Our next excursion takes you to beautiful Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Beneath the imposing Hohensalzburg castle and beside the Salzach River, Salzburg is a treasure-trove of onion-domed churches, elegant squares and cobbled thoroughfares. A guided tour will introduce the city's history and highlights, after which you'll have time to explore at your own pace. Don't miss the Castle, which towers 400 feet above the city, and offers predictably wonderful views, or the exquisite Dom cathedral and its frescoes. Connections with Mozart are everywhere, from the Glockenspiel clock on Mozartplatz to the composer's birthplace and his family home (entrances payable locally).

The creation of 'Mad' Ludwig II of Bavaria, Neuschwanstein castle has become an unmistakeable benchmark for fairy-tale castles everywhere, and is the destination on today's optional excursion. Discover its lavish interiors inspired by the operas of Wagner, and take a walk through the forested grounds to the Marienbrucke for an unforgettable view across the treetops to the castle atop its craggy perch.

Our final Tyrolean excursion takes us high above the Bavarian Alps to Lake Achensee. This stunning, turquoise lake is the Tyrol's largest body of water and its beach-fringed, wooded shores are understandably popular with local bathers. Why not cruise across the lake on a steamer, enjoying the stunning views, or simple sit back and relax beside the water's edge?

Spend your final day in Kramsach exploring the town, strolling the surrounding slopes, or simply relaxing at your hotel.

Today you'll journey the two hours into the Bavarian Alps to Oberammergau. Relax, maybe have a spot of lunch or visit the village museum, which chronicles the development of the Passion Play since its first performance in 1634.In the early afternoon, you'll take your seat as the story of Christ's Passion unfolds on the vast open-air stage. The unfolding drama, of scenes from the Old and New Testaments, takes place over five hours and two acts. Over 1500 villagers are involved in the production, acting, singing or playing in the orchestra, and the production values are astounding. The acoustics of the auditorium as so carefully engineered that music and dialogue carry to even the furthest seats, despite the fact that no microphones are used.After the first act there will be an early evening interval during which you'll have time to stretch your legs and enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant, and at the end of the performance, and a unique and unforgettable day, you'll head to a local guesthouse allocated by the Passion Play organisers - a delightful end to an extraordinary experience.

After breakfast you'll re-board the coach and head back through the spectacular landscapes of Austria and southern Germany to Munich to check in for your flight home.