Tour itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Munich
Arrival in the historical and beautiful Munich. Check-in to the hotel and get rid of those bags! You want to get a quick overview? Stretch your legs, climb some 150 steps up the Old St. Peter and enjoy a fantastic view over Munich and the surrounding countryside. If you are lucky you will have the full panorama of the Alps.
Day 2 Munich
In the morning we wake up to our first Bavarian morning, have some typical breakfast (if you really want something local, choose a 'weisswurst' with pretzel, some sweet mustard and a draft wheat beer - not later than 11am!) and get ready to go out on a guided tour of this magnificent city. As any history buff knows, after World War I, many Germans felt humiliated and downgraded as a society. The economic situation was poor and made matters worse. From this situation, and right in the city of Munich, the Nazi party and the 3rd Reich were born. This tour will take you to the birthplace of the Nazi party, beer hall putsch as well as where the resistance gained footing. Visit the monument to the "Weiße Rose" in front of the Ludwig-Maximilian-University, and enter the huge hall where their leaflets were thrown in 1942.
Day 3 Munich
Today we get to fully enjoy the magic that is the natural scenery of Bavaria, by taking an included tour to Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding area. We Visit Wies then travel to Neuschwanstein Castle, one of King Ludwig II´s dream castles situated high in the mountains near a lake. Afterwards walk to Marienbrücke where we will have a splendid view of the gorge of Pöllat and of Lake Forggen. Just 1 km away is Hohenschwangau Castle, constructed by Ludwig´s father, King Maximilian II. Passing through picturesque countryside with mountains and lakes, we reach the second of Ludwig´s dream castles, Linderhof which is hidden in the seclusion of the mountains. This was the embodiment of his Baroque fantasies and his favorite castle. The castle interior, the park, the Moorish pavillon and the fantastic Venus grotto can be visited. We then continue to picturesque Oberammergau, before returning to Munich.
Day 4 Oktoberfest!
Today is a free day where you can head over to the raging party that is the famous (or infamous!) Octoberfest! Although this is our designated day to visit the Oktoberfest, the celebrations are actually taking place throughout our time in Munich, so there will be plenty of opportunity for joining in!! Get to experience the entire spectrum of the Oktoberfest - watch how the entire spectacle progresses from the mellow morning atmosphere where people are actually sitting and relatively quiet and civilized, to a few hours later when people are getting into the mood after a couple of one-litre beers and starting to stand on the benches and sing along with the oom pah pah band; right up to a few hours later, when all decorum is lost, people are in a state of alcohol-induced delirium, dancing on the tables with anybody who comes their way, singing every song they?ve grown up listening to their entire lives, hugging, kissing, perhaps groping, you get the point. If you want to truly be a part of the cultural experience, this is the only way to go! The Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, during late September and early October. It is one of the most famous events in the city and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year, and is an important part of Bavarian folklore. Beer plays a central role in the fair, with every festival beginning with a keg of beer tapped by the Mayor of Munich who declares O'zapft is! (Bavarian for "It?s tapped!"). A special Oktoberfest beer is brewed for the occasion, which is slightly darker and stronger, in both taste and alcohol. It is served in a one-liter-tankard called Maß. The first mass is served to the Bavarian Prime Minister. Only local Munich breweries are allowed to serve this beer in a Bierzelt, a beer tent which is large enough for thousands.
Day 5 Oktoberfest!
Another free day, but oh boy could we recommend a day tour to the fairytale town of Salzburg, Austria. Yes, Austria is still a part of the Bavarian culture (and proudly!), and perhaps nowhere else in Europe can one enjoy hoch-kultur, history, architecture, and stunning natural scenery all in a smaller town atmosphere. Mozart was born here and this is where he received much of the inspiration that would become his timeless musical genius. Not only this but the classic movie "The Sound of Music" was filmed here and countless people have lost their breath at how perfectly ?Europe? one place can be. As if all that isn?t enough, many shopping opportunities present themselves, as well as quaint restaurants, delicate eateries, pastry shops, cafes - you get the point!
Day 6 Munich
Today?s included activity is a trip to a local Munich brewery. After frolicking at the Oktoberfest, you?ll probably be pretty darned curious about where all this beer comes from, and the inspiration that drives the brewery?s pursuit of total quality (did you know that the German government itself ensures that all German beer conforms to strict quality and purity standards?). This tour will give you a great idea of where and how this famous beer is made, as well as give you the opportunity to sample the finished product of course!
Day 7 Munich
Our last day?s included activity will be a dinner and beer at a typical Bavarian restaurant right in the heart of Munich. Bavarian fare does not consist only of sausages and sauerkraut. Oh no no mein Bruder, you?ll have the chance to sample hearty foods such as pigs knuckle, schnitzel, haxe, creamy sauces with locally produced mushrooms, suckling pig, creamy cheeses etc. This food is rich and tasty!!! Just be prepared for a higher than normal fat content and enjoy the moments in a hearty Bavarian restaurant atmosphere where the waiters are dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing and pure joy that could only be brought about by the world?s one and only Octoberfest time, bursts from every seam.
Day 8 Depart Munich
Tschüß, bye-bye und Auf wiedersehen!