Vacations for Catholics Presents...
Exploring the Alpine Countries
& Oberammergau's Passion Play
From: $3,749 pp Land
Only
For
more information on this vacation,
contact:
Pam Adair at 1 (216) 751-8301 or 1 (888)
878-8187.
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Welcome to Collette's Alpine Countries
tour - a visit to three of Europe's most
picturesque countries: Austria, Germany
(Bavaria), and Switzerland.
Day 2: Vienna, Austria - Tour
Begins
You arrive in the grand city of Vienna,
the former capital of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Tonight, in the picturesque wine-making
village of Grinzing, you will join your
fellow travelers at one of the local
restaurants for a delightful welcome
dinner, complete with local wines and
traditional entertainment. (D)
Day 3: Vienna
Your Imperial Vienna tour highlights the
baroque marvels of Schoenbrunn or
Belvedere Palace. Touring Vienna's city
center, you view St. Stephan's
Cathedral, beautiful baroque
architecture, parks and gothic spires of
a by-gone age. The remainder of the day
is at leisure. This evening you are
invited to dinner at a popular local
restaurant. (B, D)
Day 4: Vienna - Danube River
Cruise - Melk - Salzburg
Depart Vienna and travel along the banks
of the Danube to the medieval town of
Durnstein. Embark on a cruise on
the Danube River, gliding through the
historic Wachau Valley, one of the most
beautiful stretches of river in the
world. Later you visit the
Benedictine Abbey in Melk, before
continuing to the "City of Music",
Salzburg. (B)
Day 5: Salzburg - Mozart Dinner
Concert
Enjoy a walking tour of the Altstadt
(Old Town) highlighting the Cathedral,
Mozart's Birthplace and Mirabell
Gardens. You will not be able to miss
recognizable locations from the "Sound
of Music". Your afternoon is at leisure.
The evening includes a memorable
Mozart Dinner Concert at the
centuries-old St. Peter's Restaurant. In
the stylish ambiance of the historic
Baroque Hall, you will enjoy a
traditional candlelight dinner
(featuring recipes from the 17th & 18th
centuries) while you listen to some of
Mozart's most popular compositions
performed by local artists in colorful,
historic costumes. (B, D)
Day 6: Salzburg - Munich,
Germany - Oberammergau
Travel through the picturesque landscape
of Austria to neighboring Germany. Your
destination is Munich, the beautiful
capital of the state of Bavaria. Upon
arrival, enjoy a city tour featuring the
Olympic Park, Marienplatz and the
Glockenspiel. Next, depart for the
quaint village of Oberammergau, nestled
in the Bavarian Alps. (B, D)
Day 7: Oberammergau - Passion
Play
Enjoy a performance of the
Passion Play which originally took place
in 1634. During the Thirty Year
War, the village of Oberammergau was
spared the Black Plague and for this
reason, the villagers vowed that every
ten years they would give a play to
honor the life of Christ. The performers
are native Oberammergauers. To lend
authenticity to the performance, the
cast start to grow their hair and beards
more than a year in advance. Also, the
intricate costumes are made locally by
the villagers. This is truly an
unforgettable event. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Oberammergau - Rhine
Falls - Black Forest
Today you visit Wies Church, proclaimed
as a World Heritage site. You then view
perhaps the most famous castle in
Bavaria - Neuschwanstein - with its
turrets and pinnacles. Continuing on the
scenic route, you traverse southern
Germany, skirting the northern shores of
Lake Constance to the Rhine Falls,
Europe's most powerful waterfall.
You then proceed to the
mysterious Black Forest - setting of
legends and stories of yore! Don't
forget to shop for authentic cuckoo
clocks, Hummels, and wood carvings!
(B)
Day 9: Black Forest - Chateau
deChillon, Lake Geneva, Switzerland -
Zermatt
Today enjoy a visit to the Chateau de
Chillon, beautifully situated on Lake
Geneva. Your travels continue through
the wine-growing region of the Rhone
Valley before beginning the ascent into
the fabulous Swiss Alps. Upon arrival in
Tasch, board a local train for the short
ride to the spectacular Alpine village
of Zermatt. (B, D)
Day 10: Zermatt
Begin your day with an orientation tour
of the village. The balance of the day
is at leisure to explore this charming
village, savor pastries at a local café
or just relax. (B)
Day 11: Zermatt -Lucerne - Bern
This morning travel to the beautiful
medieval city of Lucerne, the "Swiss
Paradise on the Lake". Enjoy a
leisurely-paced Alstadt (Old Town)
walking tour exploring the hidden
treasures of the city. In addition to
its natural charm and tranquility,
Lucerne has more than 800 years of
history. Explore such medieval
treasures as the covered Chapel Bridge
(1833); the famous Water Tower which has
served as a prison, watchtower and
treasury; the Renaissance-style Town
Hall; the baroque Jesuit Church; and the
Lion Monument, carved from natural rock
to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard.
This afternoon, travel to the Swiss
capital of Bern. (B)
Day 12: Bern
Today, explore delightful Bern on a
panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the
Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament), the
famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens, and
the gothic cathedral which dominates the
Old Town skyline. This evening, join
your fellow travelers in celebrating the
end of a marvelous trip with a farewell
dinner. (B, D)
Day 13: Bern - Tour Ends
(B)
|
| 13 days, 19 meals
|
Call for
Dates
|
Rates
starting at:
Double $3,749pp Land Only
|
For details contact:
Pam
Adair at:
1(216) 751-8301 or
1 (888) 878-8187.
|
|
Your Itinerary at a Glance
|
| Day 1:
|
Overnight Flight
|
| Day 2-3:
|
Hotel De France,
Vienna, Austria |
| Day 4-5:
|
Renaissance Hotel,
Salzburg, Austria |
| Day 6-7:
|
Oberammergau or
Garmisch-Partenkirchen |
| Day 8:
|
Hofgut Sternen,
Black Forest, Germany |
| Day 9-10:
|
Hotel Schweizerhof,
Zermatt, Switzerland |
| Day 11-12:
|
Hotel Bristol,
Bern, Switzerland |
| |
| *On some dates
alternate hotels may be used
|
|
