Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group

Day 1: Depart USA
Overnight flight to Rome.
 
Day 2: Arrive Rome
We arrive at the Rome airport where meet our tour manager. Those arriving this morning will enjoy a stop at the ruins of Ostia Antica, which provides an idea of life in classical times. You will also see the Ostian Gate, today called the Gate of St. Paul, before arriving at the hotel for check in and some relaxation time before dinner. 

Day 3: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter Basilica, Scala Santa
After breakfast you will begin a full day of site seeing. First visit Vatican City where you will see the Basilica at St. Peter, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums with stunning works of art at every turn. After some free time for lunch, you will visit the 4th century Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the traditional site of Paul’s tomb, and the Scala Santa, where Martin Luther made his stand against the practice of indulgences. This fascinating museum houses the Steps from Pilot's Judgment Hall in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of Constantine. The practice today is to climb the steps on your knees, stopping to pray on each step.   Additional sights include the Arches of Constantine and Titus, Circus Maximus and the beautiful marble monument called the Wedding Cake.
 
Day 4:  Forum, Mamertine Prison, Coliseum, Catacombs
We begin our walking tour at the ancient Roman Forum, where our guide will divulge its secrets. We will visit the Arch of Titus which commemorated the sack of Jerusalem by Titus in AD 70.  We will step inside the Mamertine Prison, where tradition says the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. The Roman church would say that Peter was imprisoned here as well, but there is no imperial evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. Next, we visit the Coliseum, where thousands of people and animals perished during gladiatorial games. The Coliseum first opened in AD 80 and within 100 days of its opening, 5000 wild beasts perished here. The slaughter of both humans and animals continued for three more centuries. Historians believe the Coliseum could hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on how close the seating was. The floor has recently had a plank placed over the middle making it accessible for people to walk over the labyrinth of brick cells, ramps, and elevators used to transport animals and gladiators into the arena. Hear the stories of the games that have fascinated people for years. We conclude our day at the Catacombs where thousands of Christians were buried in a remarkable tiered series of galleries. 

Day 5: Frescoes, Assisi, Montecatini
After breakfast you will say “Arrivederci Roma” and board your coach and travel through scenic Umbria to the ancient walled hillside village of Assisi. After lunch on your own, you will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful, medieval town, which will include the Basilica San Francesco, decorated with some of the most renowned frescoes in the world. This afternoon, we travel on to the spa village of Montecatini Terme, our place of lodging for the next two nights in the heart of Tuscany.

Day 6: Beautiful Florence, Michelangelo’s David & Free Time
After breakfast, you will spend the morning enjoying a guided tour of Florence, one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals, which will include the Piazza della Signoria, Duomo, Baptistry and a visit to the Accademia Galley, home of Michelangelo’s David. A stop will also be made on the hillside overlook across the river from Florence where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful red-tiled roof cityscape. This afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy shopping, visiting more galleries or strolling on the famous Pont Vecchio, the old bridge which spans the Arno River. Remember that Florence leather shops are the best in the world and bargains on excellent quality goods are abundant. It may be the time to purchase those special Christmas gifts.

Day 7: Pisa & Verona
We begin our day with a tour of Pisa where you will visit the Baptistry, Duomo and the famous leaning tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli, followed by free time for lunch. This afternoon, we travel northward through colorful Tuscan countryside, past Bologna and on to romantic Verona, medieval setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Day trip to Venice
Start morning sightseeing in style as your guide takes you by private boat along the Giudecca canal to meet your resident expert. Highlights of your walking tour are St. Mark’s Square and the Byzantine splendor of St. Mark’s Basilica, lavish Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Afterwards enjoy Venice at your own pace, or join an optional gondola ride. Tonight is your chance to sample the city’s fine restaurants with dinner on your own, before returning to Verona.

