Oberammergau Passion Play 2020 with Highlights of Germany Tour – Sept 16th, 2020
Join us for the spectacular Passion Play 2020 in beautiful Oberammergau, Germany plus
enjoy an unforgettable tour of Germany!
A play of life and death, promised in a moment of mortal threat, and so began the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1633. In the midst of the horror of the 30 years’ war, the dreaded plague swept across Europe. High in the Bavarian Alps, the citizens of Oberammergau attempted to seal themselves off from the outside world. When a homesick young man sneaked into the village and brought the pestilence with him, 84 residents died within 3 weeks. In desperation, the town council made a solemn vow that if God would stop the plague, out of gratitude, they would present a play depicting the life and suffering of Christ for the duration of their existence. Miraculously, the plague took no more lives in the town. True to their word, the villagers performed their first play in 1634, and have continued to do so to this day.
The first Passion Play performance was held over the graves of the Black Death victims. This location was used until 1820. Not until 1820 was a stage constructed at the site of the present-day Passion Play Theater.
The Passion Play is performed every 10 years in the city of Oberammergau, Germany. The play takes place outdoors where the sky and mountains are the back drop. The tradition, maintained and experienced almost without interruption for over 380 years, of putting on the play about the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every ten years is regarded as the most important passion play in the world. A wonderful spectacle of pageantry. World renown for the costumes and music presentation. The year 2020 marks the 42nd time the story will be presented in Oberammergau. The play comprises spoken dramatic text, musical and choral accompaniment and tableaux vivants. The tableaux vivants are scenes from the Old Testament depicted for the audience by motionless actors accompanied by verbal description. These scenes are the basis for the relationship between the Old and New Testament, of the play. They include a scene of the brothers selling Joseph into slavery in Egypt, and Moses raising up the bronze serpent in the wilderness. The remainder of the performance is a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Christ: the trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
We took a group to the 2010 performance and I can truly state that it was a remarkable experience. I look forward to the 2020 performance!!! Don’t miss it – it won’t be presented again until 2030!
Join our exciting adventure to see the Best of Germany and witness the stunning Passion Play in Oberammergau.
In addition to the Passion Play, enjoy visiting the major cities in Germany, take a morning cruise on the Rhine River, past medieval castles and terraced vineyards. See the fairy-tale town of Hamelin, historic Berlin and Nuremberg, tour one of my favorite towns, Rothenburg. Tour the famous Black Forest region and beautiful Heidelberg. All of this and much more!
DAY 1
ARRIVE FRANKFURT
Welcome to Frankfurt. After check-in this afternoon your Travel Director takes you on an orientation of the city’s dynamic financial centre and medieval Römerplatz. Tonight join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception including a light meal and welcome drink.
DAY 2
FRANKFURT – RHINE CRUISE – COLOGNE – DÜSSELDORF
This morning see the site of the famous Lorelei Rock and cruise along the mighty River Rhine past medieval castles and terraced vineyards. Stop to experience a unique Be My Guest lunch at an atmospheric castle above the river. After lunch, continue north along the Rhine Valley before arriving in Cologne, Germany’s fourth largest city. View the impressive Gothic cathedral during your orientation of the city.
DAY 3
DÜSSELDORF – HAMELIN – HAMBURG
Drive through Lower Saxony and stop in Hamelin en route to Hamburg. Hamelin is a picturesque town of fairytale fame and is immortalised in poems by Goethe and Robert Browning. Later in Hamburg see the main sights during your orientation tour. Consider a guided cruise along the city’s water ways and discover why Hamburg is called Germany’s ‘Gateway to the World’.
DAY 4
HAMBURG – BERLIN SIGHTSEEING (2 NIGHTS)
Follow the valley of the River Elbe from Hamburg, across the former ‘Iron Curtain’ to the historic city of Berlin, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon marvel at the landmarks of the old East and West sections of Berlin during your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. See the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden and the Reichstag Building which were all major points of focus in 1990 during the reunification of East and West Germany. Also see the Tiergarten and Kurfürstendamm famous for its shopping and entertainment.
DAY 5
BERLIN SIGHTSEEING
This morning enjoy a Cultural Insight experience with fantastic 360° views of the city from the Berlin TV Tower. Spend the rest of your day as you wish – shopping, exploring, touring.
DAY 6
BERLIN – DRESDEN
A short drive south brings you to Dresden – known as ‘Florence on the Elbe’. See the highlights of this astonishing Baroque city including the Opera House and Zwinger Palace.
DAY 7
DRESDEN – MÖDLAREUTH – NUREMBERG
Visit the Mödlareuth Open Air museum for an insight into ‘divided Germany’. See the differences between East and West Germany as well as parts of the original Iron Curtain. Later arrive in Nuremberg, where you see mighty ramparts and St. Sebald’s Cathedral on your orientation tour of the city.
DAY 8
NUREMBERG – ROTHENBURG – OBERAMMERGAU (2 NIGHTS)
Your Travel Director takes you on an orientation walk of Rothenburg, perhaps the most well-preserved medieval town in Germany. Sights include half-timbered houses and the Old Town Hall. Shop for wooden Christmas ornaments before following parts of the Romantic Road through picturesque villages and pristine countryside to the town of Oberammergau nestled in the Bavarian Alps. Dine at your hotel tonight.
DAY 9
OBERAMMERGAU (PASSION PLAY PERFORMANCE)
Enjoy the unique atmosphere in town before taking your premium seat for an inspired and moving performance of the Passion Play this afternoon. Dine at a local restaurant this evening before experiencing the captivating second half of this unique event as night falls.
DAY 10
OBERAMMERGAU – NEUSCHWANSTEIN – BLACK FOREST
This morning we step into the fairytale land of King Ludwig II with an included visit to Neuschwanstein castle. Continue through the hills and past lakes as you admire the scenery on your way to the Black Forest.
DAY 11
BLACK FOREST – HEIDELBERG – FRANKFURT
This morning enjoy a Cultural Insight when you learn how the famous cuckoo clocks are made during a demonstration of the craft. A scenic drive brings you to the famous university town of Heidelberg built alongside the picturesque River Neckar. View Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps, as well as the Baroque style Old Town. Enjoy some free time for souvenir shopping before continuing on to Frankfurt. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your travel companions as you celebrate the highlights of your trip.
DAY 12
DEPART FRANKFURT
This morning, say ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to your Travel Director and travelling companions as your memorable holiday comes to an end
Price $3775 per person /double occupancy
Does not include airfare
