Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
7 Days
TBC
From Only £999.00
Escape to the deep forests and tall mountains of beautiful Bavaria, the home of King Ludwig II's fairytale castles: Schloss Linderhof, Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemsee.
This holiday operates under our Optimum Experience brand.
With elegant space-maximising interior design, our Optimum Experience vehicle offers incredible passenger comfort with a selection of fine tours and destinations to choose from. Our Optimum holiday packages include a wide range of excursions, events and admissions, accommodation in a minimum 3* hotel (unless otherwise stated) and, on all our European Holidays, a Skills Representative too! Why not also book our door-to-door service and make your next holiday stress-free?
We head for the channel ferry crossing before travelling to our overnight hotel.
We continue our journey into Germany for our first sight of the mighty German Alps. Travelling through the beautiful Bavarian countryside, we arrive at our hotel this afternoon.
Today, we visit our first two fairytale castles, both built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Our first stop is at Schloss Linderhof, a beautiful rococo-style castle with magnificent gardens; this is the smallest of King Ludwig's palaces and the only one completed in his lifetime. This afternoon, we travel to Neuschwanstein Castle. One of the world's most majestic castles, perched high on a hilltop, you'll find breathtaking panoramic views from every window. Used as inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, you might remember seeing this gorgeous fortress before, being used as a filming location in classics such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang & Steve McQueen's The Great Escape.
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore your resort of Ettal; surrounded by beautiful mountains and waterfalls, this alpine village is home to Ettal Abbey, a vast Benedictine monastery & domed Baroque church. Found just a short walk from our hotel, the abbey was founded in the fourteenth century by Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria. Alternatively, why not join us for an optional excursion to the town of Lindau? Situated on an island on the eastern side of Lake Constance and surrounded by mountains, explore historic buildings, lively squares and picturesque alleyways of the Old Town, stroll along the lakeside promenade or head to the bustling harbour, where a Bavarian lion and lighthouse flank the entrance. We return via a visit to Oberammergau. This village is most famous for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play and its long tradition of Bavarian woodcarving.
Another full-day excursion takes us to Chiemsee, the region’s largest lake and known as 'the Bavarian Sea'. We take a boat to the island of Herreninsel to visit Herrenchiemsee, the largest and most expensive castle built by King Ludwig II. Modelled on the Parisian palace of Versailles, you'll find the famous 'Great Hall of Mirrors', which stretches almost one hundred metres, and the French Rococo-style royal apartments, which have never been lived in, due to King Ludwig dying before its completion.
We leave Bavaria today and cross back into France for an overnight stay.
We continue our journey via a ferry crossing back to Dover before driving back to the East Midlands.
Located in the German Alps and near the Bavarian village of Ettal, the Alphotel provides comfortable lodging within a traditional cottage-style hotel. Take advantage of the onsite leisure facilities, including a pool, gym and spa, perfect for relaxing after a long day.
Hotel Facilities
Restaurant
Bar
Lift
WiFi
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alfreton | Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT |
| Arnold | High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE |
| Beeston | Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA |
| Bulwell | Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE |
| Chesterfield | Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH |
| Derby | Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY |
| Heanor | Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG |
| Ilkeston | Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF |
| Leicester | St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG |
| Leicester Fosse Park | Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL |
| Long Eaton | The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ |
| Loughborough | Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE |
| Lutterworth | George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG |
| Mansfield | Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA |
| Nottingham | Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE |
| Ripley | Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ |
| Rotherham | Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB |
| Sheffield | Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG |
| Toton | Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA |
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