The 2 Passion Plays - Sordevolo and Oberammergau
10 days only $5,618 pp twin share
- Best seats for the Passion Play
- Leisurely 2 night stays
- Small group size from just 10 to 28
- Genuinely inclusive, no extra costs
- Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
- 'My Time' guaranteed
Tour Overview
Discover Milan, delightful Orta San Giulio, gorgeous Lake Garda and dine in an authentic Italian Osteria. Relax in romantic Verona and Innsbruck, visit Ludwig’s fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, the glorious ‘Church in the Meadows’ and experience not one but two extraordinary Passion Plays – Oberammergau and La Passione in Sordevolo!
Highlights
- Visit beautiful Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta
- Drive deep into the Alps and explore the 17th century Courmayeur
- Sit back in your ‘best seats in house’ and be enthralled by the 200 year old Sordevolo Passion Play - La Passione
- Stay 2 nights in glorious Verona and enjoy a guided tour
- See the giant Roman amphitheater, Juliet’s balcony and Verona’s gorgeous Piazza Delle Erbe
- Spend a relaxing morning exploring Lake Garda
- Enjoy a traditional lunch in an authentic Italian trattoria
- Stay 2 nights in Innsbruck and visit centuries old Bolzano
- See the famous Golden Roof and visit the pretty town of Hall
- Drive over the stunning Fern Pass into the Bavarian mountains
- Visit Ludwig’s ‘fairytale’ Neuschwanstein Castle
- Relax in the medieval town of Füssen and visit Wieskirche - the ‘Church in the Meadows’
- Stay 2 nights and enjoy Category 1 ‘best in house’ seating for the marvellous Oberammergau Passion Play
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Milan welcome
Join us tonight for a welcome drink before dinner in a local restaurant. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.
Meals:
D
Hotel:
Michelangelo Hotel or similar
Day 2: Lakeside Orta San Giulio and Viverone
After a leisurely start we enjoy a short boat ride to visit the delightful town of Orta San Giulio beside the beautiful, and some say most romantic, of all the lakes – Lake Orta. Later we continue to our hotel near Sordevelo where we stay the next 2 nights.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Santo Stefano Relais in Sandigliano or Hotel Marina in Viverone
Day 3: La Passione – The spectacular Sordevolo Passion Play
Following the dramatic Aosta Valley deep into the stunning Alps, we visit the beautiful 17th century town of Courmayeur, set at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain – Mont Blanc. Your afternoon is at leisure back at your hotel.
This evening we drive to nearby Sordevolo to experience the grand spectacle of their very own La Passione – Passion Play. Our seats are ‘best in house’. With verses taken from 500 year old classical text, this play has been performed every 5 years for the last 2 centuries. The whole layout and performance style is totally different from that at Oberammergau. A huge open space is transformed into a corner of ancient Jerusalem. With no set stage area to restrict them, 400 local inhabitants – some even on horseback as Romans - will re-enact the dramatic final days and Passion of Christ.
Meals:
B
D
Day 4: Romeo and Juliet’s Verona
This morning we drive to Romeo and Juliet’s Verona. A local guide will bring to life this beautiful city, where these tragic lovers avowed a love that spanned the centuries. From the huge Roman Amphitheatre, the gorgeous, medieval, Piazza Delle Erbe and Juliet’s famous balcony, Verona will delight you.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Leon d'Oro or similar
Day 5: Lake Garda and an authentic Osteria lunch
This morning we will visit wonderful Lake Garda, making stops at a couple of the pretty lakeside villages such as Garda and Lazise. Later we drive into the hinterland to enjoy a relaxing lunch in an authentic regional trattoria. The rest of your day is at leisure – ‘My Time’ exploring Verona.
