Oberammergau, Lugano and Sordevolo

Your Tour includes:

Arrival and departure transfers
7 nights’ accommodations:
- Oberammergau – 2 nights
- Lugano – 2 nights
- Biella – 3 nights
Meals:
- Buffet breakfast daily
- 6 dinners
- 1 lunch
Local tours of:
- Oberammergau area
- Lugano
- Oropa Sanctuary
- Biella
- Recetto di Candelo
Boat ride on Lugano lake
Entrance fees for:
- Oropa Museum
- Passion Plays:
- Oberammergau 2nd class ticket
- Sordevolo premier seating
- Holy Shroud Museum or Cinema Museum
Professional English-speaking tour escort
Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person throughout
Hotel Taxes

Tour does not Include:

International or domestic airfares
Taxes related to airfares
Visas
Travel insurance
Optional tours and activities
All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Extras and gratuities
Early check-in, late check-out (Most hotels begin check-in around 2:00pm).
Hotel taxes and service charges
City Stay taxes
Expenses of personal nature
Any service not specifically listed under "included”

Hotels in your Tour:

City	Hotel Name	Tripadvisor
Oberammergau	TBA	na
Lugano	Holiday Inn	4
Biella	Relais Santo Stefano	4
	Agora Palace	4.5
	Santuario Oropa*	4

Hotels will be confirmed at time of booking

*Religious accommodation

The town of Oberammergau is permanently linked with the Passion Play. The roots of the Passion Play date back to a vow made by the citizens of Oberammergau in 1633. The plague had also reached Oberammergau. After numerous inhabitants of Oberammergau had fallen victim to the epidemic, the citizens vowed to stage the Passion Play regularly. The Passion Play, which they have been performing at 10-year intervals since 1634, has made Oberammergau famous throughout the world. And, again and again, the world comes to visit this unique town, which today also stages top-events in the Passion Play Theater every summer.

The next Oberammergau Passion Play will take place in 2020.

The thirty years’ war that took place in the 17th century (1618-1648) in central Europe was one of history’s most devastating, as poverty and disease was widespread and thousands died as a result of plague. In the small village of Oberammergau alone there were 80 deaths. During this time of suffering the citizens of Oberammergau made a sacred pledge that every 10 years they would perform a “Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ”

This vow was achieved for the first time during Pentecost in 1634 and every 10 years since the villagers of Oberammergau have continued to fulfill their pledge, for more than 380 years. For the 42nd time in 2020 the people of Oberammergau will once again perform the Passion Play that follows Christ from his elated entry into Jerusalem and the events that followed, His Trial, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension.

Over 2000 actors, singers, musicians and technicians participate in the play all of whom must have been born in Oberammergau or been residents for at least 20 years. To maintain authenticity the men grow their hair and beards. Also all the costumes are handmade.

The play takes place in an open theater that seats approximately 4,700 people, with a magnificent mountain background and performances take place 5 days a week from May until late September/early October. Even though the play is in German, people from around the world, many of them not religious, come to experience the fascinating way the town comes together to perform the Passion Play. In 2010 it is estimated that more than half a million visitors came to Oberammergau to see the play.

Preparations for 2020 have already begun with the exact schedule to be decided by 2017. In 2019 by Ash Wednesday all participants according to tradition will start growing their hair and the men will grow beards and by autumn 2019 rehearsals for the Passion Play will begin.

Since about 1490, the play was performed on Good Friday in the Colosseum, by the Roman Company of Gonfalon Confraternity, with a large attendance of people, pilgrims, travelers and notables. This tradition was interrupted in 1539 by Pope Paul III ‘s prohibition of such representations, due to the dramatic Reformation period and the subsequent Luther’s, Calvino’s and other religious movements detachment from the Roman Catholic Church. The “Roman” passion text reached Sordevolo through still mysterious ways. The first hypothesis is that the original text may be arrived in Piedmont thanks to the relation-ships existing between the Roman Gonfalon Confraternity and Sordevolo St Lucy Confraternity, its direct affiliate. A second hypothesis takes into consideration the commercial contacts between the family Ambrosetti, weavers and merchants of Sordevolo “fine cloth”, and its own buyers in Rome. Since about two centuries, the entire community of Sordevolo has been representing the Passion of Christ, in a complete organizing and artistic autonomy.

The next appointment with the public is foreseen for June-September 2020. Sordevolo, 2,133 feet above sea level, is situated on the first hills north of Biel-la, protected by the next Mt. Mombarone and Mt. Mucrone, more than 6,662 feet high. The village may take its name either from super Elvum, the brook which flows close to it, or from surdibulum, a vulgar Latin word indicating a spring waters site, or else from the idiom Solo riverir Deo volo, written on the front façade of an ancient pilgrims’ hospice. In this natural setting of hills, woods and mountains, for over two centuries from the beginning of ‘800, the representation of the Passion takes place every five years. Expression of the ancient popular theatre, the event actively involves the entire community of Sordevolo, about 1,300 inhabitants.

The ancient Popular Theatre Committee of Sordevolo Passion, founded in 1816, has been replaced in 1991 by Sordevolo Popular Theatre Association, an independent non-profit organization, aiming to preserve, to perpetuate and to hand down this tradition, which dates back to the origins of this small community, expression of an olden-day subalpine culture. Special focus has to be placed on the deeply free and independent spirit of this genuine local culture and on the great involvement of the modern heirs of this tradition, who face the various aspects of the staging mere-ly through local human resources and techniques: overall organization, costumes and setting making, scenery plan, direction, drama school, stage setting.

