Italy/Passion Play 2022

Plans are coming together for a wonderful teaching tour of Italy, ending in Germany for the Passion Play in Oberammergau.

Save the dates: July 8-21, 2022. Two weeks!
Cost: $4,834

Sights will include Naples, Pompeii, Rome, Arezzo, Florence, Venice, Innsbruck (Austria), Neuschwanstein (Germany), Oberammergau, Augsburg, and Munich.

We’ll see where St. Paul traveled in Italy, where Luther went on pilgrimage. We will visit two local Lutheran congregations on Sundays during the tour. We will spend the entire tour studying the last week of Jesus’ life, and we’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Passion Play in Oberammergau.

OUR TRIP IS CURRENTLY FULL, and we have started a waiting list:

(Send us your name and email, and we will send you more information about this tour.)

ITINERARY

Rome

Day 1 – 08 July (Fri) – ARRIVE ROME, ITALY
Welcome to Rome! Your Tour Director will greet you at your Rome hotel upon arrival from your individual airport transfer. Your day is at your leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner, overnight Rome)

St Peter’s Basilica

Day 2 – 09 July (Sat) – ROME
Discover the Vatican City with a guided visit of the VATICAN MUSEUMS, a unique collection of religious and secular art that spans for centuries, with some of the finest examples of Renaissance paintings, including the SISTINE CHAPEL, world famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings and The Last Judgment, as well as for being the place where the conclave takes place for the election of the new popes. Then, visit ST. PETER’S BASILICA, not only an incredibly rich architectural and decorative wonder, but also the place where all Catholic popes are buried. After lunch on your own, visit BASILICA DI SANT’AGOSTINO and CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA DEL POPOLO. Dinner will be taken in one of the traditional local Roman restaurants and you can really taste typical Italian specialities with a menu offering a wide choice of both starters and main course and including wine or soft drinks plus mineral water and coffee or tea. During the evening there will be music to add to the romantic atmosphere. After dinner a stop will be made at the Spanish Steps for a short visit. This monumental stairway of 138 steps was built around 1724 and the steps climb a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. They are said to be the widest staircase in Europe. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Rome)

Naples

Day 3 – 10 July (Sun) – ROME – NAPLES
This morning check out of your hotel to see Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, St. Augustine Church with sightseeing to include Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Roman Forum, and Palantine Hill. After lunch on your own, attend a local Lutheran Church service before traveling to Naples for dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Naples)

Day 4 – 11 July (Mon) – NAPLES. EXCURSION TO POMPEI AND AMALFI COAST
Depart Naples to journey back in time to 79 AD, when soaring Mount Vesuvius erupted, encasing the bustling city of Pompeii in a thick burial shroud of mud, ash, and lava. This excursion to the Pompeii excavations reveals what daily life was like here before the destruction. See the theater; the ornate thermal baths with their dressing rooms, toilets, and athletic fields; wine cellars, restaurants, and bars; the gladiator barracks; infamous red-light district; Forum; and more. Continue on to the Amalfi Drive, which is known to be the most spectacular road in Europe and the winding cliff-top road from Sorrento offers breathtaking panoramic views at every bend. Return to Naples. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Naples)

Amalfi Coast

Day 5 – 12 July (Tues) – NAPLES – ROME
Today we head to Rome by way of the coastal route Paul traveled. On the way we will stop in Pozzuoli, where Paul arrived on mainland Italy on his way to Rome. After lunch on your own, continue to Foro Appio to pass by the same spot that served as a “way station for travelers” and where Paul met with the local Christian community. Upon arrival in Rome, you have the balance of the day at your leisure with dinner included at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Rome)

Day 6 – 13 July (Wed) – ROME
Explore Rome’s secret underground world on this incredible guided tour into the vast labyrinth of catacombs with their ancient tombs and burial chambers. Visit the CATACOMBS OF SAN CALLISTO, a huge network of subterranean galleries about 17 kilometers long and 20 meters deep that contains the crypt of nine popes, and early Christian frescoes and paintings. Continue to explore the CATACOMBS OF SAN DOMITILLA, the oldest catacomb, with features a 2nd-century fresco of “The Last Supper” and is accessed by passing through a 4th-century church. Afterward, visit the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four ancient, major Papal basilicas. After lunch on your own, see Insula di San Paulo alla Regola, Church of Santa Prisca and Complex Three Fountains Abbey. See the Basilica di San Giovannl in Laterano and Scala Santa and walk through Piazza Martin Lutero. As you conclude your time in Rome, dinner this evening is included at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Rome)

