OBERAMMERGAU 2020

Arrive Gatwick Airport (South Terminal) at 6:20am.  Clear Immigration and Customs, transfer by private coach to Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5). Your connecting flight, British Airways (BA 952) depart London at 12:40pm, and arrives Munich (Terminal 1) at 3:35pm.   Arrive in Munich and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. 

By mid-morning today depart the hotel to take the bus to the village of Oberammergau for a once in a decade performance of the Passion Play.  During the 3 hour break in the performance, you will be treated to a 3-course meal.  NB:  The performance is all in German but with knowledge of the bible, it can easily be followed. After this unforgettable re-enactment of the life of Christ, make your way back to the hotel by public bus

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions, depending on your interests. Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Alsatian town of Riquewihr, which looks almost the same as it did in the 16th century. On your walking tour, admire historic architecture as well as famous sights, such as the Dolder Gate. Alternatively, you may wish to go to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through the scenic countryside, or go on a hike to the Black Forest, a magical land full of cultural traditions. 

Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit Heidelberg, the perfectly preserved medieval city nestled in the Neckar River Valley along Germany’s Castle Road. Discover the iconic red sandstone Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat, an 18th-century 49,000-gallon wine cask. For a more active adventure while in Heidelberg, join a guided hike up the Philosopher's Path, aptly named during the Romantic Period, and be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you can visit one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest  Romanesque cathedral in Europe - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim where you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum; or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer Coffee, ceremoniously made with brandy. 

Home to one of Germany’s most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000 year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, where the remains of the fabled Three Kings - the Magi -  are believed to rest. Alternatively, ride a bike along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten; or visit a local tavern to taste Kölsch beer and Reibekuchen - potato pancakes served with apple sauce.

Bid Farewell to Amsterdam and fly to London on British Airways (BA 2761) departing at 2:15pm, arriving London (Gatwick  Airport ) at 2:35pm. Transfer to your hotel close to Gatwick Airport.