Essential Germany - Munich (7 days)

Arrive in Munich today. You will find your driver waiting for you just outside of baggage claim and customs.  Drive to your luxury hotel located right in the heart of Munich’s historic district.  The remainder of your day is at leisure to rest and relax.  Early check-can be requested for you, but cannot be guaranteed.  Should early check-in not be possible, you can leave your luggage with the hotel and enjoy some of Munich’s charm, just steps from your hotel.

Founded as a fortified trade settlement on the bank of the Isar River in the 12th Century, Munich was later granted a monopoly in the salt trade, which was so important in the Middle Ages, thus gradually growing in wealth and importance. In the early 16th century, it became the capital of Bavaria and reached its greatest growth in the 19th Century. Famous for hosting the annual Oktoberfest beer festival, Munich also has a multitude of architectural monuments, excellent historic sights, museums, and shopping.

This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on an overview walking tour of Munich’s Old Town.  

You will see the Karlstor (Carl’s Gate) which was once part of the city’s medieval fortifications. Further east, you will pass the Burersaal (Citizens' Hall) which dates from the early 18th century and was initially a house of worship for the local Jesuits before becoming a church in 1778.  Heavily damaged by the Allied air raids in the Second World War, it was rebuilt to its original form in 1945 and 1946. The façade with its double pilasters is the original, as is the statue of the Virgin with the Child on a crescent moon over the entrance.  

Just a block away, the Renaissance-style St. Michael’s church was erected in the late 16th century as the spiritual center of the Counter Reformation. The church’s impressive façade is decorated with columns and rows of niches containing the statues of Bavarian rulers.  The ground floor is dominated by a bronze figure of St. Michael slaying the dragon.  

Next, you may wish to see the historic Frauenkirche church. This site was originally occupied by a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, before this new church with the distinctive copper onion domes was erected in the 15th Century. It is one of Germany’s largest Gothic buildings, able to accommodate a congregation of up to 20,000. You can take the elevator to the top of one of the over-300-feet-tall onion-domed towers for a good view of central Munich. Just right of the entrance, the sarcophagus of the Emperor Ludwig IV is carved from black marble and surrounded by figures of kneeling knights.  

You will see the Marienplatz (Mary’s Square), which has been Munich’s focal point since it was first laid in the 1300s. Originally a marketplace, the square was later used for public events like fairs, proclamations, and executions. It is now dominated by a golden statue of the Virgin Mary atop a column erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation of the city. Don’t miss the Viktualienmarkt, the open-air food market frequented by locals and tourists alike.  It’s a great place to pick up a fresh pretzel for a snack.

Continuing your walk north of Marienplatz, you will soon reach the historic street Maximilianstrasse which was built to connect the Old Town and the Imperial residence with the river Isar further east. Today, this exclusive avenue is lined by neo-gothic palaces which house, among others, the Schauspielhaus - one of the most important German language theaters in the world; the building of the Bavarian Parliament; and the Museum of Ethnology. The western portion of Maximilianstrasse is known for its designer shops, luxury boutiques, and jewelry stores.  

Crossing Maximillianstrasse, you will reach the Residenz – the former residence of the Bavarian kings and the largest downtown palace in Germany. A fortress was first built on this spot in the 14th Century, which was gradually replaced by a palace complex, which itself was later modified and expanded in stages and styles through the centuries. Restored to its original form after the bombings of the Second World War, the huge palace complex now contains seven courtyards, lavish living quarters which have housed foreign dignitaries, and several museums including the Residenz Museum, the Treasury (Schatzkammer), the richly gilded Rococo Cuvilliés Theater, and the Antiquarium – a large Renaissance ceremonial hall which is also the oldest surviving part of the palace complex.  

Finally take a short drive to Nymphenburg Palace for a tour.  This summer palace was first begun in 1664 and has been enlarged over the centuries.  Don’t miss the palace’s most famous feature – the Gallery of Beauties – 36 pictures of local ladies painted for King Ludwig.

Enjoy your morning at leisure in Munich.

Kids Fun Tip

If the day is warm, you might wish take advantage of the Mandarin Oriental’s rooftop pool.  On a clear day, you will have a lovely view of the Alps.

At 2:00PM, your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby.  Today your driver will take you for the short drive outside the city to the solemn memorial at Dachau.  Dachau offers guests a glimpse into the first Nazi concentration camp.  Established in 1933, Dachau was the model for all other death-camps. Your tour today will give you insight and information on the history, the town, and the buildings within the camp.  See the Former Dachau Entrance Gate, the offices of SS in the surrounding building, the first ovens, which became quickly obsolete with the high death rate.  You may also see the second set of four ovens that were built next to the gas chambers, rebuilt housing barracks for prisoners, former SS office building and main entrance, watch towers, as well as documentary exhibition rooms.  

While at Dachau, you may wish to view the English-language film made by the Allied troops after the liberation.  This movie is graphic and intense.

Today your guide and driver will meet you in your hotel lobby at 8:00AM.  Begin today with a drive to Regensburg, approximately two hours from Munich.  Before arriving, you may stop for a short boat trip along the Danube between Weltenburg Monastery and Kelheim.  Here the Danube breaks through a stone barrier and runs in a gorge – one of the most spectacular sections of the river!

You will find Regensburg to be a charming medieval city.  It was once a Roman garrison town guarding the natural frontier of the Danube at its most northerly point.  Today it is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Germany.

After your exploration of Regensburg, continue to Walhalla.  Walhalla is located just six miles from Regensburg along the Danube and is a strange sight to behold.  This Doric temple seems strangely out of place in the Danube Valley.  It was constructed in 1842 on an impressive site – at the top of a long series of slopes rising above the river.  King Ludwig I of Bavaria wanted to construct a memorial to the great and illustrious men of Germany – soldiers, artists, scientists, etc.  You will have just over an hour to explore this memorial with your guide.  

Afterward, return to Regensburg to continue sightseeing before your return to Munich this afternoon.  Return to your hotel no later than 6:00PM.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Munich.  

Kids Fun Tip

If you’re feeling adventurous, you might wish to have a fun bicycle tour of Munich.  Simply meet the group at the Old Town Tower for either the 11:30AM or the 4:00PM tour of Munich by bicycle.  Groups are never larger than 26 and kids bikes and helmets are available.  This has not been prearranged and is payable locally.

This morning your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby at 8:00AM for a drive deep into Bavaria and into the Alps.  Today you may visit Neuschwanstein, one of the most recognized symbols of Bavaria.  It took 17 years and over 6 million Gold Marks to turn “Mad” King Ludwig II’s fantasy into reality.  Set in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, the castle overlooks the idyllic 700 year-old medieval village of Füssen.  The views from the castle and from the Marienbrücke Bridge are priceless.

Although the castle is still, to this day, unfinished, the interior is stunning.  Neuschwanstein is designed in the authentic style of old German knights’ castles and is decorated in themes from Wagner’s operas.  

The castle is extraordinarily busy all summer long.  We avoid lines as much as possible by booking a pre-set entrance time. Should there be any change in timing today, your guide will advise you.  If time allows, you may also visit the romantic castle of Hohenschwangau, located just below.

Return to your hotel no later than 6:00PM.

This morning you will be transferred privately to the airport or train station for your onward journey. Consider combining Munich with Berlin or Dresden or even Vienna and Prague!