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Tripsmiths Oberammergau & the Castles of Bavaria
From $3,625
Summary
In the company of Andrew Graham-Dixon
Art historian and broadcaster Andrew Graham-Dixon is your guide to the ‘Dream Castles’, those romantic Alpine architectural fantasies of King Ludwig II of Bavaria which seem more fairy-tale than reality. Explore world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle, the glorious Herrenchiemsee Palace and charming Linderhof Palace, as well as Castle Berg, where Ludwig’s story came to an unhappy end. And, of course, Andrew will join you for the unforgettable spectacle of the Oberammergau Passion Play, staged by the townsfolk every ten years in thanks for deliverance from the plague.
*Please note that hotel names are confirmed to us by the Passion Play organisers closer to the departure date. Single travellers are allocated single rooms during the nights in the Oberammergau area; in other hotels they are allocated a twin/double room for sole occupancy.
Enhance your experience
Whether you want to add extra nights on either side of your tour, you want to upgrade your flight or hotel room, or you are hoping to enjoy a door-to-door airport transfer, we can help.
To add special extras to your tour, call our Specialist Sales Executives to discuss your needs on +18883313476.
Meet your Experts
Andrew Graham-Dixon
Andrew Graham-Dixon is a leading British art historian and broadcaster.
Your itinerary
Day 1 - Munich
Upon arrival in Munich we transfer to our hotel. After checking in, join us on an optional walking tour of Munich or explore at your leisure. We enjoy our first dinner as a group this evening.
Mercure Hotel Muenchen City Centre
| Meals included | Dinner |
|---|
Day 2 - Munich - Chiemsee
Today we drive to the Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, where Ludwig realised his final castle dream by building Herrenchiemsee Palace on Herreninsel Island. Construction began in 1878, directly inspired by Ludwig’s visit to the Palace of Versailles, and this is truly a monument to royal megalomania: 35 seamstresses spent seven years sewing the cover for the royal bed alone. The most extraordinary room here is the gilded Hall of Mirrors, best seen by candlelight, which arguably outshines the original in Versailles. After lunch, we explore the manicured palace grounds before returning to Munich.
Mercure Hotel Muenchen City Centre
| Meals included | All meals included |
|---|
Day 3 - Munich - Oberammergau
This morning, we drive south through the increasingly beautiful scenery of the Bavarian Alps, arriving in time for lunch in the delightful town of Oberammergau. We will check in to our hotel and gather together in the afternoon to attend a performance of the legendary Passion Play. Dinner is included during the lengthy intermission.
Hotel: Mercure Hotel Garmisch Partenkirchen & Hotel Reindls Partenkirchner
The group will be split between the above hotels.
| Meals included | Breakfast, Dinner |
|---|
Day 4 - Oberammergau - Füssen
Today we make the journey to Füssen, located in the heart of the Bavarian countryside and full of Ludwig history – the perfect place to embark upon our exploration of the fairy-tale castles. Along the way we stop at Linderhof Palace, the smallest of Ludwig’s palaces, but the only one that he lived to see completed. This evening is free to explore this charming lakeside village.
Hotel: Best Western Plus Fuessen
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
|---|
Day 5 - Füssen - Neuschwanstein
This morning we make the short journey to Hohenschwangen, Ludwig’s childhood home, for a guided tour of the fortress and grounds with their glorious array of Alpine plants and flowers.
This afternoon is dedicated to Ludwig’s crowning glory and the embodiment of his wildest Romantic fantasies – the stunning Castle of Neuschwanstein. Featuring in numerous films, its soaring turrets and wedding-cake walls draw an astonishing 1.3 million visitors per year. Built in the Romanesque Revival style, the castle was the scene of Ludwig’s arrest in 1886 by his courtiers, exasperated by his eccentricities and profligacy. We will spend most of the afternoon here before returning to our hotel.
Hotel: Best Western Plus Fuessen
| Meals included | All meals included |
|---|
Day 6 - Füssen
After breakfast on our final day, we return to Munich via Castle Berg on the Starnbergersee. This country manor house was where the King was confined after his deposition and declared insane. A few days later, he and his physician were found drowned in the lake. The mysterious double death has never been explained. We pay our respects at his tomb in Munich’s St. Michael’s Church and head to the airport for our return flight.
| Meals included | Breakfast |
|---|
Tour dates & prices
Included in your cost:
- Professional Tour Manager
- Local travel aboard a private air-conditioned coach
- Meals as per the itinerary, wine and tea or coffee with dinner
- Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
- All taxes & gratuities
- Hotel Category B (equivalent to 4-star)*
- Category 2 Tickets for the Passion Play & Passion Play textbook in English
| Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single supplement | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August 2022 | AOTC220803 | 3 August 2022 (Wednesday) | 8 August 2022 (Monday) | Andrew Graham-Dixon | $3,625 (ex. flights) |
$500 | $670 | Call for availability |
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