June 30-July 12 | Tour #210601 | 13 Days
Double: $6249 | Single: $6849
Deposit: $1000

Highlights: Vienna ∙ Danube Cruise ∙ Salzburg ∙ Mozart Dinner Concert ∙ Munich ∙ Oberammergau Passion Play ∙ Neuschwanstein Castle ∙ Black Forest ∙ Zermatt -Lucerne ∙ Bern Price includes: roundtrip airfare from Louisville, hotel accommodations, hotel transfers, departure taxes, baggage handling and sightseeing, per itinerary. Tour Cancellation Insurance: $350.00 Per Person – must be purchased at the time of deposit.

Day 1 - OVERNIGHT FLIGHT TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Day 2 - VIENNA - You arrive in the grand city of Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Tonight, in the picturesque winemaking village of Grinzing, you will join your fellow travelers at one of the local restaurants for a delightful Welcome Dinner, complete with local wines and traditional entertainment. We spend the next two nights in Vienna, Austria. (D)

Day 3 - VIENNA CITY TOUR - Your Imperial Vienna Tour highlights the baroque marvels of Schoenbrunn or Belvedere Palace. Touring Vienna’s city center, you view St. Stephan’s Cathedral, beautiful baroque architecture, parks and gothic spires of a by-gone age. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening, dinner is included at a popular local restaurant. Overnight same hotel. (B, D)

Day 4 - DANUBE RIVER CRUISE - SALZBURG - We depart Vienna and travel along the banks of the Danube to the medieval town of Durnstein. Embark on a cruise on the Danube River, gliding through the historic Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the world. Later, you continue to the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, before continuing to the “City of Music”, Salzburg, Austria. We spend two nights in Salzburg, Austria. (B)

Day 5 - SALZBURG TOUR - MOZART DINNER CONCERT - Enjoy a walking tour of the Altstadt (Old Town) highlighting the Cathedral, Mozart’s Birthplace and Mirabell Gardens. You will not be able to miss recognizable locations from the “Sound of Music”. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening includes a memorable Mozart Dinner Concert at the centuries-old St. Peter’s Restaurant. In the stylish ambiance of the historic Baroque Hall, you will enjoy a traditional candlelight dinner (featuring recipes from the 17th and 18th centuries) while you listen to some of Mozart’s most popular compositions by local artists in colorful, historic costumes. Overnight same hotel. (B, D)

Day 6 - MUNICH - OBERAMMERGAU - Travel through the picturesque landscape of Austria to neighboring Germany. Your destination is Munich, the beautiful capital of Bavaria. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour featuring the Olympic Park, Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel. Next, depart for the quaint village of Oberammergau, nestled in the Bavarian Alps. We spend the next two nights in Oberammergau, Germany. (B, D)

Day 7 - OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY - We enjoy a full day attending the Passion Play at Oberammergau which originally took place in 1634. During the Thirty Year War, the village of Oberammergau was spared from the Black Plague and for this reason, the villagers vowed that every ten years they would perform a play to honor the life of Christ. The performers are native Oberammergauers. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast start to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance. Also, the intricate costumes are made locally by the villagers. This is truly an unforgettable event. Overnight same hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - WIES CHURCH -NEUSCHWANSTEIN - BLACK FOREST - Today you visit Wies Church, proclaimed as a World Heritage site. You then view perhaps the most famous castle in Bavaria – Neuschwanstein – with its turrets and pinnacles. Continuing on the scenic route, you traverse southern Germany, skirting the northern shores of Lake Constance to the Rhine Falls, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. You then proceed to the mysterious Black Forest – setting of legends and stories of yore! Don’t forget to shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, Hummel figurines and wood carvings. We overnight in Black Forest, Germany. (B)

Day 9 - SWISS ALPS - ZERMATT - Today, enjoy a visit to the Chateau de Chillon, beautifully situated on Lake Geneva. Your travels continue through the wine-growing region of the Rhone Valley before beginning the ascent into the fabulous Swiss Alps. Upon arrival in Tasch, board a local train for the short ride to the spectacular Alpine Village of Zermatt. We spend the next two nights in Zermatt, Switzerland. (B, D)

Day 10 - ORIENTATION TOUR - LEISURE DAY - We have an orientation tour of Zermatt and the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this charming village, savor pastries at a local café or just relax. Overnight same hotel. (B)

Day 11 - LUCERNE - BERN - This morning, we travel to the beautiful medieval city of Lucerne, the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake”. Enjoy a leisure paced Alstadt (Old Town) walking tour exploring the hidden treasures of the city. In addition to its natural charm and tranquility, Lucerne has more than 800 years of history. Explore such medieval treasures as the covered Chapel Bridge (1833); the famous Water Tower which has served as a prison, watchtower and treasury; the Renaissance-style Town Hall, the baroque Jesuit Church; and the Lion Monument, carved from natural rock to commemorate the heroic Swiss Guard. This afternoon, travel to the Swiss capital of Bern. We spend the next two nights in Bern, Switzerland. (B)

Day 12 - BERN CITY TOUR - Today, explore delightful Bern on a panoramic sightseeing tour featuring the Bundeshaus (the Swiss Parliament) the famous Bear Pit, the Rose Gardens and the gothic cathedral which dominates the Old Town skyline. This evening, join your fellow travelers in celebrating the end of a marvelous trip with a farewell dinner. Overnight same hotel. (B, D)

Day 13 - RETURN FLIGHT HOME - We transfer to the airport for our return flight home. We bring with us not only souvenirs, but memories of this alpine journey that will last a lifetime. (B)

Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 7 Dinners

PASSPORT REQUIRED!

EARLY BOOKING REMINDER: The Oberammergau Passion Play has a limited departure and requires a very early reservation due to the extreme demands of the hotels and airlines. We must release seats with the airlines by the end of February 2010. Reservations made after the seat reduction date will be based upon availability.