Religious Group Travel Ideas by Premier Travel Media

AUGUST 2009

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contents Vol.19, No. 4

August 2009

CYPRUS

JORDAN RIVER

SPECIAL

RELIGIOUS COVERAGE KEEP THE FAITH An inspirational travel planner

Plunging into the Religious Market by kevin wright

The Glories of Israel

12 Sunny Cyprus

by john kloster

16 Religious News 22 World Religious Travel Expo 26 2010 Oberammergau Tours

7 ON THE COVER: Agios Iraklidios Convent, Lefkosia, Cyprus Photo courtesy of Cyprus Tourism Organization

Return your Reader Service Card by September 15 and be eligible. See inside back cover for details!

Limmat river, Zürich

Switzerland’s Heritage. www.reformationtours.com

Geneva.

Zürich.

Geneva, home to deep Calvinist

Zürich made its most significant

roots and the Lake Geneva Re-

mark on Christian History in the

gion, celebrates John Calvin’s

early 16th century. Here,

500 year anniversary this year.

Huldrych Zwingli, was the father

Geneva is home to the only Re-

of the Swiss Reformation. The

formation Museum in

St.Peters Church was a

Switzerland and continues its

landmark in Swiss Reformation

role as a leader among

History and the Anabaptist

Reformed Churches and serves

caves outside of Zürich remain a

as base for the World Council of

souvenir of the Anabaptist be-

Churches.

lievers in the area.

Lucerne and Lake Lucerne

Ticino.

Region.

Visit the sunshine canton in the

Lucerne enjoys the distinction of

Italian speaking part of Switzer-

being the only Swiss town that

land. The sanctuary of Madonna

began as a monastery. Switzer-

del Sasso above Locarno is the

land’s only born saint “Brother

most famous place of pilgrimage

Klaus” family house and chapel

in this area. Visit the historic

of the 15th century can be visit-

center of Bellinzona, take part at

ed near Lucerne. The black

the traditional Easter procession

Madonna in the Abbey of

in Mendrisio and enjoy the gas-

Einsiedeln marks as the most

tronomy of the Ticino under

visited pilgrimage site in

palm trees in Lugano.

Switzerland.

For information please visit MySwitzerland.com/heritage. For bookings please call Reformation Tours at 1-800-303-5534.

For more information please visit MySwitzerland.com/upscale

on my mind ❖

jeff gayduk

I’M PROUD TO UNVEIL this new digital edition of Leisure Group Travel magazine, custom-designed for the religious travel marketplace. Leisure Group Travel has been a staunch supporter of the religious travel movement dating back to 2003 when we first created editorial content on the unique needs of religious groups. Today, that commitment is stronger than ever, and this 100-page publication is proof positive. This publication takes you and your group on journeys to Cyprus and Israel, two countries steeped in religion and top destinations for faith-based groups. We also lend insider knowledge from one of the leaders in the field, with an editorial from Kevin

John Kloster

Dedicated to the Religious Travel Market

The art and architecture of ancient churches enthrall visitors to Cyprus.

entire section of the magazine to display itineraries from leading tour operators worldwide that have packaged the Pas-

Leisure Group Travel has been a staunch supporter of religious travel since 2003, and our commitment today is stronger than ever. Wright, founder of the World Religious Travel Association. Along the way, we provide news and inspiration with market updates on faith-based attractions and destinations and provide a sneak preview of the 2nd annual World Religious Travel Expo, an event Leisure Group Travel magazine helps sponsor. The Oberammergau Passion Play is a once-in-lifetime experience many faithbased groups have their eye on attending in 2010. We have dedicated an 4 August 2009

sion Play for groups. There’s a wide variety of tours presented, covering the entire European landscape at various budget points. If you haven’t made your arrangements to attend the Passion Play, now is the time! Additionally, I am proud to announce that we are launching a dedicated e-magazine for religious planners, InSite on Religious Travel. Starting this fall, InSite will be delivered to your email box each month with a variety of

destination stories, tour operator specials, and inspiring commentary from travel industry leaders. We hope that this monthly communication will be a source of inspiration to you as you plan your trips, and that it is a complement to our Religious Travel Directory web site. If you would like to see a sneak peak of InSite, visit http://insite.religioustraveldirectory.com, where we already have a host of stories and news items online. I would enjoy hearing from you with any thoughts as to how we can better help you in your quest to build community and togetherness through the power of group travel. Sincerely,

Jeff Gayduk, Publisher Jeff@ptmgroups.com LeisureGroupTravel.com

on religious travel ❖

kevin j. wright

Make 2010 Your Best Year in Faith Tourism ARE YOU READY TO make 2010 your best year ever? And are you ready to make 2010 the best year you’ve ever had in faith tourism? If your answer is a resounding “Yes,” then read on. By making a commitment to make 2010 your best year ever in religious travel and hospitality, you are adopting a “proactive” approach versus a “reactive” way of thinking. This is often the difference between those who succeed and those who succumb to ongoing challenges. Following are eight ideas that will help any tourism organization, travel professional or group planner make it a banner year for faith tourism:

Research and learn about today’s religious market. There’s no better way to prepare for your best year yet in faith tourism than by spending time studying the industry and understanding its structure and opportunities. Fortunately, many more educational resources on religious travel and hospitality are becoming available.

for 2010 in regards to your entrance or expansion into faith tourism. If you’re a group planner, take time to put together a comprehensive travel plan, focused especially on how you will enrich your program through faith tourism.

Establish a support team around your faith tourism program. If you’re a tourism organization or travel company, dedicate personnel to develop your religious travel market and clientele; there’s no better way to experience success in this market than with specialists. If you’re a group planner, build a

strong support structure around you, including a solid team of suppliers and travel wholesalers.

6 August 2009

Celebrate and build upon your success. By following the steps above, you’ll be well poised to experience your best year in faith tourism.

and mission trips to leisure vacations.

Make a commitment to expand your presence in religious travel. Once you’ve studied the faith tourism market, the next step is to make a committed decision to expand your presence in this industry. Doing so will act as the turning point in making 2010 your best faith tourism year yet. Put together a faith tourism plan. Success always begins first with an idea followed by a plan. If you’re a travel professional, put together a business plan

Execute and implement your faith tourism plan. Once you’ve laid the foundation of your success by following points one through six above, it’s then time to execute and implement your faith tourism plan. This is where most of your time will be spent in 2010.

Faith-based travel ranges from pilgrimages

Diversify your religious travel products. Instead of offering only one type of travel to your clients or members, consider supplying a wideranging portfolio of experiences such as pilgrimages, cruises, mission trips, leisure vacations, volunteer vacations, conventions/meetings, weekend getaways and adventure travel. This is what today’s faith-based travelers want – and expect.

groups. For this reason, it is important to reach out to all ages.

Cater your religious travel products to all ages. By studying today’s market, you will quickly learn that modern-day faith travelers come from all age

And as you reach your goals, remember to take time out and celebrate. Above all, continue to build upon each success; by doing so, you can expect to experience sustained growth year after year. You now have your “marching orders” for making 2010 your best year ever in faith tourism. So important is this goal that this year’s World Religious Travel Expo, hosted by the World Religious Travel Association, has been themed “Make 2010 Your Best Year in Faith Tourism.” I commend you for accepting my challenge, and I look forward to hearing about your 2010 success stories in faith tourism. Kevin J. Wright is the president of the World Religious Travel Association. Contact: 888255-9782, kwright@wrtareligioustravel.com, wrtareligioustravel.com. LeisureGroupTravel.com

the glories of

israel Groups tap the roots of their faith in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Church of All Nations, Jerusalem

hen your group takes a journey to the Holy Land, they will witness the places most sacred to their faith, learn more about the stories they hold closest to their hearts, and experience the culture of the communities where their belief was born. In addition to tracing the Stations of the Cross by day, they can watch an Israeli folklore show with dinner. They’ll visit the sites of miracles, like Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, as well as places of unique pleasures like floating on the incredibly buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. Israel is a place to venture into the secret underground passageways of Crusader City, to float across the Sea of Galilee, and to witness the breathtaking view of the Holy City upon entering

Jerusalem. It’s a place to get adventurous by exploring the diverse Mediterranean influences in the local cuisine, or by simply enjoying a falafel from a street vendor while strolling ancient stone streets.

A LucrAtive MArket Menlo studies have revealed that Israel is the most desirable religious vacation destination and that within the next five years, nearly 16 million Americans are planning to take a Religious/Faith-Based Vacation. This is an excellent opportunity for group travel. And since 4 out of 5 religious travelers intend to repeat the experience and Globus vacations have a 97% satisfaction rating, sending your groups on Globus Religious Vacation means repeat business for you! For many, the footsteps of faith are a serious undertaking, and we make sure

to provide a staff with extensive knowledge, interest, and experience in religious travel. Itineraries have been carefully chosen and refined so that travelers can comfortably explore all of the places they hold dear. And when your group undertakes such an important pilgrimage, we want to make sure they enjoy their experience. Travelers to the Holy Land have an unparalleled opportunity to develop fellowship with their traveling companions. By sharing these mutual interests, Faith-Based Travelers often build friendships—and vacation partnerships—that last a lifetime. But you don’t have to take our word for it—this travelogue from a Globus traveler who just returned home from the “Journey Through the Holy Land” vacation speaks volumes.

Bring the world’s most

The Wailing Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem 8 August 2009

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DAy 1 Yesterday we arrived in Tel Aviv. We got to meet our Tour Director and everyone in the group, which we loved because everybody is so excited. We began the day in Caesarea, where we saw Herod’s fortress. Our Tour Director said that the engraved rock is believed to be from Pontius Pilate. He also said that the term Armageddon was derived from the battlefield we saw in Meggido. It was nice to find a change of pace when we passed through Baron Edmond de Rothschild’s vineyards on the way to Muhraqa. We spent the night in the port town Haifa.

A Haifa highlight: Baha’i Shrine, world center of Baha’i faith

DAy 2 Wow! What a way to wake up—staring at the Baha’i Shrine. We got to look upon the glorious dome and the perfectly manicured gardens from above and below. After that we explored the Crusader Kingdom. The hallways and secret passageways of the underground Crusader City are just amazing. I felt privy to something special I never could have imagined. The huge columns are engraved with beautiful French fleur-de-lys and Turkish decorations. In the courtyard, the citadel walls are almost 100 feet high! But that was only the beginning. Nazareth felt like the place the Bible really comes to life. It was fascinating to see how small and simple the ancient homes were. Then we headed to Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. And to top it all off, we went for a swim in the lake at Kibbutz Ginosaur before dinner.

powerful stories to life. DAy 3 Today started at the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. I think everyone felt inspired after that. Our Tour Director led us on an in-depth exploration of the places Jesus preached—first the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes and then Capernaum, where Jesus recruited his first followers. The little details he included in the stories about these places were illuminating. Our cruise on the Sea of Galilee was such a fun shared experience, and gave us a much different view of the landscape and the culture where our faith began. It was a joy to find ourselves on the same sea where Jesus walked on water. After we examined some Roman and Byzantine relics in Bet She’an, we entered the Holy City—and what a view!

DAy 4 The morning began in Ein Karem to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of Visitation, which our Tour Director said is reputed to be built over the home of John the Baptist’s parents. But visiting Bethlehem was the biggest wow moment for me. Seeing that the place Jesus was born is now an underground cave, I just got goosebumps. We also visited Shepherd’s Field, the lovely site where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. On our return to Jerusalem, we examined amazing treasures from the Second Temple Period in the Jerusalem Archaeological Park. In the evening, we enjoyed an Israeli folklore show with dinner. So much fun! LeisureGroupTravel.com

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Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem August 2009 9

DAy 5 We may be at the lowest point on Earth at the Dead Sea, but you’d never know it by our first venture of the day. We ascended in a cable car to the spectacular hilltop fortress of Masada. We could see across the sea all the way to Jordan. The schedule worked out perfectly today—we were ready for a more relaxing day, and our group headed to a really comfortable Dead Sea resort. I had heard about floating on the Dead Sea, but never guessed how cool it would be. I floated sitting up! It was such a unique experience, I recommend it to anyone. We were all smiles as we made our way back to Jerusalem.

DAy 6 We could see the Old City and the modern parts of Jerusalem this morning from the Mount of Olives. Then we began a walking tour: the Rock of Agony, where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest; the Cave of the Assumption of Mary and the Cave of Betrayal; and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, erected over the site of the crucifixion. When I saw the slab of marble where Jesus’ body was cleansed after crucifixion, it was a very emotional moment. I left a photo of my husband and son there. We visited the Wailing Wall afterward, which was extremely powerful because you witness so many Jewish traditions and everyone is so devout. You’re there to have a religious experience. The day concluded at the House of Caiaphas, where Jesus was kept the night after he was arrested. This was definitely one of the most emotional days of my life.

St. Catherine’s Church in Bethlehem, where the midnight Mass is held on Christmas for world leaders

"This was definitely one of the most emotional days of my life." DAy 7 Today was a day at leisure, so we took the time to explore. Our Tour Director recommended visiting the Israel Museum, where we saw the Shrine of the Book, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Bible in the world, and a model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period. We truly appreciated the day at leisure in Jerusalem. We wandered the stone streets of the Old City and checked out the Turkish markets. We ate some Hungarian goulash and delicious vegetable kabobs. And we got to see the sunlight shine through the Chagall windows, which was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. We decided to end the afternoon at the Holocaust Museum, which was incredibly moving.

DAy 8 We were excited to rejoin the group this morning! We followed a winding road to the land of the Philistines, including the legendary Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath. Our Tour Director shared stories that gave the famous story a whole new context. We also visited the Monastery of the Trappist Monks in Latrun and stopped near the ruins of the basilica said to be the site of Emmaus, where Jesus manifested himself to two disciples. But this day was mainly memorable because our journey was coming to an end. Exploring the places where all the stories behind our faith happened really made me appreciate our fellow travelers. There’s a truly special bond you form when traveling with others who share your faith. By the farewell dinner, we were all trading stories like old friends. 10 August 2009

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on location: international ❖

he island nation of Cyprus is nestled between Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The location helps explain the varied cultural and religious influences that have mixed here for over 10,000 years. It is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite and Adonis and was on the missionary routes of Paul and other apostles. At various times it was governed by Greece, the Byzantines, France, Venice, the Ottomans and finally England. The Ottomans held Cyprus for 300 years and turned the churches into mosques. In 1960 the country gained its independence and in 1974 was divided after the Turkish invasion, al-

Photos by John Kloster

john kloster

though the world only recognizes the government of the south. The lower two-thirds is ethnically Greek, and the northern area is controlled by Turkey. There’s a U.N. buffer zone along the peaceful border, and there are still two U.K. military bases. Leisure Group Travel had the chance to visit Cyprus this spring along with a small group of tour operators and travel agents who specialize in religious travel. We did not visit the Turkish-controlled area but did hit the tourism highlights of the south. We began with a flight from Athens into Larnaka, on the eastern end of the island. (City names have English, Greek and Turkish names and they’re usually not the same. For purposes of this article, we’re using the Greek name, as that’s

Sunny

CypruS Churches, monasteries and ancient ruins enchant groups touring this Mediterranean isle at the crossroads of three continents

Charming villages dot the countryside.

Kykkos Monastery, the most important in Cyprus, has a Byzantine museum.

12 August 2009

LeisureGroupTravel.com

The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates is a major archaeological site on Cyprus.

what you’d see when you were there.) St. Lazaros Church in Larnaka is built over the tomb of the friend of Christ who was raised from the dead. He was the first bishop of Larnaka and is its patron saint. Larnaka is also the home of Xenon, the founder of stoicism. From Larnaka it is a scenic 90-minute drive through fertile but arid fields along the south shore to the island’s west coast and Pafos, now the country’s No. 1 tourism area due to its beautiful beaches and local crafts. Pafos is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Petra tou Romiou is the site of the rocks in the sea from which she rose. Pafos itself is on the UNESCO list of cultural and natural world heritage treasures. Extensive detailed mosaics from the remains of Roman villas can be found in the Houses of Dionysus and Theseus. The mosaics depict the major figures of Greek mythology and show aspects of daily life at the time. Another popular tourist spot in Pafos is the Tomb of the Kings, so named not because kings are necessarily buried there but because the tombs are so impressive. Burial caves from the fourth century B.C. are carved into the rock and decorated with LeisureGroupTravel.com

columns and capitals. Visitors can walk through the rooms, many underground, to explore this vast site.

