Fly from Dublin to Munich Franz Josef Strauss airport. Upon arrival transfer to Altöting, stopping en route for a visit to Aschau am Inn where Pope Benedict lived, attended primary school and received his first Holy Communion. Continue to Marktl, the pope’s birthplace, on the city square where you can visit the local museum and his see his baptismal font.

In Altöting you will visit the shrine of Our Lady, Pilgrim’s Chapel and have Holy Mass at the Chapel of Mercy (Gnaden Kapele). Dinner and overnight in Altötting.

 

After breakfast you will depart Altötting for Traunstein where the pope attended school, you will visit the monastery there and St. Oswald's church where he celebrated his first mass.

Continue to Lake Chiemsee for a boat cruise  and a visit to the Herrenchiemsee castle  and Frauenchimsee Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Prien am Chimsee.

 

Today you depart for Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Visit the catholic university where Pope Benedict XVI studied, the church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) where he was consecrated Bishop and nominated a Cardinal, St. Martin's Church in Munich Moosach where he was priest and the church of Hl. Blut in Munich Bogenhausen where he was chaplain in the early 1950’s. You will also enjoy a visit to some of Munich's most interesting sites. Dinner and overnight in Munich.

 

Depart after breakfast to some of the most beautiful places in southern Germany. First drive to Oberammergau, home to the century old passion play, visit the small Bavarian city and see the world famous Passionspielhaus Theater. Continue toward Füssen and Neuschwanstein Castle perched atop the mountain, a visit to the castle is followed by a drive to Ottobeuern Abbey to join the monastic Liturgy, visit the Majestic Basilica, the chapel of St.Benedict and the abbey museum. Holy Mass will be celebrated at Ottobeuren Abbey. Return to Munich for dinner and overnight.

 

After breakfast depart for Freising where Pope Benedict XVI studied and became bishop of the archdiocese of Munich and Freising. Visit St. Korbinian cathedral where he was ordained to the priesthood and the Theological University of Freising where he was a professor. Continue to Regensburg where he was also worked as professor at the university. Enroute enjoy a short stop in Regensburg-Pentling to visit the house of the Ratzinger Family. Dinner and overnight in Regensburg.

 

Today enjoy a tour of Regensburg, with its buildings dating from the Roman Period, as well as the old medieval city center and its beautiful churches, especially the world famous gothic style cathedral. Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral. During the tour you will also visit the University of Regensburg where the Pope was a professor. Dinner and overnight in Regensburg.