OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY, SALZBURG & LAKE CONSTANCE 2020 OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY, S A L Z B U RG & LAKE CONSTANCE 7 days from only £1,899pp

The alpine landscapes of the Austrian and feature snow- capped mountains, pristine lakes, storybook old towns and fairy-tale castles. At the heart is an inspiring passion play, held once a decade since 1634.

Nestled at the western edge of the snow-dusted the Tyrolean capital, is a sight to behold and an ideal of these castles, Neuschwanstein, on our journey Bavarian in a forested valley is the picturesque introduction to the area with a splendid Habsburg along the German Alpine Road. Continuing further town of Oberammergau. It bears the façade of a palace presiding over a picture-postcard Old Town. west, we find ourselves on the shores of great Lake sleepy alpine community but comes alive once every To the north, the formidable peaks of the Constance and spend the day discovering its lovely 10 years with countless visitors anticipating its unique Alps shelter a number of places so special they’ll be gems. We explore the beautiful city of Konstanz near passion play, a spectacle unlike any other. Since 1634, forever etched in your memory. One such haven is the Swiss border and the sub-tropical paradise island the play has been performed faithfully by the town’s the enchanting lakeside village of Pertisau, which of Mainau, which seems to have drifted up from the residents in gratitude for the divine intervention we visit by taking the historic Achensee railway. Mediterranean with its colourful explosion of flora! that spared them from death during the plague. Then we’re off to sophisticated Salzburg, For a once-in-a-lifetime holiday that combines It’s a polished production today, but at the heart it which until 1816 was an independent city-state the poignancy of the Oberammergau passion remains a powerful act of worship that symbolises ruled by powerful prince-archbishops. For many, play with the majesty of alpine landscapes, an unwavering commitment to an ancestral vow. this is quintessential boasting the best legendary castles and medieval towns across Our tour combines this unmissable performance of the country’s Baroque architecture, subalpine Austria and , our riveting tour has it all. with the opportunity to experience the breathtaking scenery and a musical heritage dominated landscapes of Bavaria in southeastern Germany by the city’s most famous son, Mozart. Please note: Preparations for Oberammergau and more. Our journey begins in the adjacent Heading west we cross the German border Passion Play 2020 are already under way and Austrian Tyrol, a spectacular alpine playground and pass through the Bavarian Alps, first to given the success of previous performances, of rugged peaks, luxuriant pastures, glacial rivers Oberammergau and then the municipality of demand for tickets is certain to be high. and onion-domed chapels. After being settled by Schwangau. Meaning ‘swan country’, Schwangau is This tour guarantees one category 2 ticket Bavarian tribes in the eighth century, the Tyrol was home to these regal birds and the swan motif can be per person and an official programme in a medieval dukedom until a regional branch of the seen throughout the bewitching castles of Bavarian English (the play is performed in German). Habsburg house was established here. Innsbruck, kings. We pause to visit perhaps the most fantastical PRICE INCLUDES Renaissance sculptures. Our tour includes entry to the spectacular imperial palace, known to locals • A category 2 ticket to the world- as the Hofburg. One of Austria’s three major historic buildings, it has undergone an astounding renowned Oberammergau passion transformation from Gothic to Renaissance to its play, plus an official programme current Baroque appearance. The palace is renowned • Explore Salzburg, the picturesque for its lavish 18th-century apartments, which give a birthplace of Mozart and setting for sense of the wealth of the Habsburgs. Apart from an outstanding collection of buildings, Innsbruck also The Sound of Music, on a guided boasts some of the finest views in Europe: across the walking tour swift-flowing River Inn to the tall, pastel-hued houses • Visit the Hofburg, a spectacular former on the opposite bank, and the death-defying Bergisel Habsburg palace and one of Austria’s ski jump, all encircled by the magnificent Alps. A short drive this afternoon takes us to the most significant cultural monuments market town of Jenbach, where we board the • Enjoy a guided walking tour of idyllic wonderful Achensee steam cog railway. Europe’s Innsbruck, the Tyrolean capital nestled oldest cog railway remains almost exactly as in the heart of the Alps it was when first built in 1889, complete with original locomotives! Huffing and puffing, it winds • Take a guided tour of the fairy-tale up the steep valley side at a leisurely Victorian castle of Neuschwanstein, intended pace to the village of Pertisau, beautifully cradled as a home for King Ludwig II between Lake Achensee and the Karwendel Alps. • Enjoy a scenic journey on the There’s time at leisure, so perhaps take a relaxing stroll along the edge of the lake and admire the jagged Achensee steam cog railway to the peaks reflected in its mirrorlike surface. Or refresh lakeside village of Pertisau yourself with a drink at an al fresco café and enjoy • Journey to Lake Constance, the fresh mountain air. Later we return to Innsbruck. Germany’s largest lake, visiting the DAY 3 – SALZBURG beautiful garden island of Mainau Departing Innsbruck, we travel east to Salzburg, and lovely Konstanz close to the capital of the Salzkammergut – the Austrian Lake Swiss border District – whose breathtaking beauty was brought • Experience a drive along the famed to the world’s attention in The Sound of Music. Until Alpine Road through Bavaria’s two centuries ago it was an independent state ruled by a series of archbishops who turned Salzburg into stunning alpine region one of the most cultured cities north of the Alps, Plus, of course... evidenced by the elegant buildings and refined restaurants. Nestled below steep hills beside the • Return flights from a selection of River Salzach is the storybook Old Town, presenting a regional airports with hotel transfers chocolate-box display of splendid architecture dating • Six nights in four-star and three-star from the medieval period to the 18th century. It’s superior accommodation inclusive of here in the historic core where our expert guide takes us on a tour to see the highlights. Gaze up at the all local taxes, plus breakfast and Hohensalzburg, an imposing stone fortress perched six dinners, including one at a local high on a cliff, dominating the skyline and overlooking restaurant a maze of narrow streets lined by exquisite shops • The services of our experienced and that make window-shopping so satisfying. After our tour there’s time to explore on your own. insightful tour manager throughout Perhaps visit the Salzburg Museum for an absorbing journey through the city’s past and present, or stop FROM £1,899pp by the former home of Salzburg’s most celebrated citizen, Mozart – it’s now a museum dedicated to