First Christian Country The apostle Paul visited Pafos in the first century, along with apostles Mark and Barnabas, a Cypriot, to preach Christianity. Chrysopolitissa Church was built over the ruins of the largest early basilica on the island. The compound contains many fragments of buildings and columns, including St. Paul’s Pillar. According to tradition, Paul was tied to the pillar and given 39 lashes as punishment for preaching

Christianity. Later the Roman governor was converted to Christianity and made Cyprus the first Christian country in the world. Our tour group also visited the impressive monastery founded by hermit St. Neophytos and the Engleistra, a structure carved into the face of the mountain and containing his remote living quarters. The final hub city is Lemesos on the south coast, Cyprus’ main industrial and shipping area and the second largest city in the country. Its port hosts many cruise ships. Richard the Lionhearted came here during a crusade and was married at Lemesos Castle in 1191. Kolossi Castle is on the outskirts of the city. Built in the 1300s by French crusaders who controlled Cyprus for 300 years, it was a center for the production of wine and sugar, an important export. The ruins of the city of Kourion are nearby. This once important city contains a Roman villa with large public baths, a swimming pool and stadium. Gladiator games were held at the large Greco-Roman amphitheater, which is used today for musical and theatrical performances. Many of the artifacts found here were stolen in the 1800s by the U.S. consul to Cyprus and today are at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in

A Cypriot Feast

unique aspect of Cypriot cuisine is the meze. This is a meal served family-style, offering a broad selection of dishes to be eaten in small portions, similar to Spanish tapas or small plates. It may include bread, hummus, yogurt, salads, olives, Cyprus’ famous halloumi cheese, calamari, fish, lamb, chicken and dessert. Cyprus coffee is served with the finely-ground coffee grounds still in the cup, so one only drinks the top half of the cup. After it’s gone, the grounds are dumped into the saucer and someone experienced in these things reads your future in them.

August 2009 13

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john kloster

Germany

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14 August 2009

on location: international ❖ New York. Not far away is the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, the woodland god, with its famous columns. Lemesos is a convenient base from which to spend a day or two exploring the Troodos Mountains and another in Lefkosia, each less than an hour away. Lefkosia, the capital since the 10th century, is the country’s largest city. The wall Venetians built around the city in 1522 still stands. Lefkosia today has a more modern wall, constructed in 1974 when the Turks took the northern part of the island, dividing the country and creating the only divided capital city in the world. U.N. soldiers man a buffer zone that cuts the city, although the border is open and one is free to travel between the two sectors as long as one has entered the Republic through one of the legal ports of entry. The Archbishop’s Palace is at Archbishop Kyprianos Square. Next door is the Cathedral of St. Ioannis the Evangelist with picturesque frescoes, including one that shows the discovery of St. Barnabas’ tomb on the east coast of the island. Also in this area is the Byzantine Museum with over 200 icons. A final stop in the capital is the Cyprus Archaeological Museum with antiquities ranging from the Neolithic age to the Byzantine period. Our trip to the Troodos Mountains,

a half hour northwest of Lemesos, began with a stop in the village of Panagia. It is the home of Archbishop Makarios, who was both the archbishop and first president of independent Cyprus. His home is open to tourists, and he is buried near Kykkos Monastery. We then traveled to a 4,000-foot elevation through snowy forests to the Monastery of Kykkos, the most important and lavish of the country’s monasteries. It has one of three icons attributed to St. Loukas the Evangelist, an icon of the Virgin Mary from the palace at Constantinople. Archbishop Makarios served as a novice monk here. The Troodos Mountains are home to Cyprus’ painted churches, 10 of which are on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, plus dozens of charming villages. (All the churches mentioned below are on that list.) The wine village of Omodos is home to the 800year-old Monastery of the Holy Cross, which has a cross with the only fragment of the robe from the Crucifixion. Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Church is a monastery complex that consists of three churches—Agios Herakleidios, Ionnis Lampadistis and a chapel—that share a single roof. Agios Herakleidios church, built in the 11th century and decorated with the arms of various Latin knights and noble Frankish families, is dedicated to the man who was baptized here by Paul and Barnabas. Cyprus offers an intriguing combination of religious history, ancient villages and seaside resorts. Travelers will find a beautiful country and a blend of sights found nowhere else. LGT

PLAN IT! Cyprus Tourism Organization: 212-685-5280, visitcyprus.com

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on religious travel ❖ Religious News BAPTISM SITE DRAWS CHRISTIANS TO JORDAN Bethany beyond the Jordan, the traditional biblical location near the banks of the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized, has been a hub of activity in 2009. For more than a decade, experts have unearthed ruins of early churches and the ancient settlement associated with John the Baptist, and now many Christian denominations have begun building new churches nearby to facilitate modern pilgrims in what has been called the birthplace of Christianity. In March, Baptist World Alliance officials, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammed of Jordan joined officials from around the world to dedicate the new

16 August 2009

Baptism Center. In May, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the cornerstones of two new Catholic churches being built. The Baptism Center and Catholic churches join the fully operational Greek Orthodox Church and others under construction. Several hundred thousand visitors came to the baptism site in 2008. In 2009, more Americans have visited the site than any other nationality. Once the new facilities are completed, officials are prepared to receive more than a million visitors a year. (877733-5673, visitjordan.com) TURIN, ITALY The Shroud of Turin will be on display for public viewing from April 10 to May 23, 2010 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The shroud, according to tradition, was Christ’s burial cloth and bears a full-length photonegative image of a crucified man, believed by many Christians to be Jesus Christ. Normally the church keeps the shroud behind bulletproof glass in a special chapel. A hermetically sealed casket made of space-age alloy preserves and conceals the shroud. The Pope must approve any removal for study or public display. Travelers have not had the chance to see the shroud since 2000. The shroud is expected to draw more than two million travelers to Italy’s Piemonte region. (sindone.org)

Churches are being built at Bethany beyond the Jordan, a new destination for Christian tour groups.

NEW JERUSALEM ATTRACTION The Time Elevator in Jerusalem is a new interactive experience that uses motion-based seating, panoramic screens and special effects in conjunction with a film. The film covers the 3,000-year history of Jerusalem, highlighting important events such as the Roman conquest, the birth of Christianity and the establishment of Israel. Seats move in six different directions and surround-sound headsets allow the show to be heard in English and seven other languages. (time-elevator-jerusalem.co.il). MOSAICS MUSEUM The Museum of the Good Samaritan, one of the world’s largest mosaics museums, just opened in the Judean Desert near Jerusalem. Located on the main highway between Jerusalem and Jericho, the museum is near the site of the inn mentioned in the New Testament’s parable of the Good Samaritan. LeisureGroupTravel.com

on religious travel ❖

Religious Briefs Continued It is identified with the biblical town of Ma’ale Adumim and displays mosaics and artifacts discovered throughout Israel. The museum features an open-air display of mosaics and archaeological findings from both Jewish and Samaritan synagogues and Christian churches, including cisterns and remnants from the reconstructed Good Samaritan Byzantine Church. (goisrael.com) CALIFORNIA ABBEY The Cistercian monks at the Abbey of New Clairvaux in Vina have undertaken the Sacred Stones Project, the reconstruction of an 800-year-old chapter house that was originally built in Ovila, Spain. The sacred stones that had once formed the Sacramento Valley monastery passed hands several times, and at one point, belonged to William Randolph Hearst before he sold them to the city of San Francisco. The stones were used for various purposes throughout the city, but were awarded to the Abbey of New Clairvaux after the monks spent years petitioning for them. Numerous craftsmen, most of them from Europe, have worked to meticulously restore each aspect of the chapter house, considered the most important room in the monastery. Three of the Gothic portals have been completed. Masons will erect eight columns 18 August 2009

that will support the massive arches of the chapter house’s vaulted ceiling. (530-839-2434, newclairvaux.org, sacredstones.org) PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM The National Museum of American Jewish History is constructing a fivestory building on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. Set to open in fall 2010, it will stand directly across from the Liberty Bell, a block south of the National Constitution Center and one block north of Independence Hall. The core exhibition will trace the lives of American Jews from 1654 to the present, exploring how Jews created a new home in a free land and how America shaped their lives. Exhibits will draw on the museum’s permanent collection, which includes ritual objects and embroidered textiles carried to America by 19th century Jewish immigrants, plus artwork, photographs and rare books. The new building will allow for expanded programming and activities that are not possible in the current facility. Major spaces will include a Center for Jewish Education that will serve schoolchildren and young adults of every background, the 200-seat Dell Family Theater and an event space overlooking Independence Mall. (215-923-3811, nmajh.org) THE STORY OF JOSEPH Sight & Sound Theatres presents a new production of Joseph from March 6-Oct. 30, 2010 at the Millennium Theatre in Strasburg, Pa. The classic Bible story about Joseph’s forgiveness and integrity will feature a cast of 45 professional adult and children actors, dozens of live animals gracing the aisles, several dream sequences including Joseph in his colorful coat “flying” over the audience, larger-than-life stagLeisureGroupTravel.com

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*Book a 2010 Globus Oberammergau vacation to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between July 8 and October 13, 2009 for travel anytime in 2010. Offers not valid with any other offer except Journeys Club member benefit and applies to new 2010 Globus Oberammergau bookings only and will not be applied to existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. **All prices quoted are per person, land only, double occupancy. Air-inclusive pricing is available. Additional restrictions may apply.

on religious travel ❖

Religious Briefs Continued ing that includes a spectacular Egyptian palace scene spanning 300 feet and wrapping around three sides of the audience, plus 20 original songs. Inspired by Joseph’s colorful coat, the show will weave a brilliant color scheme into the music, costumes, lights and special effects. Tickets for groups of 15 and more are $54.15 for adults, $16 for children, $28 for teens. Psalms of David returns to Living Waters Theatre April 24Sept. 25, 2010 (tickets $16-$29.45). This year’s show at the Millennium Theatre, the epic musical In the Beginning, is the biblical account of creation and runs through Oct. 17, 2009, followed by Voices of Christmas (Oct. 3-Jan. 2 at Living Waters Theatre) and Miracle of Christmas (Nov. 7-Jan. 2). Hotel, meal and multi-show packages are available, as are behind-the-scenes tours.

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SOUTH AFRICA Groups to Africa, a South Africa tour operator, offers Christian travelers tailormade trips that combine faith, fellowship and fun. Activities might include a morning of caring for an AIDS-affected child at an orphanage, tea or a cookout with a local family, or attending a Sunday service at a rural congregation or mega-church. Groups can spend devotion time in the African bush and go on safari in such game sanctuaries as Kruger National Park. Other excursions might involve Soweto and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela’s prison cell. (groupstoafrica.com) NORTHWEST INDIANA The Shrine of Christ’s Passion has become an attraction of spiritual significance drawing people of all religious faiths from around the country. An interactive half-mile winding pathway of 40 life-size bronze statues, the Shrine provides an intimate environment for spiritual renewal. The 15-acre site, which has been under development for eight years, was designed to reflect the period when Jesus was alive. Pilgrims experience the Passion of Christ beginning with Last Supper and Garden of Gethsemane scenes and ending with the Ascension. Original background music sets the mood along the trail, and each setting has a listening station where visitors hear a description of the scene and short meditation. The voice of the Shrine is Chicago broadcast journalist Bill Kurtis. The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is funded by a not-for-profit foundation, and all proceeds from the gift shop and donations are used to maintain the Prayer Trail. Since opening in May of 2088, the Shrine, located 35 miles southeast of Chicago, has attracted more than 100,000 visitors. (219-365-6010, shrineofchristspassion.org)

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on religious travel ❖

kevin j. wright

World Religious Travel Expo 2009 IN THE FALL OF 2008 in Orlando, an historic event took place in the travel and tourism industry. For the first time in history, faith tourism professionals and planners from around the globe gathered together under one roof to meet and network with one another. Today this assembly of faith tourism organizations and individuals, the World Religious Travel Expo, constitutes the only global marketplace for religious travel and hospitality. It is here where all segments of the $18-billion industry come face-to-face to buy, sell, develop products, find new suppliers, develop new partnerships and stay at the forefront of faith tourism. This year’s Expo will be held from Nov. 14-16 in Reno, Nev.

portfolio and develop new relationships/partnerships in the industry. Who will be at the Expo? The World Religious Travel Expo 2009 is expected to welcome more than 600 tourism organizations and travel professionals from around the globe. All delegates are either involved in religious travel and hospitality or looking to expand their presence and portfolios. At-

strengthen your presence in the rapidly growing religious travel and hospitality industry – whether you are a travel professional or planner. In short, here are the Top 10 Reasons to attend:

• Buy and sell on the world’s premier stage of religious travel and hospitality. • Find new products and services in faith tourism. • Learn how to effectively build a thriving faith-based travel program, business or division. • Meet the “Who’s Who” in the religious travel industry. • Discover new faith-based travel products and services for your portfolio. • Learn how to promote your organization/trips effectively to your clients or members. • Gain in-depth and cuttingedge knowledge on religious What can you travel and hospitality. experience at the Expo? • Develop relationships and By attending or exhibiting Faith tourism leaders meet in Reno this November. partnerships with key faith at the World Religious Travel tourism leaders. tendees and exhibitors include the Expo, you can network with hundreds • Participate in the industry’s most buyers, sellers and re-sellers in faith of travel industry professionals from comprehensive educational program on tourism. Buyers include travel agents, more than 30 countries. Destinations, faith tourism. planners, product managers and others tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, • Become involved in the most imporin a “purchasing” capacity, while sellers hotel properties, travel suppliers and tant gathering of the religious travel and and re-sellers include professionals and a host of other providers and planners hospitality industry. entities such as travel agents, tour operafrom Africa, the Americas, Asia, AusNew highlights for the 2nd annual tors, destination management organizatralia, the Caribbean, Europe and Expo include co-locating with the tions (i.e. tourist offices and CVBs), the Holy Land will be represented. In National Tour Association Annual lodging facilities, transportation compaaddition, the Educational Conference Convention, offering delegates unnies, cruise lines, suppliers, media, relifeatures the most comprehensive profesprecedented opportunities for business gious sites and others in a similar sional development program on faith growth and networking. “selling” capacity. tourism. As such, the Expo is the ideal Contact: World Religious Travel place to enter or expand your presence Association, 888-255-9782. See a video Why attend the Expo? in faith travel, build your brand, buy and register at the Expo’s official webThe World Religious Travel Expo and sell products and services, discover site, wrtaexpo.com. offers a unique opportunity to new trends, enrich your religious travel 22 August 2009

LeisureGroupTravel.com

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on religious travel â?&#x2013;

Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 Following is a sampling of tours and cruises that includes the once-a-decade Passion Play staged in the village of Oberammergau, Germany. Tour Name

Days

Itinerary

Price

Departures

Avalon Waterways (877-797-8791)

Oberammergau Cruise Extension

Austria: Innsbruck Germany: Oberammergau, Munich Italy: Bolzano, Merano

$1955

Available weekly from May 16 to Sep 29

Avalon Waterways

Oberammergau Cruise Extension

Austria: Innsbruck Germany: Garmisch, Oberammergau, Munich

$2140

Available weekly from May 16 to Sep 26

Biblical Tours (0049-711/61925-27)

Germany, Switzerland, Including Passion Play in Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau, Bavaria, Rhine Falls Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva

From $2581

Not scheduled tours

Biblical Tours

Germany-the Grand Tour, Passion Play in Oberammergau

Germany: Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg, Munich, Oberammergau, Stuttgart, Black Forest, Heidelberg, Rhine River

From $3044

Not scheduled tours

Biblical Tours

Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, incl. Passion Play in Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Salzburg, Vienna Czech Republic: Prague

From $2581

Not scheduled tours

Celtic Tours (800-833-4373)

Passion Play with Munich and Vienna

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Vienna

$2093 to $2394

May 18, 25, Jun 8, Jul 6, Sept 7

Celtic Tours

Passion Play with Vienna and Warsaw

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Vienna Hungary: Budapest Poland: Krakow, Warsaw

$3498

May 18, 25, Jun 8, Jul 6, Sept 7

Celtic Tours

Passion Play with Eastern European Panorama

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Vienna Hungary: Budapest Poland: Krakow, Warsaw Germany: Berlin Czech Republic: Prague

$3998

May 18, 25, Jun 8, Jul 6, Sept 7

Collette Vacations (800-340-5158)

Bavaria, with Oberammergau's Passion Play

Germany: Munich, Nuremberg, Oberammergau Austria: Innsbruck

Collette Vacations

France and Bavaria, Featuring the Oberammergau Passion Play

France: Paris, Strasbourg, Alsace Region Germany: WĂźrzberg, Weikersheim, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Oberammergau

Starting at $3499

18 departure dates May through September

Collette Vacations

Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria, & Oberammergau's Passion Play

Switzerland: Engelberg, Bern, Lucerne Austria: Innsbruck, Salzburg Germany: Bavaria, Oberammergau

Starting at $2999

35 departure dates May through September

Collette Vacations

Alpine Explorer with the Glacier Express, Oberammergau Passion Play

Italy: Stresa Switzerland: Lugano, Zermatt, the Glacier Express, St. Moritz Austria: Innsbruck, Salzburg Germany: Munich, Oberammergau

