DAY 01: AUSTRALIA - ROME
Today we leave Australia to commence our pilgrimage tour.

DAY 02: ROME ARRIVAL
On arrival in Rome you will be met and transferred to your central hotel. (D)
                                                                               
DAY 03: ROME SIGHTSEEING                             
Next morning, after breakfast you commence a panoramic tour of Rome including a visit to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican museum. (B.D)

DAY 04: ASSISI
After breakfast you commence you journey from Rome to Assisi. Assisi is famous throughout the world because of its favourite son, St Francis.  The main sights of Assisi include the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi  (a World Heritage site) and St Mary the Great, the earliest extant church in Assisi. Also the Basilica of Santa Cliara (St Clare) began in 1257 and contains the tomb of the saint. Another point of interest is Chiesa Nuova, built over the presumed parental home of St Francis
Two medieval castles dominate the town.  The larger called Rocco Maggione, is a massive presence meant to intimidate the people of the town.  The smaller of the two was built much earlier in the Roman era. However not all of it still stands. Overnight Assisi.  Dinner at a local restaurant. (B.D)

DAY 05: MONTECATINI TERME IN TUSCANY.
After breakfast we depart for Montecatini Terme.  On the way we visit SIENA. Like other Tuscan hill towns it was settled in the time of the Etruscans (c.900BC to 400BC) when a tribe called the Saira inhabited it.  The Etruscans were an advanced people who changed the face of central Italy through use of irrigation to reclaim previously unfarmable land, and their custom of building their settlements in well-defended hill-forts. The construction of the Siena Cathedral was completed in the early 1200's and it was during this period that the Piazza de Campo, now regarded as one of the most beautiful civic spaces in Europe grew in importance of secular life.  Dinner at a local restaurant. (B.D)

DAY  06: FLORENCE.
After breakfast we depart for a day in Florence.  The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage site in 1982.  Florence was originally established by Julius Cesar in 59BC as a settlement for his veteran soldiers.  Florence is known as the "cradle of Renaissance" for its monuments, churches and buildings.  The best-known site is the crowning architectural jewel of Florence, the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore, known as The Duomo.  The dome, 600 years after competition is still the largest dome built in brick and mortar in the world.  We will have entrance into the UFFIZE GALLERIES one of the most famous museums of paintings in the world. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B.D)

DAY 07: CINQUE TERRE
After breakfast we spend a full day exploring Cinque Terre by boat and train. The name Cinque Terre means five lands, and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listings.  To walk between all the villages with all the breathtaking scenery, would take the better part of the day.  For those who would rather not walk, a pedestrian ferry service runs to all five villages.  This gives you a nice view of the village from the water.  There is also a milk train that connects all the villages.  You could also experience the patron festivity of the 5 towns, which is a mix of religious ceremony and popular parties during late May. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B.D)

DAY 08:THE DOLOMITES TO CISON di VALMARINO
After breakfast we drive the mighty Dolomites to Cison di Valmarino.  Compared to other mountains, the Dolomites are brighter, more colourful, more monumental, and seem to be architecturally inspired.  Formed 200 million years ago out of the primeval ocean, today they reach 3,000 meters into the sky.  Desdat de Dolomieu (1750-1801) discovered and defined the unique composition of the stone, giving the mountains their name. Today we travel through these mountains until we reach the small (2,500) village Cison di Marino. (B.D)

DAY 09: VENICE
After breakfast we depart for Venice, A city that defies description.  Many have tried from Goethe to Brodsky, but it has to be seen, felt and wondered through to be believed, and then you have trouble thinking it?s real. Don?t just stick to the true and obvious, explore. Sure the Basilica di San Marco is a must, as is Palazzo, the Peggy Guggenheim collection and gallerie dell'Accademia, but allow yourself to get lost in the labyrinth - that's Venice   Dinner at a local restaurant. (B.D)

