Capitals of East Central Europe and the Oberammergau

Capitals of East Central Europe and the Oberammergau Passion Play
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic and Germany
June 14-23, 2010
MON 14 JUN
Depart U.S.A.
Begin your journey of discovery and faith
today. Depart Chicago on your transatlantic
overnight flight to Europe. (Meals in-flight)
a Strauss concert in the newly renovated Kursalon, visit the Museum Quarter or Albertina, or
enjoy some famous Sacher Torte in one of the
traditional Vienna coffee houses. (B)
TUE 15 JUN
Budapest, Hungary
Connect in Europe this morning with the continuing flight to Hungary’s impressive capital
city of Budapest. Upon arrival your guide and
driver will be waiting to welcome you. Embark on a locally guided tour of the twin cities
of Buda and Pest, including a panoramic view
from Mount Gellert. In Buda, see Castle Palace,
Fisherman’s Bastion, a monumental structure
of columns and arches built on the ruins of an
ancient fortress, and the 13th- century St. Matthias Church. Cross into Pest to visit beautiful
Romantic-style squares, and view St. Stephen’s
Basilica and the neo-Gothic Parliament building.
After hotel check-in, freshen up and gather for a
welcome dinner at the hotel. (Meals in-flight, D)
FRI 18 JUN Vienna/Prague, Czech Republic
Leave Austria and travel amidst the rolling fields
of the Czech Republic to arrive in the county’s
capital, “Golden” Prague. The city rests on the
banks of the Moldau River, the main artery of
the Bohemian waterways. Upon arrival meet
a local guide for a walking tour through the
historic and memorable Jewish Quarter, which
houses Europe’s oldest synagogue and Jewish cemetery. Tonight enjoy traditional Czech
foods and music during dinner and a folklore
show in Prague. (B,D)
Budapest/Bratislava,
WED 16 JUN
Slovakia/Vienna, Austria
Depart for Bratislava, the attractive capital of
the Slovak Republic situated on the Danube
River. Enjoy a brief tour of the city seeing the
Fourth of April Square with its imposing Gothic-Baroque Old Town Hall and the neo-classical
Archbishop’s Palace. The square also boasts
some beautifully preserved rococo palaces,
the finest of which are the Kutscherfeld Palace
and Green House. Continue the short distance
to Vienna, the seat of the Habsburg Empire for
five centuries. Check in at your hotel and this
evening enjoy dinner at the Altes Presshaus
in Grinzing, a local Heurigen restaurant in the
wine district. (B,D)
THU 17 JUN
Vienna
Vienna’s architecture reflects the wealth of its
heritage and this morning’s touring will highlight the elegance of Austria’s capital city. See
such famous sights as the State Opera House,
the elegant Kärntner Ringstrasse, St. Stefan’s
Cathedral, the vibrant Hundertwasser House, as
well as the Upper and Lower Belvedere Palaces.
This afternoon and evening are free to enjoy
the myriad delights of the city. Perhaps listen to
Salzburg/
MON 21 JUN
Oberammergau, Germany
Salzburg is defined by its music, although it is
humbly sprung from the salt mining industry.
Learn of the city’s rich history during a morning
walking tour of Old Salzburg. Stroll through the
picturesque Mirabell Gardens to reach the Getreidegasse, where you walk past Mozart’s birth
house to visit St. Peter’s Cemetery and see the
catacombs. Also visit the impressive Salzburg
Cathedral with its statues and ornamentation.
After free time for lunch on your own, depart
for the charming Alpine village of Oberammergau for a two-night stay in lodging arranged by
the Oberammergau Passion Play Committee.
(B,D)
TUE 22 JUN
Oberammergau
This morning visit one of the castles built by
King Ludwig II, either the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle or the Rococo Linderhof Castle.
Return to Oberammergau for lunch followed
by a performance of the world-famous Passion
Play. In 1633 the quaint Alpine village of Oberammergau was threatened by the deadly and
contagious disease known as the Black Death
that scourged Europe, killing two-thirds of the
population of Germany. The people of Oberammergau vowed that if the village could be
spared, a re-enactment of the life and suffering
of Christ would be performed and commemorated every ten years. Against the breathtaking
backdrop of the Alps, the play takes place durSUN 20 JUN Prague/Linz/Salzburg, Austria ing the afternoon and evening with a break to
Journey south and cross back into Austria with enjoy a true Bavarian dinner. (B,L,D)
a stop in Linz, a quaint town on the Danube in
the center of Austria’s wine-producing region. Oberammergau/
Nearby visit Mauthausen, Austria’s notorious WED 23 JUN
Return to U.S.A.
concentration camp, where Simon Wiesenthal This morning transfer to the Munich airport for
was freed by American forces in 1945. The rest the return flights to the U.S.A. Arrive home this
of the drive through the Alps provides a spec- same day enriched with your journey of faith,
tacular entry into Salzburg, “city of Mozart.” This friendship and discovery. (B, Meals in-flight)
evening a special treat awaits you at the famous
Stiftskeller St. Peter. Musicians in historic cosCode: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
tumes perform some of Mozart’s most famous
Itinerary subject to change.
compositions during an elegant candlelight
dinner prepared according to traditional recipes from the 17th and 18th centuries. (B,D)
SAT 19 JUN
Prague
After breakfast, set off on a tour of Prague, including a visit to Hradcany—the Prague Castle
and its massive complex including palaces,
churches and museums. You’ll have a walking
tour of the castle area and visit Gothic St. Vitus
Cathedral. Prague and its architectural treasures
survived World War II virtually intact. Cross over
the lovely pedestrian-only Charles Bridge, lined
with statues and ornate lampposts to visit the
Old Town and see the famous 15th century astronomical clock at the Old Town Hall. The balance of the day is at leisure to discover some
more at your own pace. (B)
Inclusions
••Round-trip economy class airfare from Chicago/O’Hare via an ARC/IATA approved
scheduled carrier.
••Eight nights accommodation in three- and four-star hotels, double occupancy,
with private facilities, and Category Four hotels in or near Oberammergau.
••Breakfast daily with one lunch and six dinners as outlined in the itinerary.
••Transfers and transportation by deluxe motorcoach.
••Extensive sightseeing throughout; entrance fees included.
••Category Four package to the Oberammergau Passion Play including tickets,
two-nights lodging and meals.
••Luggage handling of one piece per person.
••An experienced English-speaking tour guide from arrival in Budapest through
departure from Munich.
••Gratuities to drivers and guides (for your convenience, $94 per person has been included).
••Airport/foreign departure taxes and fuel surcharges (currently $375 per person).
••Comprehensive documentation including travel accessory, bag tags, name tags, flight and land itineraries, destination literature, customs information, travel tips and more.
INCLUSIVE PRICE: $4999
per person, double occupancy
Estimated air add-on
for Phoenix departure: $195
Group Travel Directors
Minneapolis, MN USA
800-747-2255
www.gtd.org