DAY 1 – INNSBRUCK Innsbruck Arrive at the airport for your flight to Munich. On arrival, we transfer by coach to the four-star Hotel Grauer Bär in Innsbruck, where we stay for two nights with breakfast and dinner. The hotel is centrally located a minute away from the Old Town.

DAY 2 – INNSBRUCK & ACHENSEE RAILWAY Stretching out beneath the tremendous Nordkette mountain range is lovely Innsbruck, once the capital of an independent dukedom. Today, the city presents a charming showcase of Gothic and Baroque architecture, culminating in the superb Golden Roof, the symbol of the city built in the 15th century to symbolise the power of the first Duke’s court – we’ll see its copper shingles this morning on our walking tour of the city. Our insightful guide will draw attention to Innsbruck’s other marvellous monuments, such as the Baroque cathedral of St Jakob and the Hofkirche, a grand 16th-century church housing the cenotaph of Emperor Maximilian, surrounded by a remarkable collection of bronze Visit fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle

the musical genius. Or soak up the atmosphere Salzburg at a stylish café in the sumptuous Residenzplatz square and simply watch the world go by. From Salzburg, we drive west across the German border through densely forested Bavaria to the Oberammergau area, where we stay for two nights with breakfast at a four-star hotel. Dinner is included at your hotel this evening. Exact details of the hotel will be advised closer to your departure date, as arrangements are handled by the Oberammergau passion play authorities.

DAY 4 – OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY For many, experiencing the passion play today will be a memorable and moving experience. The fascinating origins of this living tradition date back to 1632 during the Thirty Years’ War which brought the plague to Oberammergau. The villagers pledged to stage a play on the Passion of Christ if they were spared; legend has it that further spread was prevented and since then the play has been performed faithfully every decade. Today it’s a work of art that attracts more than half a million spectators from around the world. Oberammergau itself is wonderfully charming, by Rochus Dedler, brought to life by the passionate storybook castle, it’s been the inspiration for so set in a beautiful location surrounded by orchestra and choir. The commitment to detail many stories and has fascinated children the pristine mountain landscapes. It’s renowned for and authenticity is impressive: the long hair and world over. It was commissioned as a homage its 500-year-old woodcarving heritage, well- beards of the male performers are all real, grown to classical composer Wagner by Ludwig II, the represented in the many woodcarving shops, as in accordance with the ‘beard and hair edict’. eccentric Bavarian king who modelled himself well as its ‘Lüftlmalereien’ – vivid paintings of Dinner is included during the interval, giving on Louis XIV of France. During our guided tour of biblical scenes adorning the traditional houses. you time to reflect on what you’ve witnessed the castle, you’ll experience this fairytale come to After free time this morning to wander through before immersing yourself again in the experience. life. The architecture inside is equally impressive, town, we head to the open-air theatre, a stunning After the performance we return to our hotel. drawing from different styles – Byzantine, venue that seats more than 4,500 spectators. The Romanesque and Gothic, while sumptuous passion play runs from 2:30pm to 10:30pm with a DAY 5 – NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE tapestries and elaborate frescoes decorate the wall. three-hour interval for dinner at 5pm. It depicts the This morning we bid farewell to Oberammergau and We then journey along the famed Deutsche period from when Jesus entered Jerusalem through drive to one of Germany’s most iconic monuments, Alpenstrasse – the German Alpine Road – an to the crucifixion and resurrection. One of the most Neuschwanstein Castle, clinging dramatically to exhilarating route that winds its way through arresting aspects is the stirring 19th-century score an alpine crag. Typifying our image of a classic stunning alpine Bavaria. Meandering between lofty mountains, we take in picture- rooms and a restaurant. Some dates will stay at the Beautiful decoration on a typical postcard scenery: cascading waterfalls, lush four-star Montfort das Hotel, also family-run and Oberammergau house forests, captivating castles and chocolate-box set in a quiet location with its own restaurant and bar. villages unchanged for centuries, surrounded by the snow-capped Alps in all their majesty. DAY 6 – LAKE CONSTANCE We cross into Austria and the lakeside town of Our journey today is centred on Lake Constance, Bregenz, where we stay for two nights with breakfast Germany’s largest lake shared between Austria, and dinner at the three-star superior Länder Germany and Switzerland. We drive along the lake’s Hotel Deutschmann. Situated close to the centre undulating northern shore in Germany, passing the of Bregenz, this family-run hotel offers comfortable city of Friedrichshafen where the mammoth Zeppelin

