Oberammergau/Circling the Alps-SOLD OUT!

Circling the Alps 2010

Beauties of Nature, Wonders of Man, and the Passion Play

Germany ∙ Austria ∙ Italy ∙ Switzerland

June 6- 19, 2010

Director:  Michael D. Phillips, Ph.D.

Cost: $4900.00 land cost, per person, based on double occupancy

Once every decade for more than 350 years the small town of Oberammergau in Germany has celebrated the life of Christ with the world’s best known passion play as an expression of thanks to heaven for sparing the town from the plague.

The tour features the once-in-a-lifetime experience of attending the Passion Play, along with enjoying the beauties of nature and the wonders of man.  The stunning mountains, lakes, waterfalls and villages of the Alps will be contrasted with the genius of Michelangelo’s David, Leonardo’s Last Supper, Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise,

and other art masterpieces too numerous to mention. This experience will leave you  refreshed, relaxed and exhilarated.  Won’t you come and join us for the beauties of nature, the wonders of man, and the Passion Play?

Day 1: June 6:  USA ∙ Munich

            We will depart in the afternoon for our flight to Munich, Germany.

Day 2:  June 7:Munich ∙ Salzburg

            After we arrive in Munich, we will board our coach and make the short trip to Salzburg, Austria and settle in for our stay in this charming, elegant city.  Upon arrival in Salzburg, we will tour Mozart’s birthplace, stroll the Getreidegasse, as well as sites from the movie, the Sound of Music.  In the afternoon we will visit the Hohensalzburg for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside, and visit the stunning cathedrals in the city’s center and have free time for strolling and soaking in the ambience of this picture perfect town before checking into our hotel. (D)

Day 3: June 8: Salzburg

            This morning we will drive into the mountains outside the city for a tour of the salt mines which have given the city its name.  We will then visit the lovely town of Berchtesgaden for free time and lunch.  In the afternoon we will go to Kehlstein (Eagle’s Nest), Hitler’s retreat during World War II.  In the evening we will have free time for strolling in Salzburg as you search for a dirndl or lederhosen or perhaps just enjoy a bosna and some chocolate. (CB, D)

Day 4: June 9: Salzburg ∙ Venice

            We will depart Salzburg early so that we will arrive in Venice in time for an unforgettable introduction to this fascinating city.  This will be our longest travel day, but we will break it up with a lunch stop in the delightful city of Villach on the Drava River.  Off the beaten path and little visited by tourists, this city has well-preserved Gothic and Baroque churches as well as delightful outdoor cafes and shops.  We will then continue on to Venice.  After checking into our hotel, we will board a vaporetto for the trip into the heart of the city where we will have dinner and a romantic evening gondola ride—and possible kiss under the bridge of sighs.  We will then have some free time in Piazza San Marcos to listen to the “orchestras” and enjoy a gelato! (B, D)

Day 5:  June 10:      Venice

            Venice was known as the “Queen of the Seas” during the Renaissance.  This unique city is built on a sprawling archipelago for 117 islands and is traversed by more than 150 canals.  During the morning, we will visit the Doge’s Palace and the Cathedral.  We will also have the opportunity to ride an elevator up the Campanile for a wonderful view of the city and will also enjoy a glass-blowing demonstration.  In the afternoon there will be free time for shopping or a vaporetto ride to the Lido for fun in the sun. (B, D)

Day 6:  June 11: Venice ∙ Florence

            As we reach the mid-point in our adventure, we will settle in for a relaxing three night stay in the marvelous city of Florence.  On our drive to Florence, we will stop for lunch in Bologna and have the opportunity to visit the cathedral there—one of the largest in the world.  Then we will travel on to the incomparable city of Florence.  Primarily because of the patronage of the wealthy Medici family, Florence became the liveliest and most creative city in Europe during the Middle Ages.  We will be thrilled with the artistic beauty of the city.  Treasures of every kind abound—from the breathtaking architecture of the Pitti Palace and the Duomo to the charming simplicity of the Ponte Vecchio.  We will spend our time in Florence seeing masterpieces of Western art, eating gelato, and enjoying the charming atmosphere of this historic wonder. (B, D)

Day 7: June 12: Florence

            We will begin our day with a walking tour of the city and will visit St. Croix, the Duomo and the Baptistry.  Begun in the 13^th century and completed 140 years later, the cathedral has a green, rose and white marble façade.  Brunelleschi’s red-tiled dome is a distinctive feature of the city.  At the baptistery we will see Ghiberti’s marvelous three-dimensional bronze doors depicting Bible stories and known throughout the world as the “Gates of Paradise.”  The afternoon will be free for shopping and exploring. (B, D)

