Saga Holidays … Oberammergau Passion Play 2010

Having worked on Saga’s 2000 Oberammergau programme, it has always been my aim to be there for 2010. This was the reason I joined Saga and I have remained with them ever since. I love the diversity of their holidays, but most of all I enjoy meeting interesting people from across the generations. All our guests have a story to tell.

The Oberammergau Passion Play is perhaps the most famous in the world and draws people from across the globe. For some it is purely a holiday, for others, it has become a Pilgrimage. Oberammergau itself is set amongst beautiful mountains and is a village, which not only opens it doors, but also its heart. This unique production is something I feel everyone should experience within their lifetime.

The other highlight of this holiday is being able to relax in Austria, enjoying the wonderful hospitality, food and beautiful scenery that this country has to offer. In 2010, I will look forward to meeting, not only new faces, but also some of those who want to return to relive this wonderful experience.

In 2000 I was lucky enough to be the tour manager on one of Saga’s Oberammergau holidays. The groups I led stayed in the Dolomite region of Italy exploring this gorgeous area on day trips before traveling by road through Austria to Oberammergau to stay in the village and see the Passion Play. The play itself, of course, is a highlight acted by more than 2000 local people, but just being in the village is such a thrill.

It was my first time but some of my guests had seen the play before and several had visited Oberammergau at some other time; at the end of the holiday they all agreed it is an experience that can be repeated – always different with a wonderful atmosphere nobody can help getting caught up in. And if Oberammergau were not worth making the effort for alone there are a lot of wonderful destinations that can be combined with a visit to the Passion Play to suit all tastes and abilities.

I am looking forward to leading one of them because I want to be caught up in the excitement of Oberammergau again and I get a lot of my thrills watching people’s faces light up as I share with them what all of these places have to offer.