The play is the story of Christ, but even those of you who aren’t religious will enjoy this admirable rarity. The play attracts a worldwide audience when it is put on every ten years by the inhabitants of the tiny, picturesque village of Oberammergau, who vowed to re-enact the story when they survived the plague in 1633. Read on for more information on the play, and lists of our tours which include this extraordinary event in their unbeatable itineraries.

At this time many packages are sold out. However if your dates are flexible, you should still be able to book a vacation including the Passion Play.  Call 800-942-3301 to speak to a tour specialist.

Trafalgar's "last minute deals" give you the opportunity to experience incredible savings on a select few European and North American award-winning vacations.

These selected departures are only available until February 28, 2010. All are Definite Departures. Space is limited, so come and experience Europe and North America with Trafalgar’s unbeatable services, tremendous value and great savings.
 
Please note: To get these special rates, please reference the tour’s ‘PROMO CODE’ at the time of booking. If booking online enter the 'PROMO CODE' in the "Apply Promotions" section during the booking process

Europe & Britain Tours

• Be mindful of who is around when you are discussing your trip - there is no need to let too many people know or draw attention to the fact your house might be empty for a period.
• The best deterrent is to have someone housesit. If that is not possible, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take in the newspaper, mail, and any other deliveries and keep an eye on the house. Give them your trip plans and an emergency phone number so they can reach you in case of an emergency. You can also arrange with the post office and newspaper to suspend delivery for the time you are away.
• Lock doors, windows and secure sliding doors (a metal rod or a broomstick in the sliding door track is an inexpensive lock), as well as the garage, the basement, and the attic. Some people even disconnect the power to motorized garage door openers.
• Move any valuables from plain sight.
• Check on your appliances, unplug anything that doesn't need to be on while you're away. Lower air conditioning/heating units to energy-saving levels.
• Set timers to turn on lights if you do not have someone staying at the house.

Here you will find an overview of the most frequently asked questions and important facts you should know before selecting a passion play package.

Where is Oberammergau?

Located about 60 miles southwest of Munich, Germany, Oberammergau is surrounded by majestic mountains and picturesque meadows. This peaceful, unspoiled village is well known not only for the warm hospitality its residents extend to visitors from around the world but also for its Passion Play, performed by the locals just once a decade.

How did it all get started?

In 1634, the Black Death decimated Europe’s population. Oberammergau remained untouched until a homesick villager returned one night, unknowingly bringing with him the dreaded plague. Almost 100 villagers died as a result. Frightened survivors vowed that if God saved them from the plague, once every 10 years they would reenact the agony and crucifixion of Christ. From then on, there were no further deaths from the plague—and the villagers have fulfilled their pledge ever since.    Over the centuries, their faith and commitment have been recognized and admired around the world, drawing people from all religious backgrounds and cultures to observe this amazing performance.

Can you tell me more about the Play?

The Passion Play portrays the Passion of Christ—from the entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. Performances are held in an open air stage framed by magnificent alpine scenery.  The play only runs May through September 2010. There are no performances on Mondays and Wednesdays.  The play is performed in German, and a written outline is provided in English.  Why attend if you can’t understand the language? Like opera, this is an appreciate for the arts. You don’t have to understand the words to feel the passion in the performance and the musical score. Let’s not forget the amazing scenery. The open air theatre has the Alpine mountains as it’s backdrop. Anyone can appreciate the experience complete with the beautiful setting, choir, orchestra and hand made, exquisite costumes.

The performances begin at 2:30 pm, break at 5 pm for 3 hours, and then resume until 10.30 pm.  The play consists of more than 2,000 actors, singers, musicians, and technicians with rehearsals starting at least a year before the event.  Villagers also make all the costumes for the production and, as no wigs are used, participants must grow their hair and beards for up to a year prior to the performances.  The Passion Play demonstrates an impressive community effort, both, the production team and the cast are from Oberammergau or have lived there for at least 20 years.

The Passion Play Theatre has 4,720 total seats. All offer a good view of the stage from all seating categories, & the acoustics in the theatre are excellent. Many improvements have been made over the years including under-flooring heating, accessibility for wheelchairs, plenty of bathrooms and a museum. Seating is covered to rain is not a factor for those attending.   Oberammergau is 800 meters in altitude and in the Alps, so we suggest you bring a sweater or blanket it can get cold. It may even snow during the month of September.

What type of packages are available?

Tickets only are sold out. You must buy the tickets in conjunction with a hotel stay, tour or cruise. There are several types of vacations to choose from. For those that do not want a long trip, our most popular packages are the Globus Oberammergau Highlights 4 day/3 night package featuring the Passion Play priced from $2,140 pp and the Gate 1 – 5 day/4 night Affordable Munich and Passion Play, priced from $1,499 pp.   Escorted tours range from 8 to 24 days where you can focus on just Germany or Central Europe, visit various countries, or even include Italy. Offered for the first time in 2010, you can also combine a river cruise with the Passion Play.  River cruises offer comfort, convenience and variety.  The ship is both a hotel and a means of transportation. You don’t have to get up early like you do when on a traditional tour or cruise to see the sites. Your ship will be in a new and exciting place every day. 