Day 8: June 13: Florence

            In the morning we will visit the Academia, home of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David.  We will then visit the chapel and tombs of the Medici family—also featuring the work of Michelangelo.  After free time for lunch we will go to the Uffizi gallery, located in a Renaissance Palace designed by Vasari, where we will admire great collections of paintings and sculpture by widely recognized artists—particularly Botticelli, Massaccio, and Piero della Francesca. (B, D)

Day 9: June 14: Florence ∙ Milan

            We will depart Florence and travel west to the coast and the city of Pisa where we will see the famous leaning tower.  After free time for lunch, we will continue our journey north to Milan.  The second largest city in Italy, Milan is the economic heart of Italy and is an international commercial center and, because of its location, has been for hundreds of years. (B, D)

Day 10: June 15: Milan ∙ Lucerne

During our morning visit to Santa Maria della Grazie, we will see Leonardo’s Last Supper.  We will then travel to the center of the city and visit the famous white-marble Cathedral of Milan.  It has 135 pinnacles and more than 200 statues.  After seeing the interior, you will have the chance to stroll on the roof of this great building.  After lunch we will travel from Italy to Switzerland and into the beautiful mountain country surrounding Lucerne.  No longer simply circling the Alps, we will be in them!    (B, D)

Day 11: June 16: Lucerne

            During our morning drive to Brienze, we will bask in the glorious scenery and take a relaxing boat ride to Interlaken.  We will travel by cable car to Murren and enjoy stunning views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  We will also visit the majestic and powerful Trammelbach Falls.  Keep your eyes open and maybe you will spot a rare Edelweiss as we journey through the mountains. In the late afternoon we will return to Lucerne and we will visit the Kapelbrucke, Spreuerbrucke, the Lion Monument and Old Town. (B, D)

Day 12: June 17: Lucerne ∙ Bavaria

            After an early departure from Lucerne, we will travel to Bavaria where we will visit Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles.  These were the residences of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.  An eccentric recluse, Ludwig depleted the treasury of his country building extravagant castles and died in mysterious circumstances. Neuschwanstein seems unreal in its romantic Alpine setting and Linderhof is certainly the most elaborate “hunting lodge” you will ever see!  In the afternoon we will visit the fabulous Rococo Weiskirche—it looks somewhat plain and simple on the outside, but just wait until you see the interior. (B, D)

Day 13: June 18: Bavaria: Oberammergau

            After a morning at leisure, we will travel to Oberammergau, a delightful town that has been home to skilled wood carvers since the 12^th century.  There are many interesting things to see in this quaint town. Scenes from the scriptures and from fairy tales are painted on the walls of buildings.  We will attend the marvelous Passion Play, which has been performed by the town’s inhabitants every ten years since 1634—when the thirty years war and the deadly bubonic plague killed almost half the population of Germany.  The people of Oberammergau vowed to produce this play each decade if they could be spared.  They were, and here we are 350 years later! (B,L,D)

Day 14: June 19: Bavaria ∙ Munich ∙ USA

            Bidding a fond farewell to Europe and the Alps, we will travel by coach to Munich and then board our flights back to the USA. (B, D)

(above itinerary is subject to change)

Price includes:

·         Deluxe motor coach transportation

·         Local guides in each country

·         Hotel accommodations in moderate-class hotels

·         Sightseeing tours as outlined on the itinerary

·         Passion Play ticket

·         Entrance fees

·         Gratuities

·         Travel insurance

·         Travel documents and carry-on bags

•   All breakfasts and dinners in country

 Price does not include:

·     Round-trip airfare from Salt Lake City to Munich  (air available July 2009) Note: Do not purchase air tickets before consulting with LDS Travel Study. There is a minimum amount of passengers needed to operate this tour

• Additional possible airfare from cities other than Salt Lake City
• Additional possible air fuel surcharges, taxes or fees

• Sightseeing not included on the itinerary or events listed as “optional”
• Additional hotel accommodations
• Items of a personal nature (i.e., phone calls, room service, Internet, etc.)
• Additional travel insurance and cancellation waiver
• Lunches
• Single supplement $800.00

Payments:  Due to this special event, please see payment info below

Deposit of 1000.00 each is due at the time of booking

Second deposit of 1000.00 each is due Sept.15, 2009

Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure 

LDS TRAVEL STUDY TOURS

Questions on land, money and air—contact Karen:

 515 S. 700 E. Suite 1B, Salt Lake City, UT 84102

Toll Free 866-277-0900—801-483-6152—Fax 801-483-6366

kgerlach@ldstravelstudy.com

Questions on the land itinerary: call Haws Marble:  801-815-1387

hmarble@ldstravelstudy.com or marble761@comcast.net

Find us on the Web at www.ldstravelstudy.org

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