Oberammergau & Luxury Rhine Cruise

Departure Date: 31st May 2020… Limited Availability… please contact us for a quote 

The Oberammergau Passion Play is famous across the world for its marvellous retelling of the Passion of the Christ. With this tour you will enjoy the play with top tier tickets before embarking on a wonderful 7-night cruise on the magnificent Rhine river.

Itinerary 

Day 1 & 2: To the Oberammergau Region
You will meet at you dedicated guide London St Pancras where you board the Eurostar service to Paris. From here, you will join the rail service to Stuttgart. Spend the night here before continuing the following day down to the beautiful Oberammergau region in southern Germany, your base for the next two nights.

Meals:

  • Day 1 – Eurostar Meal, Dinner
  • Day 2 – Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: The Oberammergau Passion Play
The magnificent Oberammergau Passion Play is held only once every 10 years and is a spectacle worthy of all that preparation. Depicting the final days of Jesus Christ, this theatrical extravaganza features a cast and crew numbering up to the thousands, and features a dazzling array of props, costumes and backdrops. The play is the oldest Passion Play in the world, first put on by the villagers in 1634 as a plea to God to save them from the plague which was flooding Germany at the time. When the plague miraculously cleared up, the villagers vowed to put on a play for every 10 years thereafter. The result is a marvellous display, one which is produced by everyone in the village for thousands of international visitors each decade.

Your tickets for the play are top tier tickets, providing you with front and central seats under the roof of a specially-made auditorium. Split into two halves with a break for a special dinner, you will enjoy the performance in the afternoon, leaving you the morning to soak up the atmosphere of this unassuming, yet distinctly charming German town.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Basel
Today, you depart for Basel, travelling by rail via Ulm and München-Pasing. On arrival you board your ship, the 5-Star MS Amadeus Silver III. A floating hotel, this fantastic vessel is your home for the next seven nights. As you get your bearings on board, be sure to head up to the Sun Deck and take in the final hours of sunlight before we disembark. This evening, you enjoy a welcome cocktail before a delicious first meal.

Meals: Dinner

Day 5: Strasbourg
Your vessel sails into the charming German town of Kehl today. Sat across the Rhine from Kehl is the beautiful city of Strasbourg, whose position on the German-French border has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history. Because of this, Strasbourg represents the best of both cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets.

You have two choices here. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second alternative sees you travel along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße into the famous Black Forest of Germany, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas and enjoying free time in the charming spa town of Baden Baden.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Speyer and Heildeberg
You arrive into Speyer this morning, where you have free time to explore. This town is home to one of the largest privately owned collections of vehicles in the world, the Technik Museum Speyer. Featuring an entire jumbo jet, army vehicles, emergency vehicles, a submarine and much more, this museum is a treasure trove of vehicular delights and is well worth a visit. Later in the afternoon, you have an excursion to the delightful academic town of Heidelberg where we are treated to a guided tour. Heidelberg is famous for a magnificent ruined castle, proudly stood high above the town below, gazing down onto the river and the attractive town houses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Rudesheim and Rhine Gorge
You sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning, before your ship departs for Koblenz. This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as you pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful sections of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheer river banks rise up, towering over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway. You will enjoy a commentary from the knowledgeable Cruise Director during this passage. Your lunch today is a wonderful themed buffet with a suckling pig as the striking centrepiece, and several smaller dishes from this part of the world making up the rest of the offerings. Weather permitting you can enjoy your lunch on the sun deck as you take in the majesty of the glorious Rhine Gorge. You sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz, you may wish to visit one of the famous wine taverns here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Upper Rhine & Drachensfelbahn
You will depart from Koblenz this morning and discover the marvellous Upper Rhine, a stretch of river characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages. Your Cruise Director is able to provide the history of this area, and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, you dock in Koenigswinter, where you embark on a journey on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway rises into the mountains and high into the forests for wonderful views across the Rhine- Westphalia region of Germany. In the evening, you indulge with a traditional gourmet dinner which features Spargelzeit, a kind of white asparagus which is famous in this area. (Please note, Spargelzeit depends on seasonal availability).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Cologne
Arriving into Cologne this morning, you venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. Visit the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-year-old building which survived 14 aerial hits during bombing across the Second World War. Then wander through the many bustling squares, labyrinthine streets and see Romanesque town-houses. Tonight is an opportunity to dress up in your finest and enjoy a Gala dinner with the captain and crew.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Amsterdam and Medemblik Steam Railway
You arrive into Amsterdam this morning where you have a choice of two excursions, the first of which is a city tour of Amsterdam. One of the most popular of all the European cities, Amsterdam is as modern as it is historic, as young as it is old. From idyllic canals and large parks, to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a city that boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through splendid Dutch scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: To London
After a buffet breakfast, you disembark the ship and here your cruise concludes. Make your way back to the railway station with your Tour Manager to board your train back to London St Pancras.

The MS Amadeus Silver III
The MS Amadeus Silver III is an enchanting vessel and excellent floating hotel, cruising along the rivers of northern Europe. Charming interiors, impeccable service and 5-star catering make this ship one of the finest ways to experience the natural and human beauty of the European rivers as you relax, sleep and dine against spectacular backdrops and wonderful scenery. Enjoy the serene tranquillity that only river cruising can bring on board the MS Amadeus Silver III.

Amenities on board include a restaurant serving international and domestic food, a panoramic bar with specially designed windows, a fitness suite and a hair salon. On top of the ship is the Sun Deck with deck games, loungers and deck chairs. Each cabin has a television, an en-suite bathroom, a walk in wardrobe and a minibar. The suites all have walk-out exterior balconies.