Globus Oberammergau

Monday, October 05, 2009

Well, you think you know everything about an event, and then you learn even more (or worse yet, that you’ve been giving incorrect information!)  Please see some specifics below about Oberammergau shared with us by our friends at Globus Tours.

One error was assuming the dinner break included dinner at the show.  Not the case, dinner during the show is included with Globus Oberammergau tours, but guests will enjoy their meal back at the hotel.  

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.