Oberammergau Passion Play, Salzburg and Lake Constance

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Munich or Innsbruck. On arrival, we transfer by coach to the four-star Hotel Grauer Bär in Innsbruck, where we stay for two nights with breakfast and dinner.

Stretching out beneath the tremendous Nordkette range is lovely Innsbruck, once the capital of an independent dukedom. Today, the city presents a charming showcase of Gothic and Baroque architecture, culminating in the superb Golden Roof, the symbol of the city built in the 15th century to symbolise the power of the first Duke’s court – we’ll see its copper shingles this morning on our walking tour of the city. Our insightful guide will draw attention to Innsbruck’s other marvellous monuments, such as the Baroque cathedral of St Jakob and the Hofkirche, a grand 16th-century church housing the cenotaph of Emperor Maximilian, surrounded by a remarkable collection of bronze Renaissance sculptures. Our tour includes entry to the spectacular imperial palace, known to locals as the Hofburg. One of Austria’s three major historic buildings, it has undergone an astounding transformation from Gothic to Renaissance to its current Baroque appearance. The palace is renowned for its lavish 18th-century apartments, which give a sense of the wealth of the Habsburgs. Apart from an outstanding collection of buildings, Innsbruck also boasts some of the finest views in Europe: across the swift-flowing River Inn to the tall, pastel-hued houses on the opposite bank, and the death-defying Bergisel ski jump, all encircled by the magnificent Alps.

A short drive this afternoon takes us to the market town of Jenbach, where we board the wonderful Achensee steam cog railway. Europe’s oldest cog railway remains almost exactly as it was when first built in 1889, complete with original locomotives! Huffing and puffing, it winds up the steep valley side at a leisurely Victorian pace to the village of Pertisau, beautifully cradled between Lake Achensee and the Karwendel Alps.

There’s time at leisure, so perhaps take a relaxing stroll along the edge of the lake and admire the jagged peaks reflected in its mirrorlike surface. Or refresh yourself with a drink at an alfresco café and enjoy the fresh mountain air. Later we return to Innsbruck.

Departing Innsbruck, we travel east to Salzburg, capital of the Salzkammergut – the Austrian Lake District – whose breathtaking beauty was brought to the world’s attention in The Sound of Music. Until two centuries ago it was an independent state ruled by a series of archbishops who turned Salzburg into one of the most cultured cities north of the Alps, evidenced by the elegant buildings and refined restaurants. Nestled below steep hills beside the River Salzach is the storybook Old Town, presenting a chocolate-box display of splendid architecture dating from the medieval period to the 18th century. It’s here in the historic core where our expert guide takes us on a tour to see the highlights. Gaze up at the Hohensalzburg, an imposing stone fortress perched high on a cliff, dominating the skyline and overlooking a maze of narrow streets lined by exquisite shops that make window-shopping so satisfying.

After our tour there’s time to explore on your own. Perhaps visit the Salzburg Museum for an absorbing journey through the city’s past and present, or stop by the former home of Salzburg’s most celebrated citizen, Mozart – it’s now a museum dedicated to the musical genius. Or soak up the atmosphere at a stylish café in the sumptuous Residenzplatz square and simply watch the world go by.

From Salzburg, we drive west across the German border through densely forested Bavaria to Oberammergau, where we stay for two nights with breakfast at a four-star hotel. Dinner is included at your hotel this evening. Exact details of the hotel will be advised closer to your departure date, as arrangements are handled by the Oberammergau passion play authorities.

For many, experiencing the passion play today will be a memorable and moving experience. The fascinating origins of this living tradition date back to 1632 during the Thirty Years’ War which brought the plague to Oberammergau. The villagers pledged to stage a play on the Passion of Christ if they were spared; legend has it that further spread was prevented and since then the play has been performed faithfully every decade. Today it’s a work of art that attracts more than half a million spectators from around the world. 

Oberammergau itself is wonderfully charming, set in a beautiful location surrounded by pristine mountain landscapes. It’s renowned for its 500-year-old woodcarving heritage, well-represented in the many woodcarving shops, as well as its ‘Lüftlmalereien’ – vivid paintings of biblical scenes adorning the traditional houses.

After free time this morning to wander through town, we head to the open-air theatre, a stunning venue that seats more than 4,500 spectators. The passion play runs from 2:30pm to 10:30pm with a three-hour interval for dinner at 5pm. It depicts the period from when Jesus entered Jerusalem through to the crucifixion and resurrection. One of the most arresting aspects is the stirring 19th-century score by Rochus Dedler, brought to life by the passionate orchestra and choir. The commitment to detail and authenticity is impressive: the long hair and beards of the male performers are all real, grown in accordance with the ‘beard and hair edict’.

Dinner is included during the interval, giving you time to reflect on what you’ve witnessed before immersing yourself again in the experience. After the performance we return to our hotel.

This morning we bid farewell to Oberammergau and drive to one of Germany’s most iconic monuments, Neuschwanstein Castle, clinging dramatically to an alpine crag. Typifying our image of a classic storybook castle, it’s been the inspiration for so many stories and has fascinated children the world over. It was commissioned as a homage to classical composer Wagner by Ludwig II, the eccentric Bavarian king who modelled himself on Louis XIV of France. During our guided tour of the castle, you’ll experience this fairy tale come to life. The architecture inside is equally impressive, drawing from different styles – Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic, while sumptuous tapestries and elaborate frescoes decorate the wall.

We then journey along the famed Deutsche Alpenstrasse – the German Alpine Road – an exhilarating route that winds its way through stunning alpine Bavaria. Meandering between lofty mountains, we take in picture-postcard scenery: cascading waterfalls, lush forests, captivating castles and chocolate-box villages unchanged for centuries, surrounded by the snow-capped Alps in all their majesty. 

We cross into Austria and the lakeside town of Bregenz, where we stay for two nights with breakfast and dinner at the three-star superior 4-Länder Hotel Deutschmann. Situated close to the centre of Bregenz, this family-run hotel offers comfortable rooms and a restaurant. Some dates will stay at the four-star Montfort das Hotel, also family-run and set in a quiet location with its own restaurant and bar.

Our journey today is centred on Lake Constance, Germany’s largest lake shared between Austria, Germany and Switzerland. We drive along the lake’s undulating northern shore in Germany, passing the city of Friedrichshafen where the mammoth Zeppelin airships were built. Soon we arrive in Meersburg, where we take a short ferry ride to the sub-tropical ‘flower island’ of Mainau. It’s delightful wandering through this gardener’s paradise, whose 111 acres of manicured landscapes boast an extraordinary diversity of trees, flowers and shrubs. Highlights include a rose garden with more than 25,000 bushes, a palm house and Germany’s biggest butterfly house. Surrounded by this stunning display of radiant colours is a 13th-century palace.

Next we visit the dramatically sited city of Konstanz, bisected by the Rhine and located close to the Swiss border. North of the river lies the university while to the south is the Old Town where you’ll find the administrative centre and shopping area. You’ll have free time to wander through the cobbled twisting alleys and admire the medieval half-timbered houses. Perhaps visit the outstanding cathedral that’s a fascinating mix of architectural styles. There’s a curious glass pyramid through which you can see the third-century remains of the Roman fort, Constantia, which gave the city its name.

After a wonderful day of sightseeing, we return to our hotel along the southern shore through Switzerland, taking in more awe-inspiring scenery.

Today you transfer to the airport for your return flight.