Beautiful! spectacular! picturesque! charming! enchanting! romantic!

Vistitors agree, Bavaria is all of these and more!  Take in its scenery - from gentle landscapes to majestic mountains; from the modern, sophisticated cosmopolitan center of its capital, Munich, to picturesque, simple rustic villages in pastoral settings.  Experience its music and culture - from grand opera to oom pah pah music, from high fashion to the traditional dress of Lederhosen and Dirndls. Taste its palate - from elegant restaurants and fine wine to the Oktoberfest and Bavaria's world famous beer. Visit its world famous museums - from those devoted to art and the display of royal jewels to those devoted to automobiles, beer-brewing and all manner of industry. See its awe-inspiring churches, medieval fortresses, palaces, villages and castles that seem to pop from the pages of fairy tales. That's Bavaria!

The guiding principle in designing Beautiful Bavaria was quite simply to indulge ourselves to the fullest in nothing less than the very best Bavaria has to offer. Given this goal the itinerary was obvious: The Romantic Road, Munich, and southern Bavaria including Salzburg.

The Romantic Road

The Romantic Road extends from Würzberg on the Main in the north of Bavaria to Füssen and the Alps in the south. Our first stop is Würzberg with its imposing medieval fortress overlooking vineyards sloping down to this peaceful city with its famous old bridge and magnificent palace. Other important stops will be: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the most famous of all German walled citites; ancient Augsburg, Dayton's sister city, founded in 15 B.C., and Germany's wealthiest city in the 15th and 16th centuries, known among other things for its cathedral, its role in the Reformation, its fountains and striking renaissance town hall; the incomparable Wies Kirche (a pilgrimage church), the absolute high point of Bavarian rococo; King Ludwig II's enchanting fairy tale castle, Neuschwanstein, as well as his utterly exquisite palace, Linderhof, complete with subterranean theater and lake for productions of Wagnerian operas and built for an audience of one, King Ludwig!

Munich

One of the major cultural centers of the world, Munich is famous among other things for its many and varied museums, its beautiful Nymphenburg palace, religious and secular buildings, stately streets, its beer and beer gardens, the Hofbrauhaus, and its lovely, enormous English style park - larger than New York's Central Park - the English Garden. In addition, the royal residence, its museums and the main opera house are all within walking distance of our centrally located accommodations.

But Munich's past is not all cheerful, bright and glorious. As those interested in the history of the Third Reich know, it was here that the Nazi party was founded and Hitler became its leader. Dachau, the first of the infamous concentration camps, is close by; and for those interested, an excursion to its memorial museum is an option. On a happier note, our stay in Bavaria's cosmopolitan capital is planned to coincide with the beginning of the fall opera season as well as the last weekend of the Oktoberfest.

Southern Bavaria and Salzburg

After visiting yet one more of King Ludwig's palaces, Herrenchiemsee, it would be inconceivable and indeed inexcusable not to conclude Beautiful Bavaria with a stay in enchanting Salzburg, also settled by the Bawarri, known to us in modern English as the Bavarians. It is here and in the surrounding area that portions of "The Sound of Music" were filmed. In addition to visiting some of these sites as well as the beautiful lake Konigssee, there will, of course, be time to shop or visit the massive medieval fortress overlooking the city and other sites of interest. The most famous of these, a short walk from our comfortable accommodations, is the birthplace of Salzburg's most famous citizen, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Beautiful Bavaria! An unforgettable experience! One we hope we will be able to share and enjoy with you.