From $3499

41 departure dates May through September

Collette Vacations

Exploring the Alpine Countries &, Oberammergau's Passion Play

Austria: Vienna, Salzburg Germany: Munich, Oberammergau, Rhine Falls, Black Forest Switzerland: Chateau de Chillon, Zermatt, Bern

Starting at $3749

32 departure dates May through September

Collette Vacations

Budapest, Vienna, Prague & Innsbruck and the Oberammergau Passion Play

Hungary: Budapest Austria: Vienna, Innsbruck Czech Republic: Prague Germany: Oberammergau

Starting at $2999

18 departure dates May through September

Collette Vacations

Discover Croatia, Featuring the Dalmation Coast, Medjugorje, Slovenia

Germany: Bavaria, Oberammergau Slovenia: Bled Croatia: Split Bosnia-Herzegovina: Medjugorje Croatia: Dubrovnik, Zagreb

From $3499

19 departure dates May through September

Collette Vacations

Italy, Featuring the Oberammergau Passion Play

Italy: Rome, Assisi, Perugia, Siena, Florence, Venice Germany: Oberammergau

Starting at $3899

17 departure dates May through September

Cosmos Tours (800-276-1241)

European Jewels and Oberammergau

England: London The Netherlands: Amsterdam Germany: Rhineland, Munich, Oberammergau Italy: Venice, Florence Switzerland: Lucerne France: Paris

From $2592

May 15, Jun 5, Jul 17

Cosmos Tours

Six Countries, Paris, and Oberammergau

England: London Belgium: Brussels Austria: Innsbruck Germany: Frankfurt, Oberammergau Switzerland: Lucerne France: Dole, Paris

From $2,209

May 22, Jun 12 Jul 31, Sep 11

Cosmos Tours

Grand Tour of Switzerland and Oberammergau

Switzerland: Zurich, St. Moritz, Lugano, Tasch, Lausanne, Lucerne Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

From $2,201

10 departure dates June through September

Cosmos Tours

Highlights of Germany and Oberammergau

Germany: Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, Lubeck, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Weimar, Coburg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Oberammergau, Munich

From $2,549

17 departure dates May through September

Cosmos Tours

Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Nuremberg, Oberammergau Czech Republic: Prague Hungary: Budapest Austria: Salzburg, Vienna

From $2209

20 departure dates May through September

Cosmos Tours

Alpine Adventure, Glacier Express and Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Innsbruck, Salzburg Switzerland: Lucerne, Zermatt, Lausanne, Lugano Italy: Venice

From $2,719

May 21, Jun 4, 11 Jul 16, Aug 13

Cosmos Tours

Central Europe and Oberammergau

Germany: Frankfurt, Berlin, Oberammergau, Munich Poland: Warsaw, Krakow Hungary: Budapest Austria: Vienna Czech Republic: Prague

From $2,549

12 departure dates May through September

Cosmos Tours

Bohemian Rhapsody and Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau, Nuremberg Czech Republic: Prague Slovakia: Bratislava Hungary: Budapest Austria: Vienna, Salzburg

From $2,770

10 departure dates May through September

Cosmos Tours

Grand Tour of Austria and Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Salzburg, Melk, Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck

From $2,354

12 departure dates May through September

EuroWorld Holidays (888-570-9003)

The 2010 Passion Play Rhine River Cruise

Germany: Rothenburg, Wurzburg, Heidelberg, Oberammergau, Munich

From $4415

May 19 to May 30

EuroWorld Holidays

The 2010 Passion Play Rhine River Cruise

Germany: Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Oberammergau, Munich France: Strasbourg Switzerland: Lucerne

From $4081

July 23 to Aug 2

Globus (877-797-8793)

Catholic Germany and the Alps

Germany: Munich, Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Frankfurt Austria: Innsbruck Switzerland: Lucerne Liechtenstein

From $1,769

20 departure dates May through September

Globus

The European Reformation Oberammergau Version

Switzerland: Geneva, Zurich Germany: Heidelberg, Worms, Mainz, Rhineland, Coburg, Erfurt, Eisleben, Wittenberg, Nuremberg, Eisenach, Rothenburg, Augsburg, Oberammergau

From $2,869

May 17, Jun 14, Jul 12 Aug 9, Sep 6

24 August 2009

From $1999

Jul 3, 17, 24, 31 Aug 7, 14, 21 Sept 18

LeisureGroupTravel.com

Compiled by Jack Dwyer

Company

Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 Continued Company

Itinerary

Grand Catholic Italy Oberammergau Version

Tour Name

Italy: Rome, Montecassino, San Giovanni Rotondo, Monte Sant' Angelo, Lanciano, Loreto, Assisi, Florence, Padua, Venice Austria: Innsbruck Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

From $3,279

19 departure dates May through September

Globus

European Charm & Oberammergau

The Netherlands: Amsterdam Germany: Heidelberg, Rhineland, Rothenburg, Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Innsbruck Italy: Venice Switzerland: Lugano, Lucerne, Montreux, Lausanne France: Paris

From $3,306

19 departure dates May through September

Globus

Enchanting Europe and Oberammergau

England: London France: Paris Switzerland: Lucerne Austria: Innsbruck Germany: Oberammergau, Rhineland, The Netherlands: Amsterdam Liechtenstein

From $3,484

40 departure dates May through September

Globus

Imperial Splendors and Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Czech Republic: Prague, Slovakia: Bratislava Hungary: Budapest Austria: Vienna, Melk, Salzburg

From $2,966

40 departure dates May through September

Globus

Munich, Salzburg, Vienna and Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau, Munich Austria: Melk, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna

From $2,617

20 departure dates May through September

Globus

The Best of Austria and Switzerland plus Oberammergau

Austria: Vienna, Melk, Salzburg, Innsbruck Switzerland: St. Moritz, Zermatt, Chur, Zermatt, Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne Liechtenstein. Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

From $3,399

19 departure dates May through September

Globus

German Highlights and Oberammergau

Germany: Frankfurt, Remagen, Cologne, Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Oberammergau, Lindau, Black Forest, Heidelberg, Frankfurt

From $2,838

40 departure dates May through September

Globus

Alpine Countries and Oberammergau

Germany: Frankfurt, Oberammergau Austria: Salzburg, Vienna, St. Veit, Innsbruck Switzerland: St. Moritz, Lugano, Zermatt, Lucerne Italy: Stresa

From $3,314

20 departures dates May through September

Image Tours Inc® (800-964-3170)

Heart of Europe® Tour with Passion Play

Netherlands: Amsterdam Belgium: Antwerp Germany: Heidelberg, Oberammergau, Munich Austria: Innsbruck Italy: Bussolengo Switzerland: Lugano France: Paris

From $3540

May 14-28, Jun 21-Jul 5, Aug 2-15, Sept 15-29

Image Tours Inc®

Germany, Austria and Switzerland Tour with Passion Play

Germany: Nuremberg, Munich, Oberammergau, Heidelberg, Frankfurt Austria: Fieberbrunn, Innsbruck Liechtenstein: Vaduz Switzerland: Lucerne

From $3590

Jul 16-29, Sept 24-Oct 7

Image Tours Inc®

Treasures of Italy Tour with Passion Play

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Switzerland: St. Moritz Italy: Milan, Verona, Venice, Pisa, Montecatini-Terme, Florence, Anguillara Sabazia, Rome

From $3790

Sept 10-22

Image Tours Inc®

Scenic Alpine Tour with Passion Play

Austria: Fieberbrunn, Innsbruck Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

From $2940

May 21-29, June 25-July3 Sept 24-Oct 2

Image Tours Inc®

Heart of Europe® Tour with Passion Play

The Netherlands: Lelystad, Amsterdam Belgium: Antwerp Germany: Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Oberammergau, Munich Austria: Innsbruck Italy: Verona, Venice, Florence, Rome, Pisa Switzerland: Lugano, Lucerne France: Beaune, Auxerre, Paris England: London

From $4740

Jun 18-Jul 9 Sept 15-Oct 5

Mayflower Tours (800-323-7604)

2010 Oberammergau Passion Play

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Salzburg, Vienna Hungary: Budapest

$3499

12 departure dates May through September

Select International (800-842-4842)

Life of Jesus: Biblical Discovery & Oberammergau Passion Play 2010

Israel: Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Galilee, Jericho, Jerusalem, Bethlehem Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

$2995

May 11-22, 18-29, Jun 8-19, Jul 6-17, Aug 10-21, Sept 7-18

Select International Tours

Best of Alpine Germany with Salzburg

Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Bavaria, Oberammergau, Heidelberg, Rhine River Austria: Salzburg

$2985

8 departure dates May through September

Select International Tours

Incredible Beauties

Italy: Milan, Stresa Switzerland: Zermatt, St. Moritz Austria: Innsbruck, Salzburg Germany: Oberammergau, Munich, Heidelberg, Frankfurt

$3195

6 departure dates May through September

Select International Tours

Simply the Best

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Salzburg Italy: Padua, Venice, Florence, Assisi, Rome

$3995

7 departure dates May through September

Select International Tours

Papal Pilgrimage plus the Passion Play 2010

Poland: Warsaw, Czestochowa, Krakow Czech Republic: Prague Germany: Regensburg, Altotting, Lake Chiemsee, Oberammergau, Munich

$3485

May 10-22, Jun 14-26 Jun 28-Jul 10, Aug 2-14

Select International Tours

Shrines of Croatia and the Passion Play 2010

Croatia: Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb Slovenia: Ljubljana Bosnia-Herzegovina: Medjugorje Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

$2995

May 18-29, Jun 8-19, Sept 14-24, Sept 21-Oct 2

Select International Tours

Holy Year in Spain, Shroud of Turin and Oberammergau Passion Play

Spain: Santiago de Compostela, Avila, Madrid, Burgos France: Lourdes Italy: Turin Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

$3995

May 6

Select International Tours

Shroud of Turin and Oberammergau Passion Play

Italy: Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice Germany: Oberammergau, Munich

$3695

May 6-18, May 9-20

Select International Tours

Holy Year For the Priests Pilgrimage to France and the Passion Play

France: Paris, Nevers, Ars, Lourdes, Nice Italy: Florence, Assisi, Rome

$3895

weekly departures

Tauck World Disc. (800-788-7885)

A Week In Bavaria, the Dolomites, & Venice, Including the Passion Play

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau Austria: Innsbruck, the Dolomites Italy: Bolzano, Venice

From $4490

21 departures May through September

Tauck World Discovery

Alpine Interlude,Including the Passion Play

Switzerland: Zurich, Berne, Interlaken Liechtenstein: Vaduz Germany: Oberammergau Austria: Innsbruck, The Dolomites, Salzburg, Vienna

From $5690

16 departures from May through September

Tauck World Discovery

Romantic Germany,Including the Passion Play

Germany: Weisbaden, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Oberammergau, Munich, Weimar, Dresden, Berlin

From $6190

19 departures from May through September

Virgin Vacations (888-937-8474)

Highlights of Germany with Oberammergau

Germany: Munich, Oberammergau, Black Forest, Rhine River, Frankfurt

From $2249

Aug 2, Sept 6, 27

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Northern Italy, Switzerland, and Oberammergau

Italy: Milan, Lake Maggiore Switzerland: Lugano, Zurich Germany: Black Forest, Oberammergau, Wurzburg

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Oberammergau Passion Play 2010

Germany: Oberammergau

From $1,549

May 31, Aug 4

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Music and Passion with Oberammergau

Hungary: Budapest Austria: Vienna, Salzburg Germany: Oberammergau, Black Forest, Rothenburg

From $2849

Jun 22, Jul 13, Aug 24

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Price

Departures

August 2009 25

Compiled by Jack Dwyer

Days

Globus

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28 August 2009

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30 August 2009

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August 2009 33

PASSION PLAY WITH EASTERN EUROPEAN PANORAMA 17 days from Munich to Prague Day 1, Depart the US on your overnight flight to Munich, Germany. Tuesday. Day 2, arrive Munich, Wednesday You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax before meeting your fellow travelers and your Tour Director at the welcome dinner. (D) Day 3, in Munich, Thursday After breakfast, take a morning city tour of Munich. This afternoon venture into the mountains of southwest Bavaria to visit the dream-like Castle of Neuschwanstein, built by “Mad King” Ludwig. Return to Munich late in the afternoon; remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Day 4, to Oberammergau, Friday Morning travel by motorcoach to Oberammergau. Upon arrival we have lunch and in the afternoon the Passion Play begins at 2:30. You will be served dinner during the 3-hour intermission in a restaurant in Oberammergau. At the end of the play, at around 10:30, transfer to your hotel. (B,L,D) Day 5, to Vienna, Saturday After breakfast we leave Germany behind, as we head to the Austrian capital. Stop in Salzburg for a short sightseeing tour that shows us the Getreidegasse with its colorful shops, the majestic Cathedral and birthplace of Mozart. In the afternoon drive along the River Danube, past Melk to Vienna. Dinner and overnight. (B,D) Day 6, in Vienna, Sunday During your morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and other reminders of the city’s imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure. (B) Day 7, to Budapest, Monday Today, travel east and cross the border to Hungary, reaching Budapest in time to relax before dinner. (B, D) Day 8, in Budapest, Tuesday Your morning sightseeing tour includes views of the Parliament, Royal Palace and Castle Hill area, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Heroes’ Square and Gellert Hill with its Citadel. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B) Day 9, to Krakow, Wednesday The road to Krakow winds through the countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatras Mountains and into the great plains of Poland. A relaxing dinner in Krakow is planned upon arrival. (B, D) Day 10, in Krakow, Thursday Your sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city. (B) 34 August 2009

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Day 11, to Warsaw, Friday This morning perhaps join an optional trip to Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Later, journey to Czestochowa and visit the Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the blackened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the “Black Madonna.” B, D) Day 12, in Warsaw, Saturday After a morning sightseeing tour, the rest of the day is free. (B) Day 13, to Berlin, Sunday Stop in Poznan for an orientation tour and continue to Berlin. (B, D) Day 14, in Berlin, Monday After a morning sightseeing tour, the day is free for exploring. (B) Day 15, to Prague, Tuesday Continue your journey via Dresden. On your orientation tour, view Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House. Continue to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. (B, D) Day 16, in Prague, Wednesday After a city sightseeing tour, the rest of the day is free. (B) Day 17, depart Prague, Thursday After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B) INCLUDED FEATURES: • First class hotels • Service charges and hotel taxes • Breakfast daily and 7 dinners • City sightseeing tours • Airport transfers • Touring by air-conditioned motorcoach • Professional tour director throughout • Luggage handling SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDED PASSION PLAY IN OBERAMMERGAU: • One-night stay including breakfast • Lunch before the play • Dinner during the intermission • Admission ticket to the Passion Play • Program book of the 2010 Passion Play • Admission to the Oberammergau Museum HOTELS: Munich: Maritim (F), Hotel in Oberammergau Area,Vienna: Renaissance (SF), Budapest: Radisson SAS (F), Krakow: Radisson SAS (F)/ Holiday Inn (F), Warsaw: Radisson SAS (SF), Berlin: Hotel Berlin (SF), Prague: Diplomat (F) DATES: May 18-June 3, May 25-June 10, June 8-24, July 6-22, Sept 7-23 LeisureGroupTravel.com

PRICES: Per person in twin: $3,988; single room supplement: $1,396 Deposit: 500 US$ net per person deposit is required within 7 days from booking. OUR NETS Per person in twin: $2,998; single room supplement: $998 Deposit: 500 US$ net per person deposit is required within 7 days from booking. August 2009 35

PASSION PLAY WITH VIENNA TO WARSAW 13 days from Munich to Warsaw Day 1, Depart from the US en route to Munich, Germany Day 2, arrive Munich, Wednesday You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax before meeting your fellow travelers and tour director at the welcome dinner. (D) Day 3, in Munich, Thursday After breakfast, take a morning city tour of Munich. This afternoon venture into the mountains of southwest Bavaria to visit the dream-like Castle of Neuschwanstein, built by “Mad King” Ludwig. Return to Munich late in the afternoon and enjoy remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Day 4, to Oberammergau, Friday Morning travel by motorcoach to Oberammergau. Upon arrival we have lunch and in the afternoon the Passion Play begins at 2:30. You will be served dinner during the three-hour intermission in a restaurant in Oberammergau. At the end of the play, at around 10:30, transfer to your hotel. (B,L,D) Day 5, to Vienna, Saturday After breakfast we leave Germany behind as we head to the Austrian capital. Stop in Salzburg, for a short panoramic sightseeing tour, which shows us the Getreidegasse with its colorful shops, the majestic Cathedral and birthplace of Mozart. In the afternoon drive along the River Danube, past Melk to Vienna. Dinner. (B,D) Day 6, in Vienna, Sunday On your morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, UN buildings, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and other reminders of the city’s imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure. (B) Day 7, to Budapest, Monday Today, travel east and cross the border to Hungary, reaching Budapest just in time to relax before dinner. (B, D) Day 8, in Budapest, Tuesday Your morning sightseeing tour includes views of the Parliament, the Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Heroes’ Square and Gellert Hill with its Citadel. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B) Day 9, to Krakow, Wednesday The road to Krakow winds through the countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatras Mountains and into the great plains of Poland. A relaxing dinner in Krakow is planned upon arrival. (B,D) Day 10, in Krakow, Thursday Your sightseeing tour starts with Wawel Hill, viewing the Royal Castle and visiting the Royal Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church. The afternoon is free. (B) 36 August 2009

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Day 11, to Warsaw, Friday This morning perhaps join an optional trip to one of the most somber memorials of the past, Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Later, journey to Czestochowa and visit the Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the blackened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the “Black Madonna.” In the late afternoon, arrive in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw. (B,D) Day 12, in Warsaw, Saturday A sightseeing tour here includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from the magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass by the Palace of Science and Culture (known as the “wedding cake”), the Saxon Gardens, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. John’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free or enjoy an optional late afternoon Chopin concert. (B) Day 13, depart Warsaw, Sunday After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B) INCLUDED FEATURES: • First class hotels, rooms with private facilities • Service charges and hotel taxes • Breakfast daily and 6 dinners • Airport transfers • Touring by air-conditioned motor coach • Professional tour director throughout • Luggage handling SIGHTSEEING TOURS INCLUDED: • Munich • Vienna • Budapest • Krakow • Warsaw SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDED – PASSION PLAY IN OBERAMMERGAU: • One night stay including breakfast • Lunch before the play (on Day 3) • Dinner during the play interval (on Day 3) • Shuttle service in Oberammergau and nearby villages • Admission ticket to the Passion Play • Program book of the 2010 Passion Play • Admission to the Oberammergau Museum HOTELS: Munich: Maritim (F), Hotel in Oberammergau Area, Vienna: Renaissance (SF), Budapest: Radisson SAS (F), Krakow: Radisson SAS (F)/Holiday Inn (F), Warsaw: Radisson SAS (SF). DATES: May 18-30, May 25-June 6, June 8-20, July 6-18, Sept. 7-19

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PRICES: • Per person in twin: $3,498 • Single room supplement: $1,225 Booking Requirements: Deposit: 500 US$ net per person is required within 7 days from booking. NET PRICES: • Per person in twin: $2,659 • Single room supplement: $855 Booking Requirements: Deposit: 500 US$ net per person is required within 7 days from booking.