Where will I be sitting for the performance?:

Tickets for the Passion Play 2010 are only available as part of an official package. The tickets are allocated together with the accommodation by the the tour companies. There is a direct correlation to the type of hotel you stay in along with the tickets for the play.  The better quality hotels come with the better seats for the performance.

The plan of the theatre included shows the seating layout & the corresponding ticket categories, so if you want the best tickets, make sure that you are booking a tour that offers Category 1A seating.

Please note, tickets are not given in advance, and there is no guarantee exactly what row or seat you will be in, just the Category is known at the time of booking. Your tickets will be issued to you upon arrival in Europe by your tour guide.  Make sure you book with a reputable tour operator to avoid disappointment and to insure you are getting what you paid for.

Ticket Categories:

The Passion Play is held every ten years in the picturesque village and is a major religious and cultural event for the region. Collette Vacations’ President and CEO, Dan Sullivan, Jr., reports that many dates have sold out but that space is still available on several guaranteed departure dates.

Every 10 years, European inbound tourism sees a huge boost from the staging of the Passion Play in Oberammergau. Oberammergau is located in the Bavarian Alps close to the border with Austria, about 60 miles southwest of Munich. Normally the entire season is sold out far in advance. Nearby European destinations like Austria and Switzerland will welcome close to a million North Americans in a typical year. Collette offers 8 European vacation packages featuring the Passion Play in Oberammergau; including tours highlighting the Austrian cities of Inssbruck, Salzburg and Vienna as well as the Swiss resort destinations of Zermatt, Lucerne and St. Moritz.

Click for more on Passion Play tours

General Travel Tips

• Make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your date of travel. Some countries insist that your passport be valid for at least a six-month time period.
• Place an envelope in one of your checked bags containing copies of your passport, birth certificate and a back up form of photo I.D. in case your passport is lost or stolen.
• Place a copy of the detailed itinerary of your trip inside each piece of luggage. If your luggage is lost, this will help the airline locate you while you're traveling.
• If you are on Medicare and traveling outside the United States, be aware that Medicare does not cover any of your medical bills abroad. It's a good idea to get a travel protection policy that will cover these costs.
• Plan at least a day or two after your return home before scheduling any commitments; you may be tired after your journey.

Don't Forget

• Stow away some antibacterial wipes-they're a convenient way to clean up on the go.
• Bring a voltage converter with you, along with an adapter (to fit electrical plugs into foreign outlets). Note that some adapter kits don't include converters.
• Pack an extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts in case they are lost or broken.
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must. Never pack new shoes.
• Wrap a long strip of duct tape around a pencil and bring it along for the ride. Duct tape is the magic fix for everything from torn suitcases to a broken sandal strap.

Click here for over 50 posts with helpful travel tips and advice.

• Travelling from Munich
  Every hour with the regional railway, direction Mittenwald / Innsbruck, as far as Murnau, there is a connection to the regional train to Oberammergau.
  Duration of ride: 1 h 50 mins
• Travelling from Innsbruck
  Every hour from 11.00 am to 05.00 pm (otherwise every two hours) by regional express in the direction of Munich as far as Murnau, there is a connection to the regional train to Oberammergau.
  Duration of ride: about 2 h 50 mins

Regional train Murnau-Oberammergau:
The Ammer Valley Railway, built in 1900, which branches off the Munich to Innsbruck line at Murnau, takes you to our destination. This railway track is considered by many to be the most beautiful in Germany, and for good reason: it winds its leisurely way through quiet villages and lush meadows, passes beside unspoilt moors and again and again opens up views of the mountain skyline of “Werdenfelser Land”.

What does you good on the inside also helps on the outside. Arnica and mountain pine, embrocations from the skilful hands of the monks revive tired muscles. The multi-skilled of Ettal have also gone into another area - the realm of perfumes. Under the generic term Bonus Odor there are two ladies’ and two gentlemen’s perfumes!

A visit into the kingdom of Frater Vitalis is very enlightening, it is just the herbal recipe that he will still not give away!

Information obtained from the Official Passion Play website.

Europe is a place of wonders, an intriguing past and timeless elegance.  Here, watch history come live as you explore the destinations of your choice.  Saver new foods and discover new passions.  Shop for exquisite fashion and wander bustling markets for the best bargains.  Let some of the most renowned theatres in the world excite and entertain you.  Discover lands where fairytale castles exist and real kings, queens and princess rule.  Europe is charming and positively magical, alluring, enchanting, enthralling and it's where Harry Potter, Shakespeare , Sherlock Holmes and "Angles & Demons" come to life.

Europe is defined in its thriving cities, breathtaking countryside, quaint pubs and the world's finest museums.  A day in Europe could be a day of sightseeing, romance or just a long afternoon sitting at a sidewalk cafe.

We welcome you to research your next European tour by destination, or by clicking on our preferred travel partners.

