The “Best of the Alps, the Matterhorn, and the Oberammergau Passion Play” – this is THE Europe you dream of! We visit Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Germany.
Highlights include Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Last Supper” 15th-century mural painting in Milan, the lakes of northern Italy including Laker Maggiore, and the fairy-tale islands of Isola Bella and Isola Madre, Lake Commo, and the village of Bellagio. We venture into the Swiss Alps crossing the Simplon Pass and on to Zermatt and the mighty Matterhorn, perhaps the most famous mountain in the world. Our mountain railway excursion takes us along a scenic route with sweeping views of the glacier and the Matterhorn. You will have an option to take a safe walk on the Rhone Glacier before continuing on to Lucerne. (Seriously! Walking on a glacier! How much fun is that?)
Nestled between Switzerland and Austria is the alpine country of Licentenstein, the sixth smallest country in the world and governed by a monarchy. Our drive to Innsbruck, Austria takes us via St. Moritz, Switzerland, twice host of the International Winter Olympics. We continue our journey to Oberammergau by way of the fairy-tale forests and mountains of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The highlight of our tour will be two nights in the Oberammergau valley, home of the “Passion Play” since 1634.
In 1633, the plague ravaged through Europe and advanced up the valley toward the village of Oberammergau, where one in four people died. With only their faith to hold on to, the villagers stood before a cross and pledged to God that if He would spare those who remained, they would perform the “Passionsspiele” (“Passion Play”) every 10 years forever after enacting the last week or “passion week” of the life of Jesus Christ including His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Gethsemane, betrayal, death, and resurrection.
Miraculously, no deaths were reported in Oberammergau after the village pledge. True to their word, the first Passion Play was performed the next year in 1634, in the city cemetery over the graves of those who died as an eternal reminder of God’s mercy and grace. Today, a modern outdoor theatre hosts the production. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Your tour is hosted by Larry and Cathy Gelwix. Larry is well known as the “Getaway Guru” and host of the syndicated “Travel Show” radio broadcast. Some will recognize Larry from the Hollywood movie “Forever Strong” which was based on his life and rugby coaching career.
There are many good tour itineraries in Europe that include the Passion Play. There is nothing comparable to our “Best of the Alps, the Matterhorn, and Oberammergau Passion Play” experience. You will see and do things that others only read about!
Tour Cash Discount of $100.00 pp
The physical activity on this tour (walking distances) is mid-level with planned walking on uneven surfaces. Plan on full days from beginning to end with "down-time" only in the evening.
To Book This Tour, Contact:
Morris Murdock Escorted Tours,
Tel: (801) 483-6363
Email Groups
Day 1 and 2: Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11, 2022
Home City - Milan, Italy
Today we will depart your homes and travel to Europe! The flights will travel overnight, arriving in Milan, Italy the next morning before noon. Upon arrival we’ll be transferred to our transfer to hotel with time to rest from your travels and explore the city and acclimate to the time zone. Tonight, we will enjoy a welcome dinner together at the hotel.
Meals : Dinner, In-flight
Day 3: Monday, September 12, 2022
Milan, Italy
We will start our day with a morning city tour taking in the main highlights including a visit to the wonderful Duomo de Cathedral. This incredible tour will include a walk on the roof which has tremendous views over the old city and the Galleria. No tour to Milan would be complete without a viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s, the Last Supper painting. This afternoon to we will enjoy the Lake Como area with a visit to the Silk Museum. From there we will tour the Villa Carlotta and a ferry ride over to the village of Bellagio to enjoy the area.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 4: Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Lake Maggiore, Italy – Zermatt, Switzerland
Today we depart Milan and drive to Lake Maggiore where we will ferry the two islands of Isola Bella to see the stunning villa and then Isola Madre to see the fairy-tale home and garden that awaits us there. We continue this afternoon with a drive over the Simplon pass to Tasch, and take the train up to Zermatt and walk to our waiting hotel. (Luggage will be transferred for us separately)
Meals : Breakfast
Day 5: Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Zermatt & the Matterhorn, Switzerland – Lucerne, Switzerland
We will enjoy a morning mountain railway excursion to Gornergrat from Zermatt this morning. This is the scenic route and at the top there are wonderful views over the glacier and of the Matterhorn mountain. This afternoon we’ll take the train again to Tasch and re-join our coach to drive to Lucerne. Along the way we will stop on the Furka pass to see the Rhone glacier, the birthplace of the Rhone River which flows to Lake Geneva, then through France to the Mediterranean. For those of you who are bold, you might want to consider taking the path to the snout of the glacier and walk into the tunnel they cut and into the glacier every year. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner together and share what we’ve seen so far on our journey..
