Board your flight from your home destination to Munich, Germany.
This is assumed to be an overnight flight.

Air fare independently arranged.

Your flight should arrive at Munich Airport by 11:00 a.m. for the included transfer at noon.

  Your adventure begins

Arrival in Munich, Germany.

Transfer to your home away from home in HOPFEN AM SEE, on the lake near Fuessen, within hiking distance of 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.

  Hopfen am See

Today we focus on NEUSCHWANSTEIN, where we take a horse carriage up to Germany's most famous castle for an inside tour.  There's time to take pictures of the castle from Marienbruecke sitting high above the Poellat Gorge, and afterwards time for lunch and a stroll on Lake Alpsee, where young Ludwig learned to swim. 

In the afternoon we visit 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.

  Neuschwanstein

Beautiful drive via Austria to Garmisch where we take a cable car up to the ZUGSPITZE, at 10,000 feet Germany's highest mountain, with a matchless panorama.

We continue on to 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.

  Linderhof

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 ride and local guide to the castle.

On the way back we stop in the beautiful town of BAD TOELZ.

There's time to relax before we join the locals tonight for great atmosphere and food at a local brewery.

  Herrenchiemsee

We go to MUNICH and first we visit NYMPHENBURG, 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).  In the evening why not have a stein of beer at the Hofbraeuhaus, Munich's famous beer hall.

  Nymphenburg

We take the Romantic Road today to visit the masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo, WIESKIRCHE, also known as the Church in the Meadows, 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.

  Wieskirche

Our last day takes us to LAKE CONSTANCE (or Bodensee, it's German name), where we visit fortified, charming LINDAU, with its harbor 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.            

  Mainau

Time to say "Auf wiedersehen".

Transfer to Munich Airport for your return flight home.

  Auf wiedersehen

  
Hopfensee

  
Hohenschwangau

View from Zugspitze

  
Oberammergau

  
Bad Toelz

Marienplatz, Munich

  
Ludwig Votivchapel, Lake Starnberg

  
Lindau Harbour

Hopfensee

For castle buffs, a tour with Astrid is a must.  We took both the Bavarian tour and the Rhine River tour, and enjoyed them both.   Her selection of castles, hotels, restaurants, and city tours was superb.   She created a wonderfully enjoyable time for all of us with her warmth, her flexibility, and her graciousness. 

  -  Pat and Lee Flocke, Florida

I have a tour company and was interested in sending clients on Astrid's tour, but first I wanted to make sure it met my expectations.

It far surpassed my expectations!  I will send clients on any of Astrid's tours knowing they'll come home with wonderful memories and already making plans for another tour.

- Beverly Sorci, Nebraska

This is a wonderful, peaceful, and restful VACATION with the exciting experiences of the daily itineraries:  even the short bus rides were welcomed experiences seeing the beautiful countryside and the evening dinners were wonderful with varied menus.

- Joane & Victor Pepper, South Carolina

An in-depth exploration of the origins, settings, exteriors, and interiors of King Ludwig II’s castles and palaces, and of the cultural texture and unique historical sites and features of the Bavarian lakes area.

- Dr. Bruce McKay, Canada

Thank you for making our holiday in Bavaria so enjoyable. The itinerary was great, incorporating so many different elements - carriage rides, boat rides, ski lifts as well as the amazing castles.

- T & J & J  Hegley, England

Tour

You leave North America

Status

Double Occupancy

2008 Departures

Bavarian Castles Tour

May 16, 2008

Available

US $ 1,830

Bavarian Castles Tour

June 13, 2008

Available

US $ 1,830

Bavarian Castles Tour

June 20, 2008

Available

US $ 1,830

Bavarian Castles Tour

September 12, 2008

Available

US $ 1,830

Bavarian Castles Tour

September 19, 2008

Available

US $ 1,830

Contact the Tour Director in Germany

(Eastern Time + 6 hours)

Astrid Baur

info@castlesoftheworld.de

Phone

Fax

Mail

011 - 49 - 171 - 546 68 39

011 - 49 - 8362 - 91 67 23

Hoehenstrasse 8
87629 Hopfen am See
Germany