Here is our network of Europe travel destination sites:
Atlas Cruises & Tours| Christmas Market Tours | England Tours | Escorted Family Vacations | France Tours | Greece Tours| Ireland Tours | Italy Tours | Luxury Tour |Oberammergau | River Cruise | Russia Tours | Scandinavia Tours | Spain Tours

We also have specialty European Tour Operators sites:
Contiki Tours | Cosmos Tours | General Tours | Globus Tours | Insight Tours | Tauck Tours | Trafalgar Tours

The "Living Workstudio" with Crafts Shop: you can watch carvers, glass painting artists, potters and many other craftsmen at work.

"Worlds Behind Glass": Oberammergau Museum's collection of verre églomisé works, one of the largest collections in Europe.

More interesting facts:

1. Can you take pictures? Yes, but absolutely no flash

2. Headphone translation? : There is none provided. The play is in German and a written outline is provided in English. The Passion Play story is obviously well known so your client will be able to easily follow along.

3. Meals: All meals (B, L, D) are provided by the hotel in Oberammergau for Globus clients: the Hotel Boeld. The Boeld is dedicated to Globus clients during the play. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the theatre and not in the crush right in the middle of town which is an advantage. 

4. The actors and play: there are 21 major roles, the roles are double cast with no preference for the actor (i.e. understudy etc). They have to have lived in Oberammergau for 20 years to participate.

5. How many people from the USA?: 150,000  or about 30% of all travelers.  Oberammergau does not expect a big downturn in attendance and still predicts a 100% sellout. English is spoken in the city of Oberammergau. 

6. The play: Starts at 2:30 pm, break at 5 pm. The break is 3 hrs. Play ends at 10.30 pm. They did this so the crucifixion is at night and is very dramatic.

7. The theatre: the spectators will not get wet or rained on because the theatre is covered. The actors will if it did rain as they are not covered. Bring a sweater or blanket it can get cold. Oberammergau is 800 meters in altitude and in the Alps. There are lots of bathrooms at the play. The sets are handicapped accessible. It could snow in the later performances in Sept. The theatre holds exactly 4,720 people. We have some of the best seating arrangements. There is also an Oberammergau Museum at the Passion Play complex. It's an included feature with the ticket.

8. Staying outside of Oberammergau and the Globus advantage: Any tour operator not staying in Oberammergau itself is most likely approximately 20-25 kms from Oberammergau. It cannot be emphasized enough the huge advantage we have of staying in the town of Oberammergau. Other tour operators and their clients are living out of a bus. Who wants to take a bus home at 10:30 at night 25 kms away after the play? We will also have an operating office in Oberammergau.

Zwink was also the musical director of the 2000 Passion Play, and has continued in the tradition of the adaptation of Dedler's music and has also composed new music to accompany some new tableaux vivants from the Old Testament for the 2010 performance.

A descendant from an Oberammergau family since the 18th century, Markus Zwink was born in the village in 1956 and studied music at the Mozarteum, Salzburg and the Munich Music Academy. Since 1984 he has been Head of Music in Oberammergau.

The four-day Oberammergau extension begins in Munich with a welcome reception and dinner at the Spatenhaus, a traditional Bavarian restaurant, before proceeding to Oberammergau the following day. In Oberammergau, guests will view the Passion Play from Tauck’s specially reserved premier seating in Section 1A, before enjoying in-town accommodations at the Hotel Maximilian. Day three includes a visit to the opulent 19th-century Linderhof Palace and free time to explore Munich, before the extension concludes on the following day.

The five-day extension also begins in Munich and includes a walking tour of the city with a visit to 17th-century Schloss Nymphenburg, a former summer residence of Bavaria’s ruling family. Days two and three include time in the market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the Passion Play in Oberammergau (again, with reserved seating in Section 1A of the theater). A guided walking tour of Salzburg, Austria highlights the fourth day, with the extension concluding on day five.

ABOUT TAUCK RIVER CRUISING
Tauck will offer a total of nine European river cruises in 2010 aboard a fleet of three sister-ships, the MS Swiss Jewel, MS Swiss Sapphire and MS Swiss Emerald. The three ships have each been launched within the past three years, and all are virtually identical. Tauck’s ships each accommodate just 118 guests, vs 140 or more on other similarly sized vessels, providing a less crowded and more relaxed ambiance. The ships also feature a bistro-style Lido Bar, providing a more casual dining alternative to the main restaurant.

Tauck’s vessels boast over four-times the number of suites and junior suites typically found on riverboats. Suites feature 300 square-feet of living space with floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in closets and marble baths with full size tubs. The additional 45 junior suites and cabins on Tauck riverboats range from 150 to 183 square-feet, and 85% of all accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies. All suites and cabins are well appointed with plasma TVs, mini-bars, terry cloth robes and slippers, radios, safes, individual air conditioning and L’Occitane toiletries.