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Thursday, September 15, 2022
Lucerne, Switzerland – Liechtenstein - St Moritz, Switzerland
This morning you will be charmed with our city walking tour of Lucerne. We will see the main sights of the city including the wooden covered bridge and the Lion monument cut into the side of the mountain. We then depart this area to St Moritz. Along the way we’ll stop in the ENEA garden, partly a tree museum, partly gardens, but with many ornamental sculptures too, a combination of garden, art, and design. We’ll have a short stop in the charming country of Liechtenstein, then up the Grisons valley to St Moritz where we will again enjoy dinner together and spend the night.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Friday, September 16, 2022
St Moritz, Switzerland – Innsbruck, Austria
We depart this morning by horse with carriage and ride in the Roseg Valley before the drive up the Engadin Valley and on to Innsbruck. We will have a walking tour of this historic city and a visit to the Swarovski crystal works before checking into our hotel for the night.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 8: Saturday, September 17, 2022
Innsbruck, Austria – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Today will be a magical day as we visit the two castles of King Ludwig. We will arrive at the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein by horse carriage to enjoy this iconic location in Bavaria and then travel to the “hunting lodge” to see Linderhof Palace. We finish the day in the resort area of Garmish-Partenkirchen, just outside the small village of Oberammergau.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 9: Sunday, September 18, 2022
Oberammergau, Germany
Today’s the day! After breakfast, we board our coach into the Oberammergau Village to spend time visiting the quaint stores and booths. After lunch you will enjoy the production of the centuries-old Passion Play in all its splendor.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Monday, September 19, 2022
Garmisch - Muncih, Germany
As we say goodbye to our picturesque home in Bavaria, we travel north to Munich to the Dachau Concentration Camp. A sober visit, but informative and an important place to remember these lives lost during the tragic war. From memories to loads of fun as we tour the city of Munich during Octoberfest celebrations! Here you will also have free time this afternoon to enjoy the sights and sounds of the party before we transfer to our airport hotel and prepare for our flight home the next day.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 11: Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Munich - International flight home
Today you will transfer on your own to the airport for your planned flights home with fond memories to last a lifetime.
Meals : Breakfast
Highlights of the Tour: #9222I10
- 1 tour-bus experience for the whole tour! Only 40 in our group
- Travel with the Getaway Guro, Larry Gelwix, our Morris Murdock tour Director, and other local guides for the city
- All admissions included in the tour cost
- Audio listening is available on the full tour
Included:
- Deluxe/Air Conditioned motor coach transportation
- Licensed Local Guides & and experienced Tour Directors
- 9 nights Hotel accommodations in deluxe class hotels
- Sightseeing touring as outlined on the itinerary with all features & entrance fees to all noted
- Meals as outlined in the itinerary
- Vox Audio system headsets throughout tour
- Document package
Not Included:
- Airfare from your home city to Milan, Italy, and home from Munich, Germany
- Any private sightseeing not included on the itinerary
- Tour gratuities
- Items of a personal nature (e.g. phone calls, room service, internet, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Meals not included in tour outline
Optional Pricing:
- Single Supplement for a Private room -
- ** Ask about our Single/Share Program **
Payment Terms:
- $1000.00 pp NON-REFUNDABLE deposit at the time of booking
- Final Payment due January 31, 2022
