Oberammergau Passion Play 2020

May 2020

What you can expect

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the famous Oberammergau Passion Play, taking time to enjoy the journey and to savour the experience. Our route passes many interesting and historic places in France and Germany and is truly a voyage of discovery. Tickets to the play in the highest category of seats are included (worth almost £200). 13 nights' accommodation, 1 breakfast not included (on ferry outbound), 9 evening meals included.

More detail

Every ten years since 1634 the inhabitants of this small Bavarian village have performed a Passion Play, based around the events surrounding the death of Christ, to give thanks for being spared from the Black Death. The whole village is involved and the participants must all have been born in Oberammergau - but this is far from an amateur production, rather one of the highest quality. We rode this route in 2010, the last time the play was performed. Whether you wish to visit for religious reasons, or to see one the most historic cultural events in Europe, or to re-create the happenings in Jerome K Jerome's 'Three Men on a Pilgrimage', this is an event you will always remember. The route takes you north of Paris then across France to the southern Vosges, via Verdun, and into Germany passing the source of the Danube, Lake Constance and finally to the little village near the famous ski resort of Garmsich-Partenkirken. A true journey giving a real reason to travel. 12 days cycling. Not to be missed, this is why travel was invented!

Please be sure to read the notes about this particular tour at the bottom of the page.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

What you need to know...

Start Location
Portsmouth

Finish Location
Oberammergau, Bavaria

Region of France
End to End (UK and European rides)

Grading
Difficult

Shortest Day
50 miles / 80km

Longest Day
80 miles / 130 km

Total Days
14

Total Miles
706 miles / 1,131 km

Departure Dates & Prices

Month	Dates	Tour Price	Single Supplement*	Bike Hire From	Enquire	Book
May 2020	23rd May to 6th June 2020	23/5/20 to 6/6/20	£2,995	£600		Check Availability	Book Now

*A single supplement is only payable if you would like a guaranteed room to yourself. If you are happy to share with another traveller of the same gender, no supplement is payable.

Day 4

Today is a slightly longer day bit not difficult. The countryside is gently rolling and the run-in to Reims is straightforward as we come in on the canal. Reims is famous as being the centre of the Champagne producing region, and you will pass vineyards as you approach the city; its magnificent cathedral is also noteworthy, being where French kings were crowned, and the outlying streets and squares are of great architectural merit. There is a lively area for those who enjoy pavement culture, and all in all this is one of our favourite larger stop-overs. (75 miles / 125 km)

Day 13

Our last riding day and we will get to Oberammergau by lunch, in good time to change and freshen up in time for the performance of the world famous Oberammergau Passion Play. This will start at 2.30pm and has an interval from 5.30 – 8.30pm. It is long but riveting, and in any case having been sat on a saddle for 2 weeks a theatre seat will be the height of luxury. It is hard to overestimate the importance of this highlight of western civilisation, continuing a tradition which started in 1634. Whilst the stage is open to the elements the auditorium is covered and has splendid views of the mountains behind. We have secured the best category seats to ensure your enjoyment of this amazing spectacle. All parts in the paly are given to those who meet strict residency criteria and must have been born in the village. In two halves, there is a long interval during which the evening meal is served, and you will see the actors stretching their legs around the village. We recall, in 2010, seeing the actor playing Christ riding a bicycle, which was not only rather surreal, but also proves you have arrived by the best means possible!

Day 14

Departure after breakfast.

Notes for this particular tour:

Accommodation on the night of the play is allocated by the Passion Play authorities prior to the play opening in May 2020. It is not guaranteed to be in the village of Oberammergau but if it is not, a transfer will be provided both ways.
Due to the ticketing requirements and commitments for the play, our usual deposit arrangement is different for this tour. A £250 per person deposit secures your place with a further £250 per person being due 6 months before the play performance date (12 December 2019). The balance is due as usual 6 weeks before departure.