In addition to its European river cruises, Tauck also operates three land journeys that each feature a three-day river cruising component. An Egyptian journey and an itinerary to Egypt and Jordan each include a three-night Nile River cruise, and a 16-day exploration of China and Hong Kong features a three-night cruise on the Yangtze.

Call 866-475-7023 for more details.

Posted:         July 17th, 2009
Author:         Princess Cruise Line
Category:     Cruise News | Oberammergau

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (July 17, 2009) — Princess has added a rare opportunity to its 2010 cruisetour lineup in Europe — a unique cruisetour designed to include the famed Oberammergau Passion Play, which is performed only once each decade in this small Bavarian village in Germany.

The new 18-day “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” tour features two nights in the southern German town of Oberammergau, and includes tickets to the event. Passengers will also visit a variety of other top German destinations during the eight-day land tour, including Frankfurt, the Black Forest, Munich Nuremberg and Berlin. In addition, the tour will connect seamlessly with a 10-day Scandinavia/Russia cruise aboard Star Princess. Two departures are offered on August 2 and August 12, 2010.

“This is such a unique opportunity, one that literally only comes around once every 10 years,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This new cruisetour makes it easy to enjoy this famous event, plus take in many of the other attractions for which Germany is famous, coupled with one of our wonderful cruises through the Baltic region. This is yet another example of our commitment to provide our passengers with fascinating experiences around the world.”

The Oberammergau Passion Play has been held every ten years since 1634 in thanksgiving for deliverance from the Black Death in 1633. The play is now performed in years ending with a zero (except 1984 which was the 350th anniversary), and involves more than 2000 actors, singers, instrumentalists and technicians, all of whom are residents of the village. All cast members have lived in the village at least 20 years and must be amateurs of high moral and ethical principles. Villagers also make all the costumes for the production and, as no wigs are used, participants must grow their hair and beards for several months prior to the performances.

The “Oberammergau & Highlights of Germany” cruisetour is one of Princess’ four Europe cruisetour options available next season. Travelers can also opt for the 18-day “Europe’s Imperial Treasures,” which features the cathedrals and castles of four capitals that have figured prominently in history — Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin — and includes a Star Princess Scandinavia and Russia sailing. The 17-day “Classic Italy” tour offers the charms of Florence and Rome, and can connect to a number of Princess’ Mediterranean sailings. The 16-day “Ring of Kerry” tour offers some of the Emerald Isle’s most inspiring landscapes with visits to Shannon, Killarney and Cork, plus a Crown Princess British Isles cruise.

Fares for the 18-day Oberammergau cruisetour begin at $5,319 per person, based on double occupancy. Capacity is limited on these special tours, and could fill quickly. Call for details.

Q.  I'm confused about luggage, specifically carry on. Is my purse considered a carry on item? How about my husband's camera case? My husband wants to bring his computer, it is slightly over the 12x11x6 Is this a problem?

A.  #1.  A purse or camera case is not considered a carry on. You can still have a separate carry-on bag.

#2.  As far as your husband's computer, carry-on bags must be small enough to store in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you on motorcoaches and other transportation. If it is a very minimal difference, (1 inch,) then it should still fit in the overhead without a problem, but these measurements are given to ensure you will not have any issue while touring.

Services offered include services of 24/7 agent for any last minutes changes, pre-trip travel advice such as what vaccines are required, embassy contacts, weather and currency information.  They also offer assistance for last minute changes, such as cancelled or delayed flights, making hotel reservations or ground transportation reservations. Benefits include coverage in the event of cruise line, airline or tour operator default (financial default non applicable to all suppliers) Coverage for sickness, injury or death of immediate family member. Terrorist incident that results in loss of life or major damage to property, by any person

With a good policy, you receive 24 hours assistance replacing lost or stolen documents such as visas, passports or tickets. Cash advance for travel or medical emergencies. They can also help you locate English speaking medical specialists, facilities and assistance with medical evacuations anywhere in the world.

They will provide you with baggage and personal effects loss coverage, baggage delay coverage and luggage tracing services. They have a bilingual staff for telephone interpretation for medical or legal emergencies.

If you purchase your travel insurance within 15 days of making your initial deposit your coverage will include pre-existing conditions which applies to the first $25,000 of trip cost.

Whether a child gets the flu, or a close family member has a medical emergency, travel protection has a plan that will protect you before or during your vacation. The right kind of insurance is essential. It will provide you with peace of mind, medical evacuation in case of an emergency, baggage coverage, flight delay and flight cancellation coverage.

In addition to these services some insurance policies also provide a concierge service which is available to assist you with restaurant reservations, event tickets, tee time reservations and floral services.

This is only a brief description of some of the benefits and travel services provided. All policies and coverage may vary, and may not be available in all states. There are also expanded coverage plans that offer business related covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption, and other that let you cancel for any reason.

At times it is best to purchase the insurance with the tour operator or cruise line as part of your package, where on other occasions you can save money and get better coverage medical and evacuation coverage. An experience agent can explain your options to that you can purchase the best policy for your individual needs.

