Italy featuring the Oberammergau Passion Play

Air 1: Overnight Flight
Welcome to Italy, a land rich in history, culture, art and romance. Your journey begins with an overnight flight to Rome, "The Eternal City."

Day 2: Rome, Italy - Tour Begins
You arrive in Rome today. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a special welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant featuring regional delicacies and fine Italian wines.

Day 3: Rome - Vatican City - Papal Audience
This morning, visit Vatican City to attend the weekly papal audience* and receive the blessing given by His Holiness, Benedict XVI. Later, visit St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Known as the grandest of the world’s churches, St. Peter’s is unsurpassed in beauty. In the Vatican Museum* you will view such historical treasures as the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s restored mural of the Last Judgment.

Day 4: Rome
This morning enjoy a locally guided panoramic tour of Rome featuring the impressive Piazza Venezia, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and the famous Trevi Fountain. This afternoon, explore Rome on your own - perhaps visit the legendary Spanish Steps or shop for one-of-a-kind gifts.

Day 5: Rome - Assisi - Perugia
LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Today you are off to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Take a guided walking tour of the old city, including the Basilica of St. Francis. Then, travel to medieval Perugia, the historic capital of Umbria. Here you will behold one of the grandest squares in Italy, the Piazza IV Novembre, and delight in the medieval palaces and ornate cathedrals.

Day 6: Perugia - Siena - Florence
A scenic journey through Tuscany’s graceful low-lying hills brings you to the mystical city of Siena. You will be delighted by its narrow Gothic streets, magnificent palaces and historic Piazza del Campo. Upon arrival in Florence, visit a family-owned leather shop and learn the traditional Italian techniques of leather making.

Day 7: Florence
In Florence, the “Cradle of Italian Renaissance,” visit the world-famous Academy Gallery to see Michelangelo’s incredible Statue of David. During your cultural tour of Florence, you'll also view the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy this fascinating city on your own.

Day 8: Florence - Padua - Venice
Today you journey through central Italy to the medieval city of Padua to view the impressive six-domed Saints Basilica, dedicated to St. Anthony. Then it is on to the canal-laden city of Venice. This enchanting city was built on 117 tiny islands and is characterized by a latticework of 150 canals and 400 bridges.

Day 9: Venice - Murano Island - Venice
Your day begins with a boat trip* (weather permitting) to Murano Island for an up-close glass making demonstration. Next, return to Venice and visit charming St. Mark’s Square, the lively hub of the city's activity and events. A local expert will guide you on a walking tour of the area featuring St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Clock Tower with its famous Moors.

Day 10: Venice - Trento - Oberammergau, Germany
Today you make the scenic journey to the Bavarian village of Oberammergau. En route, travel through the majestic Dolomites with a special stop made in the Alpine town of Trento. During your visit, stroll the quaint streets and admire the artistic heritage of this Renaissance-inspired center.

Day 11: Oberammergau - Passion Play
The morning is at leisure for you to explore this lovely village. This afternoon, witness a performance of the Passion Play. The original performance dates back to 1634. During the Thirty Year War, the village of Oberammergau was spared the Black Plague and for this reason, the villagers vowed that every ten years they would give a play to honor the life of Christ. The performers are native Oberammergauers. To lend authenticity to the performance, the cast start to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance. Also, the intricate costumes are made locally by the villagers. During the break in the performance, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip.

Day 12: Oberammergau
Tour Ends

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Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

MEALS ON TOUR:As specified in each itinerary. Meals are based on the hotel's or restaurant's buffet or set menu. In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated. Delicious welcome and farewell dinners featuring local cuisine.

SIGHTSEEING: Expert local guides who give insightful, personalized tours as only locals can. Private Transportation via deluxe, climate controlled motor coach.

BAGGAGE: Although every effort is made to handle passengers’ luggage as carefully as possible, the tour company is not responsible for and does not assume liability or accept claims for loss of or damage to luggage due to breakage, theft or wear and tear through hotel and group carrier handling.

It is recommended for your own self interest and protection that you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Check with your sales agent for low cost insurance to cover these risks.

TOUR RATES All rates on foreign tours are subject to fluctuations of currency and may be changed when necessary without advance notice prior to deposit.

All rates published are per person as indicated and are based on double occupancy when only one rate is shown. Reservations will be accepted subject to availability at the time of a request and will be considered confirmed only upon receipt of a minimum deposit. Child rates are available upon request. Please call for details.

ITINERARY AND HOTEL AMENDMENTS: Occasionally, during holidays and certain periods, due to unforeseen circumstances the local Tour Operator and/or Hotel(s) may have to make last-minute changes, sometimes after arrival, in the sequence of the tour and/or hotels. We therefore reserve the right to adjust the sequence and/or substitute any hotels with others of similar category. In such cases there will be no cost adjustment.

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