From/to Munich
We will start our
tour in Munich - the capital of Bavaria - and then we will continue 30 km
South to Starnberg, followed by a 120 kilometre long-distance footpath through
Bavaria from Lake Starnberg to Castle Neuschwanstein and ca. 190 kilometres
from Neuschwanstein to Lake Herrenchiemsee.
The route is linked, emotionally if not historically, with that most enigmatic
of Bavarian monarchs, Ludwig II, from the point where his body was found in
Lake Starnberg in circumstances which remain one of the world's great unsolved
mysteries, to the fairy-tale castle on the edge of the Alps which is his greatest
memorial.
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 Nymphenburg Palace and the "Hofbräuhaus" in Munich, the Monestary of Ettal, Oberammergau and other picturesque towns and villages in the region, and other highlights listed in the itinerary below.
Itinerary:
Day 1:
Munich - Lake Starnberg - Walchensee - Herzogsstand - Ettal
In the morning we will pick you up at the airport, at the train station or
at your hotel in Munich.
We are following
the traces of King Ludwig II and our first stop will be Lake Starnberg. It
is said that King Ludwig committed suicide in the lake and his attending physician
Dr. Gudden drowned in an effort to safe him. Did he commit suicide or was
he "helped"?
We will visit the Votiv-Chapel which was built by his uncle Prince Luitpold
10 years after his death. Close to the chapel is a cross in the lake where
King Ludwig´s body was found in circumstances which remain one of the
world's great unsolved mysteries.
Optional we visit the Rose Island in Lake Starnberg. King Ludwig was particularly attached to this place and made frequent renovations and remodelings of the small garden and the villa, which is called casino. Guests on the island were the composer Richard Wagner, Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Czarina Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. The villa is today a small museum and open to the general public.
We will continue to Lake
Walchen. Northwest of the lake is situated an elevation of 1731 metres where
Maximilian II of Bavaria, the Father of King Ludwig II, had a hunting lodge
built underneath today's so-called Herzogstand-house in 1857.
King Ludwig II loved this piece of land and had a royal lodge built further
up the mountain in 1865.
The cable car takes us
to the Herzogstand in no time and we will continue walking to reach the royal
lodge.
The view is great and definitely worth seeing on a beautiful day.
In the late afternoon
we will continue to Ettal where we will spent 3 nights at the heritage hotel
"Ludwig der Bayer" where the monks of the abbey of Ettal welcome
you.
During our stay at their hotel the monks will show us the monastery and the
beautiful basilica and give us some information about their live at the monastery.
We will visit the Ettal Monastery brewery, the brewery museum and the Ettal
Monastery distillery and of course will taste the beer and liqueur. The Ettal
monastery liqueur has well-nigh magical powers they say.
Klosterbrauerei Ettal is one of the very last remaining authentic German monastic
breweries still operated and managed by its "true" owners, the monks
of the Holy Rule of St.Benedict since the year 1330. The Ettaler brewery still
operates based on monastic principles in both its brewing tradition and commerce.
Hops and malt - God preserve them!
Ettal has an almost 400-year-old brewing tradition. Since 1609 the most varied
sorts of beer have been brewed by monks - strictly in accordance with the
Bavarian legal purity requirement. The pleasant Ettal beer is a classic local
beer that tastes best drunk where it was made.
We will enjoy a traditional
Bavarian dinner at the cosy "Bräustüberl" or "Klosterstube".
Day 2: Ettal - Linderhof - Garmisch Partenkirchen - (Oberammergau) - Ettal
Today we focus on Linderhof Palace, the eventual result of a long period of
building and rebuilding. It is the only large palace King Ludwig II lived
to see completed.
You will enjoy a visit of the fascinating castle from inside and then have
a walk through the beautiful park.
With the Neptune Fountain at the bottom and the Music Pavilion at the top,
the Cascade separates the palace from the countryside to the north. A landscape
park forms the transition between the ornamental gardens and the fir and beech
forest of the Ammergau Mountains. The paths that wind through groups of splendid
beech, oak and lime trees and across open meadows provide the visitor with
constant scenic variety.