August 2009 37

PASSION PLAY WITH MUNICH & VIENNA 7 days from Munich to Vienna Day 1, Depart from the US en route to Munich, Tuesday. Day 2, arrive Munich, Wednesday You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax before meeting your fellow travelers and your tour director at the welcome dinner. (D) Day 3, in Munich, Thursday After breakfast, take a morning city tour of Munich, featuring the Koenigsplatz, old and new Pinakothek, the Isartor (city gate), the royal palace, the angel of freedom and Odeonsplatz. View also the Olympic Park, site of the 1972 summer Olympics. The platform on the Olympic Tower provides a superior view of the city. Also see such sights as the baroque Nymphenberg Palace, the former summer residence of the Wittlesbach dynasty, and the Marienplatz with its famous glockenspiel clock. This afternoon venture into the mountains of southwest Bavaria to visit the dream-like Castle of Neuschwanstein, built “Mad King” Ludwig and known for its extraordinary architectural feats. Return to Munich late in the afternoon and enjoy remainder of the day at leisure. (B) Day 4, to Oberammergau, Friday Morning travel by motorcoach to Oberammergau. Upon arrival we have lunch and in the afternoon the Passion Play begins at 2:30 pm. You will be served dinner during the 3-hour intermission in a restaurant in Oberammergau. At the end of the play, at around 10.30, transfer to your hotel. (B,L,D) Day 5, to Vienna, Saturday After breakfast we leave Germany behind as we head to the Austrian capital. On the way stop in Salzburg for a short panoramic sightseeing tour, which shows us the Getreidegasse with its colorful shops, the majestic Cathedral and birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the afternoon drive through the Danube Valley, past Melk to Vienna, the city of waltz. Dinner. (B,D) Day 6, in Vienna, Sunday On your morning sightseeing tour, visit the Hofburg Palace, once the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and view the Belvedere Palace, Prater amusement park, the UN buildings, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and other vivid reminders of the city’s imperial history. Afternoon is at leisure. (B) Day 7, depart Vienna, Monday After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

38 August 2009

Price PP Sharing & Single Supplement • May 18-24: $2,394; $838 • May 25-31: $2,093; $733 • June 8-14: $2,262; $792 • July 6-12: $2,057; $720 • Sept. 7-13: $2,313; $810

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NET PRICING: • Price PP Sharing & Single Supplement • May 18-24: $1,794; $637 • May 25-31: $1,591; $630 • June 8-14: $1,720; $590 • July 6-12: $1,564; $520 • Sep 7-13: $1,758; $637 INCLUDED FEATURES: • First class hotels, rooms with private facilities • Service charges and hotel taxes • Breakfast daily and 3 dinners • Airport transfers • Touring by air-conditioned motor coach • Professional tour director throughout • Luggage handling SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDED PASSION PLAY IN OBERAMMERGAU (1-NIGHT PACKAGE): • One-night stay including breakfast • Lunch before the play (on Day 3) • Dinner during the play intermission (on Day 3) • Shuttle service in Oberammergau and the nearby villages • Local assistance • Admission ticket to the Passion Play • Program book of the 2010 Passion Play • Admission to the Oberammergau Museum • Local tax SIGHTSEEING TOURS INCLUDED: • Munich • Vienna HOTELS: • Munich: Maritim (F) • Hotel in Oberammergau Area • Vienna: Renaissance (SF) BOOKING REQUIREMENTS: Deposit: 500 US$ net per person deposit is required within 7 days from booking

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CA ATHOLIC T H O LI C G E ERMANY RMANY & AL LPS PS plus Oberammergau—2010 mmerg 20 10 days Day 1 (Sat.) Board oa d yyour our oovernight vernight

IN NCLUDED CLUDED FE EATURES ATURES GERMANY

Cologne Aachen hen

Day 2 Arrival in n Munic Munich. h (S h. (Sun.) un.)) hottel. Balance of the day daay Transfer to your hotel. is at leisure. At 6 pm, pm m, meet your your Tour Tour Director, re orr, then enjoy oyy this evening’s evening’s welcome welcome dinner with h your you traveling tra raveling companions. companions. (D)

Rhine River Rüdesheim 1

Trier T r

Karlsruhe Ka rls lsr

Frankfurt

Day 3 Munich–Neuschwanstein– ni h––Neuschwanstein– Oberammergau. me u. (Mo (Mon.) n.) Orientation Orientation

features atures MARIENPLATZ MA PL LATZ with the Old and New N Town Hall. H l. Visit Hal V isit the FRAUENKIRCHE. K Then, T enter the Bavarian Bavarian Falls lls Rhine Fa Alps and drive driv to Neuschwanstein chwanstein to visit 2 O Oberammergau beram mm Wies es Wies SWITZERLAND IT TZ KING LUDWIG’S D CASTLE. ST TLE. Stop Stop for pictures pictures Tyrolean Alps Lucerne 2 Innsbruck nnsbruck of the baroque oqu CHURCH OF O WIES WI IE S before befor e you you Vaduz V aduz Einsiedeln EC N LIECHTENSTEIN enterr picturesque picture Oberammergau. rggau. (B,D) Blackk Forest

Munich

Bavarian Alps 1 Neuschwanstein

MUNICH: Welcome dinner; orientation, visit Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche NEUSCHWANSTEIN: Guided visit of King Ludwig’s castle WIES: Take pictures of the baroque church OBERAMMERGAU: Passion Play INNSBRUCK: Take pictures of the Golden Roof VADUZ: Visit the capital of Liechtenstein EINSIEDELN: Visit the baroque abbey LUCERNE: Walking tour including the Lion Monument, Chapel Bridge, the cathedral of St. Leger, and the baroque Jesuit Church RHINE FALLS BLACK FOREST TRIER: Orientation, visit Porta Nigra, the cathedral, and the Dreikönigenhaus AACHEN: Visit the cathedral COLOGNE: Guided visit of the gothic cathedral RHINE CRUISE RÜDESHEIM: Wine tasting and farewell dinner

ht transatlantic flight.

Day 4 Oberammergau. (Tue.)) T Da Today odaay the highlight of your vacation: vac ati the original PASSION PLAY, LAY, held held every ever y 10 10 years y ears and performed by the community of Oberammergau. fo rggau. (B,L,D) Daay 5 Oberammergau–Innsbruck, Day Oberammergau–Inn nsbruck, A Austria–Liechtenstein–Einsiedeln, ustria–Liechtenstein n–Einsiedeln, Switzerland–Lucerne. S witzerland–Lucerne. ((Wed.) Wed.) ed d.) Into the Tyrolean Tyrolean Alps and to Innsbruck Innsb bruck to take pictur pictures es of the GOLDE GOLDEN NR ROOF. OOF F. Then, co continue n ntinue to V Vaduz aduz in the P Principality rincipality of Liec L Liechtenstein htenstein for a lunc lunch h break beforee yyou Switzerland. Stop famouss p pilgrimage destination br eak befor ou enter S witzerland. S top p in Einsiedeln, the most famou pilgr g image g destinatio n Switzerland, wheree the Gr Great Festival Miraculous Dedications Visit in S witzerland, wher eat F estival of the Mir aculous Dedic ations is held. V isit the impr impressive essive bar baroque oque ABBE ABBEY Y CH CHURCH. U CH. On to pictur UR picture-book e-book L Lucerne, ucerne, the t center of Catholic rresistance esistance dur during ing the time of the Refor R Reformation. mation. (B,D)

Day Da ay 6 Lucerne. Lucerne. ((Thu.) Thu.) Y Your our walking w tour this mor morning ning ffeatures eatures the L LION ION MONUME MONUMENT NT and the famous CHAPEL CHAPEL BRIDGE. BR RIDGE. Also visit the CATHEDRAL CATHEDR RAL OF F ST. ST T. LEGER LEGER and the baroque baroque JESUIT JESUIT CHURCH. CHURCH. Afternoon Affter t noon is at leisure leisure to relax, relax, shop for Swiss Swiss watches, watches, cruise cruise on on the lake, lake, or join an optional optional excursion excurssion to one one of the nearby nearby mountains. In In the evening, evening, wh whyy not experience experience a Swiss Swiss folklore folklore party party with w yodeling yodeling and alphorn alphorn blowing? blowing? (B) (B B) P Passion assion Play

58 August 2009

Einsiedeln, Eins siedeln, Switz Switzerland’s erland ’s most popular pilg pilgrimage rimage destination

Visit Visit Neuschwanstein Neuschwansttein Castle Caastle

Travel the Lands of Catholicism

Golden Go olden altar alttar chalices chalices

CATHOLIC GERMANY & ALPS plus Oberammergau TOUR TCO—10 days incl. air or 9 days from Munich to Frankfurt

SEELECTION LECTION PACE Leisurely

On the Go

SIGHTSEEING Natural Wonders City/Cultural

WH HAT AT’S IN NCLUDED CLUDED g MORE

Daay 7 Lucerne–Karlsruhe, Day Lucerne–Karlsruhe u , Germany. Ger man ny. (F (Fri.) ri.) On the wa way ay back back to Germany, German ny, visit the thundering thunderin ng RHINE RHINE FALLS FALLS at Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen, a 70 70-foot 0-foot cataract cataract of the River River Rhine. F From rom her here, e, head nor north th into the pine-clad pine-clad d hills hills of the BL BLACK ACK FOR FOREST, EST T, famous famouus for its cuckoo cuckoo cclocks. locks. (B,D)

Day Da ay 8 K Karlsruhe–Trier–Aachen–Cologne. arlsruhe–T Trier–Aac ierr–Aachen–Cologne. (S (Sat.) at.) F First irst stop s toda today ay is in T Trier, rier, Ger Germany’s many ’s oldestt town and second town second in importance importan nce to Rome Rome in the W Western estern Ro Roman man Empir E Empire. e. Or Orientation ientation ffeatures eatures the POR PORTA RTA NIGRA NIGR RA and visits to the romanesque romanesque m CATHEDRAL C ATHEDR RAL and the DR DREIKÖNIGENHAUS. REIKÖNIGENHA AUS. Co Continue ntinue to Aachen Aac hen and visit the CATHEDRAL CATHE TH HEDR RAL wher wheree 30 Hol Holy ly Ro Roman man empe emperors erors wer weree cr crowned owned bet between ween the 10th and a 16th centuries centuries (UNESCO (UNESCO W orld Cultur al Her itage S ite). In the eevening vening yyou ou ar Holy Cologne.” (B, ,D) World Cultural Heritage Site). aree in ““Holy (B,D)

Day Da ay 9 Cologne–Rüdes Cologne–Rüdesheim–Frankfurt. g sheim–Frankfurt. (S (Sun.) un.) This mor morning, rningg, enjo enjoy j y a gguided visit of the ggothic othicc

FEATURES: With Globus you’ll always visit the key sights and enjoy more inclusions; inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable g MEALS: Buffet breakfast daily (B); 1 lunch (L); 7 threecourse dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Munich and a farewell dinner in Rüdesheim g AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Included if you purchase air from Globus g STANDARD AMENITIES & SERVICES: S

SU UPERIOR PERIOR HO OTELS TELS Hotel information will be available in June 2009

CATHEDRAL. CATHEDR RAL. Next, Next, a scenic scen nic RHINE RHINE CRUISE CR RUISE to Rüdesheim, capital capital of Riesling wine. Here, Here, enjoy enjoy WINE TASTING TASTING and a farewell farrewell dinner. dinner. Afterwards, Affter wards, continue continue to Frankfurt Frankfurt for your your overnight overnight stay. staay. (B,D) (B,D D)

Day Da ay 10 (Mo (Mon.) n.) Your Your homebound homeebound flight arr arrives ives the same da day. ay. (B)

Cologne Cathedral

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www.globusfaith.com

TH HE E EU UROPEAN ROP EAN RE EFORMATION F O R M AT I O N plus Oberammergau—2010 mer 12 days d IN NCLUDED CLUDED FE EATURES ATURES

Day 1 (Mon.) B Board oard yyour our overnight overnight ght. transatlantic flight.

Eisleben Eisenach

Rhine Cruise

Rhineland Rh R

Worms

Heidelberg Heid

Erfurt Nuremberg e

Rothenburg

Day 2 Arrival val in Gene Geneva, va, d. ((Tue.) Tue.) Transfer Transfer to to Switzerland. your hotel. Balance lance of of the the day day is is at at leisure. At 6 pm, l m, meet meet your your Tour Tour Director, Dire tor then enjoy enjoy this this evening’s evening’s welcome dinner dinn with with your your traveling traaveling companions. (D) (D)

Dayy 3 Geneva. D en ((Wed.) Wed.) Your Your o tour of G eneva, tthe he city city where where orientation Geneva, Munichh John Calvin n and John Kno Knoxx pr preached, eached, U Un i ns Headquar io H d ters, includes the United Nations Headquarters, 2 i h Zurich Z Oberammergau O beramme He tthe he World World Council Council Red Cross Headquarters, e nd a stop at the of Churches Headquarters, and SWITZERLAND IO MONUMENT. ENT. A lso visit visit REFORMATION Also ST. ST T. PETER’S PETER C CATHEDRAL, where ere Jo John hn Cal Calvin vin ser served. ved. Balancee of the day is at leisure. (B) Black Forest

Geneva

Wittenberg

Coburgg

Mainz

GENEVA: Welcome dinner; orientation, visit the Reformation Monument and St. Peter’s Cathedral ZURICH: Walking tour, visit Grossmunster Church and Fraumunster Church HEIDELBERG: Take pictures of the castle WORMS: Visit the cathedral, Trinity Church, and the Reformation Monument MAINZ: Visit the Gutenberg Museum RHINE CRUISE COBURG: Visit Coburg Fortress ERFURT: Visit the Augustinian Monastery and the Merchants’ Bridge EISLEBEN: Orientation, visit Martin Luther’s birthplace, the Sterbehaus Museum, St. Andrew’s Church, and St. Peter and Paul Church WITTENBERG: Guided walking tour, visit the Reformation Museum, Luther House, St. Mary’s Church, Castle Church, and Martin Luther’s tomb EISENACH: Guided visit of Wartburg Castle; visit the Luther and Johann Sebastian Bach Memorials, the Luther House, and St. George’s Church NUREMBERG: Walking tour including headsets, visit the Lutheran Lorenz Church ROTHENBURG: Walking tour, visit St. Jacob’s Church AUGSBURG: Guided sightseeing OBERAMMERGAU: Passion Play; farewell dinner

