Oberammergau and Bavaria
6 Days
From £2,795
In association with Andante Travels
Check availability
Call now and book 0808 258 3324 Quote ref: TSD AN Passion Play
Check availability
Call now and book 0808 258 3324
Quote ref: TSD AN Passion Play
Email us
Fairytale fortresses, Alpine scenery and the legendary once-in-a-decade Passion Play with popular art historian

In 1633, as an outbreak of Black Death wreaked its grim toll, the villagers of Oberammergau in southern Bavaria made an extraordinary promise. If God spared them, they vowed, they would re-enact the last days of Jesus's life every 10 years in gratitude. From the moment they made their pledge, nobody in the village died - and almost four centuries on, the residents of Oberammergau remain true to their word with the 43rd staging of the passion play originally due to take place in 2020.

You can see this rare and moving spectacle on our exclusive tour, which will take in both the drama of the play and the astonishing surrounding area - including the castles and palaces built by 'mad' King Ludwig II in the 19th century in the midst of snow-capped alpine peaks, brooding forest lakes and colourful wildflower meadows. One of Britain's most insightful and entertaining cultural broadcasters, Andrew Graham-Dixon will join you during the tour, giving his insights into the artistic riches of Bavaria. European travel experiences do not come much more memorable and iconic than the Oberammergau Passion Play. If you miss this trip, you will have to wait until 2030 for your next chance.

"I'm really looking forward to this trip, especially the visit to Neuschwanstein - the world's most spectacular fairytale castle!"

Andrew Graham-Dixon

To read more about this trip:
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Download the brochure here

Reasons to book

The once-a-decade Passion Play

A memorable and iconic experience, this story of Christ involving half the town's residents takes place just once every ten years.

Meet Andrew Graham-Dixon

Discover the history of the spectacular monument, Neuschwanstein Castle, in a talk and Q&A with TV historian Andrew Graham-Dixon.

Bavarian Castles

See Herrenchiemsee Palace, where 35 seamstresses spent seven years sewing the cover for the royal bed alone, and the gilded Hall of Mirrors.
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Tour brochure
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Your expert guide

Andrew Graham-Dixon
Art Historian
Author, presenter, lecturer, scholar and art critic; Andrew Graham-Dixon is renowned across many disciplines and is a trusted expert in the field of art history.

Educated at Westminster School, Andrew won a scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford University, where he studied English Language and Literature. A renowned art critic, Andrew is one of Britain's leading cultural commentators and has presented numerous TV programmes including the BBC's Sicily Unpacked and Italy Unpacked with Italian chef, Giorgio Locatelli, and The Art of Germany. He is also the author of books covering art history, including Renaissance, Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel, and Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane. A former judge of the Turner Prize, Andrew has also served on the Government Art Collection Committee and the Hayward Advisory Committee.

Price includes

  • Scheduled flights between London and Munich (regional airports available on request)
  • Comfortable coach transfers
  • Two nights' bed and breakfast at the Mercure Hotel Muenchen City Centre
  • One night bed and breakfast at a hotel in the Oberammergau area
  • Two night's bed and breakfast at the Best Western Plus Fuessen
  • Four dinners (one included with the Passion Play ticket) and three lunches
  • Ticket for the Passion Play
  • Exclusive talk, Q&A and tour visits with Andrew Graham-Dixon
  • Visits to Chiemsee, Herreninsel Island, Linderhof Palace, Hohenschwangau Castle, Berg Castle and Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Servies of a Professional Tour Manager

Tickets and quality accommodation in the Oberammergau area are strictly limited, and early bookings are strongly recommended.

Availability

From
Wed, Wed, Aug 3, 2022
To
Mon, Mon, Aug 8, 2022
Duration
6 Days
Price per person
£2,795*

* Price based on two sharing. Single supplement £495. Itinerary subject to change. Our travel partner, Andante Travels, is ABTA-bonded and this trip is ATOL-protected. Holiday is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Andante Travels

Call now to book 0808 258 3324
Quote ref: TSD AN Passion Play
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Munich
    Munich , Germany

    We depart in the morning from London on a direct flight to Munich. On arrival we head to our hotel, the Mercure München City Centre, stopping for lunch on the way. After check-in, join us on an optional walking tour of Munich or explore at your leisure. Dinner this evening is at the hotel.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Chiemsee
    Munich , Germany

    Today we drive to the Chiemsee, the largest lake in Bavaria, where Ludwig built his final dream castle Herrenchiemsee Palace on Herreninsel Island. Construction began in 1878, and the palace was inspired by Ludwig's visit to the Palace of Versailles. This is truly a monument to royal megalomania: 35 seamstresses spent seven years sewing the cover for the royal bed alone. Perhaps the most striking room here is the gilded Hall of Mirrors, best seen by candlelight, which is arguably even more dazzling than the original in Versailles. After lunch we wander the manicured palace grounds before making our return to Munich. Spend the evening at leisure.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Oberammergau
    Oberammergau, Germany

    We drive south through the wonderful scenery of the Bavarian Alps, stopping for lunch on the way to Oberammergau. After checking into our hotel in the Oberammergau area, we will gather together in the afternoon to attend a performance of the Passion Play. Dinner is inlcuded in the intermission.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Füssen
    Schwangau, Germany

    We will have a leisurely morning after our late night at the play. We will then travel the short journey to Füssen, our home for the next two nights. Along the way we stop at Linderhof Palace, the smallest of Ludwig's palaces, but the only one that he lived to see completed.

    Meals - Breakfast
  5. Day
    5
    Neuschwanstein
    Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

    This morning we make the short journey to Hohenschwangen, Ludwig's childhood home, for a guided tour of the fortress and grounds with their glorious array of Alpine plants and flowers.

    The afternoon is dedicated to Ludwig's crowning glory and the embodiment of his wildest Romantic fantasies - the stunning castle of Neuschwanstein. Featuring in numerous films, its soaring turrets and wedding-cake walls draw an amazing 1.3 million visitors per year. Built in the Romanesque Revival style, the castle was the scene of Ludwig's arrest in 1886 by his courtiers, exasperated by his eccentricities and profilgacy. We will spend most of the day here before returning in the afternoon to our hotel. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day
    6
    Berg Castle
    Berg Castle, Germany

    After breakfast on our final day, we return to Munich via Castle Berg on the Starnbergersee. This country manor house - which is humble by Ludwig's standards - was where the King was confined after his deposition and declared insane. A few days later, he and his physician were found drowned in the lake. The mysterious double death has never been explained. We visit his tomb in Munich's St Michael's Church, before heading to the airport for our lunchtime flight home.

    Meals - Breakfast

Brought to you by

Andante Travels
This tour is operated solely by Andante Travels
Andante Travels is one of the UK’s leading providers of cultural and archaeological tours, specialising in expert-led trips with small groups.

To view Andante Travels’ supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

This tour is protected by the following:

Availability

From
Wed, Wed, Aug 3, 2022
To
Mon, Mon, Aug 8, 2022
Duration
6 Days
Price per person
£2,795*

* Price based on two sharing. Single supplement £495. Itinerary subject to change. Our travel partner, Andante Travels, is ABTA-bonded and this trip is ATOL-protected. Holiday is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Andante Travels

Call now to book 0808 258 3324
Quote ref: TSD AN Passion Play
Email us