DAY 5
This morning we will visit wonderful Lake Garda, making stops at a couple of the pretty lakeside villages such as Garda and Lazise. Later we drive into the hinterland to enjoy a relaxing lunch in an authentic regional trattoria. The rest of your day is at leisure – ‘My Time’ exploring Verona. Meals: B, L
Meals:
B
L
Day 6: Bolzano, the Alps and Innsbruck
This morning we stop in the centuries old town of Bolzano amongst the painted buildings and elegantly arcaded streets. Later we take the Brenner Pass over the Alps to Innsbruck. Mid-afternoon your Tour Manager will take you on a brief walking tour of the old city centre, with its cobblestoned streets, stone archways and the renowned Golden Roof.
Meals:
B
D
Hotel:
Hotel Grauer Bar or similar
Day 7: The pretty town of Hall and Innsbruck ‘My Time’
This morning we board our coach and drive along the dramatic Inn Valley to the 800 year old town of Hall. Surrounded by the rolling Tyrolean hills, Hall is often considered the most beautiful town in the Tyrol. Your afternoon will be at leisure in Innsbruck’s wonderful Altstadt (old town) where you will have ‘My Time’ to explore the sights such as the Hofburg Imperial Palace, and shop in the covered arcades.
Meals:
B
Day 8: Neuschwanstein ‘Fairytale’ Castle, Füssen and the ‘Church in the Meadows’
We start the day with a drive over the stunning Fern Pass to Hohenschwangau in Bavaria. On one hill overlooking the little village you have the neo-gothic castle of Hohenschwangau and on the other side above the village is a wooded mountain spur and Neuschwanstein – the fairytale castle of ‘mad’ King Ludwig. We take a leisurely stroll up the wooded road to enjoy a guided tour through Neuschwanstein Castle’s state rooms, king’s apartments, halls and throne room; all reminiscent of a Wagner operatic saga. Lunchtime will be spent exploring the ancient town of Füssen. In the afternoon we will drive through Bavarian farmlands and forests to make a stop in arguably the most beautiful church in Europe, Wieskirche - the ‘Church in the Meadows’. Surrounded by green fields, the interior of this World Heritage Listed church is an astounding Rococo creation. Later we continue to your 4 star hotel, where we stay the next 2 nights, in preparation for an incredible ‘Oberammergau Passion Play experience’.
Your hotel in the Oberammergau area:
As an appointed Tour Operator for the 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play, and handling such a large number of Oberammergau packages, we have been fortunate to be allocated stays in a variety of excellent, 4 star hotels in Oberammergau itself, as well as in the nearby towns of Murnau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Please note: The guided tour through Neuschwanstein Castle incorporates climbing up and down a number of staircases and, as there are no elevators, the inside visit to the castle this morning may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties or limitations.
Meals:
B
D
Day 9: An incredible Oberammergau Passion Play Experience
An easy start to the day before we enjoy time exploring the colourful village of Oberammergau with its beautiful houses and buildings adorned with “Lüftlmalerei” - ornately painted murals depicting assorted religious scenes. Throughout the afternoon and evening we enjoy the huge spectacle that is the Passion Play from our Category 1 seating. The famous Passion Play has been performed every ten years since 1633, a time when the Thirty Year’s War and Bubonic Plague were ravaging Europe causing so much suffering and death. With a backdrop of Kofel Peak and surrounded by the Ammergau Mountains, the massive open-air stage erupts with colour, music, song and up to 2,000 local inhabitants enacting the story of the Passion of Christ.
Meals:
B
D
Day 10: To Munich
This morning we drive to nearby Munich where your tour ends on arrival. Drop off points will be in the city centre and Munich airport. We recommend you book flights or trains that depart Munich after 2pm.
Meals:
B
Incredible Value Inclusions
Over $1,000 value of extras already included
- Category 1 seating for the Sordevolo ‘La Passione’ Passion Play
- Category 1 seating for the Oberammergau Passion Play
- ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
- Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
- Travel in a first class air-conditioned touring coach
- 9 nights specially selected hotel accommodation
- Hotel porterage (1 bag per person)
- 17 Meals – including breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch near Lake Garda (L) and 7 dinners (D)
- Local guides as described in the itinerary
- ALL tips to your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides
- Free WiFi on most coaches and at hotels
NO additional ‘on tour’ costs!
