King Ludwig II of Bavaria

Fly from London to Munich airport and transfer to our hotel or if making your own travel arrangements meet us at the hotel. Welcome drinks and introductory talk from our expert historian. Hotel in Munich – 3 nights. (D)

On our first day in Munich, we explore the vaunted dynastic history of ‘Mad’ Ludwig’s Wittelsbach ancestors. Our exploration will include visits to the Alter hof, the medieval residence of the Dukes of Bavaria, the Frauenkirche where the early dukes are buried, and the Ruhmeshalle, Ludwig I’s (Ludwig II’s grandfather) Hellenic monument to Bavarian Glory. Finally, we visit the grandiose baroque Nymphenberg Palace, Ludwig’s birthplace. (B, D)

Our tour of Wittelsbach history continues with a visit to the sprawling Munich Residenz, seat of government and home of Bavarian nobility from 1508 to 1918. Here we tour the magnificent rooms and apartments that would have been so familiar to Ludwig and where he first met the legendary composer, Richard Wagner. We further explore the relationship between king and composer at the National Theatre, which under Ludwig’s patronage premiered four of the ten ‘Bayreuth Canon’ operas, and the Gärtnerplatztheater, acquired by Ludwig in 1870 to become Bavaria’s third royal theatre. Our day concludes at Brienner Straße, site of Wagner’s former Munich home before his banishment. (B, D)

Leaving Munich we drive to the lovely Lake Chiemsee, framed by the majestic Bavaria mountains which were such an inspiration to Ludwig. We make the short boat crossing to the Herreninsel where we visit the Herrenchiemsee, the Fairy Tale king’s final and most sumptuous palace project. Called the ‘Bavarian Versailles’ it is quite literally a copy of the Palace built by Louis XIV of France and stands as Ludwig’s homage to absolute monarchy. Here we wander the finely decorated suites and wonder at the vast Hall of Mirrors, a breathtaking marble staircase, and the ‘Wishing Table’, a concealed dining table inspired by the Grimm fairytale where the king could dine alone without serving staff. We briefly visit the Augustinian Monastery before the short boat trip back after which we continue to Berchtesgaden and our hotel for two nights. (B, D) 

At Berchtesgaden we explore the common adoration of Ludwig and Adolf Hitler for Wagner and his potent fusion of nationalist and romantic ideas. Our day starts at the lofty Kehlsteinhaus or ‘Eagle’s Nest’, the ‘summit of power’ of the Nazi regime where the contrast between a murderous regime and an idyllic mountain setting are evident. We ascend in a golden brass elevator – designed to impress – and view the elaborate red marble fireplace, a gift to Hitler from Mussolini. Returning to Obersalzberg we view the nucleus of Nazi power before travelling to the idyllic Königssee where we take a boat trip to the isolated church of St. Bartholomew. In the tranquil stillness of the lake and mountains, we capture the Wagnerian idyll that so captivated both men, each possessed by his own peculiar madness. (B, D)

We visit the retreat of the Bavarian kings at the Berchtesgaden royal castle before driving through stunning Alpine scenery to Füssen, one of the oldest towns in Germany, and our hotel for three nights. We pause on our journey to visit the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo art and UNESCO World Heritage site. (B, D) 

The first visit today is to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings where we examine a rich array of objects from the lives of King Ludwig II and his father King Maximilian II which sets the scene for our enjoyment of the remarkable castles built by father and son. Journeying through more breathtaking Alpine scenery we visit Linderhof, the second of Ludwig’s great castles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of his favourite residences. Here we marvel over a ‘modest’ Rococo palace, the fanciful Venus Grotto inspired by Wagner’s Tannhauser, and exotic Moorish Kiosk where Ludwig drank tea attended to by servants in oriental costumes. We return to Füssen via the beautiful Ettal Abbey, founded in 1330 by the Emperor Ludwig IV ‘the Bavarian’, and along with Wies among Germany’s most iconic examples of Rococo architecture. (B, D)

We spend the day exploring the most impressive legacies of Ludwig’s artistic imagination - Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles - where we obtain a fascinating insight into the man’s imagination and love with the past. Hohenschwangau was Ludwig’s childhood retreat and here his imagination was fired by the stunningly decorated Oriental Room, Hall of Heroes and Hohenstaufen Room where Richard Wagner played the piano to the young prince. Captivated by Wagner’s Lohengrin Ludwig decided to create his masterpiece nearby and Neuschwanstein has become perhaps the most archetypal medieval castle in existence (and inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle). On our guided tour we step into a romanticised medieval world marvelling over the lavishly appointed Throne Hall, Hall of Singers and Drawing Room. Ludwig himself would describe his ‘New Swan Stone’ as ‘Holy and unapproachable’. (B, D) 

On our return to Munich we stop at Lake Starnberg, site of the final tragic act in mad Ludwig’s life. We view Berg Castle (outside only) once a family retreat for the Wittelsbachs but transformed into an asylum for the deposed Ludwig. Here we hear about the mysterious events of 13 June 1886 when Ludwig’s body, along with that of his personal physician, were found in the lake nearby. The cause of their deaths remain a mystery to this day. A short walk from the castle takes us to the spot marked by a cross where we reflect on the life of Bavaria’s most eccentric but best-loved king. We continue to Munich to visit Ludwig’s tomb at St. Michael's Church, before finishing the day at the Maximilian Park and the Angel of Peace monument. Here our narrative of Bavaria's enigmatic king ends with an epilogue for Ludwig and the end of the Wittelsbach dynasty in Bavaria. 

Travel to Munich airport for the return flight to London unless you have made your own travel arrangements. (B)