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What
a way to see the Passion Play! Begin
in Rome and then Assisi and Venice before
traversing the Alps in to southern Austria
and Salzburg. From here we continue to
the Passion Play. Afterwards, we
conclude with a night in Munich where
September visitors can enjoy the wonderful
Oktoberfest
Day 1 - DEPART USA - Today we depart home for
our connections to board our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet.
We will be served complementary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and
breakfast aloft.
Day 2 - ROME - Upon arrival in Rome, our
Unitours tour manager will meet us. On our way to our hotel we will take a
brief orientation tour of Rome and stop at the Cathedral of St Paul Outside the
Wall where we will celebrate Mass. Afterwards we will continue to our hotel for
dinner and overnight.
Wednesday Day 3 - ROME - This morning, we will make our
way to St. Peter's for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI if he is
residence. This afternoon, we continue our tour of the sights of Rome,
including the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly
most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses". Next we will visit the Basilica
of St. John Lateran and the Church of St. Clemens. We will return to our hotel
for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 - ROME - This morning, following Mass at
St. Peter's, we will see the treasures of the Vatican Museum. We will
marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and
the excavations under St. Peters. This afternoon, we will tour the sites of
Rome, including the Roman Fora passing the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum,
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We will conclude our day with a visit one of
the Catacombs, burial place of early Christians. We view the 2nd and 3rd
century fresco paintings. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 5 - ROME/ASSISI - This morning, we travel
north from Rome through the Umbrian countryside to Assisi. Our first stop will
be in the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and
the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion, where we celebrate
Mass. We will then proceed to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of
Saint Francis for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 - ASSISI/PADUA/MESTRE - This morning, we
visit the Basilica of St. Francesco with Mass at St. Francis' Tomb. We then
depart Assisi for our journey to Venice. On our scenic drive through this
beautiful countryside, we first stop is in Padua, including a tour of the
Basilica of St. Anthony and the largest bronze works of Donatello. Late
this afternoon, we arrive in Mestre for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - VENICE - One could drop names
forever here in Venice and still not complete the lists of famous people who
have added to the city's luster. The glories that are Venice have
attracted Byron, Goethe, Wagner, Shakespeare and now - you! Following
Mass in one of her beautiful churches, time is spent this morning walking the
sights of Venice: the splendid Piazza San Marco and the incredibly rich
Byzantine Basilica of San Marco. We will marvel at the intricate network
of elegant squares lined with stately Renaissance villas and palaces. This
afternoon, we experience a romantic gondola ride through the inner canals of
Venice. During the afternoon on the canals, we disembark to visit the
gothic Frari Church, housing beautiful paintings by Tintoretto, Titian and
Bellini. We cross the Grand Canal, returning to St. Mark's Square,
walking through the quaint narrow streets. Dinner and overnight at our
hotel.
Day 8 - VENICE/SALZURG - Full day drive from
Venice over the picturesque Italian and Austrian alps to Salzburg. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 - SALZBURG - This morning following Mass
at the Cathedral, we see the sites of Salzburg. Along the way, we visit
the Castle of Hellbrunn, Residenz Fountain and Tower, and enjoy the unusual
architecture, which lends much of the character and charm of the city. We
will see the colorful old section with narrow streets, the Bishop's Palace and
famous Getreidgasse with Mozart's birthplace before proceeding to Munich for
dinner and overnight.
Day 10 - SALZBURG/OBERAMMERGAU - This morning,
we will have a scenic drive on our way to Oberammergau. We will visit the
famous Neuschwanstein Castle and the Linderhof Castle, which were both built by
mad King Ludwig. We will stop at the Monastery in Ettal before continuing
to Oberammergau. We will check into our accommodations for dinner and
overnight.
Day 11 - OBERAMMERGAU/PASSION PLAY - Every 10
years this beautiful Bavarian village of craftsmen becomes world famous by
hosting a Passion Festival. After a black plague epidemic in 1634 that
miraculously was cut short, the inhabitants vowed to produce the festival. With
inner conviction the amateur actors, all from the village, will present again
the life and sufferings of Our Lord. The play shows the story of Christ's
Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the
resurrection and transfiguration. The structure of the play is living pictures
from the Old Testament and acted scenes from the New Testament. The Play
employs a large choir and orchestra. Our performance begins at 9:00 AM
and concludes at 5:30 PM following a three-hour lunch break. Afterwards,
we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight
Day 12 - MUNICH - This morning drive
North to Munich where our tour passes the University, St. Paul's Church, German
Museum, the 'Frauenkirche,' the Obelisk, Theatinir Church, Feldherrnhalle,
English Gardens, Schwabing Artists Colony, Buergerbrau Kellar, and concludes
with a visit to Nymphenburg Palace. The rest of the day is yours for
personal adventure, to shop or just relax. Dinner and overnight at the
hotel. (September Pilgrims can enjoy
Munich's famous Oktoberfest).
Day 13 - RETURN TO USA - Today we make our way
home with memories of a lifetime.
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