Arrezzo

Day 7 – 14 July (Thu) – ROME – AREZZO – FLORENCE
Journey north through the Tuscany area with a brief stop in Arezzo. Continue to Florence to tour the magnificent DUOMO, with its incredible Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Also see sculpture-studded SIGNORIA SQUARE and famous SANTA CROCE SQUARE with its Franciscan basilica. This evening look forward to incredible Italian dishes, tantalizing wines, and an unforgettable atmosphere—this is a dinner you’ll be talking about for years to come. Enjoy a traditional Steak Florentine dinner at a restaurant in vibrant Piazza Santa Croce. A scrumptious dessert and unlimited wine, beer, or soft drinks are included, so be sure to bring your appetite! (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Florence)

Florence

Day 8 – 15 July (Fri) – FLORENCE – PADUA
Visit the UFFIZI GALLERY to see Da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael, Titian, and Michelangelo on a guided tour of the world’s foremost art gallery which brings the masters to life. We’ll help you make the most of your time in Florence as you come face to face with the greatest collection of Italian and Florentine art, from Rembrandt’s self-portraits to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus! Then visit PITTI PALACE museums, then the Museum of San Marco. Travel to Padua for your two night stay. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Padua)

Venice

Day 9 – 16 July (Sat) – PADUA. EXCURSION TO VENICE
Travel to Venice, a powerful magnet for romantics and art lovers from around the globe. Enter in style by PRIVATE BOAT, then follow your Local Guide for a walking tour featuring ST. MARK’S SQUARE, a favorite location for many movies. See the byzantine BASILICA, lavish DOGES’ PALACE and the famous BRIDGE OF SIGHS. Then, the magic of Venice comes to life as you enjoy an unforgettable evening at one of the city’s most celebrated local restaurants. This splendid dinner indulges your tastebuds with four mouthwatering courses of local specialties and wine at one of the Floating City’s most celebrated restaurants. Afterward, return to Padua. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Padu)

Innsbruck

Day 10 – 17 July (Sun) – PADUA, ITALY – INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA
Attend a local Lutheran Church Service before departing for Innsbruck. Cross the Italian border and arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Olympic skiing resort in the Dolomites, the Italian “Rocky Mountains.” Travel via Tre Croci Pass and Lake Misurina to Brunico. Cross Brenner Pass into the Tyrolean Alps, and arrive in cozy Innsbruck, capital of Tyrol. Time to shop for Innsbruck’s famous crystal. This evening afterdinner experience the very best of lively Tyrolean folk entertainment at this fun and memorable show. Get comfortable with an included drink and settle in for an enjoyable showcase of yodeling, zither music, schuhplattln (traditional stomp dancing), alp horn-blowing, and costumed performers wearing authentic lederhosen and dirndls! (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Innsbruck)

Neuschwanstein Castle

Day 11 – 18 July (Mon) – INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA –NEUSCHWANSTEIN – OBERAMMERGAU, GERMANY
Follow your Tour Director for a pleasant walk through the quaint medieval lanes to Emperor Maximilian’s GOLDEN ROOF. Time to shop for Innsbruck’s famous crystal, then travel to Bavaria’s inspiring natural splendor to tour legendary fairytale castles. This extraordinary guided day trip takes you into the heart of the scenic German countryside to the legendary NEUSCHWANSTEIN. Known for its elaborate architecture and treasury-busting budget, this was the dream projects of Germany’s own King Ludwig II in the 19th century. As you explore the castle with an expert, English-speaking guide, hear how Neuschwanstein was the model for Walt Disney’s storybook Sleeping Beauty Castle. Afterward, your group will be delivered to your hotel in the Oberammergau area. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Oberammergau-area)

