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Journey to the heart of Bavaria to experience a fairy-tale town that hosts a very special celebration once every decade. On this once-in-a-lifetime extension, be enchanted by a breathtaking village frozen in time, home to famous Lüftlmalerei wall paintings and wood carvings that depict traditional mythical stories. And, on one evening every ten years, the town puts on a Passion Play about the life of Jesus, fabled to have kept a plague at bay more than four centuries ago.
This year is even more unprecedented, as the current global state of affairs delayed the event from 2020 now to 2022. You'll have the opportunity to take part in this tradition that remains alive and well and has been an international allurement for the faithful and historians alike since 1634.
Not only will you have a seat on one of the most dramatic and unforgettable performances, you'll also be able to explore modern and storied Munich and discover what makes this city so wonderful. Enjoy some of the best seats in the house on the Oberammergau Passion Play and more of the most enriching features on this spectacular extension in Germany.
Fly overnight to Munich, Germany
You'll begin your journey to Europe with an overnight flight to Munich, Germany.
Arrive in Munich and transfer to Oberammergau
You’ll arrive in Munich this morning, then transfer via motorcoach to Oberammergau. En route, you’ll stop at Ettal Abbey — a vast baroque monastery and impressive display of architectural grandeur — and have the chance to explore the inside. Later, check into your centrally located hotel and settle in before a brief orientation walk and Welcome Briefing. Dinner is at your hotel this evening.
Included meals:
Experience the famous Passion Play in Oberammergau
After breakfast, transfer to the small German village of Oberammergau for the legendary Passion Play performance, held once every decade. Here, you'll have a short leisure period to obtain lunch on your own and meet your City Host, who will lead you to the Passion Play.
Legend has it that the village was spared by a large plague nearly 400 years ago, with a promise to God that they would present a Passion Play every 10 years to show their gratitude. The global health crisis has delayed the production to 2022, but we're thrilled now to have you experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, played out in town at a large theatre with the incredible story unfolding before your eyes. There are two parts to the performance, with time in-between for a sumptuous three-course dinner. You'll stay overnight in Oberammergau tonight, with your City Host guiding you back to the hotel.
Take a city tour of Munich
After witnessing the incredible Passion Play yesterday, you'll have the chance to go back to Munich and see its charming highlights. After breakfast, you'll transfer to Munich, Bavaria's capital, teeming with history and impressive architecture. You'll have free time for lunch on your own in the city center before a panoramic tour introduces historic sites like Frauenkirche — the city’s most famous church — as well as some of the dozens of museums here, which showcase everything from art to technology. During your experience, you'll also visit Ettal Abbey, which traces its history back to 1330. After a devastating fire in 1744, the spectacular basilica, domed ceiling, and monastery were rebuilt to the current grandeur. Not to mention, you'll be regaled with stories about the most famous annual occurrence, Oktoberfest, where people gather from across the country to celebrate German food, wine, and history every autumn. Later, check in to your hotel, where tonight's dinner will be.
Take the day in Munich to explore on your own
After breakfast, indulge in a wonderful day at leisure exploring more of Munich. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Transfer to Munich to continue your adventure
After bidding farewell to Germany, we'll fly to Athens, Greece, to join the base tour.
Immerse yourself in the exoticism, fascinating history, and resplendent architecture of Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia along the bustling Bosphorus Strait. You’ll step into the world of Ottoman sultans at the Topkapi Palace, marvel at the towering domes and minarets of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and roam the endless passageways of the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, teeming with colorful carpets, leather goods, jewelry, and lanterns. Your three nights in this intoxicating cultural capital are the perfect way to start off your ocean expedition.
Fly to Istanbul
Board your flight to Istanbul, Turkey’s exotic city straddling Europe and Asia. You’ll arrive in time for an orientation walk before a festive dinner at your hotel.
Royal and cultural splendors of Istanbul
After breakfast, head to the Fatih district, home to the Historic Areas of Istanbul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin your explorations at the Topkapi Palace, once home to Ottoman sultans and today a magnificent museum. Your guided tour leads you into some of its many chambers, including the Harem Apartments.
After lunch in the Topkapi Palace, continue to the spectacular Blue Mosque, named for the countless blue Iznik tiles that adorn its vast interior. Conclude the day among the teeming stalls and passageways of the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul’s historic marketplace.
Included Features:
Cultural Discovery:
Spectacular Sultanahmet on foot
Stretch your legs this morning during a walking tour of the Sultanahmet district. You’ll stop at the 6th-century Hagia Sophia, built as a church and later converted into a mosque. It has been a magnificent museum since 1935.
After, follow your nose to the Spice Bazaar, where mounds of colorful turmeric, saffron, and countless other spices vie for your olfactory attentions. Be sure to sample some Turkish Delight, the nation’s favorite sweet, while you’re here!
After lunch on your own, enjoy a free afternoon to relax and explore. This evening, gather for a Farewell Dinner with traditional cuisine and a folkloric performance.
Included Feature:
Join group in Athens
Head to the Istanbul airport for you flight to Athens, Greece to meet for your base tour.