In 1876, on the northern edge of the park, Ludwig II constructed two of his
numerous little "refuges": the artificial Grotto, colourfully illuminated
using the latest technology (the first dynamos made by Siemens-Schuckert)
and the Moorish Kiosk.
The Hunding's Hut, the Moroccan House and the Hermitage of Gurnemanz have
been reconstructed more recently. Ludwig II originally built these architectural
features in 1876 and 1878 a few kilometres to the west of Linderhof in the
middle of the Ammergau mountain forest.
After an exciting visit of Linderhof Palace we will drive you to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Lying in an open mountain basin, Garmisch sits beneath Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze. You will take a cable car to the Zugspitze summit and you will enjoy a panoramic views of the Alps.
The rest of the day you
will spend in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, wher you could visit the famous casino,
excellent shops, restaurants and cafés.
If the time allows we will stop to walk through the Partnachklam, a narrow
gorge cut through the Alps near Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Instead of spending some
free time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen an other option is to drive home to our
hotel via the pretty village of Oberammrgau, 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.
The dinner we will enjoy at our hotel at one of the cosy restaurants.
Day 3: Ettal - Neuschwanstein - Hohenschwangau - Ettal
Today we focus on Neuschwanstein Castle, the most famous of the three royal
palaces built for King Ludwig II. Begun in 1869 and left unfinished at Ludwig's
death in 1886, the castle is the embodiment of 19th century romanticism. In
a fantastical imitation of a medieval castle, Neuschwanstein is set with towers
and spires and is spectacularly sited on a high point over the Pöllat
River gorge.
We will 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 Marienbrücke sitting high above the Pöllat 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.
In the evening we will
return to our hotel where we will dine in one of the cosy restaurants.
Optional we can make a reservation for a traditional Bavarian dinner with
the "Sonnenspitz-Trio" at the monastery´s forest hut and enjoy
a romantic 25 minutes walk equipped with candles and torches.
Day 4: Ettal - Lake
Chiemsee - Herrenchiemsee Palace - Munich
Today we focus on King Ludwig II's largest castle, Herrenchiemsee, which he
built on the island Herreninsel in Lake Chiemsee.
Chiemsee is a large lake with a number of islands and it lies at the foot
of the Bavarian Alps. To reach the largest island, Herreninsel, we have to
take a ferry from the shore.
Hidden from view by trees until you reach the island is what appears to be
an exact replica of Versailles. And in fact, that was just what Ludwig was
after. He didn't like the thought of being outdone, and fancied himself as
one of the great kings of Europe. So he studied Versailles carefully in order
to make his version as close as possible to the original. Herrenchiemsee lacks
the two side wings of Versailles, has a somewhat different interior layout,
and is located in a much more secluded setting. But the overall design of
the architecture - and even the choice of artwork, fabrics, and décor
inside- reflect the sensibilities of French royalty.
After this exciting visit your Royal Rolls Royce stretch limousine will take
you back to your hotel in Munich.
Day 5: Munich
Today we focus on 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 Hofbräuhaus, Munich's
famous beer hall.
Your Heritage Hotel "Ludwig der Bayer"
A house with a big tradition.
Guests who like peace will always feel themselves at home in this comfortable
hotel of superior middle class.
It is situated inthe village Ettal in the middle of the Bavarian alps surrounded
by forrests and meadows.
The service is as old as the monastery.
In the Hotel "Ludwig der Bayer" you can find lots of possibilities
for a nice holiday: very comfortable, roomy rooms, two lifts, a big breakfast-buffet,
and indoor-pool (12 x 8 meters), sauna, tanning room, a TV-room, two tennis
courts and a bowling room.
Enjoy the great Bavarian kitchen at the 2 cosy restaurants and the excellent
beers from the monastry brewery and the legendary Ettaler Klosterliqueur!
For conferences a conference room is available.
In the winter you can
experience the cross-country skiing paradise of Ettal whose are one of the
most beautiful and longest in Germany.
