14 DAYS BIRKDALE & MANLY PARISH European Pilgrimage with Oberammergau Passion Play 11 Nights / 14 Days Fri 24 July - Thu 6 Aug, 2020 • Bologna (2) • Ravenna • Padua (2) • Venice • Ljubljana (2) • Lake Bled • Salzburg (3) • Innsbruck • Oberammergau Passion Play (2) Accompanied by: Fr Frank Jones Church of the Assumption - Bled Island, Slovenia Triple Bridge, Slovenia St Anthony Basilica, Padua Italy Mondsee, Austria Meal Code DAY 5: TUESDAY 28 JULY – VENICE & PADUA (BD) DAY 8: FRIDAY 31 JULY – VIA LAKE BLED TO (B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner Venice comprises a dense network of waterways SALZBURG (BD) with 117 islands and more than 400 bridges over Departing Ljubljana this morning we travel DAY 1: FRIDAY 24 JULY - DEPART FOR its 150 canals. Instead of main streets, you’ll find through rural Slovenia towards the Julian Alps EUROPE main canals, instead of cars, you’ll find Gondolas! to Bled. Upon arrival we take a short boat ride to Bled Island (weather permitting), where we DAY 2: SATURDAY 25 JULY - ARRIVE Today we travel out to Venice, known as visit the Church of the Assumption. BOLOGNA (D) Europe’s most romantic destination. As we Today we arrive into Bologna. This is one board our boat transfer we enjoy our first Returning to the mainland, we visit the of Italy’s most ancient cities and is home to glimpses of this unique city. Our time here medieval Bled Castle perched on a cliff high above the lake, offering splendid views of the its oldest university. The Dominicans were begins with Mass in St Mark’s Basilica, built surrounding Alpine peaks and lake below. attracted to this centre of learning in 1218 and to house the saint’s remains. Our guided it was here, in the convent of San Domenico walking tour includes St Mark’s Square and We then continue north where in outskirts (known in Dominic’s time as St Nicholas of the its famous monuments. See open squares of Salzburg, we visit the hilltop shrine of Our Vineyards), that St Dominic died in 1221. with enchanting palaces, cross over stunning Lady of Maria Plain for Mass, where pilgrims bridges, and walk down narrow passageways. have been coming for three centuries to pray Bologna overnight to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. Mid afternoon we return to Padua. On arrival DAY 3: SUNDAY 26 JULY - BOLOGNA (BD) view the impressive park of ‘Prato della Valle’ Finally, we arrive in Salzburg where we will This morning we meet our guide visiting and the nearby Basilica of Santa Giustina with proceed to our hotel for check-in. the Piazza Maggiore and many churches its claimed relics of St Luke the Evangelist. Salzburg overnight including Basilica di San Domenico. This Onwards to the Scrovegni Chapel. The Chapel church where his tomb lies is a magnificent is a masterpiece in the history of painting DAY 9: SATURDAY 1 AUGUST – SALZBURG (BD) collaboration of skills, including the work of in Italy and Europe in the 14th century, This morning we visit Nonnberg Convent and a young Michelangelo, visible in the angel considered to be the most complete series of admire the magnificent Byzantine frescoes in candleholder on the right side of the saint’s frescoes executed by Giotto in his mature age. the choir, some of the oldest in Austria. The convent is more famous for having the real tomb. We also visit the Anatomical Theatre of Padua overnight the Archiginnasio. Maria Von Trapp from “The Sound of Music” enrolled as a novice. Continue on to the huge Remainder of the day at leisure. DAY 6: WEDNESDAY 29 JULY – TO LJUBLJANA (BD) domed Salzburg Cathedral for Mass which Bologna overnight can be seen from all over the city. We see the Early this morning we depart Italy crossing bronze font with reliefs of saints and where DAY 4: MONDAY 27 JULY – VIA RAVENNA TO into Slovenia and on to the Postojna Cave Mozart was baptised - many of his works PADUA (BD) Park. Here we enjoy a train ride to the heart were performed here for the first time. Following breakfast, we journey north to of the cave and see its magnificent halls. We Ravenna, once the capital of the Western then visit Predjama Castle, a medieval marvel Stroll through Residenz Platz and into Mozart Roman Empire some 1,500 years ago. The perched in the middle of a towering cliff. Platz where we can view a statue of the great composer. We will visit the city’s rare mosaics are thought to be the Mozart House We then continue onto the Slovenian capital where the family lived between 1747 and best preserved in Europe and our visit to the of Ljubljana. 1773. On a side street we see one of Europe’s Basilica of San Vitale will give evidence to most revered objects – The statue of the this reality. Our walking tour also includes Ljubljana overnight Christ Child of Loreto which miraculously highlights such as the Piazza del Popolo, the DAY 7: THURSDAY 30 JULY – LJUBLJANA (BD) cured the sick. Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo including This morning we meet our guide for a tour Arian Baptistery and the tomb of Dante. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to where we see the famous Dragon Bridge wander the Mirabell gardens, the backstreets, Travel on to Padua, home to St Anthony, and the Triple Bridge that connects Preseren boutiques or just enjoy a coffee and a strudel. the renowned patron saint of lost articles. Square with the Old Town before entering the Salzburg overnight Originally from Lisbon, Anthony came to Italy 18th century St Nicholas’ Cathedral where we where his gift of preaching brought many plan to celebrate our group Mass. We also see DAY 10: SUNDAY 2 AUGUST – MONDSEE (BD) to conversion. On arrival we enjoy a guided the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. Travel out by coach this morning to nearby tour and Mass in the Basilica of St Anthony Free time this afternoon Mondsee, where the hills will surely come including the Chapel of the Reliquaries and St alive with the “Sound of Music”! Our visit Anthony’s tomb. Ljubljana overnight includes St. Michael’s Church - scene of the Padua overnight wedding between Maria and Captain Von Passion Play, Oberammergau Germany Trapp. Also enter Hellbrunn Palace, a unique INDICATIVE PRICING world of trick fountains and in the garden, see here the Pavilion where Liesl sang “Sixteen TOUR CODE PV1420 Going On Seventeen.” On the outskirts of $8,390 Salzburg, we visit the hilltop shrine of Our ERMANY TWIN SHARE Lady of Maria Plain for Mass, where pilgrims Incl. Tax Per Person have been coming for three centuries to pray SINGLE ROOM Munich TIPPING MADE EASY to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. SUPPLEMENT Oberammergau 2 3 Salzburg $120 In the afternoon we return to Salzburg $1,180 Innsbruck ASRIA Salzburg overnight * Costs have been based on prices as at December Lake Bled 2018 and must remain subject to possible change DAY 11: MONDAY 3 AUGUST – VIA 2 Ljubljana in the unlikely event of significant exchange rate INNSBRUCK TO OBERAMMERGAU (BD) Venice variations, airfare increases and minimum group Padua 2 SLOENIA size (20) contingencies. Single supplement does Following breakfast, we travel south to the IALY not include Oberammergau which is on request charming city of Innsbruck, where its most Bologna basis only. Should a single room be confirmed in breathtaking treasures are the grandeur 2 Ravenna Oberammergau, a supplement will apply of the high snow-capped mountains. Upon arrival we ascend the mountains by Hungerburg Funicular where we have INCLUSIONS tremendous views of the whole valley to the Italian border. Enjoy a visit to the Hofkirke AIRFARES which features giant figures surrounding Economy class airfare from Brisbane to and representing the family of Maximilian Bologna & Munich return (N.B. Airlines I. The old townhouses with their rich stucco taxes are included on standard itinerary ornaments, reliefs and frescoes provide a resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten and subject to fluctuations). years if they were spared from extinction. At fantastic backdrop to our next stop, the Dom ACCOMMODATION & MEALS St. Jacob where we see at the high altar the Whitsun in 1634 they kept their promise for the Based on moderate standard hotel picture of “Madonna and Child” by Lucas first time. As early as the middle of the 18th accommodation throughout with Cranach the Elder – miracles have been Century spectators came to Oberammergau attributed to this picture. We also see the from all parts of Germany, attracted by the breakfast & dinner daily famous Goldenes Dachl where the golden great power and mystique of the play. In 2020 MISCELLANEOUS INCLUSIONS roof consists of 2,657 gilded copper roof tiles. the village will perform the play for the 42nd Deluxe Air-Conditioned Motor coach time, maintaining the continuity of this unique In the late afternoon we arrive into the with driver • Full Time local Tour world-famous event. beautiful village of Oberammergau, home to Director • Local Guides • Sightseeing the world-renowned Passion Play. Over 2000 participants bring the story of Jesus and entrance fees throughout itinerary of Nazareth to the ears and eyes of the audience • porterage of 1 piece of luggage per Every ten years affords pilgrims the great in a five-hour presentation on the imposing person at hotels privilege of witnessing the world-renowned open-air stage. Almost half of the inhabitants Passion Play of Oberammergau. For over 300 NOT INCLUDED of Oberammergau enact with great devotion years this picturesque village in the Bavarian Passport • Other Visas (if applicable) the story of Jesus, whose message gives billions Alps has re-enacted the passion of Jesus, and • Prepaid Tipping • Other meals not of people hope and strength.