Day 1: Munich, Oberammergau

After arrival formalities at Munich airport you’ll be met by our Tour Director and driven to your hotel in Oberammergau. The rest of the day is free to rest and relax. Dinner and accommodation in Oberammergau. [D]

Day 2: Oberammergau (Passion Play)

Morning transfer to Oberammergau and some leisure time before you head to the highlight of your vacation: The Passion Play in Oberammergau! Held every 10 years and performed by the community of Oberammergau. Passion-dinner included. Overnight in the area of Oberammergau. [B/D]

Day 3: Oberammergau, Lugano

After breakfast departure to Lugano. We will travel across the Alps to reach this beautiful Lake Lugano, in Switzerland. There is a say "Lugano, you'll see, it's like Italy but better"! And it's true, you almost feel in Italy when you arrive. We must imagine the cleanliness, politeness, and rigor of the Swiss, with Italian architecture and gastronomy. All in landscapes between mountains and lakes. Tonight, you will enjoy a dinner at local restaurant. [B/D]

Day 4: Lugano (Cruise)

Ticino, is one of the two cantons where Italian is spoken, and that is where Lugano, a small town of less than 60,000 inhabitants and the third largest economic center in Switzerland, is. The city, very close to the Italian border, is bordered by a large lake (Lago di Lugano) and surrounded by mountains. After breakfast we will enjoy a cruise along the lake. For the rest of the day you may choose to go around the city by choosing a "trendy" focus on the good addresses, move around the city, see what are the good restaurants or the nearest bars. Dinner tonight is on your own. [B/L]

Day 5: Lugano, Biella (Walking Tour)

After breakfast will reach the city of Biella. Upon arrival in Biella check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon Take a walking tour of this Medieval village. Welcome Dinner at local restaurant. [B/D]

Day 6: Biella (Turin)

Breakfast at hotel. Today enjoy a full day excursion to Turin. The highlight of this visit is the Chapel of the Holy Shroud located in the Cathedral of St. John, where you will view the authentic Holy Shroud. We also will have the chance to visit the National Cine-ma Museum. And yet it’s not a museum. At least not in the traditional sense of the term. Those who have already visited it understand what we mean. And those of you who are planning on visiting it will be surprised to discover what a special and unique place it is. The Museum is one of the most important of its kind in the world thanks to it vast collection and the many different scientific and educational activities it carries out. But what makes it truly unique is its special exhibit setup. The museum is located inside the Mole Antonelliana, a bizarre and fascinating monument which is the symbol of the City of Turin. And the various areas inside the Mole Antonelliana were the starting point for the Swiss set designer François Confino who, with talent and imagination, multiplied the museum’s itineraries. He created a spectacular presentation that offers visitors continuous and unexpected visual and acoustic stimuli, just like when we watch a film that involves and moves us. The Museum is more than a museum and whoever enters it isn’t just a visitor but also an explorer, an author, an actor, a spectator… to whom the Museum offers the emotions of an experience we hope won’t be easily forgotten. Return to Biella for dinner and overnight. [B/D]

Day 7: Biella (Recetto di Candelo, Oropa, Sordevolo Passion Play)

13th and 14th century to protect food supplies as well as the farmer’s possessions in moments of extreme danger. Then we will head to Oropa for a guided tour of the Sanctuary. Enjoy some free time. Depart for Sordevolo. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before we attend the Passion Play performed by actors of the local village. Return to Biella. [B/D]

Day 8: Biella, Milan, USA

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and be ready for your transfer to Milan where you’ll board your flight back to the US or continue your trip to the next destination of your choice. [B]

[B] = Breakfast | [D] = Dinner | [B/D] = Breakfast and Dinner

Tour Prices:

No. in Party	15-20 Pax	21-25 Pax	26-30 Pax	31-35 Pax	36-40 Pax	41-26 Pax	46-50 Pax
Double	$3,655	$3,725	$3,799	$3,495	$3,445	$3,279	$3,259
Single	$4,249	$4,319	$4,395	$4,085	$4,039	$3,875	$3,849

Prices are per person and may change without notice

Tour Code: IT11MUC20TX

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Sordevolo Passion Play Calendar:

June 2020			August 2020
13	Saturday	9:00 PM	1	Saturday	9:00 PM
14	Sunday	4:30 PM	2	Sunday	9:00 PM
20	Saturday	9:00 PM	14	Friday	9:00 PM
21	Sunday	9:00 PM	21	Friday	9:00 PM
26	Friday	9:00 PM	22	Saturday	9:00 PM
27	Saturday	9:00 PM	28	Friday	9:00 PM
28	Sunday	9:00 PM	29	Saturday	9:00 PM
25	Saturday	9:00 PM	September 2020
July 2020			4	Friday	9:00 PM
3	Friday	9:00 PM	5	Saturday	9:00 PM
4	Saturday	9:00 PM	6	Sunday **	8:00 PM
10	Friday	9:00 PM	11	Friday	9:00 PM
11	Saturday	9:00 PM	12	Saturday	9:00 PM
17	Friday	9:00 PM	13	Sunday	4:30 PM
18	Saturday	9:00 PM	18	Friday	9:00 PM
24	Friday	9:00 PM	19	Saturday	9:00 PM
** Children performance			20	Sunday	4:30 PM
			22	Tuesday **	10:00 AM
			25	Friday	9:00 PM
			26	Saturday	9:00 PM
			27	Sunday	4:30 PM

Oberammergau Schedule

May 16th to October 4th 2020

Days of performance:

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Times

May 16th through August 16th
Part I	2:30 pm-5:00 pm
Part II	8:00 pm-10:30 pm
August 17th to October 4th
Part I	1:30 pm-4:00 pm
Part II	7:00 pm-9:30 pm

Purpose:	Faith, Discovery, Culture, History
No. of days:	8 days - 7 nights
First & Last Cities:	Munich, Milan
Other cities:	Oberammergau, Lugano, Biella, Sordevolo
Starting cost:	$3,655