Itinerary
YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
WED, MAY 12 – DALLAS/ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
Depart Dallas on your overnight transatlantic flight to Europe, arriving the following day.
THU, MAY 13 – ARRIVE PRAGUE
Arrive Prague. Located on the Vltava River, Prague is considered one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Transfer to your hotel. (D)
FRI, MAY 14 – PRAGUE
This morning experience the 1000-year-old history of the city with a visit to Hradcany Castle, the seat of power for several Czech princes and kings. Proceed to the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Romanesque Basilica of St. George, and Mala Strana (Lesser Town), whose winding streets are lined with small taverns and old houses. Continue to Old Town to see the ancient Town Hall with its animated astronomical clock. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
SAT, MAY 15 – PRAGUE/BRATISLAVA/BUDAPEST
Drive to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Free time to see the magnificent Gothic cathedral of St. Martin, site of the coronation of many Hungarian kings and queens. On to magnificent Budapest. The most cosmopolitan city in Eastern Europe, Budapest is known as the “Queen of the Danube.” The ancient cities, Buda, on the right bank of the Danube, and the modern city, Pest, on the left bank, are connected by a series of seven bridges. (B,D)
SUN, MAY 16 – BUDAPEST
Morning sightseeing begins at Hero Square, decorated by several impressive statues. Continue to the old inner city of Pest then proceed to the remains of Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and scenic Gellert Hill, offering panoramic views of the entire city. (B,D)
MON, MAY 17 – BUDAPEST/VIENNA
Enjoy views of the scenic Hungarian and Austrian countryside B=Continental Breakfast L=Lunch D=Table d’hote Dinner on your drive through the Transdanubia region. Arrive in the great music city of Vienna. (B,D)
TUE, MAY 18 – VIENNA
Morning tour starting at the lavish terraced gardens of Prince Eugene’s Belvedere Palace. Drive along the famous Ringstrasse Boulevard lined with landmarks including Emperor Franz Josef’s Hofburg Palace, the Burg Theater and the State Opera House. See the Votive Church, built in 1856, and then visit historic Schoenbrunn Palace. The magnificent palace boasts 1400 rooms and halls, a small zoo, a fine museum of Imperial coaches and carriages, a theater and lovely formal gardens. (B)
WED, MAY 19 – VIENNA/OBERAMMERGAU
Drive through the Danube Valley and continue via Linz to the charming village of Oberammergau, site of the world famous Passion Play. (B,D)
THU, MAY 20 – THE PASSION PLAY OF OBERAMMERGAU
The highlight of your trip! In keeping with their 377-year old promise, the villagers of Oberammergau present their Passion Play depicting the last week of the life of Christ. The play’s presentation can be traced to 1633 when the Black Plague swept Europe. The people of Oberammergau took a solemn oath: if God spared them, they would present a day-long play depicting the last week in the life of Christ. To this day they have kept their promise and every ten years the citizens of Oberammergau perform their passion play with the same love and devotion they have shown for over 370 years. Today the play takes place on an open-air stage with a covered auditorium seating 4,700, against a beautiful backdrop of towering Alpine mountains. (B,L,D)
FRI, MAY 21 – OBERAMMERGAU/MUNICH
Enroute to Munich view Mad King Ludwig’s fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most photographed palaces in the world and the model for the castles at the Walt Disney theme parks. Next visit the unusual, oval rococo Wies Church designed in the late 1740s. On to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Munich was ruled for over 650 years by the Wittelsbacher dukes and kings, who left their mark on the architecture and founded the world famous Munich art collection. On a city tour see Marienplatz, Munich’s town square, and view Nymphenburg, the former Royal Residence; Odeon Square with the beautiful Theatiner Church; and the Hall of Generals. Overnight in the Munich area. (B,D)
SAT, MAY 22 – MUNICH/DALLAS
Board your return flight to Dallas, arriving the same day. (B)
B=Continental Breakfast L=Lunch D=Table d’hote Di