Enhance your Adriatic cruise by stealing away to Lake Bled, Slovenia, for a four-day stay at a tranquil resort surrounded by the majestic Julian Alps. Take daily excursions to the region’s beautiful sights including Bled Castle, set on a cliff high above the lake. Included features and Cultural Discoveries — with visits to a mountain village and a gingerbread maker — give you insight into the unique local lifestyle. Stay at a grand lakeside resort that offers unbeatable views and relax after each day of sightseeing.
Depart the U.S. and fly overnight to Slovenia
Your journey starts with an overnight flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Arrive in Ljubljana
After arriving in Ljubljana, you'll transfer to Lake Bled, where you settle in to your lakeside hotel. Later, gather for an included dinner at your hotel.
Lake Bled's highs and lows
Spend the day exploring this scenic region, starting with a trip Bohinj Lake, where you'll explore the village of Ribcev Laz and ride the cable car up Vogel Mountain for the spectacular views. You'll have time for lunch on your own, enjoying some of the Alpine specialties known in the northwest of Slovenia. You’ll taste the influences of Austria and Northern Italy in the local cuisine. Next, visit the Bled Castle, set atop a cliff towering over the lake. Afterwards, return to Lake Bled for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you'll take a lovely ride on the lake in a traditional gondola called a pletna
Prefer a more active day? In Bled and nearby Bohinj and Kranjska Gora, there are numerous fun-filled opportunities for you to take advantage of, depending on the season. Choose to go Alpine climbing, geocaching, and more. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you can enjoy a round of golf, ballooning, horseback riding, cycling, rafting, canyoning, tennis, squash, tubing, ziplining, and more! Speak with your City Host for guidance.
The mountain resort of Kranjska Gora
Today takes you to Kranjska Gora, a four-season mountain resort that’s lively and green during the summer months. Located under the highest of the Julian Alps, near the glacial lakes of Triglav Park and magnificent waterfalls, this this scenic resort town is nestled between the Austrian and Italian borders. Enjoy a lovely walk from Jasna Lake to center of Kranjska Gora. Later, back in Lake Bled, the day is yours to spend at your leisure. You may like to take a walk or opt to go on a boat ride. This evening, enjoy dinner at Gostilna Lectar, a popular local restaurant that is one of the oldest trattorias in Slovenia and prepares traditional, regional Slovenian Alpine specialties, local wines, and traditional sweets known as “Lectar Hearts.” We will also enjoy a presentation on gingerbread making here. Active Feature:
Tour Slovenia's capital before joining the base tour
After breakfast, take a walking tour of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city. Then, move on to Zagreb and join day 2 of the base program. Included Feature:
Sightseeing in Ljubljana
After breakfast, transfer to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, for a guided sightseeing tour. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. You could wander around the bustling Prešeren Square, stroll through Tivoli Park or along the art nouveau Dragon Bridge, take in the views at Ljubljana Castle, or shop for souvenirs in lovely boutiques. The city has a wonderful farmers' market that's easy to wander around with many good regional wines, farm cheeses, and meats. Don’t forget to enjoy lunch on your own at any of the tempting local restaurants and cafés; Slovenia is renowned for its farm-to-table cuisine.
Later, you'll transfer to Lake Bled, where the rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel.
Lake Bled’s highs and lows
Spend the day exploring this scenic region, starting with take a trip to the Bled Castle, set atop a cliff towering over the lake. Then, visit Bohinj Lake, where you'll explore the village of Ribcev Laz and ride the cable car up Vogel Mountain for the spectacular views. You'll have time for lunch on your own, enjoying some of the Alpine specialties known in the northwest of Slovenia — you are sure to taste the influences of Austria and Northern Italy in the local cuisine. Then, you'll return to Lake Bled for an afternoon at leisure. Active travelers may enjoy a round of golf, ballooning, horseback riding, cycling, rafting, tennis, and more! Ask your host for guidance. Or, perhaps you'll take a lovely ride on the lake in pletna, a traditional gondola.
Visit the resort town of Kranjska Gora
Today takes you to Kranjska Gora, a four-season mountain resort that’s lively and green during the summer months, while a winter wonderland with incredible skiing in the colder seasons. Located under the highest of the Julian Alps, near the glacial lakes of Triglav Park and magnificent waterfalls, this this scenic resort town is nestled between the Austrian and Italian borders. Enjoy a lovely walk from Jasna Lake to the center of Kranjska Gora.
This evening, enjoy dinner at Gostilna Lectar, a popular local restaurant that is one of the oldest trattorias in Slovenia and that prepares traditional, regional Slovenian Alpine specialties, local wines, and traditional sweets known as “Lectar Hearts.” We will also enjoy a presentation on gingerbread-making.
Fly home
Transfer to Ljubljana airport for your flight home.
Immerse yourself in the exoticism, fascinating history, and resplendent architecture of Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia along the bustling Bosphorus Strait. You’ll step into the world of Ottoman sultans at the Topkapi Palace, marvel at the towering domes and minarets of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and roam the endless passageways of the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, teeming with colorful carpets, leather goods, jewelry, and lanterns. Your three nights in this intoxicating cultural capital is the perfect way to round out your ocean expedition.
Arrive in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! If you purchased your flights through Vantage, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to acclimate before an evening Welcome Briefing and lively Turkish dinner with a folkloric show.
After lunch on your own, enjoy a free afternoon to relax and explore. Dinner is included at the hotel tonight.
Fly to Athens and then fly home
Transfer to the airport this morning for your return flight to the U.S.
