Frankfurt Departure from the USA (overnight flight). Breakfast and entertainment on board.

 

 Arrival in Frankfurt Transfer to Würzburg to check in at our hotel. Würzburg – The capital of lower Franconia is one of the loveliest baroque cities in Germany and became famous as the center of Franconian wine production. Interesting places to visit include the UNESCO World Heritage site Residence Palace, the medieval fortress Marienberg, the historic town hall building and the Romanesque cathedral St. Kilian. The Late Gothic Chapel of St. Mary with its rich ornamental sculptures, of which the statues of Adam and Eve and the "Beautiful Madonna" are especially noteworthy. The famous Würzburg Hofbräu Brewery was founded in 1643 by Franconian Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp von Schönborn and has been a good source of the income for the city ever since. It is the oldest business still in existence in Würzburg and its logo still boasts the crown of the Prince Bishop. We will take a city tour including visit to the Cathedral St. Kilian and the Käppele. Cathedral St. Kilian - "St. Kilian” is a prime example of the architectural style during the time of the Salian kings. It is the fourth largest Romanesque cathedral in Germany and is home to artifacts from many centuries. Käppele -The Stations of the Cross leading to this baroque masterpiece of a church (built 1748-1750 by Balthasar Neumann) are worth the trip all by itself. The church itself boasts magnificent frescos and stucco works, as well as a miracle hall with votive donations. Dinner at the Würzburg Court Brewery. Overnight in Wurzburg.

 

Eichstätt Breakfast at the hotel and check-out Transfer to Eichstätt Hotel check-in Eichstätt – 2008 saw an array of celebrations in Eichstätt to mark the city being granted a number of privileges including the right to mint coins, custom rights, market rights and city fortification privileges. A range of festivities were staged to mark the “1100th Anniversary of the City of Eichstätt”. The bestowing of such privileges on the tiny settlement on the banks of the river Altmühl enabled Eichstätt to grow and flourish into a thriving town governed by Prince Bishops, where baroque builders were given free reign to their artistic talents. The city was also to become home to the one and only Catholic university in the whole of German speaking Europe. Set in the heart of the town of Eichstätt is the baroque Benedictine abbey of St. Walburg (founded in 1035). Paving the brew traditions of Eichstätt, Prince Bishop Wilhelm von Reichenau founded the famous Hofmühl Brewery in 1492. The brewery combines old tradition with new and now offers “Solar Beer,” a beer brewed using mostly solar energy. Visit to St. Walburg Monastery Dinner Privatbrauerei Hofmüh. Overnight in Eichstätt.

 

 Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Transfer to Regensburg.Hotel check-inRegensburg – home to 2000 years of living history. Some of Europe's most important architectural and cultural monuments, plus fascinating museums and art collections make this an attractive place to spend some time. Situated on the banks of the Danube, Regensburg is the ideal base for boat trips along the river. The medieval town contains many buildings of exceptional quality that testify to its history as a trading centre and to its influence on the region from the 9th century. A notable number of historic structures span some two millennia and include ancient Roman, Romanesque and Gothic buildings. Regensburg’s 11th- to 13th-century architecture – including the market, city hall and cathedral – still defines the character of the town marked by tall buildings, dark and narrow lanes, and strong fortifications. The cathedral is home to the famous Regensburger Domspatzen boys’ choir.  From 1910 to 1935, the royal brewery of St. Emmeram Palace served as a coach house, stables and the official residence of the royal major-domo. Regensburg has a long history of brewing beer. Whether it is on the banks of the Danube river or next to the cathedral at “Bishofshof,” one is sure to enjoy the local taste of a long tradition of beer brewing. We wil then visit Brauerei Bischofshof followed by St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Old Chapel. St. Peter’s Cathedral – St. Peter’s Cathedral is indisputably the city’s spiritual centre. Old Chapel - Tradition has it that the collegiate church of “Our Dear Lady of the Old Chapel” dates from Roman times. In the 18th century the Romanesque basilica was magnificently rebuilt in the Bavarian rococo style. Of special interest is the new organ which was dedicated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 during his visit to Regensburg. This instrument is the only organ which has ever been blessed by the Pope in person. Dinner at brewery restaurant Kneitinger. Overnight in Regensburg.

 

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Transfer to Altötting Altötting – For some 1200 years this has been a major shrine of Mary and, for more than 500 years, a pilgrimage center of European with over a million pilgrims per year. Several votive offerings and works of art are a reminder of the close connection that several popes have had with the ‘Bavarian National Shrine’. Main sights include the chapel square, the St. Konrad Monastery, the St. Anna’s Basilica, and the "Papal Linden Tree" planted by Pope John Paul II. In his introductory notes for the town’s guide book, Benedict XVI, then Joseph Ratzinger, wrote in early 2005: “I was lucky enough to be born very close to Altötting. Thus the pilgrimages I made to the Site of Grace with my parents and my siblings are among my earliest and most beautiful memories…”Altöttinger Hellbräu (light colored beer) is the city’s most popular brew. Founded by Brew Master Georg Hell, the brewery still brews their Hellbräu according to the Bavarian Purity Law and use a swing-top bottle, because that is the typical Altötting way! Inside the Chapel- More than 1 million pilgrims and visitors per year seek the “Black Madonna” which is kept inside the octagon of the Chapel of Grace. The small sacred building is situated in the middle of the vast chapel square surrounded by baroque edifices. Inside, opposite the tabernacle with the gothic image of the Virgin Mary, the hearts of the Bavarian Kings and Electors are stored in richly decorated silver urns. Due to the strong feeling which the Bavarian sovereigns have for the sanctuary of “Our Lady of Altötting” and the great number of pilgrims coming for generations from all over the country, Altötting was given the surname “Heart of Bavaria”.Lunch and brewery tour at Müllerbräu NeuöttingTransfer to Prien by the Chiemsee Lake Dinner& Overnight in Prien

