12 Day Passion Play, Lourdes and Fatima

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 2022

*** DAILY MASSES INCLUDED ***

Day 1: USA / ENROUTE. Depart USA for Europe. Breakfast and dinner will be served aloft.

Day 2: FRANKFURT / HEIDELBERG AREA. Upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport we are met by our tour escort and European motor coach. We enjoy a panoramic tour of the old town of Frankfurt before driving swiftly to picture book Heidelberg, the romantic medieval town on the banks of the River Neckar. Our sightseeing will include a visit to the castle ruins, home of the Student Prince; we will also see the famous Stone Bridge and the University, one of the oldest in the world. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in the Heidelberg area.

Day 3: HEIDELBERG AREA / ROMANTIC ROAD / ROTHENBERG. A wonderful day of touring as we drive to the Romantic Road and see beautiful medieval towns almost untouched by time. Our first visit will be to Rothenberg, a town of medieval ramparts and towers, where we will see the Town Hall, the Protestant Church, St. Jakobskirche and the Spitaltor which is the Hospital Gate. The 16th century walls, turrets and cobblestone lanes have been left almost untouched by the passing centuries. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: ROTHENBERG / OBERAMMERGAU.  Continue to Dinkelsbuhel whose many towers, gateways and wall are mirrored in the green waters of the town moat. Then via Augsburg, City of the Confession of 1530 and the 1555 Peace of Augsburg ending religious wars and through the Bavarian Alps to the tiny alpine village of Oberammergau, for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: PASSION PLAY. The entire day is devoted to attending a performance of the world famous Passion Play, performed every ten years in this wonderful setting. Lunch is included with dinner during intermission and overnight later at our accommodations.

Day 6: OBERAMMERGAU / BAVARIA. Today is spent exploring German Bavaria starting the Wieskirche (Church in the Meadows) where you admire the incredible painted ceilings and traveling on, you come to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle that was one of Mad King Ludwig’s most extravagant castles and where you can have a horse and buggy ride to the entrance. The romantic design of the castle is very distinctive and you may recognize it from several popular films.  It was also the inspiration for the famous Disneyland castle. Here you enjoy looking around the highly decorative interior and learn about it’s fascinating history. Your next stop is at Munich, the lively capital of the Bavarian region of Germany. We will see the Marienplatz with the gothic Town Hall, Frauenkirche, Residenz Palace, Nymphenburg and other points of interest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 7:  MUNICH / TOULOUSE / LOURDES.  This morning we fly to Toulouse and drive to Lourdes.  Begin with a visit to the Grotto. Our walking tour will take us to Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, the Cachot, the former jail, where she lived during the apparitions and the local parish church. The afternoon is free for personal devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes including, for those who wish, the legendary, healing waters of the miraculous Lourdes spring. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 8: LOURDES / BURGOS.  .  This morning we drive to Burgos.  Founded in the 9th century, Burgos was an important hub for the Kingdom of Castile. This afternoon we visit the magnificent Cathedral, a classic example of Gothic architecture. The medieval churches, historic plaza and monument to El Cid will all be appreciated before bidding farewell to this charming city.

Day 9:  BURGOS / FATIMA.  This morning we depart Burgos and drive through the beautiful countryside to Fatima. This afternoon is devoted to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917.  In the evening we join the Rosary and candlelight procession.

Day 10: FATIMA. Today our morning is devoted to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917. Afternoon at leisure for activities of our own.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.  In the evening we join the Rosary and candlelight procession.

Day 11: FATIMA / SANTAREM / LISBON.   Continue to Santarem, the Church of Marvila and the site of the Eucharistic Miracle. Time for mass if available.  We arrive atLisbon where we will be met and given an orientation tour of Lisbon including Pombal square, the Liberty Avenue, Rossio Square, as well as Lisbon's Romanesque Cathedral, the Sé.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 

Day 12: LISBON/ USA. Transfer this morning to Lisbon Airport for our return flight to the United States at the end of our memorable journey.