Bavaria evokes images of fairytale royal castles and breathtaking Alpine scenery, traditional villages and centuries-old crafts. This idyllic region is the perfect place to discover opulent palaces, Baroque architecture, stylish alpine towns and one of Europe’s most significant art galleries boasting a vast collection of Old Master paintings. Also, home to Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze, Bavaria offers delightful vistas at every turn and a fascinating culture with its roots in a medieval past.
Tour Inclusions
Spiralling out of the Alpine foothills like a castle from a fairytale, Schloss Neuschwanstein is surely one of the most romantic castles in Europe. This idealistic Romanesque revival castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Germany in the 19th century, and was inspired by his love of Wagner’s operas. Picturesque and theatrical, its turrets rise from the rugged, forested hills of beautiful Bavaria whilst inside, operatic frescoes adorn opulent rooms which provide a stage for presenting German mythology.
Schloss Hohenschwangau is a neo-Gothic creation, and was the summer residence of King Maximilian II. Built upon the 12th century ruins of a fortress of the Knights of Schwangau, its buttery yellow façade sits warmly against the forested surroundings. This royal residence embodies an idealisation of the Middle Ages, and today tells the story of the Bavarian Kings.
Beautifully baroque, this Benedictine monastery is known for its amazing frescoes and stunning rococo vestry. The pretty domes of Ettal Abbey are home to monks who produce beer, liqueur, and cheese on site, and also run a bookstore.
This rococo royal villa takes inspiration from the Palace of Versailles, and is where King Ludwig II spent most of his time. Smaller than his other castles, the residence is no less magnificent inside: opulent and ostentatious rooms are packed with treasures, jewels and quirky inventions. Outside, the beautiful gardens are staged with equal care, and take inspiration from the Orient and from Wagner’s operas.
The charming alpine towns of Kempten & Fussen boast rich cultural heritage and many delightful attractions and inviting streets to discover. Fussen is nestled at the foot of the Alps, and the spectacular highlights are the impressive castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, built for King Ludwig II.
Overlooking the beautiful town of Murnau with stunning views is the ‘Russian House’, the country house where Gabriele Münter lived with Wassily Kandinsky and, later, the art historian Johannes Eichner. It has been beautifully restored in appearance to the golden years of 1909-1914. Murnau is where the famed 20th century arts movement Blue Rider originated.
Housed in a beautiful neo-Renaissance building opened in 1826, the gallery is home to Bavaria’s vast collection of Old Master paintings from the late Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods. Master pieces include a self-portrait by Albrecht Dürer, the largest Peter Paul Rubens collection. Whilst the Italian gallery includes the only Leonardo da Vinci in Germany, several works by Raphael, and further paintings by all major artists from Giotto to Titian and Canaletto.
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