 

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Guided boat tour to Herrenchiemsee and Fraueninsel islandsPrien by the Chiemsee Lake – Prien is a quaint town situated in a lush green valley between the Chiemgau Alps and the shores of Lake Chiemsee (Bavaria’s largest lake). The nearby Herrenchiemsee Palace, King Ludwig's most lavish and expensive castle, is located on Herrenchiemsee island (“men’s island”) in the middle of the Lake. The other island in the lake is called Fraueninsel (“women’s island”). This island is home to a local population of 200 people, such as artists, craftspeople, fishermen, as well as a fully operational Benedictine Abbey which was founded in 860 AD and is famous for the Cloister Liquor spirit and marzipan which are produced here by the nuns. The brewery on the island brews their beer with only organic ingredients and according to ancient tradition. The craft has always been kept close to home, between the fishermen, boat builders and pottery makers.Prien – Ettal Lunch and organic beer tasting at the brewery on the “woman’s island.” We will then take a tour of the Benedictine Abbey on Fraueninsel. The Benedictine Abbey Frauenwörth was founded by King Ludwig the German in 860. The first abbess was his daughter Irmingard, who was beatified in 1929 and is today patron saint of Chiemgau.The gatehouse which is located in front of the abbey is the only surviving building from the Carolingian period. The frescoes in the Chapel of St. Michael were created between 860 and 865 and have a strong Byzantine influence. The chapel’s pictures depict archangels which watch over Christ. The gatehouse was made into a school building and then later used as an exhibition hall for Chiemsee painters.Transfer to Ettal Hotel check-in Visit to Ettal Abbey Ettal – Situated in the Ammergau Alps between the Zugspitze mountain and Neuschwanstein Castle travelers will find the charming town of Ettal. With its world-renowned Benedictine Abbey, the attributes of spirituality and spirits lie uniquely close together. The private Abbey brewery is still managed by the experienced monks. After more than 400 years of brewing, the trade has become Ettal’s oldest business and has influencing the brewing process of many modern breweries. Tour of the Ettal Abbey Monastery Distillery and Brewery Museum. Dinner at the Brewery. Overnight in Ettal

 

 Breakfast at the hotel and check-outTransfer to Oberammergau – This Bavarian village is famous for its Passion Play which takes place every ten years. The town is physically dominated by a rock pinnacle known as the Ettaler Mandl. The town is surrounded by the dramatic mountain scenery of the Ammergau Alps, enchanting visitors with its combination of nature and culture. In winter and in summer cable cars and chair lifts carry visitors up into the mountains. Excursions to the royal castles, churches and cloisters nearby as well as a visit to the Passion Play Theater make for unforgettable experiences. Oberammergau is also known for its wood sculptures, and the art of facades painting called “Lüftlmalerei’. Transfer to Munich Lunch at the Hofbräuhaus brewery. Hofbräuhaus – Wilhelm V., Duke of Bavaria had a thirsty and demanding royal household, who was dissatisfied with the beer brewed in Munich. As a result, beer had to be imported to Munich from Lower Saxony. Wilhelm ordered his royal court to come up with a way to reconcile cost and pleasure. In 1589, the council members approached him with an idea: why not build their own brewery? That same day, Wilhelm recruited the master brewer of the Geisenfeld Monastery, Heimeran Pongraz, to be the planner, developer and the Hofbräuhaus’ master brewer

 

Hotel check-in. Guided city tour including visit to the Church of Our Lady Munich – the capital of Bavaria has a lot of attractions to offer for all ages and tastes. Whether you are interested in history, architecture or art; whether you enjoy strolling through the parks, fancy attractions like a trip to the Bavaria Film Studios or long for a visit to one of Munich’s famous traditional beer gardens, you will always find something exciting in this multi-faceted city. Take a romantic stroll through the old parts of the city around Marien Square, Viktualien Market and Odeon Square to see how Munich’s past is still lived in the every day life, enjoy a walk along the Isar river and its beautiful embankments, or visit the magnificent Nymphenburg Palace. Munich also has some of the most famous churches in Germany. The Late Gothic Church of Our Lady, with its famous domed spires that can be seen from miles away, is one of Munich's best-known landmarks. The St. Kajetan Church, a basilica built in the Italian High Baroque style, has a gloriously ornate facade. The Asam Church was endowed and built by the Brothers Asam, pioneering artists of the Rococo period. Dinner at Unionsbräu breweryOvernight in Munich

 

 Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Transfer to Munich Airport

 

Departure to the USA. You have just returned from a lifetime experience

                                   

THIS PROGRAM MAY BE ALTERED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF YOUR GROUP.

 

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