13 Day Italy and Passion Play

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 2022

*** DAILY MASSES INCLUDED ***

DAY 01: NORTH AMERICA / EUROPE.  Tour members will depart to Rome from the United States.  Dinnerwill be served aboard the flight.

DAY 02 : ARRIVE ROME. Upon our arrival at the Rome airport we will be met and escorted to our motorcoach for a tour around the city.  We will start with a walking tour of Ancient Rome which includes the Colosseum - site of early Christian martyrdom – the Roman Forum - and Mamertine Prison, possibly the final place of confinement of the Apostle Paul before his execution.   Also see the Arch of Constantine, the Palatino Hill, Trevi Fountain and Palazzo Venezia.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.  Mass can be celebrated at the church of the hotel.

DAY 03: ROME.  Early morning we attend an Audience with Our Holy Father (if available). .  Then we visit three of the four major basilicas in Rome (the other being St. Peter's Basilica). These basilicas include St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and the Holy Cross of Jerusalem and the Catacombs of St. Caliztus.  Celebrate Mass in St. Mary Major. 

DAY 04: ROME.  Celebrate Mass atthe Tomb of Saint Peter. This morning we visit The Vatican City which includes the Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, Church of St. Peter, Basilica of St. Paul, the ancient Appian Way.  Then we continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls. Dinner on your own tonight to taste the local flavors.

DAY 05: ROME / ASSISI.  This morning we celebrate Mass and then drive through the Autostrada del sole across theRoman countryside to the mystic province of Umbria and its capital city of Assisi, town of St. Francis.  Our.walking tour includes Santa Maria degli Angeli with the "thornless rose bush", the Basilica of St. Francis and the Church of St. Clare, which to this day houses her incorrupt body. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 06: ASSISI / FLORENCE. Mass at the tomb of St Francis.  After breakfast we drive to Florence.  We begin our beautiful tour by visiting the Piazza della Signoria, where the Neptune Fountain stands.  Then we visit Giotto's Bell Tower, the baptistery with it's "Gates of Paradise" doors and the Academia that houses the Michelangelo's original statue of David.  We will also see the Santa Croce Church, the famous church where Dante, Michelangelo, Leonard da Vinci and many others are buried.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel 

DAY 07:  FLORENCE / PADUA. After a good breakfast we will drive to Padua (Padova).  Celebrate Mass at St. Anthony's Basilica.  During our walking tour in Padua we will visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and his tomb. Then we have some leisure time for activities of our own.  We will stay in Padua two nights since it is only 25 km from Venice.   Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 08: VENICE / PADUA.  Today begins with a sightseeing tour of Venice.  Included will be St. Mark's Square with theByzantine Basilica San Marco and the Palace of the Doges.  We will not miss a Gondola ride and the Bridge of Sighs.  The rest of the day is at leisure for activities of your own.  At an appointed time we will return to Padua and our hotel for dinner 

DAY 09: PADUA / VERONA / MILAN.  This morning we drive to Verona where we will see the Roman Arena and the houses of Romeo and Juliet.  Continue to Milan.  Upon arrival we visit La Scala Opera House, the Duomo,  and theChurch of Santa Maria delle Grazia, home ofLeonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" art work.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 10: MILAN / MUNICH / OBERAMMERGAU. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Munich. Upon arrival at Munich Airport we are met by our tour escort and European motor coach and transferred directly to the tiny Bavarian village of Oberammergau for dinner and overnight.

DAY 11:  PASSION PLAY. The entire day is devoted to attending a performance of the world famous Passion Play, held once every ten years in this tiny village.  Dinner and overnight.

DAY 12:  OBERAMMERGAU / MUNICH.  Yet more splendid scenery awaits us today as we drive to Munich, the lively capital of the Bavarian region of Germany.  Our afternoon sightseeing will include the Marienplatz with the gothic Town Hall, Frauenkirche, Residenz Palace, Nymphenburg and other points of interest. We have dinner (typical Bavarian folkloric evening) and overnight at our hotel

DAY 13:  MUNICH / NORTH AMERICA. Transfer this morning to Munich Airport at the end of our memorable journey.