Good travel insurance isn't always expensive. We have negotiated excellent policies exclusive to Atlas, where rather than paying by age, which can add up for seniors, everyone is charged a flat amount base on the cost of the trip.

INSIGHT VACATIONS ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE OBERAMMERGAU DEPARTURES

 Europe’s Leading Premium Tour Operator Designates Many Popular Passion Play Tours As Definite

RYE, NY – Insight Vacations is pleased to announce they now have "Definite Departures" for 2010 Oberammergau. These departures have been designated as "DEF" or better known as "Definite Departures." These tours are 100% certain to depart. Marc Kazlauskas, President of Insight Vacations stated, "We are pleased to offer definite Oberammergau departures. We understand that is incredible event only happens once every decade. It is very important for travelers to know that their dream of witnessing The Passion Play will not be altered in any way."

The following itineraries offer Oberammergau as part of their program:

Best of Germany- 9 days visiting Germany.

European Spotlight -14 days visiting England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, & France.

Road to Rome-15 days visiting England, France, Switzerland, Austria, & Italy.

Highlights of Europe -17 days visiting England, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, & France.

European Explorer-23 days visiting England, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Monaco, France, & Switzerland.

Country Roads of Bavaria & Switzerland -13 days visiting Switzerland, Germany, Austria, & Italy.

Insight guests enjoy more intimate groups, limited to just 40 passengers, the services of an experienced tour director and the assurance of staying in top quality hotels which are centrally or scenically located. Travel in style on Insight’s luxury reconfigured coaches with more legroom so the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Take advantage of the included sightseeing worth hundreds of dollars, ensuring your holiday budget goes further. With so many included meals, quality hotels and sightseeing experiences, you’ll be astounded at the value of an Insight Vacation.

Insight Vacations has accumulated an international following by providing outstanding service and quality tour packages to the savvy traveler who seeks better accommodations, choices in dining, and smaller group sizes all while staying in the most desirable locations.  For 30 years, Insight Vacations has been the leader in premium escorted tours and cruises to Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Canada and the United States.

Oberammergau is a town just south of Munich in the Bavarian Alps. It is famous for the Passion Play held every ten years since 1634.

The village is also known as the home of a long tradition of woodcarving. The streets of central Oberammergau are home to dozens of woodcarver shops, with pieces ranging from religious subjects, to toys, to humoristic portraits.

Oberammergau is also famous for its "Lüftlmalerei," or frescoes, of traditional Bavarian themes, fairy tales, or religious scenes found on many homes and buildings. Lüftlmalerei is common Upper Bavaria and its name may be derived from an Oberammergau house called Zum Lüftl, which was the home of facade painter Franz Seraph Zwinck (1748–1792).

Photograph of Obermmergau from the summit of Kofel, taken by David Edgar in 2003
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".

Many clients wonder what the differences are when traveling with a budget, first class or deluxe tour operator. As we have discussed in previous posts, a lot has to do with the type of accommodations used, the location of the hotels, the number of people on the tour and how much is included in the price (i.e. sightseeing, meals, etc.)

Today our focus is to explain the difference in meals.  In most cases, on a budget tour you will receive continental breakfast. This is a basic breakfast of usually consisting of cereals, pastries, juice and coffee. Once you take a first class tour and above, breakfast is normally buffet. This offers the widest choices, quickest service and as much or as little food as you desire.

Budget tours rarely include dinners, and when they do, it is normally in the hotel. First class tour operators offer a combination of both hotel dinners and some dining at local restaurants. However, there is usually a limited menu. It includes 3 to 5 courses with a more limited choice of appetizer, entrees and desserts. We are not suggesting the food is bad, on the contrary, frequently the limited menu includes the chef's freshest market specials of the day and takes less time to serve.

Dining is a delightful and integral part of the travel experience when traveling abroad. Deluxe and luxury operators select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit, and offer full choice of menu to include a starter course (hot & cold appetizer, soup or salad,) main course, dessert and beverage. You’ll savor a delectable assortment of classic dishes and regional specialties. Many meals include wine with dinner and at times entertainment.

Regardless of which tour you book, gratuities to the wait staff are included. For lunches and evenings that meals are not included, the knowledgeable tour directors can assist you in finding dining options based on your the type of food you want to have and your budget.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site that holds a list of outstanding cultural or natural universal value such as, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It could be a monument, building, mountain, forest, lake, desert, complex or city.

So how is a site selected?

Only countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention, pledging to protect their natural & cultural heritage can submit nominations for properties on their territory to be considered for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

A nominated property is independently evaluated by several Advisory Boards. Once a site has been nominated & evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision. One per year, the Committee meets to decide which sites will be inscribed on the World Heritage list.

The program aims to catalogue & preserve sites of outstanding importance, either cultural or natural, to the common heritage of humankind.

There are currently 878 World Heritage Sites in 145 countries. These include 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties.

You may have visited a place in the U.S. already, not realizing it was a UNESCO site such as the Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, Yosemite Yellowstone or Olympic National Park.

Click here for a full list of site.