Dates and Prices
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No Additional 'On Tour' Costs
Over $100 value of extras per day are already included. There are no additional 'on tour' costs - even your end of tour tips are included!
Oberammergau Passion Play - FAQs
What is the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play?
The Passion Play origins date back to 1633, when the community of Oberammergau found itself under threat from the Bubonic plague – the town pledged that if God were to spare them death, they would perform a play each decade to celebrate the life and death of Jesus. Thankfully the vow appeared to work, and as a result the locals were true to their promise – the very first play happened during Pentecost in 1634, where a stage was erected in the local cemetery. Nowadays the performances take place on a much larger scale, with over 2000 of the village’s residents working together to ensure the spectacle honours the vow of their ancestors. Such is the dedication of the residents, all male actors performing in the plays take part in a “Hair Decree”– from Ash Wednesday in 2019, all men are requested to let the hair on their heads and face grow to ensure they have an authentic look in time for 2020!
What are the performance dates?
There will be up to 103 performances between 16 May and 4 October 2020.
There are usually 3, but sometimes up to 5 performances each week, on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Albatross Tours will be operating 7 unique touring itineraries with a total of 78 tour departures which include the Passion Play.
How long is the play?
The play is 5 hours long. It is held throughout the afternoon and evening with a 3-hour break for an included 3 course dinner. Based on the 2010 programme we are assuming there will be 11 Acts featured in the 2020 Passion Play programme.
Performance times
19 May - 16 August | Part I : 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm Part II : 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Later in the season when the sun sets earlier the times change by one hour
17 August – 4 October | Part I : 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm Part II 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Do we have good seats?
Yes, the best! You will have Category 1 seating – the best seats in house.
How many seats are there?
The audience section is fully covered and contains 4,720 comfortable covered seats.
What language is the show in?
The shows will be exclusively in German. You can buy a programme with an English translation of the text on the day of the performance.
If the stage is open air what happens if it rains?
The massive open air stage has a fabulous backdrop of Kofel Peak and is surrounded by the Ammergau Mountains, all of which enhances the drama. However if it does rain, at the push of a button a giant mechanical cover will extend out and over the stage.
How big is the show?
Enormous! There will be 100 choristers, a 55-piece orchestra and 2,000 actors - all locals. There will be music, singing, vivid and colourful stage settings, tableaux vivants (living pictures) depicting biblical scenes, speeches and dramatic re-enactments of the story of the Passion of Christ - from his entry into Jerusalem until his death on the cross and his subsequent resurrection.
Who are the actors?
They are all locals, and to be eligible they must have lived in Oberammergau for at least 20 years. This means that about 3,000 of the town’s 5,000 inhabitants hold the right to perform; since 2000 people participate, that’s more than 60 percent of the eligible townsfolk!
What is the ‘Hair decree’?
Such is the dedication of the residents, all male actors performing in the play take part in a ‘Hair Decree’. From Ash Wednesday in 2019, all men will be requested to let the hair on their heads and face grow to ensure they have an authentic look in time for 2020! (The ‘Romans’ have shaved heads!)
Who organises the Passion Play?
The local community have an organisation called ‘Passionsspiele Oberammergau’. They appoint the artistic director and his team. They consolidate all ticket sales in co-ordination with all attached accommodation allocations in Oberammergau and within the immediate area.
Where is Oberammergau?
Located in Bavaria about 100 kms south of Munich, Oberammergau is nestled in a beautiful valley in the Ammergau Alps. The village is known for its beautifully painted houses and woodcarving shops. The whole region is delightful. Nearby towns include lively Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Unterammergau, Ettal with its magnificent Kloster Abbey, Murnau am Staffelsee - close to Lake Staffelsee, and the spa town of Bad Kohlgrub.
View our range of Oberammergau Passion Play 2020 Tours