September 2022 ‘Off the Beaten Track’ with Oberammergau Passion Play
Prepare to be moved, inspired and challenged by this event… The Oberammergau Passion Play ›
From Paris to Munich via the hill villages and market towns of the South of France, the Swiss Lakes and the Austrian Alps
Departs Paris September 1st for 21 days Be Quick! Only 3 Seats Remain.
Paris[D]
Day 1, Thursday, Sep 1st
Our tour commences with Welcome Drinks and Dinner at our 4 star hotel on Paris’ Left Bank. [D]
Paris [B]
Day 2, Friday, Sep 2nd
This morning's sightseeing includes the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and Notre Dame Cathedral. There is time to visit Mona Lisa in the Louvre. We are spoilt for choice of restaurant this evening.
Paris [B]
Day 3, Saturday, Sep 3rd
The museums and the boutiques beckon today. There is an optional excursion to Somme Battlefields of World War I. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Monet's Garden at Giverney and enjoy the waterlilies and the Japanese bridge.
To Sarlat, Dordogne [B] [D]
Day 4, Sunday, Sep 4th
We commence our love affair with the Great Trains of Europe, taking France’s flagship high-speed train, the TGV, to Bordeaux, where we change to a local train, through Bordeaux vineyards, to the walled mediaeval market town of Sarlat, one of the gems of the Dordogne region. As our luggage arrives we settle in for 4 nights. Excursions from Sarlat are offered every day and are included in the tour cost, but you are free to choose only those that appeal to you or simply potter about in our ‘home’ village.
Sarlat, Dordogne [B]
Day 5, Monday, Sep 5th ^ Top ^
Today we make our way to the mediaeval cliffface village of Rocamadour - very much ON the beaten track, its Blck Madoona a pilgrimage destination since the 12th century. Later we visit the walled 'bastide' town of Domme, with excellent shopping and a fine view of a vast sweep of the Dordogne River Valley.
Sarlat, Dordogne [B]
Day 6, Tuesday, Sep 6th
The morning is free in the village of Sarlat. This is a “foodie's” paradise with a vast array of gourmet shops. At midday we depart to visit one of France's most beautiful villages, La Roque-Gageac, on the way to one of its most beautiful gardens, the nearby Jardin d'Eyrignac.
Sarlat, Dordogne [B]
Day 7, Wednesday, Sep 7th
Today is market day in our home village, Sarlat. Enjoy.
To Villenvue, Provence [B] [D]
Day 8, Thursday, Sep 8th
By local train to Avignon in Provence and the village of Villeneuve. Excursions from Villeneuve are offered every day and included in the tour cost.
Villenvue, Provence
Day 9, Friday, Sep 9th
Off the beaten track again today as we drive through some of Provence's favourite villages, - Lourmarin (Market day) hilltop Bonnieux, rainbow-coloured Roussillon, Gordes - with stops for coffee, lunch and shopping.
Villenvue, Provence [B]
Day 10, Saturday, Sep 10th ^ Top ^
A visit today to the historic city of Avignon, home of the Roman Catholic Popes from 1309 to 1377. The historic walled town has some good shopping and excellent restaurants.
Villenvue, Provence [B]
Day 11, Sunday, Sep 11th
The nearby village of L'Isle-Sur-la- Sourge prides itself on being France's second largest antiques centre. The market spreads throughout the town and offers not just antiques: local food produce, crafts, fabrics and gifts also abound. Quite apart from the markets, L'Isle-Sur-la-Sourge is a very attractive town with streams and water wheels. It deserves its nickname, “the Venice of Provence”. Our last night in Provence tonight.
To Interlaken, Switzerland [B] [D]
Day 12, Monday, Sep 12th
High speed French trains, and Swiss mountain trains today – as our luggage is taken on ahead - to our lakefront hotel in the beautiful Alpine town of Interlaken, our home for 3 nights.
Interlaken, Switzerland [B]
Day 13, Tuesday, Sep 13th
Today the Golden Pass Panorama train takes us from the Bernese Oberland to Lake Geneva, with time in Montreux for lunch on the lakefront esplanade or on a lake steamer. Home to Interlaken.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Day 14, Wednesday, Sep 14th
A quiet day to take a steamer across the lake to the beautiful village of Thun, or a train into Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and financial capital, nestled on Lake Zurich. There is an option to ride the Jungfrau Express to Europe’s highest railway station at more than 11,000 feet. Tour members with heart or respiratory conditions are warned to seek medical advice before deciding on this excursion.
To Igls, Austria [B] [D]
Day 15, Thursday, Sep 15th ^ Top ^
An early start today, as we join perhaps the world’s most famous train, the Glacier Express, across the Swiss Alps at 7,000 feet, then through the Aarlberg Pass into Austria and our hotel in the village of Igls, overlooking Innsbruck.
Oberammergau [B] [L] [D]
Day 16, Friday, Sep 16th
Pack an overnight bag, for our transfer to the village of Oberammergau where we arrive in time for lunch and settle into our overnight accommodation, returning to the theatre in the village for the first half of the performance this afternoon. Prepare for an inspirational experience as we re-live the last week of the earthly life of Jesus. There is a break for dinner and, then we return for the climax of the performance. We are transferred to our overnight accommodation, emotionally drained, but inspired.
Igls, Austria [B]
Day 17, Saturday, Sep 17th
Today we return to our hotel in the village of Igls, for a relaxing afternoon.
Igls, Austria [B]
Day 18, Sunday, Sep 18th
An exploration today of the city of Innsbruck, the Winter Capital of the Hapsburg dynasty, and a ride to the top of the Alps for a breathtaking view from 7,000 feet.
Igls, Austria [B]
Day 19, Monday, Sep 19th
There is an excursion today on Austria’s flagship train, the Railjet, to Salzburg, the city of Mozart and the Sound of Music. Back to our Igls hotel this evening.
Munich [B] [D]
Day 20, Tuesday, Sep 20th ^ Top ^
The little local train takes us through the Bavarian Alps today, to Munich where, on arrival, we have a walking tour of the old city. Our farewell Dinner is tonight.
Farewell [B]
Day 21, Wednesday, Sep 21st
Our tour ends after breakfast. There is a transfer to Munich Airport for those flying home today.
Escorted Tour costs:
$AUD 13,950 per person Twin Share.
Land Content only (i.e. Commences Paris, ends Munich).
Single supplement $AUD 2,000
Enquire about our competitive air fares.
Deposit Details:
$1,000 per person initial deposit is required immediately to confirm your seat. A further $2,500pp deposit is required 12 months before departure. Balance will be payable 4 months before departure.
What’s included? Top
- Includes 21 days in four star city centre hotels and historic village inns
- Buffet breakfasts, one dinner at each stop,
- First Class rail travel throughout,
- All sightseeing and entrances with local guides,
- And a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play.
The TOUR COST does NOT include: Top
- Hotel incidentals (eg. Mini-bars, telephone calls, laundry), airport and departure taxes, local transport in any city,
- Optional excursions listed or meals other than breakfast and the one restaurant dinner in each city - the first night in each new city, except Munich where it takes the form of a farewell dinner.
About the 2022 ‘Off the Beaten Track’ with Oberammergau Passion Play