Day 9: Verona, Innsbruck
This morning we depart and head north, towards the towering alps. Take a picture of the ski-jump at Cortina, Italy’s skiing and mountaineering center beneath the jagged limestone towers of the Dolomites, enroute to Brenner Pass, the spectacular road across the mighty barrier of the Tyrolean Alps. We arrive in Innsbruck, capital of Austrian Tyrol. We are free this afternoon for shopping through the quaint medieval lanes and enjoying dinner at our hotel. 

Day 10: Innsbruck Walking Tour, Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau
A walking tour today will include the Triumphal Arch commemorating the wedding of the Duke of Tuscany, Saint Anna’s Column and Swarovski Kristallwelten, a wonderland of crystal works of art by artists past and present. This afternoon we stop at the Rococo-style chapel in the Meadow and Ludwig II’s most luxurious former residence, the Neuschwanstein Castle. We continue to the charming town of Oberammergau, site of our Passion Play tomorrow.

Day 11: Oberammergau Performance
Your morning is free to enjoy the delightful village of Oberammergau with outstanding opportunities for photos and shopping. Lunch is provided by the Oberammergau Committee. This afternoon and evening we enjoy the Passion Play production. The play depicts the story of Christ's Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the resurrection and transfiguration, a moving and spectacular experience. Each performance starts at 2:30 pm and ends approximately 10:30 pm, with a three-hour dinner break/intermission from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Day 12: Augsburg, Romantic Road, Rothenburg, Wurzsburg
This morning, we travel north to the ancient city of Augsburg. It was here in 1518 at St. Anne's Church that Luther met the papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan, who demanded that Luther submit to the pope. Augsburg was also the site of another Imperial Diet (1530).
Early this afternoon we stop along the panoramic "Romantic Road" and visit the best preserved medieval town in all of Europe, Rothenburg. We include 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 free time, our trek north through the fertile countryside brings us to Wurzburg, for dinner and overnight

Day 13: Heidelburg, Worms, Frankfurt
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 Frankfurt.

Day 14: Coburg, Eisenach,  Erfurt  
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 15: Erfurt, Eiselben, Berlin
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 16: 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 17: Berlin - Dresden - Prague
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 18: 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 19: Prague – Budapest
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 20: Budapest – Vienna
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 Dynasty.

Day 21:  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 22: Depart for home
We have an early morning departure from Vienna arriving home the same day.

Price Per Person (double occupancy):   Departure Dates Approximate Air Cost Land Package May September Call For Prices $5,444.00 $5,494.00 Limited Space - Reserve Today: Pilgrim Tours     800.322.0788 Printable Reservation Form               Secure Credit Card  Click Here Payment Schedule & Policies        Insurance Information

Single Supplement - $900 (limited basis at some properties) Call for availability. Price Includes: Tourist class and moderate first class accommodations, breakfast daily, 12 dinners, Passion Play tickets (Including play tickets, housing, breakfast, lunch & dinner, admission ticket to the Oberammergau Museum, playbook), Luggage handling in hotels (1 piece per person), expert guide throughout, entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary, modern transportation. Oberammergau Hotel Choices: Hotels will be assigned on a space available basis. Special upgrade tickets may be available. Please contact Pilgrim Tours for details. Hotel Angerbrau, Murnau  (Package Price)  www.angerbraeu.de/index.html Dates still available: May 6 (Category 1 Seating) Hotel Rheinischer Hof, Garmisch (Package Price)  http://www.rheinischerhof-garmisch.de/sp_e/index.html Dates still available: September 9 (Category 1 Seating) Schilcherhof, Oberammergau ($130 less)  www.hotel-schilcherhof.de/en/index-en.htm Dates still available: May 6 (Category 2 Seating) Das Johannesbad, Bad Kohlgrub ($140 additional)   www.johannesbad-schober.de/ Dates still available: September 9 (Category 1A Seating)   Not Included: Gratuities, meals not listed, airfare, optional travel insurance. Special rates for airfare will be available 10-11 months prior to departure.