|
PASSION
PLAY WITH THE IMPERIAL CAPITALS OF EUROPE
Countries
visited: Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland & Czech Republic |
 |
The
Passion Play is the cultural event of the decade. It takes
place once every 10 years and comprises of some 2000 artists
- all local residents. The play is over a seven hour projection
of the Old and New Testament. This tour of the Imperial
Capitals of Europe has been timed and tailored in a manner
that you get the best of everything. The Passion Play and
Imperial Europe at its best.
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Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Arrive
Munich |
|
02
|
Munich |
| 03 |
Munich / Oberammergau |
|
04
|
Oberammergau / Vienna |
|
05
|
Vienna |
|
06
|
Vienna
/ Budapest |
|
07
|
Budapest |
|
08
|
Budapest
/ Krakow |
|
09
|
Krakow |
|
10
|
Krakow / Warsaw |
| 11 |
Warsaw |
| 12 |
Warsaw / Berlin |
| 13 |
Berlin |
| 14 |
Berlin / Prague |
| 15 |
Prague |
| 16 |
Depart Prague |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| Austria |
|
| Historic
center of Salzburg (1196) |
Salzburg has managed to preserve an extraordinarily
rich urban fabric, developed over the period from the Middle
Ages
to the 19th century when it was a city-state ruled by a prince-archbishop.
Its Flamboyant Gothic art attracted many craftsmen and artists
before the city became even better known through the work of
the Italian architects Vincenzo Scamozzi and Santini Solari,
to whom the centre of Salzburg owes much of its Baroque appearance.
This meeting-point of northern and southern Europe perhaps
sparked the genius of Salzburg’s most famous son, Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart, whose name has been associated with the city
ever since. |
| Historic
center of Vienna (2001) |
Vienna
developed from early Celtic and Roman settlements into a
Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire. It played an essential role as a leading European
music centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through
the early part of the 20th century. The historic centre of
Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque
castles and gardens, as well as the late-19th-century Ringstrasse
lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks. |
| Palace
and Gardens of Schonbrunn (1996) |
From the 18th century to 1918, Schönbrunn was the residence
of the Habsburg emperors. It was designed by the architects
Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Nicolaus Pacassi and
is full of outstanding examples of decorative art. Together
with its gardens, the site of the world’s first zoo in
1752, it is a remarkable Baroque ensemble and a perfect example
of Gesamtkunstwerk. |
| Budapest,
banks of Danube & Buda
Castle (1987, 2002) |
This site has the remains of monuments such as
the Roman city of Aquincum and the Gothic castle of Buda, which
have had a considerable influence on the architecture of various
periods. It is one of the world's outstanding urban landscapes
and illustrates the great periods in the history of the Hungarian
capital. |
| Historic
center of Krakow (1978) |
The historic centre of Cracow, the former capital of Poland,
is situated at the foot of the Royal Wawel Castle. The 13th-century
merchants' town has Europe's largest market square and numerous
historical houses, palaces and churches with their magnificent
interiors. Further evidence of the town's fascinating history
is provided by the remnants of the 14th-century fortifications
and the medieval site of Kazimierz with its ancient synagogues
in the southern part of town, Jagellonian University and the
Gothic cathedral where the kings of Poland were buried. |
| Auschwitz (1979) |
The fortified walls, barbed wire, platforms, barracks, gallows,
gas chambers and cremation ovens show the conditions within
which the Nazi genocide took place in the former concentration
and extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest in
the Third Reich. According to historical investigations, 1.5
million people, among them a great number of Jews, were systematically
starved, tortured and murdered in this camp, the symbol of
humanity's cruelty to its fellow human beings in the 20th century. |
| Historic
center of Warsaw (1980) |
During the Warsaw Uprising in August 1944, more than 85%
of Warsaw's historic centre was destroyed by Nazi troops. After
the war, a five-year reconstruction campaign by its citizens
resulted in today's meticulous restoration of the Old Town,
with its churches, palaces and market-place. It is an outstanding
example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history
covering the 13th to the 20th century. |
| Historic
center of Prague (1992) |
Built between the 11th and 18th centuries, the Old Town,
the Lesser Town and the New Town speak of the great architectural
and cultural influence enjoyed by this city since the Middle
Ages. The many magnificent monuments, such as Hradcani Castle,
St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and numerous churches and
palaces, built mostly in the 14th century under the Holy Roman
Emperor, Charles IV. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
|
Day
01 Wed: Arrive Munich
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.
Overnight: Martim Hotel (2 nights) (D)
Day 02 Thu: Munich
After breakfast, take a morning city tour of downtown 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 and which, today, has become an attractive sports and
leisure center. The platform on the Olympic tower provides a superior view
over the city of Munich. Enjoy a scenic drive through the city where you’ll
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 morning venture into the densely forested mountains of southwest Bavaria.