From Ettal there are many possibilities for mountain tours and visiting the
castles of King Ludwig II.
The comfortable rooms are equipped with Sat-TV, telephone and they have a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
The hotel belongs to the historical monestary with an own brewery and is run by the monks.
Our Services Include:
* all transfers with a Royal Rolls Royce stretch limousine and your private
driver
* 3 x halfboard at the heritage hotel „Ludwig der Bayer“ in Ettal
* entrance fees according to the program
* local guides at the palaces (different languages upon request)
* cable car rides according to the program
* boat ride at Lake Chiemsee
Overnight
in Munich at the hotel of your choise!
In case hotel "Ludwig der Bayer" might not be available at your
requested date we could choose "Schlosshotel Linderhof"
for you.
Rates upon request!
Please, give us the travel date and tell us the size of the group and we will send you the exact rates.
Our limousine has 13 seats but we offer this trip for 8 passengers only. You will enjoy Royal comfort!
Selected Hotels:
Schlosshotel Linderhof
is nicely located at an altitude of 980 m and ca. 100 km South of Munich.
It is situated at the bottom of King Ludwig´s the Royal Park of his
fairytale castle Linderhof.
It is an ideal place for excursions to the neighbouring castles Linderhof,
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau and for hiking tours in the mountains.
The building of the hotel used to be the outhouse of the Castle Linderhof where King Ludwig´s employees and guests were staying. It is the ancient farm-building with the horse stables and the garage for the coaches and horse slides.
From 1989 to 1992 the building was completely renovated and it became a cosy and comfortable 4-star hotel that offers excellent Bavarian and international cuisine.
The 29 nice guest-rooms
are equipped with TV, minibar, radio, telephone and hair-dryer in the bathrooms.
Other facilities of this
small heritage hotel are the cosy Bavarian style restaurant and an Oriental
bar.
Hotels in Munich
Hotel Prinzregent an der Messe ****
This beautiful 4-star hotel "Prinzregent an der Messe" is situated close to the New Munich Trade Fair Center and by train or bus it only takes ca. 10 minutes to reach the center of Munich.
The comfortable rooms are tastefully equipped and offer internet access, telephone, bathroom with hairdryer.
This beautiful 4-star hotel "Prinzregent an der Messe" is situated close to the New Munich Trade Fair Center and by train or bus it only takes ca. 10 minutes to reach the center of Munich.
The 92 comfortable and individually designed rooms are tastefully furnished and equipped with TV, safebox, minibar, internet access, telephone, bathroom with hairdryer.
The hotel offers a Wellness-Oasis"
architecturally based on the romantic visions of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
The Finnish and bio saunas will get you fit; the steam bath and rest area
will fill you with new power and energy.
The hotel has a rustic-elegant
Restaurant and homely "Kaminstüberl" and also at the bar delicious
quick snacks are served. You also can dine on the sunny terrace or the shady
"Prinzregent Biergarten" in those warmer seasons.
Beer gardens are an ancient Munich tradition. In the "Prinzregent Biergarten",
this tradition is maintained - and enjoyed - under the shady chestnut trees.
The hotel also offers a variety of conference facilities.
Hotel Bayerischer Hof *****
This deluxe hotel is situated
in the heat of Munich.
The Bayerischer Hof was opened in 1841 - on the wishes of King Ludwig I, who
wanted a comfortable place for his guests to stay. Hospitality has a long
tradition at this "Leading Hotel of the World".
The hotel offers 373 luxurious
rooms and a wide variety of conference rooms, 6 bars, 3 restaurants incl.
a roof garden restaurant where you can enjoy both the view out across the
city and your breakfast.
High above the roofs of Munich, the Blue Spa is the crowning glory of the
Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Here star architect Andrée Putman has created
a unique oasis in the midst of a lush roof garden.
This deluxe hotel also aims to enrich the cultural life of Munich An ambitious goal, which the Bayerischer Hof fulfils in a variety of ways. Whether theatre, jazz concerts or vernissages, they put on an outstanding show. See for yourself!
