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17 Day
Italy & Germany Tour
May 6-22, September 9-25, 2010
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 Austiran 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: 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 14: 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 15: 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 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: Depart for home
We have an early morning departure from Berlin arriving home the
same day.
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Single Supplement - $750 (limited basis at some properties)
Call for availability.
Price Includes:
Tourist class and moderate first class
accommodations,
breakfast daily, 9 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: July 1,
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.
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