By Anne Kalosh.
Once every decade since the 1630s, residents of the Bavarian village of Oberammergau have come together to present “Passionsspiele,” or the “Passion Play,” chronicling Jesus Christ’s last days on earth.
The tradition began when the bubonic plague was sweeping Europe. The villagers vowed that if Oberammergau were spared, they would perform the “Passion Play” every 10 years. Some 2,000 residents now take part in this incredible outdoor spectacle.
The first performance was in 1634 and it is now presented in the first year of each decade.
Passion Play * Photo: Tauck
Three years before the curtain rises on the 2020 Passion Play, U.S.-based tour operator Tauck has begun taking reservations for cruise-tour programs that feature performances in Oberammergau. These include select dates for “The Blue Danube” and “The Romantic Rhine.”
“The Blue Danube,” a 12-night cruise-tour from Munich to Budapest or Budapest to Munich, bundles in a seven-night sailing on a Tauck boat. Highlights include the scenic Wachau Valley, its slopes covered in vineyards, tours to Salzburg or medieval Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, and Vienna.
The “Romantic Rhine,” a 10-night program from Amsterdam to Munich or Munich to Amsterdam, includes a seven-night cruise. Among the highlights are bicycling along the Rhine, a ride to Switzerland’s Mount Pilatus on what’s touted as the world’s steepest cogwheel train, and gazing upon the canals and half-timbered houses of La Petite France in old Strasbourg.
Tauck can offer Oberammergau tickets to 40 travelers per river departure. Everyone who goes there with this venerable, family-run company will get premier seating in the best available section of the Passion Play theater, private tours of must-see sights and attractions in the area, and other exclusive cultural experiences.
Those interested can reserve space on their preferred Tauck itinerary and departure date with a modest deposit. Signing up does not guarantee a booking, but ensures travelers will receive the latest information about the Oberammergau trips, including pricing, date and booking information when it becomes available. The play’s organizing committee will confirm hotel allocations for all tour operators in 2019.
Once hotel arrangements and pricing are finalized, travelers who have reserved space with Tauck will be able to cancel for a full refund of their deposit, if they wish.
According to the company, interest in Oberammergau for 2020 is running well ahead of 2000 and 2010. Some 450,000 people are expected to view the 2020 Passion Play.
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HEIDI SARNA
