Fairytale Castles & Peaks of Bavaria and the Tyrol

Day 1

We depart home area and make our way to Folkestone for our Eurotunnel crossing to France, we continue through France into Belgium and Germany making suitable refreshment stops enroute and arrive at our overnight hotel, Penta Hotel in Wiesbaden with time to relax before our evening meal.

Day 2

We depart our hotel after breakfast and head to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a stunning mediaeval town on the German Romantic Road in Bavaria, renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and romantic charm. with well preserved half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, and fortified walls dating back to the Middle Ages. The Market Square (Marktplatz) features the Town Hall (Rathaus) with its hourly Glockenspiel and impressive tower offering panoramic views and the St. George’s Fountain (Georgsbrunnen). We continue through Germany and cross the border into Austria to our hotel, Hotel Edelweiss in Lermoos.

Day 3

Day at leisure in Lermoos, we spend today at leisure in this picturesque village nestled in the Tyrolean Alps. Take advantage of our hotel’s extensive leisure facilities or exploring the local area.

Day 4

Today we visit the most romantic castle in the world, King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein. Used as Walt Disney’s inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle and featured in the film ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, the mock-mediaeval architecture and stunning views must be seen to be believed. After time for lunch, we visit King Ludwig’s nearby childhood home, Hohenschwangau Castle, with its richly furnished interiors that exude a more ‘lived in’ feel. We then spend the rest of our day exploring the beautiful monastic town of Füssen, explore the medieval streets of Füssen’s Old Town, lined with colourful facades.

Please note: Both castles involve an uphill walk (there are buses or horses and carriages available at an extra charge) and there are steps within both castles.

Day 5

Our first destination today is King Ludwig’s Linderhof Palace, where we admire intricately ornate interiors and the beautiful gardens, designed by Carl von Effner, which combine formal Baroquestyle with Italian Renaissance and landscaping. After time for lunch, we visit Ettal Abbey, a stunning Benedictine Monastery famous for its production of beer and cheese, both of which can be boughti n the adjoining shop.

Day 6

Today we enjoy an amazing journey to the top of Germany’s highest mountain, the majestic Zugspitze, which sits at 2,962 metres above sea level with the Austrian-German border running through its western summit. We start our ascent from the Austrian side via the stunning cable car journey from nearby Ehrwald, soaking in some of the most dramatic views we will ever see. We spend some time at the summit, crossing into Germany, with time to admire the views of 400 mountain peaks spanning four countries, visible on clear days from the café and terraces. We then descend the German side of the mountain by cable car, before a cogwheel train transports us to the Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Day 7

After breakfast, we depart our hotel and retrace our outward journey stopping at our overnight hotel, the Pentahotel in Wiesbaden. Time to relax before our evening meal.

Day 8

We depart our hotel and make our way back to Coquelles, France for our return Eurotunnel crossing making suitable comfort stops enroute.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included