A beautiful little village in Bavaria, Germany, there are many advantages to Oberammergau senior travel. Oberammergau has been put on the map by its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play, which is one of the oldest and most famous performances of the passion play worldwide. Oberammergau is also a great destination for skiers, with gentle but interesting terrain and multiple places to go nearby. More than anything, however, Oberammergau's greatest asset is its small town charm and welcoming residents, making it a great place for seniors to spend a vacation.

The Passion Play

Occurring at the turn of each decade, the Oberammergau Passion Play is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Dating back to 1634, the Passion Play takes place at a specially designed theater and uses up to 2000 of the local residents. The 2010 showing will run from approximately May until the beginning of October. For seniors this is a great opportunity to see a spectacular performance of a passion play and a piece of German history. The passion play runs for nearly 6 hours but contains a sizable intermission at dinner time. There are multiple guided tour packages that include a trip to the Passion Play, or you can plan your own trip.

The Town

Oberammergau is a small town. There is a bus system, but most residents get around by walking, so if you have problems walking, this may be something to consider. The best part about Oberammergau is the atmosphere. The town is known for its beautiful murals, which adorn both homes and public buildings, and its woodcarvings, which make great souvenirs or gifts for loved ones or grandchildren. Oberammergau is also known for the hospitality of its residents, which makes sitting around a cafe or pub a very enjoyable and relaxing experience. Outside of the town itself, some things to see include Ettal Abbey, which contains a school and a brewery, and the Linderhof Castle, which can be toured for a relatively low fee.

Skiing

One of the great things about skiing is that it is a sport that can be enjoyed well into your retirement, particularly for people who learned at a young age. Oberammergau is a great place for seniors to enjoy skiing, as the local slopes tend more towards the picturesque than the jaw-dropping. The main ski area is the Kolben, which offers some great tree-lined runs with a moderate slope. The nearby Laber is for those who enjoy skiing natural, ungroomed terrain. With just one run, it is not the largest ski area in the world, but being rather more challenging than the Kolben it offers some nice variety. Oberammergau is also a great place for cross-country skiers. During winter there are cross-country trails all around the town, and the scenery you will go through makes it well worth the effort.