I have seen 20 sites in 9 countries, so only 858 to go, but I have to say that certain countries do not interest me AT ALL, so my goal would be to see at least half of the UNESCO sites while traveling the world.

How many UNESCO sites have you visited?

• Click here for Swine Flu talking points
• Click here for U.S. Travel's statement.
• Click here for the CDC website with more information on Swine Flu.

For all travelers, CDC recommends the following steps to help you stay healthy:

• Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including a seasonal influenza vaccine. The seasonal vaccine is not expected to offer protection against swine flu viruses, but it can protect against seasonal influenza viruses which may still be circulating in Mexico and the Southern Hemisphere.
• Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies. See Pack Smart in Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel for a list of what to include in your travel health kit.
• Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
• Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad.  Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.  For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
• Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or to give medications, vaccines or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of swine flu

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.  This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
  • Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (with at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. (Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.)
• It is important to follow the advice of local health and government authorities.  You may be asked to restrict your movement and stay in your home to contain the spread of swine flu.

If you have specific questions about the swine influenza cases see http://www.cdc.gov/contact/  or call 1-800-232-4636, which is 1-800-CDC-INFO.

To learn more about travel health, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

More information will be provided as the situation develops. Please continue to check our website on a regular basis for updates.

The Passion Play Theatre has 4,720 total seats. All offer a good view of the stage from all seating categories, & the acoustics in the theatre are excellent, however many clients want to be closer to the stage.

The Tickets:

Tickets for the Passion Play 2010 are only available as part of an official package. The tickets are allocated together with the accommodation by the the tour companies, and Atlas has no control over the exact location of the seats, although we are pleased to announce that our approved tickets are all linked to excellent accommodation in Oberammergau & surrounding villages. 

The better quality hotels come with the better seats for the performance.
The plan of the theatre below shows the seating layout & the corresponding ticket categories, so if you want the best tickets, make sure that you are booking a tour that offers Category 1A seating.

Please note, tickets are not given in advance. Your tickets will be issued to you upon arrival in Europe by your tour guide.

Planning to travel in a group?

•  Four color tri-fold brochures or Four color flyers which can be used as 
   hand-outs or mail-outs to prospective participants
•  Power Point Presentations for group level meetings to explain the
   program to possible participants
•  Presentation by a member of our group department to local South
    Florida organizations

There are several factors that qualify a tour to be budget, first class, deluxe or luxury such as group size, (the smaller the group the more personalized attention,) length of trip, type of hotel accommodations throughout the trip and the transportation being used in-between cities (train, motorcoach or river boat) all affect the tour rates.

When booking the Passion Play, there are 2 things to take into consideration:

#1.  What type of accommodations are being used in or near the town of Oberammergau.

#2. What type of tickets are being included with the tour package.

Oberammergau is a small town, and many of the hotels are bed and breakfast or tourist class hotels, (with 2 and 3 star ratings.) Since normally every performance of the Passion Play sells out, this also means a shortage in hotel accommodations, which is why many operators book outside of the town. It's not necessarily a bad thing, as long as you are aware that at the end of a full day attending the performance, that you will have a considerable drive back to your hotel. Select operators include the boutique Hotel Maximilian with their Passion Play packages which is walking distance to the performance.

Secondly, there are different categories of tickets available for the play itself. I will be explaining the different ticket categories in my next blog.

Let our Oberammergau specialists help you sort through the vacation options and point out the differences in the packages, to ensure you select the right package to meet your budget and needs, without compromising on value. We also only work with a handful of preferred travel partners, so you can book with confidence that you are booking with reputable travel companies.

Should you bring a laptop while traveling?

This is a personal question that really depends on many things. What you’ll be doing, where you are going and how long will you be traveling?

I would like to share some guidelines that may help with your decision.

Reasons you should bring a laptop:

You can email your family and friends. Having your laptop, you can email your loved ones back home. This is something you could do at most internet cafes, which is a much nicer atmosphere than your hotel room. Most cafes around the world do offer free Wifi when you order something. Not all cafes have free Wifi; some do have a small charge. Newer cruise ships also offer Wifi, but make sure and purchase a package, as usage rates can be high.

You can download all your photos. You can download your digital photo right to your laptop. This will keep your camera’s memory stick free everyday. This will allow you to capture that favorite photo. If your memory stick is full, you would lose that favorite photo moment.

Keeping a journal of the cities you visited. Sometimes we see so much on our vacation that we tend to forget something. Keeping a journal along the way will allow you to never forget. It also allows you to post your travel blogs in writing.

Calling home for free (or very cheap) with Skype. For mere cents per minute you can make calls to landlines and cell phones from all over the world with Skype. It allows you to call from any web-enabled laptop. It’s a great way to keep in touch over the phone.

You can get lots of local information. Many laptops today have maps, directions, schedules and must-see sites for key cities. Maybe you would like get tickets to a play or need to get those directions to a restaurant. You can get all the information you need right from your laptop. Usually it’s much better than carrying around big guidebooks.