GERMANY

Augsburg

Dayy 4 G Geneva–Zurich–Heidelberg, ev Ger Germany. man ny. (Thu.) (Thu.) After a ccomfortable o drive to Zurich,, join j your y r Tour T Director for a walk through the Old Town, Town, and and visit visit GROSSMUNSTER GROSSMUNSTE GR OSSM MUNSTER CH CHURCH, UR RCH, the mother cchurch h ch of the Reformation hur Reformation in S Switzerland witzerlan nd under Ulrich Ulrich Zwingli. Also A lso ssee ee tthe he H Helferei elferei w where here Z Zwingli wingli lived. lived. Then, Then, visit visit FRAUMUNSTER FRAUMUNSTER CHURCH, CHURCH, known known for for Chagall’s Chagall’s sstained-gl ass windo ws. Enter Ger man ny, dr ive pas st the Blac orest, and arr ive in Heide elberg. Walk Walk through through its stained-glass windows. Germany, drive past Blackk F Forest, arrive Heidelberg. narrow, narr n ow, co cobblestone obblestone str streets eets and take pictur pictures es of the t famous rred-walled ed-walled ccastle. astle. (B,D) Day Da ay 5 Heidelberg–W Heidelberg–Worms–Mainz–Rhineland. Worms–M Mainz–Rhineland. (F (Fri.) ri.) T Two wo high highlights hlights toda today. ay. First, First, stop in W Worms, orms, where where the Imper Imperial ial Council C passed judgment o on nL Luther uther in 1521. V Visit isit the CATHEDRAL CATHEDR RAL where where L Luther uther pr presented esented ted his ccase, ase, as wel welll as TR TRINITY RINITY CH CHURCH HURCH and the famed REFORMATION REFORMA ATION MONUMENT. MONUMENT T. Next Next to Mainz to visit the GUTENBERG GU TENBE ERG MUSEUM and to see or original iginal copies of the Bible before befo ore yyou ou co continue ntinue to yyour our hotel in the Rhineland. R (B,D) Day Da ay 6 Rhineland–Coburg–Er Rhineland–Coburg–Erfurt. rfurrt. (S (Sat.) at.) Start Start the da day ay with a scen scenic ic R RHINE HINE CR CRUISE UISE past castle-crested castle-crested cliffs, clifffs, terr terraced aced vineyards, vineeyards, and trim, trim, half-timbered half-timbered tow towns. wns. Then, drive drive to Coburg, Coburg, where where L Luther uther sta stayed ayed in 1530 0 for the Augsburg Augsburg Ger Germany many Imper Imperial ial Diet. Visit V isit C COBURG OBURG FORTRESS. FOR RTRESS. F Finally, inally, arrive arrive in Erfurt Erfurt and visit the AUGUSTINIAN AUGUSTINIAN MONASTERY, MON NASTERY, wher wheree Luther Luther liv lived ed as a mo monk, nk, and the MERCHANTS’ MERCHANTS’ BRIDGE. BR RIDGE. (B,D) Day Da ay 7 Er Erfurt. furt. E Excursion xcursion to Ei Eisleben isleben and W Wittenberg. ittenberg. (S (Sun.) un.) In Eisleben, visit v two two UNESCO UNESCO World World Heritage Heritage S Sites: ites: the HOUSE in which which Luther Luther was w born born and the STERBEHAUS STERBEHAUS MUSEUM, home home m of his last residence. residence. Then, visit ST ST. T. ANDR ANDREW’S EW ’S CHURCH, CHURCH, where where he preached preached his las last st sermon, sermon, fol followed lo owed by a visit to the ST. ST. PETER PETER AND PAUL PAUL CHURCH, CHURCH, wher wheree Luther Luther wass baptized. baptized. Af Afterwards, fter wards, jour journey ney to W Wittenberg, ittenberg, Luther’s Luther’s home home for 30-plus years years and birthplace birthplacee of the Reformation. Reformation. Enjoy Enjo oy a guided walking tour inc including luding the REFORMATION REFORMA ATION MUSEUM, L LUTHER U THER HOUSE, ST. ST T. MARY’S MAR RY ’S CHURCH CH HURCH where where he pr preached, eached, and CASTLE CASTLE CHURCH, CHURCH, C where where he hung his 95 Theses. Also o visit MAR MARTIN RTIN LUTHER’S LU THER’S TOMB TOMB before before returning returningg to Erfurt. Erfurt. (B,D) Day Da ay 8 Er Erfurt–Eisenach–Nuremberg. furt–Eisenach–Nuremberg. (Mo (Mon.) n.) This morning, morning, continue contiinue to Eisenac Eisenach h for a visit to W WARTBURG AR RTBURG C CASTLE, ASTLE, where w eL wher Luther uther tr translated anslated the Bible. Also o visit the LUTHER LU THER and JOHANN SEBASTIAN SEBASTIAN BACH BACH H ME MEMORIALS MOR RIALS as well well as the L LUTHER U TH HER HOUSE, wher wheree he liv lived ed during during grammar grammar school. school. Then Then, n, visit ST. ST T. GEORGE’S GEORGE’S CHURCH, CHURCH, wher w wheree he sang in the church’s church’s boy boy choir. choir. Depart Depart for N Nuremberg, uremb berg, the first to town wn to accept the Reformation Refo ormation in 1525. Y Your our walking w tour features features the famous LUTHERAN LU THE T RAN LORENZ LORENZ CHURCH CHURCH and d includes includes headsets for clear clear co commentary. mmentar y. (B,D)

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St. Ja Jacob’s cob’s Chur Church, rcchh, Rothenburg

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Travel the Lands of Protestant/Evangelical Christianity

Visit Visit Wartburg Warrtburg Castle Casstle

THE EUROPEAN REFORMATION plus Oberammergau TOUR TLO—12 days incl. air or 11 days from Geneva to Munich

SEELECTION LECTION PACE Leisurely

On the Go

SIGHTSEEING Natural Wonders City/Cultural

WH HAT AT’S IN NCLUDED CLUDED g MORE

FEATURES: With Globus you’ll always visit the key sights and enjoy more inclusions; inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable g MEALS: Buffet breakfast daily (B); 1 lunch (L); 8 threecourse dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Geneva and a farewell dinner in Oberammergau g AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Included if you purchase air from Globus g STANDARD AMENITIES & SERVICES:

Passion Passion Play

Day Da ay 9 N Nuremberg. uremberg. Excursion Excursion c to Rothenburg. Rothenburg. ((Tue.) Tue.)) S Spend pend d the th morning morning i in i the th medie medieval di vall wal walled lled l d town t wn off to Rothenburg. During walking Rothenburg. D uring yyour our wal lking tour,, visit ST. ST T. JACOB’S JACOB’S CHURCH Altar.. Af Afterwards, CHURCH with the renowned renowneed Blood Altar fter wards, there Christmas ornaments, which there is time to shop for Chr i istmas ornaments, for whic h this picturesque picturesque town toown is world world d famous. Af Afternoon fternoon and evening evening at leisur leisuree in N Nuremberg. urembeerg. (B)

Daay 10 N Day Nuremberg–Augsburg– uremberg–A Augsburg– Oberammergau. O berammergau. ((Wed.) Wed.)) In A Augsburg, ugsburg, guided

SU UPERIOR PERIOR HO OTELS TELS

sightseeing reveals reveals the city city where w e Luther wher Luther and his followers followers proclaimed proclaimed their beliefs. beelieffs. Continue Continue to picturesque picturesque Oberammergau Oberammergau for two two overnights. overnights. (B,D)

Hotel information will be available in June 2009

Day Da ay 11 O Oberammergau. berammergaau. ((Thu.) Thu.) Today Todaay the highlight of your your vacation: vacation: the th he original original PASSION PASSION PLAY, PLAY, held every ever y 10 years years and a performed performed by the community community of Oberammergau. Oberammergaau. Enjoy Enjoy this evening’s evening’s farewell farewell dinner. dinner. (B,L,D) Day Da ay 12 O Oberammergau–Munich berammergaau–Munich Air Airport. rporrt. (F (Fri.) ri.) T Transfer ransffer e to Munic Munich h Air Airport port for flights leavingg no ear earlier lier than 10 am. Y Your our ho homebound mebound flight arr arrives ives the same da day. ay. (B)

Merchants’ Bridge, Erfurt

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August 2009 61

www.globusfaith.com

Oberammergau Ob berammergau g 2010 20110

E UROPEAN C HARM & O BBERAMMERGAU E R A M M E R G AU 13 days d s

LAND HOLLAND

Amsterdam errda 2

Day 1 (Sun.) Board yyour overnight vernight tr transatlantic an nsatlantic flight. Day 2 Arrival in Amster A Amsterdam, dam m, Hol Holland. land. (Mo (Mon.) n.) The da dayy is fr free ee to rrest est or to

GERMANY

Paris

u h ccapital. utc apital. A m, meet yyour our tr aveling co mpanions and T our start exploring th the Dutch Att 6 p pm, traveling companions Tour Director for a welcome ome m dinner att yyour our hotel. (D)

Heidelberg H id

Rhineland nd 1 Oberammergau am Lucerne Lu

FRANCE

Lausannee

Montreux

Rothenburg nb 1

Munich Mu ih

Innsbruck

AUSTRIA

SWITZERLAND

Lugano L

Venice enice n e 2V

Dayy 3 Am Amsterdam. dam. ((Tue.) Tue.) A L Local ocal G Guide uide sho shows ws yyou ou the 700-y 700-year-old ear-old ccapital, apital, th highlight lig is a CANAL CANAL CRUISE C UISE past patrician CR patrician mansions, mansions, gabled d façades façades and and the humpback bridges. Next, DIAMOND CENTER bi N ext, visit a major m CEN NTER to appreciate apprecciate how how in a is transformed a ansfor med into intto a sparkling sparkling je wel. You You may maay wish to visit vissit one one of a rough mineral jewel. Amsterdam’s Later, Volendam terdam many n museums. s seums. Laterr, an optional optional excursion excursion to V olendam ccan an n be arranged. arranged. (B)

Day D Da ay 4 Am Amsterdam-Heidelberg, rdam Heidelberg g, Ger Germany-Rhineland. many-Rhineland. ((Wed.) Wed.) On the wa way ay to er ss a the h Dutch he D utch region reggion best known known as the locale locale of A Bridge Briddge Too Too Far. Far. Stop Stop Germany, a passing glancee at og to t visit the awesome a t -spired gothic gothicc CATHEDRAL. CATHEDR RAL. Then the afternoon’s affternoon’s highlight: a in Cologne twin-spired m N CRUISE UIS SE past p castle-crested ca cl s, s terraced terraced vineyards, vin neyards, and trim, trim, half-timbered half-timbered towns. townss. Next Next stop is romantic RHINE cliffs, de d lled le castle. (B,D) B Heidelberg, famous for itss red-walled ITALY

Day 5 Rhineland-Rothenburg-Munich. oth -M h (Thu.) T Enjoy a leisurely u morning orniing br break eak oon n the Ro Romantic mantic Road in spectacular Ro Rothenburg othenburg with its ramparts and towers, houses. South towards the Valley Munich, Germany’s How s, cobbled c b lanes, and 16th 6t century hou o ow hee Danube V a ley and Munic al h, Ger many ’s ““secret secret ccapital.” a apital.” Ho w about an optional outingg to th the famous Hofbräuhaus (B) ha tonight? n ht? (B ni Day 6 Munich-Oberammergau. b ra (Fri.) Your m morning n orientation featuress the O Olympic lympic S Stadium, tadium, the 1,000-foot-high T Television elevision T Tower, ower, and a picture stop at Nymphenburg Palace. Next, visit Munich’s un ch most famous square, MAR M MARIENPLATZ RIENPL LATZ with the O Old ld and the N New ew T Town own n Hal Halls, ls, and the ggothic Frauenkirche. Then into the Bavarian vari n Alp Alps p to pi p picturesque q Oberammergau g for f the highli highlight ight of this vac vacation: ation: the or original iginal P PASSION ASS ASSION SION PL PLAY, AY, held eevery ver y 10 yyears, earss, and per formed by the h rresidents e esidents ts of O berammergau. (B,L,D). performed Oberammergau.

Day Da ay 7 O Oberammergau-Innsbruck, beram mmergau-Innsbruck, A Austria-Venice, usttria-V Venice, Ital Italy. y. (S (Sat.) at.) Mor Morning o ning br break eakk in Innsbr Innsbruck, uck, ccapital apital of the A Austrian ustrian T Tyrol. yrol. S Stroll troll through medieval south on through g quaint q meedieval lanes to Emperor Emper p or Maximilian’s Maximilian’s GOLDEN GOLDEN ROOF. ROOF F. Continue Continue i on the spectacular Brenner Brenner Pass Pass road road across across the mighty mighty barrier Alps Italy b ier barr i off the h Tyrolean Tyrollean l Al into i I ly to Venice, Ital Venice i , the h celebrated cele l br b ated d “Pearl “Pearl off the h Adriatic.” Adr d iatic.” i i ” Tonight, Tonight i ht, enjoy enjo j y the h city’s cit i y ’s fine fi restaurants. restaurants. (BB)) Day Da ay 8 V Venice. enice. (S ((Sun.) un.) Enter Venice Venice in st style yle by PRIVATE PR RIV VATE T BOAT BOAT to meet yyour our Local Local Guide. Guide. Highlights of your your walking tour ar aree ST ST. T. MARK MARK’S ’S SQ SQUARE QUARE and the byzantine byzantine B BASILICA, ASILICA, lavish DOGES’ DOGES’ S P PALACE, ALACE, the Cloc Clockk T Tower, ower,, and the BR BRIDGE IDGE OF SIGHS. Also watc watch h skilled skillled GLASS GLASS BLOWERS fashion delicate traditional Venice optional ride. BL OWERS fashio on their delic ate objects in an age-old tr raditional manner. manner. Then, enjoy enjooy V enice at a your your own own pace or join an optio nal ggondola ondola n ride. (B,D)

Day Da ay 9 V Venice-Lugano, enice-L Lugano, Switzerland-Lucerne. Switzerland-Lucernee. (Mo (Mon.) n.) Thr Through ough the lush L Lombardian ombardiaan plains, past the co commercial mmercial ccapital apital off Milan and into Italian-speaking Italian-speaking southern southern Switzerland, Switzerland, stopping stopping in in flower-festooned flower-festooned Lugano Lugano for for lunch. lunch. Next, Next, admire admire the the towering towering majesty majesty of of the the Swiss Swiss A Alps lps and and the the St. St. Gotthard Gotthard mountain mountain on on your your way way to to picture-book picture-book Lucerne. Lucerne. On On arrival, arrival, enjoy enjoy a walking walking tour tour to to admire admire Thorwaldsen’s Thorwaldsen’s LION LION MONUMENT MONUMENT and and the the ornate ornate patrician patrician houses hou uses lining the cobbled streets streets of the walled waalled Old Old Town, Town, then cross cross the famous covered covered CHAPEL CHAPEL BRIDGE BR RIDGE to the Jesuit Jesuit Church. Church. Why not sign up for foor a folklore folklore party party with yodeling yodeling and alphorn alp phorn blowing blowing for a first-hand impression impression of Alpine merrymaking? merrymaking? (B) Why Day Da ay 10 L Lucerne-Montreux. ucerne-Mont n reux. ((Tue.) Tue.) Morning Morning at le leisure. isure. Y You ou ma may ay wish to shop for S Swiss wiss watc w watches hes or join an ex exciting citing optio optional nal ex excursion cu ursion to the top of a mountain. In the t af afternoon, fternoon, a smooth dr drive ive br brings ings yyou ou u to L Lake ake Gene Geneva va and Mo Montreux ntreux of ffestival esttival fame. T estival Take ake pictur pictures es of the F Festival estival Hal Hall. l. (B,D)

Day Da ay 11 Mont Montreux-Lausanne-Paris, reux-Lausanne-Paris, F France. rance. ((Wed.) Wed.) A shor shortt dr drive ive to L Lausanne, ausanne, ho home m to the Inter me International national O Olympic lympic Co Committee, m mmittee , wher wheree yyou ou boar board d the high high-speed h-speed ““TGV” TGV ” tr train ain to P Paris. aris. On arr arrival, ivval, sightseeing with a L Local ocal G Guide uide ffeatures eaatures the most famous sights: the Opé eatur Opéra, éra, Ar Arcc de T Triomphe, riomphe, Champ Champs-Elysées, s-Elysées, N Notre otre Dame Cathedr Cathedral, al, and d mor more. e. F For or a bir bird’s d’s eeye ye vie view, w, take the ele eelevator vator to the seco second nd floor of P Paris’ aris’ most m famous landmar k, the E IF FFEL T OWER. (B,D) landmark, EIFFEL TOWER.