Passion Play

Day 12 – 19 July (Tue) – OBERAMMERGAU- PASSION PLAY
Explore scenic Oberammergau with a leisurely morning. The afternoon and evening will be spent enjoying the legendary Passion Play in Oberammergau. Since 1636, the people in the village of Oberammergau have presented a performance of the trial, suffering, and death of Jesus. This is an unforgettable experience. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Oberammergau-area)

Munich

Day 13 – 20 July (Wed) – OBERAMMERGAU –AUGSBURG – MUNICH
Travel to Augsburg for a CITY TOUR with your local guide. Have lunch on your own before continuing to the Bavarian capital of Munich to discover the magnificence on this fun city sightseeing tour. Enjoy interesting commentary as you explore the grandeur of the Old Town; world-famous Marienplatz with its whimsical Glockenspiel and atmospheric beer gardens; Nymphenburg Palace, summer residence of Bavaria’s rulers; and more! This evening celebrates the success of your tour with an unforgettable farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner, overnight Munich)

Day 14 – 21 July (Thu) – DEPART MUNICH, GERMANY
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end with your airport transfer. (Breakfast)

DATES, DEADLINES, AND DETAILS

Included in the tour: 

  • Tour Book (including a journal, hymns, Scripture, etc.).
  • Daily devotions, Bible studies, and teaching from Pastor Wolfmueller. (We will study the Passion Week in all four Gospels.)
  • Tour Director, the services of a professional, multilingual Tour Director will be provided throughout.
  • Worship with local Lutheran congregations in Rome and Padua.
  • Meals, lots of meals! Every dinner and breakfast on the tour is included, including a number of special dinner arrangements.
  • Quality, four-star hotels near the city center.
  • Ground transportation: Motorcoaches are fully air-conditioned while touring.
  • Sightseeing: Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary with inside visits (including admission charges) and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description. Sightseeing with local guides where applicable.
  • Tips for tour director, driver, porters, etc.
  • WIFI on coach. Headsets on tour.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Airfare is NOT included in the cost. (Flights are arranged independantly. We are happy to help you with this process.)
  • Pastor Wolfmueller’s jokes are included at no cost.

Price

  • $4,834 per person
  • Single travelers add $900 (*this number might go down)
  • Triples reduce $46 each

Important Dates:

Refund Policy

  • Please note that the $600 deposit is non-refundable.
  • We are using two vendors for this tour. Globus will handle most of the tour from Rome to Oberammergau, and then from Oberammergau to Munich. The two days in Oberammergau are separately arranged with the Passion Play.
  • The second payment ($600, due 1 December, is on the Passionplay refund schedule: 15 January: 25% penality, 1 March: 50% penality, 20 April: 90% penality)
  • The final payment (balance, due 20 April, is on the Globus refund schedule: 5 May: 20% penality, 17 June: 30% penality, 1 July: 50% penality)

Covid Policies

  • We expect that proof of vaccination will be required by many of the vendors (airlines, Globus, Oberammergau, etc.). We wish this were not the case, but if you do not plan to have the Covid vaccination current regulations will not permit you to join us on this tour.
  • We expect masks will be required in indoor venues.

Differences to the 2020 tour

  • In the last few years a number of Italians have discovered the Lutheran church! We’ve rearranged our itinerary to attend services in Rome and Padua. We will meet our Lutheran missionary in Italy as well as our Italian Lutheran brothers and sisters in the faith.
  • Itinerary changes:
    • We will start in Rome instead of Naples. (This should help save a few dollars in flight costs.)
    • We have one less night in Florence, and one more night near Venice.
    • We will overnight in Padua instead of Venice.
    • The Passion Play will be on Tuesday instead of Sunday.
  • We’ve added a number of special meals.
    • Some of the most wonderful memories have been the special meals that included a cultural program. Globus normally offers these as excursions on their tours. We’ve included them in Rome, Florence, Venice, Innsbruck, and Munich!
    • We have included every breakfast and dinner in this tour.
  • The deposit is non-refundable.
    • We don’t like making this change, but it became necessary because the Passion Play has a particularly stringent refund policy.

OUR TRIP IS CURRENTLY FULL, and we have started a waiting list

(Send us your name and email, and we will send you more information regarding our tour.)