While in Oberammergau to take in the world famous Passion Play 2010, you may wish to learn a bit about the surrounding area. To fully take in the surrounding Alps, take time to explore at least part of the 85 kilometer (50 mile) trail that winds from the Wieskirche to the Castle of King Ludwig II- the Linderhof Palace.
The Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Christ, or Wieskieche, is a not to be missed example of Rococo design. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Its humble exterior belies the wealth of detail and beauty on the inside. From the pews, it is like sitting inside an intricately decorated wedding cake. It is a fitting start to the Ammergau Meditation Trail.
Built from 1085-1125, the Baroque interior of the Rottenbuch Abbey is breathtaking. The second stop on the Meditation Trail will revive the spirit. The next stop is the beautiful Lake Soier for a time to revive the body. The Meditation Trail continues to include meadows and forests. The new Passion Play Theater, as well the one used in the 1800’s are both stops. The trail ascends a lookout point that takes in Oberammergau and the surrounding region, with petroglyphs on rocks nearby thought to date to Roman times. Nearby is an excavation site thought to be from a Celtic fire sacrifice site. Additional finds indicate the Romans fought the Celts around 15 BC here.
After the ancient, natural site, the trail continues to the Ettal Abbey, commissioned by King Ludwig in 1330 as a pledge after a safe return from the Crusades in Italy. In the 1800’s, the interior was changed to a Baroque style.
The last stop on the Meditation Trail is the Linderhof Palace, designed by King Ludwig II in 1868. This ornately gilded palace is the perfect spot to end the Meditation Trail of Ammergau, a juxtaposition of natural and man made beauty.
This trail can easily be separated into day hikes. Guides, maps, and directions are available. For more information on traveling to Oberammergau for the 2010 Passion Play, contact us at 1-800-294-5269 or email rcady@wilcoxtravel.com.
From the Chicago Tribune comes an entertaining article on a traveler's trip to Uganda, where he was able to get up close and personal with some of the wildlife, including a 450-lb. gorilla!
The silverback sounded a low rumble as he emerged eight feet away from behind a bush. The guides whispered that this particular gorilla was the most aggressive of the group, "the most likely to charge." All eight tourists froze, holding nervous and excited grins.
It's amazing how quickly one forgets an ant bite when a 450-pound gorilla looks you straight in the eye.
Source: ChicagoTribune.com
We've had a fantastic response to our Passion Play 2010 Independent Packages. If you don't know, this is a package that includes tickets to this extraordinary event in Oberammergau, Germany, as well as meals and a hotel room at the historic Turmwirt Hotel, just walking distance from the Passion Play Theatre. Other packages will have you staying in a hotel farther away, often in another town entirely! We call them Independent Packages because they don't come with an associated tour or air tickets. These packages are for those who want to make their own plans or will already be in Europe.
The response to these Independent Packages has been so phenomenal that we've decided to offer additional dates!
That's right, we now have several dates available through the months of May, June and July of 2010. If this seems like your cup of tea, if you are planning your own European Vacation and want to be a part of a truly historic event, take a look at our
Passion Play 2010 Independent Packages.
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Wilcox Travel/American Express
Asheville, NC 28801
www.wilcoxtravel.com
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Please note: To get these special rates when you contact us, please reference the tour's 'PROMO CODE' at the time of booking so that we can ensure you get these special last minute savings. |
Book Now!
Offer Ends September 30, 2009
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This is kind of last minute, but Sandals is giving away a 7 day, 6 night Luxury Included vacation at a Sandals or Beaches location of your choice (subject to availability). According to the Contest Rules, the sweepstakes ends July 31, so you've gotta hurry!
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Posted by: Wilcox Travel in Washington DC, Travel Offers, Travel Deals, Save Money, Philadelphia, London, Hotels, Hawaii, Family Vacation, Exotic Vacations, Chicago, Boston on
Jul 20, 2009
I just wanted to pass along this promotion I got from Hotels.com. They have some pretty low prices on some hot destinations. This week's highlights include Maui Island starting at $80, Chicago from $48 and Boston starting from $60. But hurry, you've got to act fast because these are LAST MINUTE DEALS!
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Be sure to check out Part 1.
While on an Alaskan cruise, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the wilderness of the region, and of course the splendid sea. If you are lucky enough, you may also encounter some hump back whales during the course of the cruise. You will also be able to see the Glacier Bay National Park as your ship cruises along. You may also see the Skagway, which has a railway line that was built for the benefit of the gold rushers. The place has endless natural beauties, such as mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, etc.
You will also have a view of the Yukon Suspension Bridge, while taking the cruise. People, who have seen the bridge, say it is one of the most wonderful sights to watch. During the course of the cruise, you will also get the opportunity to see the Mendenhall Glacier, which was formed more than 3000 years ago. This place also has a museum, where you will be able to find more information related to the glacier. If you are a salmon lover and are passionate about angling, you will surely not miss the chance to visit the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery. If you wish, you can also avail the chance of taking a guided tour and understanding the processes involved in the hatching of the salmon.
You have the luxury of choosing the medium or big cruise ships or the smaller chartered luxury liners while visiting Alaska. So make a budget and set sail for Alaska. Call one of our certified cruise specialists today for more information at 800-2-WILCOX (800-294-5269).
When we talk about cruises, there are perhaps just two places in the world that come to our mind. One is Alaska and the other is the Caribbean. Although the two cruises are diametrically opposite in every possible way, they are the main cruise destinations of the world.
The Caribbean cruise is a warm-weather cruise and is open all through the year. These cruises operate any time of year. The Alaskan cruise, however, are organized only for a period of five months, from May to September. That is one reason why these cruises draw so many people from all over the world.
Alaskan cruises can be costlier than the Caribbean ones, but every extra penny that you spend is worth it. May to September is the summer season in the Alaskan region, and the only time of the year that the waters of the area are safe enough for passenger liners to set sail.
If you like to cruise, but you’ve never been on an Alaskan cruise, you don’t know what you’re missing. Call one of our certified cruise specialists today for more information at 800-2-WILCOX (800-294-5269). Coming up, Part 2 will cover some of the fantastic things you will see when on an Alaskan cruise.
