enjoy a dinner cruise along the historic Dubai Creek.

After breakfast we reflect on how blessed we have been to share such a wonderful time together. We will farewell members of our group and before being be transferred to the airport for our various flights home to Australia.

Morning arrival in Australia. 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.