Explore the wonder of old world castles and carillons, three of Europe’s most spellbinding cities and a seat at the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. Come follow in the footsteps of this centuries-old tradition!

Munich, Germany - Bavaria’s Glorious Capital - History comes alive in this 800-year old city, often called the “Village of One Million”. Home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich celebrates life throughout the year. Your city tour showcases the Marienplatz where you’ll marvel at the gothic facade of the town hall and applaud the famous Glockenspiel, the largest carillon in Germany with life-size figures performing the traditional Coopers' Dance. See Olympia Park where the 1972 Olympics took place and stroll down Maximillian Strasse, one of Munich’s grandest avenues lined with deluxe hotels and elegant stores. See the 17th century Nymphenburg Palace, birthplace of King Ludwig II and former summer residence of Bavarian royalty. If visions of castles are dancing in your head, the Bavarian Castle Excursion will take your breath away. Delight in the fairytale Castle of Newschwanstein, now the symbol of Disney's Magic Kingdom, elegantly perched at the Pollat River Gorge. Shop in the busy market square of Fussen and admire the Castle of Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig II spent his childhood. At your leisure, discover the brew Munich is famous for at one of the welcoming pubs or magnificent beer halls.

Oberammergau, Germany - See the 41st Passion Play - Performed Only Once in a Decade! - A play of life and death, promised in a moment of mortal threat. Thus begins the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in1633. After months of suffering and death from the plague, the people of Oberammergau gave an oath that they would perform the “Play of Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” every 10 years. At Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their Pledge. Today, only the inhabitants of Oberammergau are allowed to perform on stage. The set and costumes are also provided by the talents of the townspeople, passed on from generation to generation through traditional family businesses. Alpine meadows and towering mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to this deeply moving, centuries-old spectacle is played out by the villagers on an open-air stage to an enthralled audience of almost five thousand.

Salzburg, Austria - Mozart and “The Sound of Music”Come Alive! - Considered the quintessential Austria, Salzburg presents the best of the country’s Baroque architecture, alpine scenery and a musical heritage highlighted by the city's most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Your city tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site takes you to Mozart Square, The Baroque Cathedral where he was baptized as well as his birthplace at #9 Getreidegasse and a visit to Mirabell Castle. Take an optional excursion to the setting of the Von Trapp Family story and relive many of the sites in the beloved movie classic. See where Maria Von Trapp and the children danced around the statue of Pegasus and sang the song Do re mi. Then, enjoy a full day excursion to Berchtesgarden and Lake Konigsee in the Bavarian Alps. Our route takes us past the legendary Untersberg and picturesque farming villages to Obersalzberg, 3,300 ft. above sea level. On our journey from Salzburg to Vienna, we'll stop at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Melk Benedictine Abbey situated high above the beautiful Danube River. Boasting over 1,000 years of history, this is one of the most significant Baroque-style complexes in Europe.

Vienna, Austria - Music and More - For centuries, Vienna has been synonymous with music as it is home to some of the world’s greatest composers - Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage makes this capital city of Austria literally a cultural haven of museums, dance centers and theaters. Your city tour will take you to the famous Kartner Strasse pedestrian street as well as the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral, noted for its Gothic edifice, in the heart of the old city. Visit the nearby Mozart House, where Mozart lived and wrote his most important works, including The Marriage of Figaro. Continue on foot to the Hofburg Complex, the Hall of Honor in the National Library and Treasury. Your tour continues by motorcoach on a panoramic excursion of the city. On your own, take in the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Boys Choir or a performance of the famous Lipizzan stallions. If you like, take an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Imperial Family. See the ceremonial and staterooms as well as the audience chambers of Maria Theresa and the apartments of Franz Joseph. Visit the carriage museum with its display of state carriages from the 17th through the 19th centuries.

Remember, the "Passion Play" is only performed once every 10 years. Don't miss your opportunity to experience it for yourself. Join us on this meaningful, unforgettable journey!

Optional Pre-Tour Extension to Budapest, Hungary - 3 days - 2 Nights - $595 per person twin
Join Mayflower for an optional pre-tour to Budapest, considered the "Paris of the East." Budapest is one of the most beautiful and fascinating capitals of the world. Two thousand years of history, outstanding cuisine, historical monuments and great architecture makes Budapest the jewel of the Danube. Highlights include: the magnificent Parliament Building, the Crown Jewels, the neo-Renaissance style, Opera House, Buda Castle, the historic royal castle of Hungary, the National Gallery and Matthias Fountain and more.

YOUR MAYFLOWER TOUR INCLUDES:

• Services of a Professional Tour Manager
  
• 13 meals (3 dinners, 2 lunches, 8 breakfasts)
  
• Round trip airfare from Philadelphia
  
• Free round trip airport transfers when air is provided by Mayflower Tours
  
• $50 in Mayflower Money
  
  

• Day 1 - Depart from the United States.
• Day 2 - Arrive in Vienna, Austria with included group transfers to your hotel; the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Two nights in Vienna.
• Day 3 - Breakfast at your hotel. An included morning city tour of Vienna. Afternoon at leisure or participate in an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace. Welcome dinner at a Heurigen Wine Tavern in the village of Grinzing.
• Day 4 - Breakfast at the hotel. Full day scenic transfer from Vienna to Salzburg via Melk with a visit to the famous Benedictine Abbey. Three nights in Salzburg.
• Day 5 - Breakfast at your hotel. An included morning walking tour of Mozart's Salzburg; afternoon at leisure or participate in an optional Sound of Music excursion.
• Day 6 - Breakfast at your hotel. An included full day scenic excursion to the Berchtesgaden region including lunch; Obersalzberg tour with WWII history, ascend the Eagle's Nest; cruise on Lake Konigssee.
• Day 7 - Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Salzburg to Oberammergau. Lunch at your hotel - within walking distance to the Passion Play Theater. Dinner at your hotel during the Passion Play intermission. Overnight in Oberammergau.
• Day 8 - Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Oberammergau to Munich with a photo stop near to Neuschwanstein Castle, inspiration for Disney's Cinderella's Castle. Two nights in Munich.
• Day 9 - Breakfast at your hotel. An included morning city tour of Munich. Afternoon at leisure or participate in an optional excursion to Nymphenburg Palace and Amalienburg. Farewell dinner in Munich at the Ratskeller hosted by your Tour Manager.
• Day 10 - Breakfast at your hotel. Group transfer to Munich Airport for flights home.