DAY 10: CORTINA - SALZBURG
After breakfast we commence our drive to Salzburg.  Spectacular! There is no lens but that of the human eye that can catch and truly comprehend the stark grandeur of the Dolomites of Cortina d'Ampezzo. As for Cortina, it is a village boasting a thousand-year old remarkable historical background that attracts visitors from all over the world for its lively international atmosphere, its fashionable shops, and excellent restaurants.  Over night in Salzburg . Dinner at a local restaurant. (B.D)

DAY 11: SALZBURG.
After breakfast your English-speaking guide will take you on a 3 hour walking tour of the city of Salzburg.  This is the fourth largest city in Austria and with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps.  The city is noted for its Alpine setting.  It is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for some of the parts of the film The Sound of Music.  This evening after dinner we will attend a Mozart concert.  Dinner at a local restaurant. (B.D)

DAY 12: INNSBRUCK
After breakfast we commence a tour of Innsbruck on our way to Oberammergau. Innsbruck is the capital of the Alps, home of the winter Olympics 1964, 1976 and 2012.  Its name conjures up visions of great chains of never-ending snow-capped mountains, remote winding Alpine valleys; rushing mountain torrents and spectacular glaciers that rise out of the depths like brilliant icy diamonds.  As we travel closer to Oberammergau we visit The Abbey of Ettal (Kloster Monastery) you will be given a glimpse of the lives of the Benedictine monks living at the monastery.  Building of the monastery began in 1330 and due to the dedication and hard work of the resident monks and the Knights; the structure is in pristine condition.  Dinner at a local restaurant.  Overnight near Oberammergau. (B.D)

DAY 13: OBERAMMERGAU AND THE PASSION PLAY
The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play begins in 1633. During the Thirty Years? War, after much suffering and also many deaths caused by the plague, the surviving population of Oberammergau vowed that they would perform the "play of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years if they were spared from extinction. At Whitsun in 1634 they kept their promise for the first time.  As early as the middle of the 18th century spectators came to Oberammergau from all parts of Germany, attracted by the great power and mystique of the play.  In 2010 the village will perform the play for the 41st time, maintaining the continuity of this unique world-famous event.  The first half of the play will commence in the afternoon, then we will take dinner and return in the evening for the second half of the Passion Play. (B.D)

DAY 14 and 15: HOHENSCHWANGAU VILLAGE
After breakfast we depart Oberammergau for a two night stay in Hohenschwangau Village. The village is situated at the foot of the Bavarian Alps near the town of Fuessen.  Today we visit Linderhof Castle.  Although Linderhof is much smaller than Versailles, is it evident that the palace of French King Louis XIV (who was the idol for Ludwig) was its inspiration.  The location of the palace near Ettal Abbey again presents another interesting point.  Because of this architecture Ludwig saw the church of the monastery as the room where the Holy Grail was preserved.  This fact connects the idea of a baroque palace to the one of a "Medieval" castle such as Neuschwanstine. On the second day we visit Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles.  Hohenschwangau Castle looks out over the Alpsee, and their grounds are full of fountains, rose gardens and fabulous views.  Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by Ludwig 11 of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner, the Kings inspiring mouse.  Ludwig did not allow visitors to his castles, but after his death in 1886 the castles were open to the public. (B.D)

DAY 16: MUNICH
After breakfast we continue a journey towards Munich. On the way we stop at Weiskirche Abbey, "The church in the meadow". An 18 century rococo church. The interior is newly restored and filled with ornate decorations.  Munich is located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps.  Munich is the third largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg.  On arrival in Munich you will have a city tour on foot after an orientation drive.  In the evening we will experience our farewell dinner in a local Beer Hall (Pork hoc menu)  Overnight in Munich. (B.D)

DAY 17: MUNICH - AUSTRALIA
After breakfast you are at leisure in Munich until your transfer to the international Airport to commence your journey home to Australia. (B)

DAY 18: AUSTRALIA ARRIVAL.
Arrive in Australia. Your unforgettable Europe Pilgrimage tour ends.