9 nights/ 10 days
DAY 1: DEPART USA
Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Dusseldorf.
DAY 2: DUSSELDORF
Arrive in Dusseldorf, Germany, where you are greeted by your tour escort and transfer to Cologne. Afternoon is at leisure to become acclimated to a new time zone and to explore the city on your own. Overnight Cologne. (D.)
DAY 3: COLOGNE - AACHEN
Cologne has been the center of influence since the Roman times. Its importance as a center of pilgrimage grew after its acquisition, in 1194, of the relics of the Three Magi, the wise men who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. For a time it was a pilgrimage destination second only to Rome. The relics still remain today in the Kolner Dom, the Gothic Cathedral worthy of the huge reliquary, worked in silver and gold in which the gifts were originally displayed. We have a city tour before departing for Aachen, one of Germany's most important shrines, where one of the chapels of the Cathedral built by Emperor Charlemagne has immeasurable treasures for the Christian World. You visit the Aachen Cathedral and the Gothic Marian Shrine which houses the swaddling clothes of Jesus, the loin cloth of the Lord, the cloth for John the Baptist's head and the Blessed Virgin's Cloak. Also in the Cathedral is a 14th century statue of the Virgin that is venerated as miraculous, the marble throne of Charlemagne, and a very rich treasury housing the gifts of 32 Holy Roman Emperors crowned here at this site. Overnight Cologne. (B. D.)
DAY 4: SCHOENSTATT - RHINE RIVER CRUISE - HEIDELBERG
We depart for Schoenstatt, "the pretty city," to visit the Catholic movement of renewal, started in 1914 at a shrine dedicated to Mary. Here we celebrate Mass. We then board a cruise ship on the Rhine River which sails past the famous Lorelei mermaid statue, pretty villages and romantic castles. In the afternoon we continue on to Heidelberg for overnight. (B. D.)
DAY 5: HEIDELBERG - FREIBURG - LAKE CONSTANCE
The city of Heidelberg, located on the river Necker and surrounded by green hills, has drawn admiring visitors since medieval times. You'll see its most famous sights, including its beautiful Gothic-renaissance cathedral, Germany's oldest university, and the world's largest wine barrel. We continue on to Freiburg, the gateway to the southern Black Forest and a centre of the wine-growing region. Some of the more notable sights include the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Kaiserstuhl, Freiburg's famous cathedral, the unique brooks running through the streets of the Old Town in open channels decorated with Rhine pebble mosaics and the wild, romantic landscape of the Hollental valley just outside the city. We continue to beautiful Lake Constance, measuring 40 miles in length and 8.5 miles in width, covering 220 square miles, making it central Europe's second largest freshwater lake. Lake Constance, also known as Bodensee, is bordered by three countries: Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. More than 4.5 million people in the three countries rely on the lake for drinking water. Overnight in the picture perfect setting on the lake. (B. D.)
DAY 6: NEUSCHWANSTEIN - WieSKIRCHE - OBERAMMERGAU
Leaving Lake Constance we continue our drive to another picturesque site known to many as the fairytale castle of King Ludwig II - NEUSCHWANSTEIN, which was the inspiration for Cinderella's Castle in Disney World. We then celebrate Mass at the beautiful Wieskirche, and continue to Oberammergau for our overnight stay. (B. D.)
DAY 7: THE PASSION PLAY
The highlight of your trip, and for many an experience of a lifetime, will be today's Passion Play. Started 367 years ago, it is still an authentic portrayal depicting the last week of the life of Christ. The play takes place on an outdoor stage, and the actors are people from the village who have prepared for their roles for many years. The following Play will not take place again until 2020. Overnight Oberammergau. (B.)
DAY 8: OBERAMMERGAU - ALTOTTING
Depart Oberammergau for Altotting, Germany's premier Marian Shrine. We visit the Basilica of St. Anna for Mass, and have a walking tour around the chapel square, visiting the Holy Chapel, collegiate church, the treasury: which houses gifts donated to the Basilica. In the afternoon a guided tour of St. Konrad Monastery followed by a coffee break at the refectory of the monastery. Overnight Munich. ( B.)
DAY 9: MUNICH
This morning we have a walking tour of Munich, with an afternoon at leisure to explore the city, shop or relax. In the afternoon some groups may wish to visit Dachau concentration camp. Tonight the farewell dinner is in a typical Bavarian restaurant. Overnight Munich. (B. D.)
DAY 10: RETURN TO USA
This morning you are transferred to the airport for flight home. (B.)
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:
- Round trip airfare New York/ Dusseldorf x Munich/ New York
- Three star hotel accommodations
- Breakfast daily and dinner as per itinerary
- English speaking tour escort throughout
- Transportation by a deluxe private air-conditioned motor coach
- Comprehensive sightseeing and admission fees as per itinerary
- Passion Play tickets
- Spiritual program (Mass daily)
- Baggage handling for one suitcase per person
- Select International Travel Portfolio
Call 1-800-842-4842 for dates and prices
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