Day Da ay 12 At L Leisure eissure in P Paris. aris. ((Thu.) Thu.) A Another nother da dayy to t enjo enjoyy what this extr extraordinary aordinar y metr metropolis opolis has to off offer. fer. Explor Exploree the wor world ld ccapital a apital of chic chic and style style at your your o own own pace. Shop Shop for perfume perfume and fancy faancy fashion fashion accessories, accessories, take your your pick pick from from many many fine museums museums or stroll stroll through thrrough the parks. Optional Optional excursions excursions are are available to the th he Louvre Louvre Museum and the lavish baroque baroque o Palace of Versailles. Versailles. (B) magnificent parks. Palace Day Da ay 13 P Paris. aris. (F ((Fri.) ri.) Y Your our ho homebound mebound flight arr arrives ives th the he same da day. y. (B)

62 August 2009

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Oberammergau Ob berammergau g 2010 20110

E NCHANTING E UROPE & O BBERAMMERGAU E R A M M E R G AU 14 days ay

LAND HOLLAND

Amsterdam erda

London

Day 1 (Sat.) Board your u overnight rnight n tr transatlantic an nsatlantic flight. Day 2 Arrival in London, o ondon, E England. (S (Sun.) un.) Unifor Uniformed med Globus hosts ar aree available to help yyou make stay. m the most m of yyour our sta ay.

Paris

FRANCE

GERMANY

Rhineland nd

Dayy 3 L D London. ond (Mon.) (M Mon.) S Sightseeing igghtseeing with a pr professional offessional L Local ocal G Guide u inc uide includes ludes

all the famous landmarks: m ks: Knig mar Knightsbridge ghtsbridge with Harr Harrods, ods, the Houses of o P Parliament arliament beside the River Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s and Big Ben nb t Riv er Thames, T W estminster Abbe y, W hitehaall’s mounted Lucerne ucer Vaduz duz IInnsbruck AUSTRIA horse guards and thee P Prime Minister’s’s Do Downing Street, Buckingham Palace. ds an rime Minister M wning S treet, and Buc kinggham P alace. 2 TZE AN L SWITZERLAND Highlightss are a visit to ST ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL ceremonial pageantryy T. P AUL L’S C ATHEDR RAL and the cer emoonial pageantr LIECHTENSTEIN IE NSTEIN of the Cha Changingg of thee G Guard, Time afternoon independent uard, iff held. T ime in the af fternoon for indep pendent activities. aree available Tower London Windsor e Optional tio l excursions r ns ar rsio a to the T ower of L ondon and to W indsor Castle. Tonight maybe cruise River ni be a leisurely issurely cr uiise oon n the Riv er Thames? (B) 2

Oberammergau am

Dayy 4 London-Paris, Lo nF France. r ce. ((Tue.) Tue.) Meet yyour our T Tour our Dir Director ector and tr traveling avelin ng co companions mpanions and transfer r to the railway rai w station to board bo d the EUROSTAR EUR ROST TAR TRAIN TR RAIN to Paris, Paris, the splendid splendid capital capital uti country. tr y This evening, you you may ay wish to join o an optional oin optional dinner at a local local restaurant restaurant followed followed w by an of a beautiful illumination drive of the city. y (B) (B Day 5 Paris. (Wed.) Discover is r the world capital of cchic and st style tyle w with h a Local cal Guide and a admir admiree its most famous sights: the Opér Opéra, a, Ar Arcc de d T Triomphe, riomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre Dame am Cathedral, C and more. For a bird’s-eye b rd view, v take ake the elevator or to to the the second second floor fflloor of of Paris’ Paris’ most most famous ffaamous llandmark, andm mark, tthe he E EIFFEL IFFEL TOWER. An optional excursion a lively ursion to the lavish baroque Palace c off Versailles is available. Tonight, n night, livel ely cabaret cabaret show show might just be the ticket. ticket. (B) Day 6 Paris-Lucerne, Switzerland. nd. ((Thu.) Thu.) A ccomfortable om ride on the highway way skir wa skirting tin ng F Fontainebleau ontainebleau F Forest orest and the vine vineyards yaards of Burgundy to the Swiss border and vistas of the Swiss Alp Alps as you o enter picture-book Lucerne. (B,D) Day 7 Lucerne. (Fri.) Admire Thorwaldsen’s LION IO MONUMENT and the ornate n patr nate patrician ician houses lining the cobbled str streets eets off the wal walled led O Old ld Town, then cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. Afterwards, Swiss watches from optional teer wards, sshop hop for S wiss watc hes and cchoose hoose fr om our optio nal activities: climb climb a mountain m by ccable able ccar, arr, take a cr cruise uise oon n the fjor fjord-like d like lake d-like lake,, or join a folklor folkloree par p party ty with yyodeling odeling and alp alphorn horn blo blowing. win ng. (B)

Day Da ay 8 L Lucerne-Vaduz, ucernee-V Vaduz, Liec Liechtenstein-Innsbruck, htenstein-Innsbruck, A Austria-Oberammergau, usttria-Oberammergau u, Ger Germany. many. (S (Sat.) at.) Mor Morning ning br break eak is i in V Vaduz, aduz, capital Liechtenstein. Innsbruck, stroll through medieval Emperor Maximilian’s’s capital of the pocket-sized pocket-siz k ed Principality Principality of Liec htenstein. In Innsbr uck, take a pleasant str oll thr rough quaint medie val lanes to Emper or Maximilian GOLDEN views alll al along from Austrian Tyrol Bavaria’s picturesque Oberammergau. GOLDEN ROOF. ROOF F. Next, Next, stunning mountain vie ws al long the rroad oad fr om the A ustrian T yrol to Bavar ia’s pictur esque O berammergaau. (B,D) Day Da ay 9 O Oberammergau. beram mmergau. (S (Sun.) un.) T Today, odaay, the highligh highlightt of yyour our vac vacation: ation: the or original iginal P PASSION ASSIO ASSION ON PL PLAY, AY, held eevery ver y 10 yyears ears and pe performed erformed by the residents residents of Oberammergau. Oberam mmergau. (B,L,D) Day Da ay 10 Oberammergau-Rhineland. Oberam mmergau-Rhineland. (Mo (Mon.) n.) N North orrth towards towards Munic Munich h and on on to fabulous Rothenburg R with its ramparts ramparts and to towers, wers, s, cobbled lanes, and 16th-centur ouses. N ext stop is Heidelberg many’s oldest unive ersitty to own of St udent P rin nce fame and renowned renowned for its red-walled red-walled castle. castle. (B,D) 16th-centuryy ho houses. Next Heidelberg,, Ger Germany’s university town Student Prince

Day Da ay 11 Rhinel Rhineland. land. ((Tue.) Tue.) This mor morning, ning, enjo enjoyy a rromantic omantic R RHINE HINE CR CRUISE RUISE past ccastle-crested astle-ccrested ccliffs, lifffs, terr terraced aced vine vineyards, yards, and tr trim, rim, halftimber i b ed d towns towns to St. St. Goarshausen. G h I the h afternoon, affternoon, an excursion excursio i n to one one off the h castles castles l is i available. ilable. bl Late Late afternoon, affternoon, enjoy enjo j y a RIESLING RIESLIN NG WINE timbered In TASTING, TASTING, the wine wiine for which which the area area is famous. (B) Day Da ay 12 Rhinel Rhineland-Amsterdam, land-Amsterdam, Hol Holland. land. ((Wed.) Wed.) A leisur leisurely elly depar departure ture this mor morning ning for f Cologne Cologne,, wher wheree yyou ou wil willll visit the awe awesome some ttwin-spired win-spired GOTHIC CATHEDRAL. CATHE EDR RAL. Then, continue continue through through the Dutch Dutc u h region region best known knoown as the locale locale of A Bridge Bridgge Too Too Far Far to A msterdam, the D utcch ccapital. apital. (B,D) GOTHIC Amsterdam, Dutch Day Da ay 13 Amster Amsterdam. rdam. ((Thu.) Thu.) Enjo Enjoyy a C CANAL ANAL CR CRUISE RUISE U with a Local Local G Guide uide to see the patrician paatrician mansio mansions, ns, gabled façades and humpbac h humpbackk bridges, the history bridges, and hear about a histor y of the 700-year-old 700-year-old capital. capital. Next, Next, visit a major DIAMOND D CENTER CENTER to appreciate appreciate how how a rough rough h mineral mineral is transformed transformed into a sparkling sparkling jewel. jewel. Later Later you you may maay wish to to join an optional optional excursion excursion to Volendam. Volend olendam. am. (B) Day Da ay 14 (F (Fri.) Fri.) Y Your ou our ur ho homebound mebound flight arr arrives ives the same da day. ay. (B) NOTE: N OTE: In the rrare arre eevent vent that the Eur Eurostar osttar ttrain rain is una unavailable, vailablee, alt alternative ernative se services r vices wil will ll be ppr provided ovided

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Oberammergau Ob berammergau g 2010 20110

I MPERIAL S PLENDORS DORS & OB BERAMMERGAU E R A M M E R G AU 13 days daays Day D Da ay 1 Boar Board d yyour our oovernight vernight tr transatlantic an nsatlantic flight. Prague Pr a 2

GERMANY

CZECH RE REPUBLIC P

Munich Salzburg zburg 11 2

Oberammergau Ob mmergau

SLOVAKIA Bratislava slava

Melk 2

Vienna na AUSTRIA

Budapest

Day D Da ay 2 Ar Arrival A rival i l in i Munic M Munich, i h, h Ger G Germany. many. T Time i ime to rest rest or to start start explor exploring l ing i the th Bavarian Bavarian capital. capital. At At 6 pm, pm, meet meeet your your Tour Tour Director Director and traveling traveling companions companio m ns for a welcome welcome dinner at your your hotel. (D)

Day Da ay 3 Munic Munich-Prague, h-Prague, Cz C Czech ech Republic. A An n or orientation ientation ttour our of Germany ’s “secret “secret capital” capital” features features e the Olympic Olympic Stadium, Stadium, 1,000-foot-high 1,000-foot-h high Television Television Germany’s Tower, Tower, and MARIENPLATZ To MAR RIENPLATZ in the th he historic historic heart heart of the city. city. Later, Later, head d for the Czech Czech border e in the Bohemian er Bohemian Forest Forest and travel travel to Prague, Prague, the “Golden City.” City.” How How about an optional p on Czech Czech folklore folklore show show tonight? tonight? (B,D) (B,D D)

Day 4 P Da Prague. ra Morning sightseeing Mo igh ei with a Local Guide u rreveals eveals wh whyy P Prague rague is co considered nsidered oone ne of Eur Europe’s ope’s most attr attractive active ccapitals. apitals. s. S See ee 1,000-year-old ye o HRADCANY C C CASTLE, ASTL ST ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL ATHE TH HEDR RAL (o (on nS Sundays undaays no inside guiding g per permitted), mitted), the O Old ld T Town, own, thee Je Jewish wish ghetto ghetto,, and th the ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK, Europe. Afternoon leisure. You may locals Wenceslaus A RONOMIC O C K oonce n the envyy off aall Eur E ope. Af fternoon at leisur e. Y ou ma ay want to mix with the loc als in W enceslaus Square, ar , or relax att an outdoor or rrestaurant. est This his evening, ni whyy not n join an optio optional nal dinner outing?? (B) Day 5 Prague-Bratislava, Da isla Slovakia-Budapest, vak B p H Hung Hungary. ar y. Into Mor Moravia, avia, wher wheree N Napoleon apoleon established his headquar headquarters ters dur d during ing the Battle at of Austerlitz. Around lunchtime, lun ti reach rea Bratislava, Bratis capital t of Slovakia. tal Slovakia. Afterwards, Affter wards, follow follow the course of the Danube River River to Budapest. Bu udapest. (B,D) Day ay 6 Budapest. Your Local G Guide ui takes you through Eastern a n Eur aster Europe’s ope’s most cosmopolita cosmopolitan n cit city. y. S See ee elegant A Andrassy ndrassy A Avenue, venue, tthe he Ther Thermal mal Baths, and the world’s ld s second-largest large Jewish synagogue. From m the lac lacyy loo lookout kout to towers wers of F Fishermen’s ishermen’s Bastio Bastion, n, enjo enjoyy a panor panoramic amic vie view w of the sprawling city. Then, 13th-century MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH, citadel Gellert, Heroes’ Square. en, visit the 13 O ONATION CH OR URCH, the ci itadel oon n Mount Gel lert, and Her oes’ S quare. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, specialtyy dinner ccan arranged. nig , a delectable optional Hungarian n specialt an be arr anged d. (B) Day 7 Budapest-Vienna, Austria. This morning, drive i e thr iv through ough the Hungar Hungarian ian plains to V Vienna, ienna, oonce nce the center of the mig mighty hty Habsburg Empir E Empire. i e. Meet M yyour ourr L Local ocall G Guide uide id and d star startt yyour our af afternoon fternoon sightseeing i h i with i h vistas i off P Prater rater P Park ark with i h its i giant i F Ferris erris i wheel, h l and d the h United U i dN Nations atio i ns Cit Cityy oon n the banks of the Danube Riv River. er. Then, dr drive ive alo along n Ring Boule ng Boulevard, vard, pass the S State tate Oper Opera ra House House,, the Je Jewish wish quar quarter, terr, and stop at the Hofburg P Palace, alace, winter rresidence esid dence of the A Austrian ustrian Imper Imperial ial famil family. y. Mar Marvel vel at the impr impressive essive cour courtyards tyards an and nd famous Heldenplatz and visit aweso awesome ome ST ST. T. STE PHEN’S C ATHE T DR RAL. Af fternoon at leisur e. A n optio nal ex cursion to the wine vil lage of Gr inzing is available. (B) STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. Afternoon leisure. An optional excursion village Grinzing

Day Da ay 8 At L Leisure eisu ure in V Vienna. ienna. A whole da day ay at leisu leisure ure giv gives es yyou ou the oppor opportunity tunity to join ex exciting xciting optio optional nal ex excursions, cursions, inc including luding the t V Vienna ienna Woods, Woods, historic historic Schönbrunn Scchönbrunn Palace, Palace, a co concert, ncert, or to just explor exploree this magnificent cit cityy oon n yyour our oown. wn. (B) Day Da ay 9 V Vienna-Melk-Salzburg. ienna--Melk-Salzburg. A sscenic cenic d day! ay! E Enjoy njoy a lleisurely eisurely D DANUBE ANUBE C CRUISE RUISE aalong long tthe he m most ost sscenic cenic p part art ooff tthe he rriver. iver. N Noo llandscape andsscape iiss m more ore ttypically ypically A Austrian ustrian th than han the Sound of Music lakeland of the S Salzkammergut. alzkammergut. P Pass ass lo lovely velly L Lake ake W Wolfgang olffgan gang ng oon n yyour our wa way ay via Bad Isc Ischl hl to S Salzburg. alzburgg. (B,D)

Day Da ay 10 S Salzburg-Munich, alzbu urg-Munich, Ger Germany-Oberammergau. many-Oberam mmergau. A pleasant str stroll oll with a L Local ocal G Guide uide takes yyou ou thr through ough the his historical storical center center.. Admire Admir d i e exquisite exquisite i it MIRABELL M RABELL GARDENS, MIR GARDENS, NS the th Great G eat Festival Gr Festival ti l Hall, H ll, Hal l ST. ST T. PETER’S PETER’S CHURCHYARD, CHURCH HY YARD, and d the th monumental monumental t l Domplatz. D mpllatz. Do l t Also Al visit i it MOZART’S MOZAR RT ’S BIRTHPLACE BIR RTHPL T ACE in the charming charming Getreidegasse. Getreideegasse. A comfortable comfortable drive drive brings brings you you via Munich Munich to picturesque picturesque Oberammergau. Oberammeergau. (B,D) Day Da ay 11 O Oberammergau. beram mmergau. T Today, odaay, enjo enjoyy the highligh highlight ht of yyour our vac vacation: ation: the or original iginal P PASSION ASSI ASSION ION PL PLAY, AY, held eevery ver y 10 yyears, ears, and per p performed formed by the Oberammergau. rresidents esidents of O beram mmergau. (B,L,D)

Day Da ay 12 O Oberammergau-Munich. beram mmergau-Munich. Retur Return n to Mu Munich unich for yyour our oovernight vernight sta stay. ay. Ho How w abo about out a stein of beer to tonight night in the Hofb Hofbräuhaus bräuhaus to celebr celebrate ate the succe success ss of yyour our vac vacation? ation? (B)

Day Da ay 13 Munic Munich. h. Y Your our ho homebound mebound flight arr arrives ives the same da day. ay. (B)

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Oberammergau Ob berammergau g 2010 20110

MU UNICH NICH, SA ALZBURG LZBURG, V IENNA E & O BBERAMMERGAU E R A M M E R G AU 11 days daays Day Da ay 1 ((Wed.) Wed.) Boar Board d yyour ou ur oovernight vernight tr transatlantic ansatlantic flight. GERMANY

Day Da ay 2 Ar Arrival rival in Munic Munich, h, Germany. Germany. ((Thu.) Thu.) T Time imee to rrest est or to