You can work. Even though we are on vacation, sometimes we still have our work on our minds. Maybe you have an on-line business and need to be kept informed. Having your laptop with you allows you to still work.  

Reasons you should keep your laptop home:

It could get lost, stolen or damaged. Where you are traveling really depends on the risks, which could range from mild to extreme. Getting your laptop insured by home or travel insurance is really not likely. Most insurance companies won’t cover you unless you pay a very high premium.

It’s extra weight to carry. If weight is an issue then you may want to keep it home. Depending on where you are traveling, you would need to bring your power adapter and any plug in devices to operate your laptop.

Surfing the internet. As we all know, the internet can be addicting. You could spend hours surfing the web, when we should be enjoying the experience of the city that you paid to see.

Checking in at the airport.  Our new airport regulations require us to open our carry bags to get through security. When you are traveling with your laptop, you will have to remove your laptop from the carry case for security inspection, so allow extra time for check-in.

You need to base your decision on where you are going. The more remote destinations you are traveling to, the less likely you will find a Wifi connection. Some remote islands will probably only have a dial up connection, which would probably be very slow.

The biggest consideration is whether you feel you actually need a laptop. Some people absolutely need to stay connected. If you decide to bring it, I would recommend a soft case to protect it. I would use a water-resistant case. Remember to never stow your computer in your luggage.

Contributed by: A Sternberg
angie@atlastravelweb.com

The story had a nice ending, as Mr. Elliott was able to get the client a full refund, but not all stories end this way, and clients lose thousands of dollars for not asking the right questions prior to making a reservation.

Be aware of penalties! At Atlas, when we book reservations for our clients, not only do we provide them with a confirmation, but also the Terms and Conditions for each supplier, as cancellation penalties vary for each company. At times, there are 3 to 5 pages of "conditions" for the client to read over, but all of this is done prior to booking the reservation, so you have no surprises down the road.

Furthermore as the article mentions, if there is any chance you may have to cancel your trip, a consolidator is not the way to go when booking airline tickets, as their penalties are usually higher than booking with the airline or suppliers directly.

Final thoughts...no one can anticipate or predict the future. Be prepared and have piece of mind, by purchasing travel insurance for every trip! Suppliers such as Travel Guard & Access America offer add-ons to several of their plans that allow you to cancel for work reasons or even cancel for any reason, and receive up to 75% of your penalties back. Many cruise lines and tour operators offer their own version of cancel for any reason policies, but in some cases rather than money, you receive vouchers for future travel.

It can all be a bit confusing, so make sure to consult a travel professional to help you select the best coverage to protect your investment.

Click here to read the article published on CNN.

For more information on the pros & cons of booking airfare separately from a vacation, click here.

Located about 60 miles southwest of Munich, Germany, Oberammergau is surrounded by majestic mountains and picturesque meadows. This peaceful, unspoiled village is well known not only for the warm hospitality its residents extend to visitors from around the world but also for its Passion Play, performed by the locals just once a decade. We are proud to offer the Passion Play in 2010 in conjunction with many of our popular Globus family of brands vacations, but this is a very limited opportunity, so don’t miss out—secure your space today!

Origins of the Tradition

In 1634, the Black Death decimated Europe’s population. Oberammergau remained untouched until a homesick villager returned one night, unknowingly bringing with him the dreaded plague. Almost 100 villagers died as a result. Frightened survivors vowed that if God saved them from the plague, once every 10 years they would reenact the agony and crucifixion of Christ. From then on, there were no further deaths from the plague—and the villagers have fulfilled their pledge ever since.

About the Passion Play

The Passion Play portrays the Passion of Christ—from the entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. Performances are held in the afternoon and evening, with an included dinner break in between. More than 2,000 actors, singers, musicians, and technicians participate, and rehearsals begin at least a year before the event. The Passion Play Theater has an open-air stage framed by magnificent alpine scenery, and a covered auditorium features almost 5,000 seats.

Globus has just dropped their prices on Passion Play tours by 15%. Reserve your space now before price increase.

Before You Go:

Research:  Do your homework and find out what each area is known for and decide what items you'll look for. Find out what similar items sell for. If you are considering pictures or other items to decorate your home with your travel finds, take measurements, then pop your tape measure into your travel bag. Bring a fabric swatch if needed as well. If you plan on having garments custom-made in the Orient for example, pack a favorite item to copy. Also research customs, GST and VAT tax refunds, shipping large items, and other important rules. Thailand and China, for example, are known for antiques, but you'll need appropriate paperwork to bring them home. In Europe when you make a purchase you must fill out the tax refund form supplied by the ship. You pay the full price, but when you leave Europe there is usually an area in all major airports called 'VAT Refund' after you have cleared security. You take the tax forms to be stamped and drop them in a box. In one to two billing cycles you should see the tax refunded back onto your credit card. If you are traveling on an escorted tour, your tour manager can give you tips on the best places to shop. On a cruise, they normally hold presentations and replay them on the ship channel in the cabin, with shopping tips on each port as well.

