Germany | Bavarian Castles Tour
Discover the wonderful castles of King Ludwig II and the beauty of Bavaria's lakes and countryside. Tour inside the castles with local guides and take time to explore on your own. Alternate the visits to castles with other excursions, including a trip to the top of Mount Zugspitze, the floral grandeur of Mainau, the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, the Church in the Meadow, Oberammergau and other picturesque towns and villages in the region.
| Duration: | 8 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW436 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 05 Apr 2012, 04 May 2012, 14 Jun 2012, 28 Jul 2012, 09 Sep 2012, 07 Oct 2012 |
| Price: | From $2,460 |
| Single Supplement: | $315 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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Trip Details
The centerpieces of this tour, Ludwig's castles Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee, are relatively new as castles go. All were built in the period from 1869 to 1876, and used the most modern construction practices and technologies of the time to achieve fantastical effects. Steam engines and electricity, modern venting, and heating pipes are all included in the structures.
Travel to and from the castles and other highlights in remote locations takes visitors through the beautiful and relentlessly green Bavarian countryside. It seems as though the cattle are all contented, everything was re-painted yesterday, and nothing remains in need of repair.
The home base for this tour, the Landhaus in Hopfen am See, is warm and comfortable and conveniently located close to many tour sites. But it is away from urban areas in a country setting with an unmistakable Bavarian flair. This consistent home base also allows itinerary days to be re-sequenced if necessary to minimize the impact of bad weather.
GROUP SIZE: Max. 30
Day 1 - HOPFEN AM SEE
Arrival in Munich, Germany. We head south to your home away from home in HOPFEN AM SEE, on the lake near Fussen (Füssen or Fuessen in German). Our home base here at the southern end of Germany's famous Romantic Road is near Neuschwanstein in the beautiful Bavarian Alps.
You are staying in a typical local "landhaus", where you are a friend, not a tourist. Your rooms are very gemuetlich, decorated in Bavarian country style, all with cable TV, telephone, refrigerator, extra sitting area, balcony, and a great mountain view.
Your local expert, Astrid Baur, will take you out for a Bavarian dinner on the Lake Promenade tonight. (B,D)
Day 2 - NEUSCHWANSTEIN, HOHENSCHWANGAU
Today we focus on NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE (Schloss Neuschwanstein in German), Germany's most famous castle. First we go to Marienbruecke (Mary's Bridge) sitting high above the Poellat Gorge, where we can take the best pictures of the castle. From there we walk downhill for our inside tour of Neuschwanstein. Afterwards there's time for lunch and a stroll on Lake Alpsee, where young Ludwig learned to swim.
In the afternoon we visit SCHLOSS HOHENSCHWANGAU, the castle built by his father Maximilian, where Germany's fairy tale king spent much of his childhood, and where he dreamed about his future castles. Local guides in both castles.
Fantastic dinner tonight high up in the mountain on the site where Ludwig II was planning his next Castle, FALKENSTEIN. (B,D)
Day 3 - ZUGSPITZE, LINDERHOF, OBERAMMERGAU
Beautiful drive via Austria to Garmisch where we take a cable car up to the ZUGSPITZE, at almost 10,000 feet Germany's highest mountain, with a matchless panorama.
We continue on to SCHLOSS LINDERHOF, Ludwig's beautiful hiding castle deep in the forest, which served as a background for the romantic fancies of the young king. Inside visit with local guide.
Back home via the pretty village of OBERAMMERGAU, known for the passion play, a tradition which derives from a vow made by the inhabitants in 1633 that if God spared them from the effects of the bubonic plague then sweeping the region they would perform a passion play every ten years.
Tonight we have a typical Kaesspatzen dinner at home. (B,D)
Day 4 - HERRENCHIEMSEE, BAD TOLZ
Today we focus on King Ludwig II's largest castle, HERRENCHIEMSEE, which he built on an island in Lake Chiemsee after a visit to Versailles, and where he stayed only one week. Boat and horse carriage rides to the castle and local guide for inside tour.
On the way back we stop in the beautiful town of BAD TOLZ (Bad Tölz or Bad Toelz in German).
There's time to relax before we join the locals tonight for great atmosphere and food at a local brewery. (B,D)
Day 5 - MUNICH, NYMPHENBURG
We go to MUNICH (München or Muenchen in German, sometimes Munchen on the net) and first we visit SCHLOSS NYMPHENBURG (Nymphenburg Palace), where Ludwig was born, and the Marstallmuseum, containing many of Ludwig's elaborate carriages.
An Orientation Tour of Germany's secret capital features the Olympic stadium, Olympic Tower, Leopoldstrasse, Schwabing, Ludwigstrasse, Odeonsplatz, Koenigsplatz, Karlsplatz, Church of our Lady, and Marienplatz where you see the Glockenspiel.
Afterwards plenty of time on your own for shopping, more sightseeing (BMW Museum, German Museum, Pinakothek... the options list is endless).
Dinner on your own in the evening. Why not have a stein of beer at the Hofbrauhaus (Hofbräuhaus), Munich's famous beer hall? (B)
Day 6 - WIESKIRCHE, LAKE STARNBERG, ANDECHS
We take the Romantic Road today to visit the masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo, WIESKIRCHE, also known as the Church in the Meadow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We continue to LAKE STARNBERG and at Berg see the Votivchapel and the cross in the lake where Ludwig died. Then on to ritzy Starnberg with time for lunch and a stroll on the lake.
Afterwards a short drive to ANDECHS, a famous Benedictine monastery on the Holy Mountain. The monks are also well known for making their own beer, which we have time to enjoy in one of the many beer gardens.
Great dinner in the country tonight. (B,D)
Day 7 - LAKE CONSTANCE, LINDAU, MAINAU
Our last day takes us to LAKE CONSTANCE (or Bodensee, its German name), where we visit fortified, charming LINDAU, with its harbour and the old lighthouse, the narrow lanes, the many fountains, romantic courtyards and hidden corners.
After lunch we take a boat to visit the Island of MAINAU in the lake, a paradise for plant enthusiasts because even tropical flowers grow in the mild climate. The palace and the charming baroque church contribute to the magic of the island.
Expect a fantastic farewell dinner in a typical mountain inn tonight. (B,D)
Day 8 - AUF WIEDERSEHEN
Time to say "Auf wiedersehen". Transfer to Munich Airport for your return flight home. (B)
YOUR TOUR DIRECTOR
Astrid Baur is a German native who has successfully conducted over 200 tours throughout Europe and Germany for thousands of happy clients. Astrid organises the tour personally and will take you around Bavaria, which she knows by heart. The tour language is English only.
You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go. The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are not rushed. And there is no packing and unpacking, as we stay in the same place every night.
Inclusions
- Transportation In a 47-seat coach
- 7 breakfast buffets
- 6 three-course dinners including one beverage and coffee or tea after dinner
- 7 nights accommodation
- All entrance fees and local guides
- Airport transfers
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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