Munich

Melk

Oberammergau schwan Neuschwanstein N

start start exploring exploring the Bavarian B Bavar ian capital. capital. At At 6 pm, pm, meet your your Tour Tour Director Director and traveling traveling companions companions for a welcome welcome dinner at your your hotel. (D)

Vienna

Salzburg Innsbruck In b c

Day Da ay 3 Munic Munich. h.. (F (Fri.) ri.) S Sightseeing ightseeing with a L Local ocal G Guide uidee of Ger Germany’s many ’s “secret ccapital” apital” inc lu udes the O lympic S tadium, 1,000-foot t-high T elevision “secret includes Olympic Stadium, 1,000-foot-high Television Tower, MAR RIENPL LATZ with the O ld and the N ew T own w Hal ls, and the Tower, MARIENPLATZ Old New Town Halls, gothic Frauenkirche. Afternoon leisure. An optional excursion gothic F rauenkirche. Af A fternoon at leisur e. A n optio nal ex cursion is available to Linder Linderhof hof Castle. (B))

AUSTRIA

Day ay 4 Munic Munich-Neuschwanstein-Innsbruck, h-Neuschw wanstein-Innsbruck, A Austria-Salzburg. ustria--Salzburg. (Sat.) Drive ive into the gar garden-like den-like lan landscapes ndscapes of the Bavar Bavarian ian Alps to N Neuschwanstein, euscchwanstein, and NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, visit NE EUSCHW WANSTEIN C ASTLE, one one of King Ludwig’s Ludwig’s magnificent castles. castles. Then, oon n to Innsbruck Tyrolean Enjoyy a pleasant walk through medieval Emperor Maximilian’s’s GOLDE GOLDEN ROOF. Innsbr uck in the T yrolean Mountains. Enjo w thr ough the quaint medie val laness to Emper or Maximilian NR OOF F. In the afternoon, Salzburg. af fternoon, take thee scenic rroute oute to Sound of Music S alzbu urg. (B,D)

Day Da ay 5 S Salzburg. alzburg g. (S (Sun.) un.) A pleasant str stroll oll with a L Local ocal a G Guide uide takes yyou ou thr through ough the histor historic icc center center.. A Admire dmire ex exquisite quisite MIR MIRABELL RABELL GAR GARDENS, RDENS, the Great CHURCHYARD, monumental Domplatz. Also MOZART’S BIRTHPLACE Great Festival Festival Hall, Hall, ST. ST T. PETER’S PETER’S CH URCHY YARD, and the mo numental Do mplatz. Als so visit MOZ AR RT ’S BIR RTHPLACE in the ccharming harming Getreidegasse. Getreidegasse. Afternoon Affter ternoon at leisure. leisure. (B) Day Da ay 6 S Salzburg-Vienna. alzburg g-V V ienna. (Mon.) (Mon.) Mor Morning ning dr drive ive too V Vienna, ienna, oonce nce the center of the might mighty ty Habsburg Empir Empire. e. Meet yyour our L Local ocall G Guide uide and star startt your your sightseeing with w a visit to magnificent SCHÖNBRUNN SCHÖNBR RUNN U PALACE. PALACE. Next, Next, enjoy enjoy vistas of Prater Prater Park Park with its giant Ferris Ferris wheel, wheell, and the United Nations Nations City City on on the th he banks of the Danube Riv River. er. Then, dr d drive ive alo along ng Ring Boule Boulevard, vard, pass the S State t Oper tate Operaa House House,, the Je Jewish wish quar quarter, terr, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, Palace, winter w rresidence esidence of the A Austrian ustrian Imper Imperial iaal famil family. y. Mar Marvel vel at the impr impressive essive cou courtyards urtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit v aweso awesome me ST T. STEPHEN’S STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. CATHEDR RAL. A n optio nal ex cursion to the wine vil lage of Gr inzing is a possibilit p night. (B) ST. An optional excursion village Grinzing possibilityy to tonight. Day Da ay 7 V Vienna. ienna. ((Tue.) Tue.) A whole da day ay at leisur leisuree and lots to do! Do Don’t n’t forget to savor S Sachertorte achertorte and watch watch the jolly jolly crowd crowd in one one of Vienna’s Vienna’s famous coffee cofffee houses. An An optional o optio nal excursion excursion to Bratislava, Bratislava, capital capitaal of Slovakia, Slovakia, is available. Tonight, Tonight, why why not take in an operetta operetta concert concert in one one n of Vienna’s Vienna’s elegant concert concert halls? hallls? (B) Day Da ay 8 V Vienna-Melk-Oberammergau, ienna--Melk-Oberammergau, Ger Germany. m y. ((Wed.) man Wed.) The final touc touches hes to a lo lovely ovely vac vacation. ation. Fr From rom Kr Krems, ems, enjo enjoyy a lei leisurely isurely D DANUBE ANUBE CR CRUISE RUIS UISE SE alo along ng the most scenic sectio section n of thee rriver. iver. Boar Board d yyour our motor motorcoach coach and co continue ntinue via Munic Munich h to pictur picturesque esque O Oberammergau. beerammergau. (B,D)

Day Da ay 9 O Oberammergau. beram mmergau. ((Thu.) Thu.) T Today, odaay, enjo enjoyy the hig highlight ghlight of yyour our vac vacation: ation: the or original iginal P PASSION ASSION PL PLAY, AY, held eevery ver y 10 yyears, ears, and per performed formed Oberammergau. by the rresidents esidents of O berammergau. (B,L,D)

Day Da ay 10 O Oberammergau-Munich. beram mmergau-Munich. (F (Fri.) ri.) Retur Return n to Munic Munich h for yyour our oovernight vernight sta stay. y. Ho How ow about a stein of beer to tonight night in thee Hofbräuhaus to celebr celebrate ate the succe success ss of yyour our vac vacation? ation? (B)

Day Da ay 11 (S (Sat.) at.) Y Your our ho our homebound mebound flight arr arrives ives the same da day. y. (B)

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T HE B EST

O F A USTRIA OF IA & SW WITZERLAND I TZ ER LA N D P O BBERAMMERGAU E R A M M E R G AU PLUS 16 days d ys

GERMANY

Munich

Bavarian Alps

Oberammergau O b Lucerne TZ SWITZERLAND

Berne Be

T ST 2 LIECHTENSTEIN

Melk

Innsbruck

Vienna 3

Salzburg

Day 1 (S (Sat.) at.) Boar Board d yyour ou ur oovernight vernight tr transatlantic ansatlantic flight. Day ay 2 Ar Arrival rival in i V Vienna, ienna A ienna, Austria. usttria. ia (Sun.) (Sun.) Time Time to to rest rest or or to to start start exploring capital. Att 6 p pm, meet Tour Director xploring the the Viennese Viennese ca pital. A m, m eet yyour our T our D irector aand nd traveling aveling companions companioons for a very very special welcome welcome dinner at a your your hotel. (D)

AUSTRIA

Day Da ay 3 V Vienna. ienna.. (Mo (Mon.) n.) Meet yyour our L Local ocal G Guide uide and star startt yyour our htseeing, then, drive drrive along along Ring Boulevard, Boulevard, pass the State State t Opera Opera sightseeing, St. Mo S Moritz 2 House,, the Jewish Jewish quarter, quarrterr, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, Palace, winter w residence residence Zermatt Z ian Imperial Imperial family. fam milly. Marvel Mar vel at the impressive impressive courtyards courtyards d and famous of the Austrian Heldenplatz, and visit it awesome awesome ST. ST T. STEPHEN’S S PHEN’S CATHEDRAL. STE CATHEDR RAL. Afternoon Affternoo n n at leisure. leisure. O P Optional excursions to Schönbrunn Palace and the wine village of Grinzing aree available. (B) Interlaken Chur

Ch on Chillon Castle

Day D Da ay 4 At L Leisure eisu ure in Vienna. V ienna. ((Tue.) Tue.) Explor Exploree V Vienna ien nna independentl independently. y. Co Consider nsider a visit to Hofburg H P Palace alace or a visit to the Museu Museum um of F Fine ine Ar Arts ts works Van Eyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, more. Later, may optional excursion Bratislava, with wor ks by Jan V an Ey ck, R ubens, Rembr andt, R aphaael, and mor e. L aterr, yyou ou ma ay want to join j an optio nal ex cursion to Br atislava, a, ccapital apital of S Slovakia. lovakia. vakia (B)

Day Da ay 5 V Vienna-Melk-Salzburg. ienna--Melk-Salzburg. ((Wed.) ienna-Melk-S Wed.) D Drive rive to Kr Krems ems and enjo enjoyy a D DANUBE ANUBE CR CRUISE. RUISE. UIS SE. Then, fol follow low the Danube V Valley alley too histor historic ic Melk pictures of the Melk M Abbe y. N ape is mor ypic p ally A ustrian than the S alzkammergut gut lakeland. S top for a pictur arish Chur ch for pictures Abbey. Noo landsc landscape moree ttypically Austrian Salzkammergut Stop picturee of the P Parish Church in Mondsee, Mondsee, used for f the wedding scenes in The Sound off Music Music,, then, continue continue to Salzburg. Salzburg. (BB,D) (BB,D) Day Da ay 6 S Salzburg. alzburg g. ((Thu.) Thu.) S Stroll troll with a L Local ocal G Guide uide th through hrough the histor historic ic center center.. A Admire dmire ex exquisite qu uisite MIR MIRABELL RABELL GAR GARDENS, DENS, the Gr G Great eat F Festival estival Hall, ST. PETER’S CHURCHYARD, monumental Domplatz, Mozart’s birthplace Getreidegasse. Afternoon leisure. Hal l, ST T. P ETER’S CH URCHY YARD, mo numental Do mplatz, and Moz art ’s bir thplace in thee ccharming harming Getr eidegasse. Af fternoon at a leisur e. (B)

Day Da ay 7 S Salzburg-St. alzburg g-St. Mor Moritz, itz, S Switzerland. witzerland. (F (Fri.) Fri.) i Enter the S Swiss wiss Engadine Engadine,, the mostt beautiful mountain ar area ea in the wor world ld with its deepblue lakes, airy air y larch larch forests, forests, mountain peaks, and quaint Grisons Grisons style style villages. villages. The rest rest of the day daay is at leisure leisure in ritzy ritzy St. St. Moritz. Moritz. (B,D) (B,D) Day Da ay 8 S St. t. Mor Moritz-Chur-Zermatt. i itz-C hur-Zermatt. ((Sat.) Sat.) D Drive rive tthrough hrouggh eexhilarating xhilarating A Alpine lpine sscenery. cenery. A Att C Chur, hur ur, b board oard tthe he p panoramic anoramic ccoach oach ooff tthe he w world-renowned orldd-renowned GLACIER EXPRESS TRAIN. Admire waterfalls, peaks, pass Valais, GLACIER E XPRESS T RAIN. A dmire tthundering hun ndeering w aterfalls, iimpressive mpressive p eaks, gglacial lacial iice ce ffields, ieldss, aand nd ttiny iny vvillages illages aass yyou ou p ass tthrough hrouggh tthe he V alais, a rregion eggion kknown nown for its great ggreat mountain n rresorts esorts and ex excellent xcellent wines. This af afternoon fternooon yyou ou ar aree in Z Zermatt, ermatt,, a p pictur picturesque resque q ccluster luster of rrustic ustic chalets chalets beneath the majestic j Matterhorn. Maatterhorn. (B,L,D) ( , , ) Day Da ay 9 At L Leisure eisu ure in Z Zermatt. ermatt. (S (Sun.) un.) A An n entir entiree da d day ay at leisur leisure. e. P Perhaps erhaps rride ide Eur Europe’s ope’s hig highest ghest rrack-railway ack-railwaay to 10,272-foot Gor Gornergrat n nergr at for a br eathtaking panor ramic vie w of the Alps. (B) breathtaking panoramic view

Day Da ay 10 Z Zermatt-Berne. ermattt-Berne. (Mo (Mon.) n.) Boar Board d the MOUN MOUNTAIN NT TAIN TR TRAIN RAIN to Täsc Täsch h and motor thr tthrough ough the lo lower wer Rhône V Valley alley to the shor shores es of L Lake ake Gene va. V isit CH I LON C IL ASTLE, the 12th-centur w for tress immor talized by the poett L ord By ron. Evening Evening arr ival in Berne. Bernee. (B,D) Geneva. Visit CHILLON CASTLE, 12th-centuryy water fortress immortalized Lord Byron. arrival

Day Da ay 11 Ber Berne-Interlaken-Lucerne. ne--Interlaken-Lucerne. ((Tue.) Tue.) S Sightseeing igh htseeing with a L Local ocal G Guide uide star starts ts at the t popular BEAR P PIT IT and then focus focuses ses oon n the monumental Federal Federral P alace and the beautiful medie val O ld T own. W itness the hour ly par ade of o painted figur es at the Cloc ower and a take yyour our monumental Palace medieval Old Town. Witness hourly parade figures Clockk T Tower pictures pictures of ornate, ornate, flower-adorned flower-adorned fountains. Enjo Enjoyy a lun lunch nch br break eak in Inter Interlaken, laken, situated benea beneath ath the to towering wering Jung Jungfrau. frau. T Take ake Brünigg P Pass ass to picture-book picture-book Lucerne. Lucerrne. You You ma may ay wish to sign up for a folk folklore klore par party ty with yyodeling odeling and alp alphorn horn blo blowing. wing. (B) Day Da ay 12 L Lucerne. ucerne. n ((Wed.) Wed.) On yyour our walking tour this mor morning, ning, admir admiree Thor Thorwaldsen’s waldsen’s L LION ION N MONUME MONUMENT, NT T, the or ornate nate patr patrician ician houses of the wal led O ld T own, w then cr oss the famous co vered CH HAPEL BR RIDGE to the Jesuit cchurch. hurch. Af fter wards, shop for watc hes and cchoose hooose fr om our walled Old Town, cross covered CHAPEL BRIDGE Afterwards, watches from optio nal activities: climb climb a mountain by ccable able ccar ar or take a cr uise oon n the fjor d-like lake. (B,D) optional cruise fjord-like

Day Da ay 13 L Lucerne-Liechtenstein-Innsbruck, ucerne-Liec n htenstein-Innsbruck, A Austria. ustria. ((Thu.) Thu.) S Stop top in the P Principality rincipal ality of Liec Liechtenstein htenstein and co continue ntinue to Innsbr IInnsbruck uck in the Austrian Tyrol. Tyrol. Walk Walk a through through its quaint little lanes and take taake pictures pictures of Emperor’s Emperor’s Maximilian’s Maximilian’s GOLDEN GOLDEN ROOF. ROOF F. (B,D) Austrian Day Da ay 14 Innsbr Innsbruck-Oberammergau. uck-Oberammergau. (F (Fri.) ri.) Intoo the Bavar Bavarian ian Alps to pictur picturesque esque O Oberammergau beerammergau for the highlight of yyour our vac vvacation: ation: the original PASSION PASSION N PLAY, PLAY, held every ever y ten years, years, and performed perfor fo med by the residents residents of Oberammergau. Oberammerrgau. (B,L,D) original Day Da ay 15 O Oberammergau-Munich. beram mmergau-Munich. (S (Sat.) at.) T Time ime to t explor exploree the to town wn or to visit oone ne of King K L Ludwig’s udwig’s ccastles astles befor beforee yyou ou leav leavee for f Munic Munich, h, wher ientatioon dr ive ffeatures eatures its main landmar ks: th he O lympic P ark, the 1,000-foot-high hT elevision T ower, and the N ymphenb burg P alace. wheree an or orientation drive landmarks: the Olympic Park, Television Tower, Nymphenburg Palace. T onight, yyou ou ma ay wish w to join an optio nal outing to visit Mar ienplatz and to hav er in the Hofbräuhaus. (B) Tonight, may optional Marienplatz havee a stein of be beer

Day Da ay 16 (S (Sun.) un.) Y Your o ho our homebound mebound flight arr arrives ives the samee da day. ay. (B)

66 August 2009

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Oberammergau Ob berammergau 2010 20110

G EERMAN R M A N H IIGHLIGHTS G H LI G H T S & O B BERAMMERGAU E R A M M E R G AU 11 days ays Berlin

Day 1 (Tue.) Board yyour ur oovernight vernight tr transatlantic ansatlantic flight. Day 2 Arrival iin nF Frankfurt, rankfurrt, Germany. Germany. ((Wed.) Wed.) T Time ime to rrest est or o to explor exploree

Cologne

Leipzig

GERMANY

Day 3 Frankfurt-Remagen-Cologne. D kffurt-Remagen-Colog agen-Cologne. ((Thu.) Thu.) A special tr treat eat at the vvery er y

Remagen R 1

Heidelberg Heid

Black Forest e

the bustling metropolis opolis on on the River R er Main. At Riv At 6 pm, pm, meet your your Tour Tour Director Director and traveling companions n ons for a welcome wellcome dinner at your your hotel. (D)

