Oberammergau and The Castles, Mountains and Lakes of Bavaria

We begin our Bavarian adventure at London St Pancras, where we travel by Eurostar to Paris. From here, we continue to Stuttgart for the night.

• Day 1 - Eurostar Meal, Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 2 takes us by rail to the village of Füssen, on Germany's Romantic Road, our base for the next four nights. After checking in, there's time to explore this picture-book destination, home to colourful houses, medieval walls and historic churches. Füssen is hidden away at the base of the Alps, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of mountains, rivers, forests and rolling meadows this iconic mountain range provides.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy an enthralling journey on the Zugspitze Railway to the summit of Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. Travelling through pine trees and foothills, passing through charming Bavarian villages with chocolate-box railway stations, and straddling ancient mountains, the Zugspitze Railway offers panoramic views of the timeless Bavarian countryside. Chalets, barns and farmland dot the meadows, and our delightful carriages guarantee spell-binding views of the Zugspitze mountain range. The final leg of our journey takes us by cable car over the treetops to the very top, where we have free time to admire the scenery laid out before us.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our excursion today takes us first to glorious Neuschwanstein Castle. This fantastic fortress, nestled in the Bavarian Alps, is a stunning sight, both outside and in. Famously the inspiration for the 'Sleeping Beauty' castle, thanks its towers, buttresses and grand halls, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better example of a fairytale castle that looks as if it's been lifted straight from the pages of a Brothers Grimm story. Built by Ludwig II of Bavaria using his own funds, Neuschwanstein was intended as both a private retreat and a home. Sadly, the king was killed in suspicious circumstances in 1886 and consequently was never able to enjoy the fruits of his economic investment. However, the Romanesque style of architecture of Neuschwanstein has attracted many visitors over the years and recalls medieval fortifications of old.

We continue to the delightful yellow creation of Hohenschwangau Castle, located in a pretty village of the same name. Perhaps a less grand affair than its larger and more majestic neighbour, Hohenschwangau sacrifices grandeur for a more relaxed charm. It was the childhood home of Ludwig II and looks more like a country palace than the castle it claims to be. Its honey-coloured walls make this an iconic building, and both the exterior, interior and garden areas are a joy to discover. From a lookout point, you can even enjoy sweeping views across the valley to Neuschwanstein.

• Breakfast

Today is free to enjoy the charms of Füssen. Perched on the banks of the Lech River and near Forggen Lake, with a history dating back to the Roman Empire, the town is filled with historic buildings, leafy squares and a range of bars, cafés and restaurants. Well worth a visit is pretty St Mang's Abbey. This wonderful old Benedictine monastery boasts ornate plasterwork and splendid interiors within its noble old buildings. Nearby Forggensee is also an attractive proposition, and it's easy to reach the lakeshore where you can enjoy a relaxing boat ride.

• Breakfast

We travel to Oberammergau by rail, checking into our hotel before making our way to the town's state-of-the-art theatre where we enjoy the undisputed highlight of our holiday, a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play. This extraordinary event is entirely undertaken by the residents of Oberammergau, with a cast and crew of over 2,000 people. The production itself covers the Passion of Jesus Christ and is famous across the world for its scale, history and quality. An enormous amount of work goes into each production, which a myriad of fantastic props, costumes and backdrops combining to make this a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. Our tier one and two tickets are some of the best seats in the house and we enjoy a five-hour theatrical spectacular as well as a lengthy interval during which a special meal is served alongside complimentary drinks.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Oberammergau this morning, we board the train to Munich, changing for the service to Nuremberg for the night. 

• Day 7 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 8 - Breakfast, Eurostar Meal

On Day 8, we continue to Frankfurt before connecting with the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, via Paris.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Meal