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14 Day
Grand Europe Tour
May 14-27, May 21-June 3, June 4-17,
June 18-July 1, July 9-22, August 6-19,
September 3-16,
September 17-30, 2010
Projected Dates, will be confirmed
Summer 2008
Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of
the group
Day 1: Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.
Day 2: Arrive Munich - Oberammergau (2 Night)
This morning we arrive in Munich and depart for the Germany countryside.
We make our way south to the charming town of Oberammergau, site of our
Passion Play tomorrow.
Day 3: Passion
Play
Today is dedicated to the Oberammergau, site of the famous Passion Play
and magnificently painted houses. This play, hundreds of years old has
lasted throughout time. We enjoy the lengthy program, spending the
evening near by in one of the lovely housing locations available.
Day
4: Neuschwanstein - Rothensburg - Wurzsburg (2 Night)
Continuing our touring today, we stop at the Rococo-style chapel in the
Meadow and Ludwig II’s most luxurious former residence, the
Neuschwanstein Castle. We continue our travels with a stop at medieval
Rothensburg. The best preserved medieval town in all of Europe,
Rothensburg is a delightful day as we visit the quaint Rathaus (town
hall) with its tower, the Kriminal-museum, housing all manner of
Medieval instruments of torture and especially for the ladies, one of
the most fascinating Christmas stores you will ever see - Kathe's
(pronounced Katie's). After lunch we continue our trek north through the
fertile countryside of Southern Germany to Wurzburg. We check into our
hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Day Trip
to Heidelburg & Worms
This morning we travel on to one of the most charming cities in all of
the world - Heidelberg, ancient capital of the Palatinate and home of
Germany's oldest university. But most importantly, it was a stronghold
of German Reformed Protestants beginning in 1560. One of the great
confessional statements of the Reformation, the Heidelberg Catechism was
produced here in 1563. Heidelberg Castle, a most impressive historic
landmark of Germany, stands majestically overlooking the Neckar River.
The structure, now largely in ruins, preserves numerous examples of
Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque German architecture. Our next stop is
in Worms. It was here, during the
Imperial Diet
in 1521, that Martin Luther challenged the entire Roman Catholic
establishment by his refusal to recant the great doctrines of
Protestantism. It was also here that
William Tyndale
completed the printing of his English version of the New Testament in
1525 which he had begun in Cologne. After seeing St. Peter's Church and
the symbolic Luther memorial near the town square, we will return to our
lodging for dinner and the evening in Wurzburg.
Day 6: Wurzburg - Coburg -Eisenach - Erfurt (1
Night)
Wasting no time today we immediately set out through scenic Thuringer
Wald to view the fortress of Coburg know as Veste, the place of Luther's
imprisonment in 1530. Next we visit Eisenach, birthplace of Johann
Sebastian Bach. It was here at the formidable Wartburg Castle that
Luther, under "house arrest", translated the New Testament into the
German language in 1523. We end out day in Erfurt for dinner and
overnight
Day 7: Erfurt -Eiselben
- Berlin (2 Nights)
This morning we spend time in Erfurt, where Luther attended the
university. A highlight will be the Augustinian Monastery where he spent
his early years as a monk. Leaving Erfurt we visit Eisenben which is
noted among the most significant in Luther's history; he was born here
in 1483 and died here in 1546 and old manuscripts indicate that he felt
a special affinity to Eisenben. We will see the house of his birth and
death, St. Andrews Church where he preached his last sermon, the Luther
Monument, and St. Anne's Church with the famous Biblical scenes hewn in
stone and many other sites. We continue to Berlin for dinner and
overnight.
Day 8: Day Trip
to Wittenberg
We continue the Reformation Trail today with a visit to Wittenberg where
Martin Luther
lived and taught for 36 years. You will see the
Castle Church
door where Luther posted his
95 Theses,
giving birth to the Reformation. This beautiful church is also the
burial site of Luther. We see the university where Luther taught and
the Luther House which is the greatest museum of Reformation History in
the world. This afternoon we return to the beautiful city of Leipzig,
Bach's city, and a visit to St. Thomas Church where Bach was choir
master and organist. We return to Berlin for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Berlin - Dresden - Prague (2 Night)
This morning we depart Southwest for the border of Germany and the
Czech Republic. Before arriving at the border we stop for free time in
Dresden. One of Germany’s most beautiful cities, Dresden was virtually
destroyed during the night of 13/14 February 1945, when Allied Forces
mounted a vast carpet-bombing raid on the city. We have free time in the
city center where meticulous restoration work is in progress to return
the city centre to its former glory. We have lunch and free time before
traveling south to Prague. After hotel check-in and dinner, enjoy an
independent evening walking tour of this beautiful city which is even
more impressive by night; all of the buildings are illuminated and
appear to be out of a movie set. Walk across the St. Charles Bridge for
a view of the city from a unique angle. It is not surprising to learn
that Prague was the major filming site for the movie, "Amadeus".
Day 10: Prague
This morning we take a nice introductory tour of Prague including
the Old Town. This afternoon is at leisure for independent sightseeing
and shopping before Dinner on your own. Following our dinner we enjoy an
Evening River Cruise pointing out the famous sights along Prague’s river
front.
Day 11: Prague –
Budapest (1 night)
We depart Prague this morning and travel south stopping in Bratislava on
the way. We then arrive in at capital of Hungary; Budapest also named
‘Paris of the East’, where the remainder of the day will be yours at
leisure to explore the city or just relax in your hotel.
Day 12: Budapest – Vienna (2 Nights)
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former
cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Our
morning sightseeing tour includes visit to Castle Hill area, Royal
Palace to visit the Budapest History Museum, then the Fisherman’s
Bastion, a Medieval Castle whose walls were guarded by the guild of
fishermen. In the afternoon we make our way west entering Austria to the
Musical Capital of Vienna. Upon our arrival in Vienna we are transported
into the heart of the Hofburg Dynesty.
Day 13: Vienna
This morning following breakfast we visit one of Europe’s most
renowned cathedrals, St Stephens. We then have a panoramic city tour
viewing Vienna’s most famous historic sights including the Ringstrabe,
with its magnificent buildings, the State Opera House, Parliament, etc.
We then visit Hofburg Palace, residence of the Hapsburgs and home of the
famous Spanish Riding School. The highlight of touring today will be a
visit to Schöenbrunn Palace and the royal apartments. We then have a
final farewell dinner in a local Vienna restaurant.
Day 14: Depart for home
We have an early morning departure from Vienna arriving home the
same day.
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Approximate Price Per Person
(double occupancy):
Pricing confirmed Summer 2008
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Dates |
Approximate Land &
Air |
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East Coast |
Central |
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West Coast |
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May, September,
October |
$4844.00 |
$4947.00 |
$5017.00 |
$5087.00 |
$5156.00 |
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June, July,
August |
$5331.00 |
$5435.00 |
$5504.00 |
$5572.00 |
$5644.00 |
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Limited Space - Reserve Today:
Pilgrim Tours 800.322.0788
Reservation Form
Pilgrim Policies
Insurance Info
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Price Includes:
Roundtrip airfare
from JFK (discount airfare available nationwide), air taxes
(subject to change until ticketed), Superior Tourist Class
accommodations, breakfast daily, 12 dinners, Passion Play tickets (Including housing,
breakfast, lunch & dinner, admission ticket to the Oberammergau Museum, playbook), Luggage handling in hotels
(1 piece per person), Expert Guide throughout, All guides,
entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary, modern
transportation.
Not Included:
Gratuities, lunches,
optional travel
insurance
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