Here you’ll visit the dream-like Castle of Neuschwanstein. This castle
was built by the ‘Mad king’ Ludwig and is known for its extraordinary
architectural feats. Return to Munich late in the afternoon with the balance
of the evening free to enjoy Munich on your own. (B)
Day 03 Fri: Munich / Oberammergau
Morning travel by coach to Oberammergau. After lunch, at 230PM we witness the
art performance of the decade, The Passion Play. The 8 hour show has a built
in time for dinner which is included in the tour cost. The Play will conclude
at 1030PM at which time we will be transferred to our overnight accommodation
in Oberammergau. (B, L, D)
Day 04 Sat: Oberammergau / Vienna
After breakfast we drive from Germany to Austria and descend upon the capital
city, Vienna. En route we visit the historical and beautiful city of Salzburg
- birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Our tour of Salzburg includes a panoramic
drive of the Getriedergasse with its colorful shops, the majestic Cathedral,
as well as the birthplace of Mozart. Afternoon drive is along the Danube River
and we drive past Melk to Vienna, the city of waltz.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel, Vienna (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 05 Sun: Vienna
The morning tour includes a visit to 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
06 Mon: Vienna / Budapest
A scenic drive takes us from imperial capital to another. The drive from Vienna
to Budapest is very interesting and historicalas we crosse the border to Hungary.
We continue through the Transdanubian region reaching Budapest in time for
dinner.
Overnight: Mercure Korona (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 07 Tue: Budapest
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda
and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Our morning tour includes
views of the outstanding Parliament, the Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area,
Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Heroes' Square and Gellert Hill with
its Citadel. Balance of the day is free to explore this exciting and historical
city. (B)
Day 08 Wed: Budapest / Krakow
The road to Krakow winds through the lovely hills and countryside of Slovakia,
past the Tatras Mountains and into the great plains of Poland. A relaxing dinner
in Krakow is planned upon arrival.
Overnight: Hotel Radisson SAS or Holiday Inn (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 09 Thu: Krakow
Our 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
where you will visit the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall and St.
Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the city.
(B)
Day 10 Fri: Krakow / Warsaw
This morning we have an option to join a 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.
Overnight: Hotel Radisson SAS Warsaw (2 nights) (B,
D)
Day 11 Sat: Warsaw
The 700 years old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will
to survive against great odds. 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, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Monument to the Heroes of the
Warsaw Ghetto and the Barbican. Continue with the walking tour of the Old Town,
the Old Market Square and St. John’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is
free for relaxing, shopping, and a stroll through the city or an optional late
afternoon Chopin concert. (B)
Day 12 Sun: Warsaw / Berlin
Stop in Poznan for an orientation tour, and then continue to Berlin, today's
final destination.
Overnight: Hotel Berlin, Berlin (2 nights) (B, D)
Day
13 Mon: Berlin
Our morning sightseeing tour features the Reichstag, the Renaissance building
that once housed Germany's Parliament, and the lovely Schloss Charlottenburg.
The tour continues through the city to view famous sights such as the Opera,
the Schiller Theater and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The afternoon
is free to explore this once divided city on your own. (B)
Day 14 Tue: Berlin / Prague
This morning, continue our journey via Dresden, the beautiful Saxony Baroque
city. On your orientation tour, view Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House.
Afterwards, continue to Prague, the Capital of Czech Republic.
Overnight: Hotel Diplomat, Prague (2 nights) (B, D)
Day
15 Wed: Prague
Built on seven hills more than 1000 years ago and spread over both banks of
the river Vltava, Prague is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Your
city tour starts with a panoramic drive to the famous Wenceslas Square, the
Strahov Stadium and the Castle Square. On a walking tour, visit the Royal Castle
of Hradcany, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace and Loretto Church. Cross
the Charles Bridge and walk through the old quarter of Prague to view the Jewish
Ghetto, the Town Hall and the world famous Astronomical Clock. The rest of
the day is free. An optional visit to a cultural performance will be available.
(B)
Day 16 Thu: Depart Prague
After an interesting journey through Austria, Hungary,
Poland, Germany & Czech
Republic we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our departure. (B)
|
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
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Departure Dates |
|
2010
May
19 & 26, Jun 09, Jul 07, & Sep 08
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2010 |
4150 |
1395 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Accommodation as mentioned or similar
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
L= Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All
transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Entrance fees at sites
|
- International Airfare / Airport taxes
- Insurances / Visa
Fees
- Tips
/ Gratuities
|
Note:
This tour is not part of our small group journeys
| Estimated
International Airfare( NOT
INCLUDED in
tour price ) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 800 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 20
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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