Five Excellent Tours To Choose From
1. 10 Day "Alpine Switzerland and Bavaria" - August 1-10, 2010
Geneva, Interlachen,Grindelwald, Kappel, Zurich, Bavarian Alps,Oberammergau,
Munich
2. 13 Day "Switzerland, Germany and Austria" - July 19-31, 2010
Geneva, Reformation sites, Chillon Castle, Interlachen, Grindelwald, Lucern, Zurich,
Bavarian Alps, Oberammergau, Salzburg, Vienna
3. 11 Day "Lutherland and Bavaria" - August 9-19, 2010
Berlin, Wittenberg, Eisleben, Erfurt, Eisenach, Rudesheim, Rhine River cruise,
Worms, Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Romantic Road, Oberammergau, Munich
4. 10 Day "Imperial Cities of Czech, Austria and Germany" - July 6-15, 2010
Munich, Cesky Krumlov, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Bavarian Alps, Oberammergau,
Munich
5. 14 Day "Splendors of Bavaria and Italy" - July 6-15, 2010
Munich, Salzburg, Bavarian Alps, Oberammergau, Innsbruck, Venice, Florence,
Rome
Visiting Oberammergau For The Play
You will arrive in Oberammergau on either Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday in time for dinner at our hotel. The next morning you'll have breakfast, then meet for a devotional time. The Passion Play is the moving story of our Lord and you will want to prepare your heart.
The rest of the morning is free to relax, enjoy the wood-carving shops or visit the exhibition Passion Play in the Alps in the playhouse. You'll return to your hotel for lunch.
The Oberammergau Passion Play runs for about seven hours. The afternoon performance starts at 2:30 PM and ends at 5:00 PM. There is a three hour break for dinner and the play resumes at 8 PM and ends at 10:30 PM. The play is performed in German, but you'll have a copy of the English translation.
The next morning you will leave Oberammergau after breakfast, for the next part of your tour.
History Of The Oberammergau Passion Play
In 1633, after months of suffering from the Bubonic Plague, the people of Oberammergau, Germany (in the Bavarian alps south of Munich), took a vow to perform the "Play of the Suffering, Dying and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years if they were spared. Miraculously from that point on they all survived and true to their promise, the first performance was in 1634. After 1674 they decided to change the date, so as to fall every ten years beginning in 1680. The only time it was not performed, was during World War II. This time the play will open on May 15, 2010 and ends on October 3, 2010.
The entire cast consists of villagers who have lived in Oberammergau for at least 20 years. They must also be amateurs and people of high moral and ethical principles. Villagers also make the outstanding costumes. As no wigs are used, participants must grow their hair and beards for several months prior to the performances.
By glorifying the Lord for saving their village during the plague, they are fulfilling Psalm 145:4-6 "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds."
Tour Directors
These Oberammergau tours are led by Reformation Tours, which is used extensively by many evangelical churches and organizations. Frank Drinkhouse, president of Reformation Tours, and his wife Rowena, have many years of experience from living in Europe and leading Christian tours there. Due to their personal relationships with tourism offices and city leaders, they are able to ensure customized extras on their tours.