Frankfurt 1

Nuremberg Nu

Rothenburg

Munich 2

Oberammergau m

start ta of yyour o journey rney thr through ough Ger Germany many is a R RHINE HINE CR CRUISE RUISE alo along ngg the most scenic section River hills, terraced pretty tion off the Rhine Riv R er with ccastle-crested astle-crested hil ls, terr aced vine vvineyards, yards, pr etty wine towns, and final finally ly the le legendary gendar y L Lorelei orelei Roc Rock. k. Disembar Disembark, k, and d dr drive ive to the ruins of the b bridge Remagen, wheree A American troops breached Hitler’s’s W West ge in Remage en, wher merican tr oops br eached Hitler H est Wall. Spend afternoon plentyy of time to visit th the awesome W p nd the af fternoon in Cologne C with plent he aweso me GOTHIC towers, fivee nav naves, splendid H CATHEDRAL. EDR RAL. Its ttwin win 515-foot to wers, fiv es, splen ndid stainedglass windows and the shrine Three Holyy Kings ar aree eloquent test testimony he shr ine of tthe he Thr ee Hol timony to the quality of medieval engineering craftsmanship. gineering and d cr afftsmanship. (B,D)

Lindau

Day 4 Cologne-Berlin. n. (F (Fri) ri) Ride the EUR EUROCITY ROCITY TR TRAIN RAIN to Ber Berlin, lin, ccapital apital of reunited Germany, where sightseeing eeing with a L Local ocal G Guide uide in the oonce-divided nce-divided metr metropolis ropolis inc includes ludes the el elegant Ku Damm, the restored Reic Reichstag, Charlottenburg Palace, Victory hstag, Ch harlottenburg P alace, the 210-foot V ictor y Column in the monumental Brandenburg Gate. V Visit KAISER WILHELM MEMORIAL CHURCH he vast Tiergarten Ti arte Park, and a picture stop att m isit K AISE ER WILHE LM ME MOR RIAL CH UR RCH with its bomb-damaged b tower, drive along Unter den Linden d Boulevard, pass the State Opera pera House and a Checkpoint Charlie. Charlie. (BB,D) Day ay 5 Berlin. (Sat.) You mayy wish too jjoin an optional excursion to Potsdam, and nd to tonight night is yyour our cchance hance to sample Ber Berlin’s lin’s fine rrestaurants esstaurants and nightlife! nigh fe! (B) nightlif

Day Da ay 6 Ber Berlin-Leipzig-Nuremberg. lin-L Leip pzig-N g uremberg g. ((S (Sun.) un.)) On yyour our wa way ay south thr through ough g what used to be b the ““other” other” Ger Germany, man ny, visit L Leipzig, eip pzigg, an impor important p tant Middle Visit THOMASKIRCHE, wheree JJ.S. Bach worked, Market Square center since the Midd M le Ages. V isit the THOMASK IRCHE, C wher .S. Bac h wor ked, and thee Mar ket S quare with its fine rrenaissance enaissance nce buildings. Continue Nuremberg, town toys gingerbread, birthplace painter Albrecht Dürer meistersinger Co ntinue to N urem mberg, the to wn of cchildren’s hildren’s to ys and ginger bread, and the bir thplace of pain nter Albr echt Dür er and poet and meis stersinger Hans S Sachs. achs. A Admire dmire N Nuremberg’s uremberg’s impr impressive essive medie medieval val rramparts amparts t and walk thr through ough the ccharming harming ped pedestrian estrian O Old ld T Town. own. V Visit isit ST ST. T. SE SEBALD BALD D CH CHURCH, URCH, painstakingl painstakingly ly rreconstructed econstr n ucted as a mo monument nument to peace fr from om the rrubble ubble of near-total war wartime time dest destruction. truction. (B,D)

Day Da ay 7 N Nuremberg-Rothenburg-Munich-Oberammergau. uremb berg-Rothenburg-Munich-Ober b ammergau. (Mo (Mon.) n.) T Today, odaay, focu focuss oon n Ger Germany’s man ny ’s Ro Romantic mantic Road, whic which h leads fr from om the flat countr countryy to towards wards d the Alps. Enjo Enjoyy a walking tour of medie m medieval val Rothenburg with its rramparts amparts and to towers, wers, cobbled lanes and 16th-ce 16th-century entur y houses. Then, head south to t the Danube V Valley alley and Munic Munich h for an or orientation ientation dr drive ive befor beforee co continuing ntinuingg to pictur picturesque esque O Oberammergau. berammergau. (B, D) D

Day Da ay 8 O Oberammergau. beram mmergau. ((Tue.) Tue.) T Today, odaay, the highlightt of yyour our vac vacation: ation: the or original iginal P PASSION ASSIO ASSION ON PL PLAY, AY, held eevery ver y 10 yyears, ears, and pe performed erformed by the rresidents esidents of O Oberammergau. beram mmergau. (B,L,D)

Day Da ay 9 O Oberammergau-Lindau-Black beram mmergau-Lindau-Black F Forest. orestt. ((Wed.) Wed.) A scenic da day ay star starts ts out with a leisur leisurely ely dr drive ive alo along ng the panor panoramic amic Ger G German man Alpine Road to the sunn sunnyy nor northern thern shor shoree of L Lake ake Co Constance, nstance, Eu Europe’s urope’s largest fr freshwater eshwater rreservoir. eser voir. S Stop toop for a lunc lunch h br break eak in ccharming harming Linda Lindau, au, then, co continue ntinue nor north th and d visit the bar baroque oque cchurch hurch at Bir Birnau, nau, oon n yyour our wa way ay to yyour our hotel. (B,D)

Day Da ay 10 Blac Black kF Forest-Heidelberg-Frankfurt. orest-Heidelberg-F Frankfurt. ((Thu.) Thu.) This mor morning, ning, enjo enjoyy a W WOODCARVING OOD DCAR RVING DE DEMONSTRATION MONSTR RATION befor b beforee arr arriving iving in Heidelberg Heidelberg,, Ger Germany’s rmany ’s oldest univ university ersity to town wn of St Student udeent P Prince rince fame. T Time ime to str stroll oll ar around ound and to hav havee lunc lunch h in the O Old ld T Town. own. Then, T the highlight of toda today: ay : visit the rred-walled ed-walled C CASTLE ASTLE wher wheree the GR GREAT EA AT V VAT, AT, a 49,000-gal 49,000-gallon lon 18t 18th-century th-centur y wine ccask, ask, attr attracts acts par particular ticulaar attentio attention. n. Bac Backk to F Frankfurt rankfurt for a far farewell ewell dinner with yyour our co companions mpan nions of a fascinating vac vacation. ation. (B,D)

Day Da ay 11 Y Your our homebound homebound m flight arr arrives ives the same da day. ay. (B (B) B)

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August 2009 67

Oberammergau Ob berammergau g 2010 20110

A LPINE C O OUNTRIES UN & O BBERAMMERGAU E R A M M E R G AU 16 days d

Frankfurt

1 1

Rothenburg

Heidelberg Hei

Day 1 (Mon.) on.) Boar Board d yyour our oovernight vernight tr transatlantic ansatlantic flight.

GERMANY Munich

Oberammergau Lucerne Lu Berne Ber

Zermatt matt

Stresa tr sa

Lugano

1 1

Innsbruck

Dolomitess

St. Moritz S

Day 2 Ar Arrival rival in nF Frankfurt, rankfurt, t Germany. Germany. ((Tue.) Tue.) ue ) Time Tim me to rrest est or explore the bustling metr metropolis opolis on on the River River Main. At At 6 pm, pm, m meet your your Tour Tour Director or and traveling traveling ng companions companions for a welco welcome me dinner at your your hotel. (D)

Salzburg

Interlaken 2

Vienna

AUSTRIA 1

St. Veit

ITALY

Day 3 F Frankfurt-Rothenburg-Munich-Oberammergau. rankfurrt-Rothenburg-Munich-Oberrammergau. (Wed.) F Focus ocus oon n Ge Germany’s ermany ’s Ro Romantic mantic Road leading to th the he Alps. W Walk alk through medie medieval val Rot Rothenburg thenburg with its to towers wers and cobbled la lanes, anes, enjo enjoyy an orientation dr drive ive of Mun Munich, nich, then, arr arrive ive in pictur picturesque esque O Oberammergau. beram mmergau. (B,D)

Day 4 Oberammergau. mergau. ((Thu.) Thu.) T Today, oday, tthe he h highlight ighlight ooff yyour our vvacation—the acation—the every 100 years years and performed performed by the residents. residents. (B,L,D) original PASSION PLAY, held every Day 5 Oberammergau-Salzburg, A Austria-Vienna. u ust (Fri.) Through southern uthern Bavar Bavaria ria to S Salzburg. alzburg. Y Your our walking tour with haL Local ocal G Guide uide features the historic center of Mozart’s hometown, ow , exquisite q MIRABELL GARDENS, ENS,, the Gr Great reat F Festival estival Hal Hall, l,, ST ST. T. P PETER’S ETER’S CH CHURCHYARD, URCHY UR YARD, and the monumental monumenttal Domplatz. Domplatz. Ev Evening ening arr arrival ival in V Vienna. ienn na. T Tonight, onight, yyou ou ma may ay wish to tr tryy out lo local ocal specialties and V Viennese iennese enter entertainment. tainment. (B) Day Da ay 6 V Vienna. ienna. (S (Sat.) at.) Meet yyour our L Local ocal G Guide uide and sta start art yyour our sightseeing with vistas of P Prater rateer P Park ark with its giant F Ferris erris wheel, and d the United Nations Nations City City on on the th he banks of the Danube River. River. Drive Drive along allong Ring Boulevard, Boulevard, pass the State State Opera O a House, Oper House, the Jewish Jewish quarter, quarter, and stop sttop at the Hofburg Palace. Palace. Marvel M vel at the courtyards Mar courtyards and famous Heldenplatz Heldenplatz and visit ST. ST T. STEPHEN’S STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. CATHEDR RAL. Optional Optional excursions excursions to Grinzing Grinzing for a taste of Heurigen Heurigen n wine, wine, and to Bratislava, Bratislava, capital capital of Slovakia, Sloovakia, are are available. (B) Day Da ay 7 V Vienna-St. ienna--St. V Veit. eit. (S (Sun.) un.) An An optional optional excursion excursioon Schönbrunn Schönbrunn Palace Palace is possible before beforre continuing continuing south to the mountains, lakes, and popular resorts resorts of Carinthia. C inthia. O Car Overnight vernight in S St. t. V Veit. eit. (B,D (B,D)) Day Da ay 8 S St. t. V Veit-Italian eit--Italian Dolomites-Innsbr eit-Italian Dolomites-Innsbruck. uck. k (Mo (Mon.) n.) Drive Drive to the Italian border border and nd to Cortina Cortina d’Ampezzo, d’Ampezzo, the Olympic Olympic skiing s resort resort in the Dolomites. Dolomites. Then, Theen, cr cross oss Br Brenner enner Pass Pass to Innsbr Innsbruck uck in the he T Tyrolean yrolean Alps. S Stroll troll through through its med medieval dieval lanes to Emperor Emperor Maximilian Maximilian’s’s GO GOLDEN OLDEN ROOF. ROOF F. W Why hy not jjoin an optional oppptional Tyrolean Tyrolean song-and-dance song-and-dance g show? shoow? (B,D)

Day Da ay 9 Innsbr Innsbruck-St. u k-St. Mor uc Moritz, itz, S Switzerland. witzerland. (Tue.) (Tue.) Into Into the the Swiss Swiss Engadine. Engadine. See See deep-blue deep-blue lakes, lakes, airy airy larch larch forests, forests, mountain mountain peaks peaks ex exceeding ceeding 12,000 ffeet, e and quaint vil eet, villages lages with massiv massivee wh white hite sto stone ne houses in the ccharacteristic haracteristic Gr G Grisons isons st style. yle. Af Afternoon fternoon fr free ee in rritzy itzzy S St. t. Mor Moritz. itz. (B,D)

Day Da ay 10 S St. t. Mo Moritz-Lugano. oritz-Lugano. ((Wed.) Wed.) Descend to the t Italian L Lake ake Co Como mo and oon n to the souther ssouthern n tip of S Switzerland witzerland to the rresort esort to town wn of L Lugano, ugano, with time for an espr espresso esso oon n the P Piazza iazza Rifor Riforma, maa, and a walk in the shade of P Parco arco Cia Ciani’s ani’s magnificent old tr trees. ees. (B)

Day Da ay 11 L Lugano-Stresa, ugano o-Stresa, Ital Italy-Zermatt. y-Zermatt. ((Thu.) Thu.)) F From rom L Lake ake L Lugano ugano to L Lake ake Maggior Maggiore re for a br break eak in elegant S Stresa. tresa. A An n opt optional tional boat rride ide to Isola Bella lofty Simplon Pass Swiss Valais, area great Täsch, board Bella can can be b arranged. arranged. On oover ver the lof f ty S implon P ass into the S wiss V alais, an ar ea ffeaturing eaaturing gr eatur eat mountain rresorts. esorts. In Täsc ch, boar da MOUNTAIN MOUNT TAIN TR TRAIN RAIN to cclimb RAIN limb the last ffew ew miles up to Z Zermatt ermatt beneath the Matter Matterhorn. horn. (B,D (B,D) D) Day Da ay 12 At L Leisure eissure in Z Zermatt. ermatt. (F (Fri.) ri.) A da day ay to rrelax e or ma elax maybe aybe rride ide Eur Europe’s ope’s highest rrack-railway acck-railwaay to 10,272-foot Gor Gornergrat. nergrat. (B) Day Da ay 13 Z Zermatt-Berne-Interlaken-Lucerne. ermaatt-Berne-Interlaken-Lucernee. (S (Sat.) at.) Thr Through ough the vine vineyards yards and apr apricot ricot gr groves oves of the lo lower wer Rhône V Valley alley to L Lake ake Geneva and via thee Gruyère Gruyère dairy dair y country, countr y, to the Swiss Swiss capital capital of Berne. Berne. See See the monumental monumental Federal Federal Palace Palace and the BEAR PIT PIT before beffore continuing continuing Geneva Interlaken, a Bernese Beernese Oberland Oberland resort resort beneath the towering tower w ing Jungfrau, Jungfrau, and across across Brünig Pass Pass a to Lucerne. Lucerne. (B,D) via Interlaken, Day Da ay 14 L Lucerne. ucerne. n (S (Sun.) un.) On yyour our walking tour tour, r, adm admire mire Thor Thorwaldsen’s waldsen’s L LION ION MONUME MONUMENT ENT and the or ornate nate patr patrician ician houses of o the wal walled led Old Town, Town, then cross cross the famous CHAP EL BR RIDGE to t the Jesuit cchurch. hurch. Af fter wards, cchoose hoosse fr om our optio nal activities: cclimb limb a mountain by Old CHAPEL BRIDGE Afterwards, from optional cable car, carr, take a cruise cruise u on on the fjor d-like lake f a folklor ty with yyodeling odeling and alp aalphorn horn blo wing. (B) cable fjord-like lake,, or sign up for folkloree par party blowing. Day Da ay 15 L Lucerne-Heidelberg, ucerne-Heidelberg n g, Ger Germany-Frankfurt. many-F Fran nkfurt. (Mo (Mon.) n.) On the wa way ay bac backk to Ger G Germany, many, visit the thunder thundering ing R RHINE HINE EF FALLS ALLS at Schaffhausen. Enter Enteer the pine-clad pine-clad hills hills of the Black Black Forest, Forest, e and enjoy enjoy a WOODCARVING WOODCAR RVING DEMONSTRATION D MONSTR DE RATION on on your your way waay to Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Schaffhausen. known for its red-walled red-w walled castle, castle, before before returning returning to Frankfurt. Frankkfurt. Tonight, Tonight, enjoy enjoy a farewell farewell dinner to celebrate celebrate the success of your your vacation. vacatioon. (B,D) known Day Da ay 16 ((Tue.) Tue.) Y Your o ho our homebound mebound flight arr arrives ives the samee da day. ay. (B)

68 August 2009

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Only A Select Few At Oberammergau’s Passion Play Enjoy Better Seating Than Tauck Tauck World Discovery has three premium packages (and a four-day optional river cruise extension) that include exclusive Oberammergau tickets in the theater’s best viewing section, so your group can fully savor all the majesty and inspiration that the Passion Play offers. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to sit closer to the action, but that’s only part of what makes Tauck’s Oberammergau packages special. Each in-depth exploration of the region also provides the kind of special Tauck experiences that have earned us the industry’s highest repeat-guest rate. From an exclusive four-course dinner at a historic castle in the Tyrolean Alps to a private tour of Linderhof Palace near Munich, they’re the kind of signature travel experiences that will leave you and your group happy that you put your faith in Tauck.

For more information, call 1-800-241-1365, or visit www.tauck.com