HEART OF EUROPE

Across the Atlantic

Depart today on board your transatlantic Flights to Berlin, arriving the following day. En route enjoy dinner followed by a full-length movie

Arrive in Berlin

Arrive in Berlin, capital of Germany. You will be met and escorted to your waiting motorcoach for transfer to your hotel.

Berlin

This morning visit reunited Berlin. In the former West, see Charlottenburg Castle, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the famous Kurfurstendamm, Bellevue Castle, the Cultural Forum and the Reichstag Building. In former Eastern Berlin, see the Brandenburg Gate at the end of beautiful Unter Den Linden Boulevard, Gendarmen Markt, the Berlin Cathedral, Alexanderplatz, the Nikolai Quarter, and the remains of the Berlin Wall. The afternoon is at leisure.

Berlin / Dresden / Prague

Proceed along the Elbe River to Dresden, a renowned center for fine art and famous for china. On your orientation tour, see the Semper Opera House and the Zwinger Palace. Continue to Prague in the Czech Republic. Located on the Vltava River, Prague is considered one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe.

Prague

This morning experience the 1000-year-old history of the city with a visit to Hradcany Castle, the seat of power for several Czech princes and kings. Proceed to the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Romanesque Basilica of St. George, and Mala Strana (Lesser Town), whose winding streets are lined with small taverns and old houses. Continue to Old Town to see the ancient Town Hall with its animated astronomical clock. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own.

Prague / Český Krumlov / Salzburg

Bidding farewell to the Czech Republic’s enchanting capital, travel through the south Bohemian countryside, passing picturesque villages and ponds, to Český Krumlov. Known as ‘the Pearl of the Renaissance’, the State Castle of Český Krumlov is one of the most important historic sites in Central Europe. Following a panoramic tour, continue to the “Sound of Music” city of Salzburg, one of the world’s most beautiful places. On your city tour see the Mozarteum (house where Mozart lived), the Church of the Franciscans and the Alter Markt in the Old City.

Salzburg / Neuschwanstein / Oberammergau

Ascend the Bavarian Alps and visit Mad King Ludwig’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most photographed palaces in the world and the model for the castles at the Walt Disney theme parks. Next visit the unusual, oval rococo Wies Church designed in the late 1740s. On to Oberammergau, site of the world-famous Passion Play.

The Passion Play of Oberammergau

The highlight of your trip! In keeping with their 387-year old promise, the villagers of Oberammergau present their Passion Play depicting the last week of the life of Christ. The

play’s presentation can be traced to 1633 when the Black Plague swept Europe. The people of Oberammergau took a solemn oath: if God spared them, they would present a

day-long play depicting the last week in the life of Christ. To this day they have kept their promise and every ten years the citizens of Oberammergau perform their passion play

with the same love and devotion they have shown for over 380 years. Today the play takes place on an open-air stage with a covered auditorium seating 4,700, against a beautiful backdrop of towering Alpine mountains.

Oberammergau / Lake Lucerne

Drive through the scenic Swiss Alps to Lucerne. Its attractive waterfront, 14th and 15th century covered wood bridges and medieval walls make Lucerne one of Switzerland’s prettiest cities. Walk along the quaint, winding streets of the Old Town and see the 14th century wooden Kapell Bridge and the Lion Monument. Free time to stroll along the bridges, relax on the lakeshore or visit the elegant shops. Overnight in the Lake Lucerne area.

Oberammergau / Lake Lucerne

Tour Switzerland’s breathtakingly beautiful Bernese Oberland. Follow the Bruenig Pass road to Interlaken, a popular summer resort dwarfed by the famous snow-covered Alpine peaks of the Eiger and the 13,642-ft. Jungfrau. Proceed to the picturesque villages of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald and then return to your hotel for the night.

Lake Lucerne / Heidelberg / Rhine Valley

Drive to Heidelberg, the oldest University town in Germany and home of the “Student Prince.” View the medieval Town Hall and the University, founded in 1386. Cross the Neckar River and see the ancient castle high above the city and river. Overnight in the Rhine Valley.

Rhine Valley / Frankfurt / Los Angeles

All too soon your journey is over as you drive to the Frankfurt airport and board your return flight home to Los Angeles, arriving the same day.