Shopping Strategies:

Local markets offer a rich travel experience, and a treasure trove of shopping options. Here are some bargaining tips to make that a more rewarding experience:

Get the Lay of the Land - Be Strategic:  Stroll around, take in the colors and the smells of the market while checking around prices on similar items. Watch how merchants interact with their customers. In Italian markets you'll encounter a hard sell; merchants in Arab markets often bargain after you've shared a cup of tea.

The Art of the Deal: Start by offering half the quoted price. Your merchant will tout the value of his handicrafts and bring the price back to almost the original. Split the difference. By the 3rd round your price will likely be about 75% of the original. Instead of haggling again, count out your cash until you reach slightly less than his price. You should have a deal. If the merchant is aggressive, step away. Likewise there is no need to be rude to the merchants, as they are only try to make a living.

Consider Shipping Your Items Back Home: The most difficult part is waiting a few weeks for your items to arrive if you are overseas, but with airlines charging for additional baggage weight, shipping can save you money. Just make sure to insure the package if it is breakable.

In the end, the important thing is that you enjoy the experience and keep in mind, more important than the exact cost will be priceless travel memories derived from your new-found treasures.

We'd love to hear about some of your shopping strategies?

Contributed by: S Brage

Have more questions?  SkyMiles members can contact the Delta SkyMiles Center at 1-800-323-2323 or the number on the back of their membership cards. WorldPerks members should continue contacting the WorldPerks Service Center at 1-800-44-PERKS (or the number on the back of their membership cards).

In order to be a good travel agent, you need education so that you can pass the information on to your clients. The Travel Institute has certifications that take about 6 years to complete, as you are not eligible to participate unless you have been in the business for a certain amount of time. Cruise Lines International has a 3 step certification process up to a ECC (Elite Cruise Counselor) You have to be in the business a minimum of 10 years to participate in the program as well as conducting various ship inspections. There are also various destination & product specialists programs, seminars, conventions & trade shows throughout the year.  Our office has speakers from various preferred partners come in at least twice a month, to ensure we are up to date with new products or changes.

So the next time you book your vacation, keep in mind that travel agents are trained professionals with your best interest in mind, and there is no additional cost to you to book through an agent. In fact, agents will always save you time (& time is money!) and also in many cases, get you a better price or added amenities.

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Common question asked by clients

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.

There are exceptions, especially with adventure trips or luxury travel, where preliminary documents are sent, as well as personal registration forms to be filled out.

You will of course always receive written confirmations from us for your records.

Day 1 with the budget and first class tours is "always" the overnight flight to Europe, arriving on Day 2 - this means Day 2 is your first hotel night.

Day 1 with the Deluxe & Luxury Tours is the day you arrive in Europe to start your tour.

With US and Canada tours, day 1 is the day your tour begins.

With other exotic destinations such as South America, Asia and Australia, please check with you agent, as there could be as many as 1 to 2 days for the flight over.

In most cases, booking your own airfare is fine, but I want to remind you to keep a few things in mind.

When you book airfare with the cruise or tour operator, transfers are included to & from the airport. When calculating how much money you are saving, make sure & factor in the additional cost for transfers.

Tours can cancel due to lack of participation. If you book your own air, we suggest booking a tour that is "guaranteed" to operate. Many suppliers have added hundreds of guaranteed departures on their popular tours.

If you experience a problem with your flight being cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, when you book your airfare along with your travel packages, you will have assistance in booking the next available flight to meet up with your trip. If you book your flights online, how difficult will it be to get someone on the phone to assist you in rebooking another flight?

Insurance is another consideration. If you book your own air, normally the cruise or tour operators insurance will not cover the value of your flights. Make sure to speak to an agent about outside insurance coverage so that your entire purchase is protected.

Book early & save. Many suppliers offer air promotions for bookings made well in advance.

On many occasions we do advise our clients to buy airfare separately, but make sure to take the time to discuss your options with an agent to ensure you are receiving the best value.

I told her they would be delivered by UPS to her home address on Monday.

This is 8 days prior to her departure.

She was satisfied with this and we ended the call.

She called back about 10 minutes later and asked where the documents were being mailed to. I told her they were on their way to her address in Chicago. She said, “But I’m in Rhode Island”.

I asked why she did not advise me of this and she said, “We always spend our summers in Rhode Island”

Okay, so now I need a crystal ball with all of the other hats I wear! I was supposed to know this??

I told her I would see what I could do and called the supplier to ask if another set of documents could be generated and mailed out.

This reservation was made with a Luxury Tour supplier and they agreed to send the documents directly to her Rhode Island address.

If this were a supplier other than a Luxury Tour operator, a duplicate set of documents would have a fee to generate and the overnight mail would have to be paid for by the client.

Please think of your travel agent as one of your circle of family and friends. Keep us in mind to notify us of any changes in your life. Give us your airline schedule if you make your own airline reservations; give us all contact numbers and dates when you’ll be at another location. Don’t think you’re bothering us with trivia. Our job is to give you the best customer service we can, but to do this we need your help.