July 10-21, 2010
Sponsored by Belle Meade Vacations, this trip contains not only the prettiest places in picture-book Europe, but best seats and hotels for the renowned Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. With sincere loyalty to the vow taken by their ancestors in 1634, the villagers perform this memorial play with pride for the whole summer once every ten years to celebrate their safety from the plague. Come along with us and experience a truly beautiful and historical part of Europe, festive summer celebrations, regional foods, the Glacier Express in Switzerland and much more- including this once-a-decade event.

Special Included Features to Note: 

Trip Itinerary:

JULY 11, SUN: ZURICH-LUCERNE. Airport welcome by your tour director, then transfer south to Lucerne, beautifully located on Lake Lucerne. Time to rest and unwind before enjoying a special Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. (D)

JULY 12, MON: LUCERNE. A leisurely stroll will introduce you to this charming city, a favorite with tourists from all over the world. Walk across the 14C covered Chapel Bridge, the symbol of Lucerne, to the Jesuit Church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches of Switzerland. Continue to the market square with its fine Renaissance architecture of the Old Town Hall, then enjoy a relaxing cruise around Lake Lucerne, offering views of hills, mountains and little old-fashioned villages. The balance of the day is free to explore Lucerne on your own – dozens of shops invite with watches, embroideries and cuckoo clocks. (B,D)

JULY 13, TUE: LUCERNE-ZERMATT. Morning sees us traveling along the shores of Lake Brienz to Interlaken, a resort famous for its spectacular views of the Jungfrau Range. Short coffee break then embark on an unforgettable scenic drive through the Bernese Oberland with its chalet-type farms and pretty villages to Gstaad, a first-rate skiing resort. After lunch we reach the Col De Pillon, then continue to Aigle and through the Rhone Valley to Visp, starting point of a memorable trip by bus and cogwheel train to Zermatt, the carefree mountain resort at the foot of the towering Matterhorn. (B,D)

JULY 14, WED: ZERMATT. Zermatt is still one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, for some things never change: the Matterhorn, rising in majestic splendor as a backdrop to the town, is one of the most dramatic sights in the world.  All day is set aside to enjoy Zermatt on your own – shopping, browsing or you might want to take the cogwheel train to the Gornergrat, offering breathtaking views of Europe’s most spectacular mountains. (B,D)
JULY 15, THU: ZERMATT-LINDAU. This morning our scenic journey offers ever-changing vistas of small mountain villages, deep green lakes and snow covered peaks of the Swiss Alps as we ride the famous Glacier Express all the way to Chur.  Here we rejoin our bus for a drive north to Lindau, beautifully located on Lake Constance. A leisurely walk with your tour director before dinner will show you the charm of this former Imperial City: the old streets, harbor lights and magnificent panoramas visible from Lindau’s old port. (B,D)

JULY 16, FRI: LINDAU. After an easy-going morning in Lindau enjoy a cruise on Lake Constance, known for its mild climate, warm enough to permit tropical vegetation in the more favored sites. Lunch stop in Meersburg, an attractive little town packed with old half timbered houses, then visit Mainau Island, Germany’s most beautiful flower exhibition park. Belonging since 1932 to Count Lennart Bernadotte, it is a paradise for all plant enthusiasts. The juxtaposition of the palace, charming Baroque church, exciting butterfly house and colorful flower beds set in green parkland contribute to the magic of the island. Return to Lindau in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

JULY 17, SAT: LINDAU-OBERAMMERGAU. Leaving Lindau we travel east through pretty pre-Alpine scenery to Fussen where we stop for a coffee break and a chance to take pictures of the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein – a product of the imagination of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The young ruler wished to create this castle “in the true style of the old German knights’ castles”. Our next stop is the Wieskirche, a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo. The splendor of gilded stucco, wood carvings and vividly colored frescoes is overwhelming – Dominikus Zimmerman, the architect, was so pleased with the result that he spent the last ten years of his life in a small house near the church. A short drive brings us to the Passion Play Village of Oberammergau. (B,D)

JULY 18, SUN: OBERAMMERGAU. The morning is yours to relax, enjoy shopping for woodcarvings, admire beautifully decorated houses or simply take in the special spirit of this village so scenically set at the edge of the Bavarian Alps. This afternoon and in the evening witness the Passion of Christ performed by amateur actors, who were either born in Oberammergau or have lived there for the past 20 years. In the last festival year (2000) some 2,200 of the 5,300 inhabitants were involved either on stage or backstage, 550 of them children. (B,L,D)

JULY 19, MON: OBERAMMERGAU-MUNICH. After a leisurely breakfast enjoy a visit to Linderhof, a little jewel of a palace, built by King Ludwig II (Mad King Ludwig). As with all of Ludwig’s castles, he hoped to create the grandeur of earlier eras in architecture, history and myth. Designed in the style of the 18C, it served as a background, along with its Moorish pavilion and its grotto, for the romantic fancies of the young king. After lunch we head north through picturesque Alpine foothills past mountain lakes and country farm houses to Munich, Bavaria’s lively capital. Dinner tonight will be served in one of Munich’s great beer garden restaurants. (B,D)

JULY 20, TUE: MUNICH. Labeled as the “secret capital“ of Germany, Munich is one of the country’s most festive cities. Enjoy a walk to the National Opera, the famous Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s open-air food market, Theater and Maximilian Strasse, the city’s elegant shopping district, visit the austere interior of St. Peter’s Church before listening to the musical chimes of the Glockenspiel. Highlight this morning is the Treasury of the Residence Museum, a collection of priceless crowns, royal insignia and unique porcelain and goldsmith work from nine centuries. Have a Bratwurst for today’s lunch, the Hofbrauhaus is right around the corner, and then enjoy a free afternoon for individual activities. Tonight is the time to enjoy a special Farewell Dinner with music and wine at Gunter’s favorite restaurant. (B,D)

JULY 21, WED: MUNICH-USA. This morning transfer to Munich airport for your daylight flight back to the USA. (B)

Trip Price:

FOR LAND ARRANGEMENTS: Land cost $4150.00    per person sharing a twin or double room
Single supplement:  $625.00

Price based on minimum group size of 28 and  the exchange rate of $1.30 to 1 euro.

FOR AIRFARE:     Belle Meade Vacations will assist clients in purchasing the least expensive and most convenient tickets possible. It is always possible for clients to obtain their own tickets or arrange for free or upgraded tickets using mileage. Please contact JC Bark at Belle Meade Vacations: 615-386-9876 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DEPOSIT TO RESERVE SPACE:
$600.00 per person to reserve play tickets and hotels in Oberammergau. No more play tickets are available once these are sold.

INSURANCE:  Once deposit has been made, trip cancellation/medical/baggage insurance will be offered and is highly recommended.  

CANCELLATION: 
• Deposit is non-refundable due to Passion Play tickets which have been purchased and are non-refundable as of Sept. 28, 2008.
• From final payment April 2010  until departure: 100% of land costs