The Ultimate King Ludwig Tour

We embark on a day steeped in royal history, exploring the fairytale castles that defined King Ludwig II's reign. Begin with a visit to Hohenschwangau Castle, where Ludwig spent much of his childhood summers, immersing you in the early life and influences of Bavaria’s beloved monarch. From there, we'll stroll to the Alpsee, a picturesque lake nestled beneath the castle, where Crown Prince Ludwig learned to swim.

Next, we enjoy a very special lunch at Falkenstein, the site of one of Ludwig’s unrealized architectural dreams. This secluded spot offers a unique connection to Ludwig’s vision for his castles. After lunch, we return to Hohenschwangau for our inside visit to spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, the crown jewel of Ludwig’s architectural legacy. We first head up by bus to Mary's Bridge for a breathtaking panoramic view of the castle, perched so perfectly over the valley below. Then we have an exclusive tour inside Neuschwanstein, the stunning fairy-tale masterpiece, where Ludwig’s dreams and eccentricities come to life in every room.

Leaving the Allgäu we dip into Austria and drive past the peaceful Plansee, a stunning alpine lake in Austria, which offers magnificent views and sets the tone for Ludwig’s love of nature and seclusion. From there, head to the enchanting Linderhof Palace, where Ludwig’s grand vision is realized in opulent style, inspired by his love of French Versailles. In addition to an inside tour of the palace, we have time to explore the beautiful grounds and the hidden gems around the palace. From Linderhof it is just a stone's throw to Oberammergau, the quaint town known for its woodcarving traditions and the famous Passion Play. Ludwig provided lots of work for the craftsmen in Oberammergau, and the town celebrates his birthday every year with festival bonfires blazing on the surrounding mountains.

For lunch, enjoy a meal at a restaurant Ludwig often visited, where he even stayed the night before he headed up to one of his favorite hideaways on the Herzogstand mountain. That is our next destination, also, and we embark on a cable car trip to the former hunting lodge of his father, King Maximilian II. The panoramic views from the summit provide a fitting reflection of Ludwig’s passion for the Alps and the seclusion they offered.

The day concludes with a fantastic group meal at a monastery brewery restaurant and an overnight stay in a small village in the alpine foothills, where you can relax in the serene surroundings that Ludwig adored during his personal retreats.

Today, we embark on a scenic day trip to Chiemsee, Bavaria's "Sea," for a deep dive into Ludwig II's most ambitious and expensive undertaking, Herrenchiemsee Palace. Basically his version of Versailles, Herrenchiemsee is a sumptuous and lavish palace with beautiful gardens and fountains in the most unlikely of settings - a secluded island in the middle of the lake. The isolation perfectly suited the reclusive king, however. The palace was never finished; Ludwig’s failure to manage his finances led to construction being halted and greatly contributed to his removal from the throne.

During construction, King Ludwig stayed at the nearby former abbey, which traces its roots back to the year 630. It was later renamed the Old Palace when royalty began residing there. We’ll have an inside visit to see the rooms associated with Ludwig and peek into the former abbey church, which was converted into a brewery in the 19th century.

Next, we visit the neighboring, much smaller island of Frauenchiemsee, a charming village with lovely flower gardens, artists’ shops, a few restaurants, and a population of about 300. It is also home to one of the oldest convents in Bavaria, a religious center that has been active since the 8th century.

Finally, we explore a couple of out-of-the-way spots connected to King Ludwig, where the king's legacy is still alive, cherished by the local residents.

We return to Munich to explore the Wittelsbach dynasty and how Ludwig’s reign stood apart. While Ludwig II is famous for his castles and artistic dreams, his predecessors and successor actively shaped Munich into the capital we know today.

Our day begins with The Royal Legacy Tour, tracing the city’s transformation under Ludwig’s father, Maximilian II, and grandfather, Ludwig I. They built grand boulevards, museums, and institutions—contrasting sharply with Ludwig II, who withdrew from public life to focus on his architectural visions. We’ll also examine the role of Prince Regent Luitpold, who ruled after Ludwig’s death, steering Bavaria toward modernization.

Our route takes us through the Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world, where we’ll stop for lunch at the lively Chinese Tower beer garden, a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

We then make our way back to Munich’s Residenz, the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs. Here, we’ll step into the world of Ludwig II by visiting his personal apartments, exploring the Schatzkammer (Chamber of Treasures), and marveling at the opulent Cuvilliés Theatre, where Ludwig attended performances that fueled his love for music and opera.

By the day’s end, we will have traced Ludwig’s lineage, seen how his dynasty shaped Munich, and set the stage for our journey’s conclusion at the lake where his story ended.

On our final day, we journey to Lake Starnberg, a tranquil and beautiful place forever linked with Ludwig II’s final days. This was a beloved retreat for the king—and the setting of his mysterious and tragic death in 1886.

We begin at the Buchheim Museum of Fantasy in Bernried, a vibrant and imaginative space that reflects the artistic spirit so central to Ludwig’s world. From here, we board a boat for an extended cruise on Lake Starnberg, giving us time to relax and take in the scenery—with the option to enjoy lunch on board at your leisure.

We disembark at Possenhofen, where we take a peaceful walk along the lakeshore for an exterior view of Schloss Possenhofen, the summer palace of Empress Elisabeth’s family. From here, we make our way to Roseninsel (Rose Island), a tiny, secluded refuge where Ludwig and his cousin Sisi would meet in private to escape court life and share their personal struggles.

Our cruise continues past the villa in Berg, where Ludwig spent his final days, and we arrive at Berg to begin our final tribute. We walk to the Votivkapelle (Votive Chapel), built in memory of the king’s tragic end, and make our way to the lakeshore, where a cross marks the exact spot where Ludwig’s body was found. Here, in this quiet, moving place, we pause to reflect on Ludwig’s life and legacy, laying flowers and lighting candles to honor Bavaria’s most enigmatic king.

Fond farewells, as we bring you to the Munich airport or otherwise say a heartfelt "auf Wiedersehen".