airships were built. Soon we arrive in Meersburg and take a short ferry ride to the sub-tropical ‘flower island’ of Mainau. It’s delightful wandering through this gardener’s paradise, whose 111 acres of manicured landscapes boast an extraordinary diversity of trees, flowers and shrubs. Highlights include a rose garden with more than 25,000 bushes, a palm house and Germany’s biggest butterfly house. Surrounded by this stunning display of radiant colours is a 13th-century palace. Next we visit the dramatically sited city of Konstanz, bisected by the Rhine and located close to the Swiss border. North of the river lies the university while to the south is the Old Town where you’ll have free time to wander through the cobbled twisting alleys and admire the medieval half-timbered houses. Perhaps visit the outstanding cathedral that’s a fascinating mix of architectural styles. There’s a curious glass pyramid through which you can see the third-century remains of the Roman fort, Constantia, which gave the city its name. After a wonderful day of sightseeing, we return to our hotel along the southern shore through Switzerland, taking in more awe-inspiring scenery.

DAY 7 – RETURN FLIGHT Mainau, the island of flowers Today you transfer to the airport for your return flight. Seating Plan STAGE GATE A GATE O

GATE B GATE N

GATE C GATE M

GATE D GATE L CATEGORY

1

GATE E GATE K 2

3

4

5 GATE F 6

Included seating GATE GATE is in category 2 G H Passion play stage

Prices & Departures

Airport Date Airline Flight Out Flight Return Flight Duration Price 01/06/20 07:10 15:40 1hrs.50 £1,969 09/07/20 07:10 15:40 1hrs.50 £2,019 Birmingham Lufthansa 15/08/20 07:10 15:40 1hrs.50 £2,019 28/09/20 07:10 15:40 1hrs.50 £1,919 29/06/20 07:10 11:20 2hrs.15 £2,039 Dublin 18/07/20 Aer Lingus 07:10 11:20 2hrs.15 £2,039 05/09/20 07:10 11:20 2hrs.15 £2,039 08/06/20 18:05 21:45 2hrs.15 £1,989 20/07/20 18:05 21:45 2hrs.15 £2,039 Edinburgh easyJet 20/08/20 18:05 21:45 2hrs.15 £2,039 14/09/20 18:05 21:45 2hrs.15 £2,039 01/06/20 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,949 29/06/20 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,999 09/07/20 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,999 Gatwick 18/07/20 easyJet 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,999 15/08/20 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,999 05/09/20 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,999 28/09/20 13:25 16:50 1hrs.50 £1,899 08/06/20 07:25 14:45 1hrs.55 £1,969 20/07/20 07:25 14:45 1hrs.55 £2,019 Heathrow Lufthansa 20/08/20 07:25 14:45 1hrs.55 £2,019 14/09/20 07:25 14:45 1hrs.55 £2,019 30/05/20 12:00 17:05 2hrs.00 £1,919 15/06/20 13:25 17:05 2hrs.00 £2,019 Manchester 13/07/20 easyJet 13:25 17:05 2hrs.00 £2,019 06/08/20 13:25 21:45 2hrs.00 £2,019 03/09/20 13:25 21:45 2hrs.00 £2,019 30/05/20 07:15 16:30 1hrs.45 £1,899 15/06/20 13:15 16:30 1hrs.45 £1,999 Stansted 13/07/20 easyJet 13:15 16:30 1hrs.45 £1,999 06/08/20 13:15 16:30 1hrs.45 £1,999 03/09/20 13:15 16:30 1hrs.45 £1,999

The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £295. The price includes return flights, airport departure taxes and transfers, six nights four-star and three-star superior accommodation with breakfast and five dinners in your hotel and one in a local restaurant in Oberammergau, all local taxes, guided tour of Innsbruck, including visit to Hofburg, Achensee cog railway from Jenbach to Pertisau, guided tour of Salzburg, Oberammergau Passion Play category 2 ticket, guided tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, ferry from Meersburg to Mainau ‘garden island’ and Konstanz and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager. Please note Austrian beds are generally one base with two mattresses and individual bed linen.

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There won’t be an opportunity like this until 2030, so don’t miss out. Code OB20 To book or for more information, call 01283 245 358 or visit www.rivieratravel.co.uk

ABTA Number V4744 Published 2/18 All rights reserved.