Day 1: Following your early morning home taxi collection, you will join our luxury tour coach and we will head to Kent, for the short sea crossing to France. Upon our arrival, we continue our journey through Northern France ,making suitable stops along the way. We arrive at our overnight hotel, the Mercure Centre in Metz with time to settle in before our evening meal.
Day 2: This morning we continue our journey through France, travelling through the Alsace region, which is flanked by the Vogues Mountains to our right, before crossing the River Rhine into Germany. We will pass through the Swartz Wald (Black Forest) reputedly the original home of the cuckoo clock as we head towards Bavaria and our hotel for the next 5 nights, the Klosterhotel in Ettal, on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Day 3: Our excursion today takes us to the Bavarian capital of Munich. A cosmopolitan city with a big heart and a long heritage. On our arrival we have included a city tour onboard our coach to introduce you to the city, after which, you will have time to explore at your own leisure. In the heart of Munich is the Marienplatz, a large open square named after the Mariensäule, a Marian column in its centre. The square is dominated by the New Town Hall or Neues Rathaus as it is locally known. Its tower contains the Rathaus-Glockenspiel which dates from 1908.
This afternoon we head to The Nymphenburg Palace, the birthplace of King Ludwig II. The 17th century Palace is one of Europe’s largest palaces, and as you explore, you will feel like royalty! The entire estate looks like something plucked from the pages of a fairytale. During your visit, you can admire the opulent staterooms, explore the museums and stroll around the 200 acres of formal parkland with its own set of miniature castles.
Day 4: One of Bavaria's finest castles awaits us today – Neuschwanstein, with its spectacular views overlooking the Schwangau Valley. Commissioned by the reclusive King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869, the castle is an architectural masterpiece and a testament to the king's romantic vision.
Built in a striking Romanesque Revival style, it features soaring towers, turrets, and battlements, all of which are set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and verdant forests, and was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Its interior is just as impressive, with ornate carvings, lavish murals, and an opulent throne room that showcases the king's fascination with medieval lore and chivalry.
Make sure you bring your camera as the panoramic views from each side of the castle are truly breathtaking. (During the tour of Neuschwanstein castle you will be required to climb 165 steps and descend 181).
This afternoon we travel to Linderhof Castle. Located close to the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Ammergauer Alps, King Ludwig II created Schloss Linderhof as a place of retreat. He wanted it to be a palace for him and him alone, a wish that is clearly reflected in the size of the rooms. Linderhof is the smallest of the fairy-tale king's three castles and the only one completed during his lifetime.
Ludwig II was a great admirer of the Sun King Louis XIV and longed for the return of French-style absolutism. His passion is reflected in the interior décor of Schloss Linderhof: Scenes from life in the palace of Versailles and portraits of French courtiers and mistresses adorn the ceilings and walls.
The grounds at Schloss Linderhof are equally as impressive as the palace itself. The flower gardens that surround the palace draw on motifs from baroque and rococo garden design. The extensive park on the other hand is an English-style landscaped garden with groups of trees and winding pathways.
Day 5: Today’s excursion takes us to Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, also known as ‘the Bavarian Sea’. We take a boat from the spa resort of Prien over to Herreninsel and to Herrenchiemsee, the largest and most expensive castle built by King Ludwig II.
King Ludwig II, the most enthusiastic admirer of the French 'Sun King' Louis XIV, wanted to create a building that would emulate the Palace of Versailles, yet raise the bar even higher. Once he had bought the idyllic Herrenwörth Island in Lake Chiemsee, work started on a fairytale castle in 1878, with a view to creating a refuge for the melancholy king. In the 20 grand rooms open to the public, visitors are treated to the most lavish decor, including marquetry flooring, carved panelling, stucco marble cladding, opulent wall and ceiling frescos and spectacular chandeliers and furniture.
But the highlight has to be the Hall of Mirrors, which is almost an exact replica of the one in the palace in Versailles. The hall along the garden front measures 98 metres in length. Wall mirrors, domed ceilings painted with frescos, gilded stucco, 44 free-standing lights and 33 sparkling ceiling chandeliers adorn what has to be the most lavish banqueting hall in the world.
Day 6: This morning we head across the border into Austria to visit the Tyrolean capitol of Innsbruck. Upon our arrival we will be met by a local guide who will firstly guide us through parts of the city onboard our coach, then completing the tour on foot into the centre of the city where you will find ample time to explore at your own leisure. Its many fine buildings are a testament to the city’s regal past, including the famous Golden Roof and the Hofburg Palace, whilst Maria Theresien Street is also a must see. This charming town, at the foot of the Northern Chain Mountains, also famously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976.
Day 7: Sadly this morning we depart our hotel and begin our journey home, re tracing our steps back through Germany and into Metz to our overnight hotel, making suitable stops along the way.
Day 8: After breakfast we depart our overnight hotel and head back to Calais for our short sea crossing to the UK. Upon arrival, we continue our journey back to Norfolk where our taxi service will be waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:
7 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Dinner at overnight hotel will be set 3 course meal, main hotel may be waiter service or buffet)
Price: £1513pp
Single Supplement: £208 (Limited Availability) (Will be allocated a twin or double room for sole occupancy, depending on availability)
Insurance: TBC (Insurance not currently available)
Tour Reference: EUR1865
This tour will be undertaken in one of our Platinum luxury executive coaches. You will have extended leg room, airline style seats with adjustable headrests and USB charging points, along with all the facilities present on our executive touring vehicles.
Deposit Required: £70pp
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure