A Journey through Bavaria

This tour opens our eyes to the varied artistic, architectural and scenic delights of Bavaria, from Gothic sculpture to Baroque palaces and rococo churches. Tiepolo’s frescoes, the crowning glory of Würzburg, are a must for any art-lover.

9 nights | 3rd – 12th June

Lecturer | Dr Martin Hirsch

On arrival we will stroll in the beautifully-preserved old town of Regensburg, where we stay in a stylish new hotel on an island in the Danube. The next day, our visits will include the Gothic Dom and the Schloss Thurn und Taxis, with an excursion to the majestic early 18th-century abbey church of Weltenburg. On the way north the ramparts and Gothic churches of Nürnberg, remind us that this was one of the finest medieval cities in Germany.

In Bamberg we will explore the UNESCO-listed old town, including the Cathedral, with the famous statue of the ‘Knight of Bamberg’ and the stately residences of the Prince Bishops. The Benedictine abbey of Banz occupies a beautiful site, overlooking the river Main: across the valley stands the Baroque pilgrimage church of Vierzehnheiligen, masterpiece of Balthasar Neumann. From Bamberg we will also visit Schloss Weissenstein at Pommersfelden, known for the frescoed Marble Hall and the art collection of the Schönborn family.

A day will be devoted to Würzburg, set in vine-clad hills on the banks of the Main. The Romanesque Cathedral and the Marienburg are showcases for the art of Tilman Riemenschneider, the great Gothic sculptor. In the Residenz, built by Neumann for the Prince Bishops, we will admire Tiepolo’s glorious frescoes which span the staircase and Imperial Hall. We will also visit the rococo pilgrimage chapel of Käppele.

The ‘Romantic Route’ leads south via the pretty medieval Rothenburg ob der Tauber to the former Free Imperial town of Nördlingen and the Renaissance city of Augsburg. Highlights here include the Fuggerei district, the Dom, with paintings by Holbein, and the art collections of the Schaezler Palais, with its resplendent rococo Festsaal.

Finally, we come to Munich, where we will be staying at an excellent hotel close to the Marienplatz. We will be shown the superlative collections of the Alte Pinakothek, churches ranging from the Gothic Mariankirche to the fanciful rococo Asam church, and the vast Residenz of the Wittelsbach dynasty, including the superb Treasury. We will be shown the great summer palace of Nymphenburg, with the Amalienburg, a charming rococo pavilion set in the landscaped park. To conclude, we plan to visit the Lenbachhaus and the Pinakothek der Moderne, for an overview of movements in 20th-century art.

PRICE  l  £2,580
The cost includes accommodation in first-class hotels in Regensburg (2 nights) and Bamberg (3 nights), in a comfortable hotel in Nördlingen (1 night) and in a superior hotel in Munich (3 nights); economy class air travel London (Heathrow) / Munich / London (Heathrow) by scheduled services; ground transport by private coach; all meals except one lunch and two dinners; guides; taxes; entrance fees and the services of a lecturer and a tour organiser.

Price without flights £2,415  l  Single room supplement £280