BAROQUE & ROCOCO FRANCONIA
Bamberg, situated in the historic heart of Upper Franconia, makes a rewarding base for discovering the Baroque and Rococo charms of north-eastern Bavaria. Bamberg Cathedral displays one of Europe’s most thrilling parades of mediaeval sculpture, whilst the cobblestone streets of the old town are lined with ornate 17th and 18th century edifices.
On the outskirts of Bamberg lies Schloss Seehof, once the summer residence of the prince-bishops, where the Baroque garden has recently been restored to its former glory. Close by are the great pilgrimage churches of Banz and Vierzehnheiligen as well as the magnificent Schloss Weissenstein.
Bayreuth, an easy drive away through rolling hills, is adorned with a range of 18th century buildings erected for the Margravine Wilhelmine, favourite sister of Frederick the Great. The Margravial Opera House is one of Europe’s few original Baroque theatres and the nearby Eremitage, whose origins stretch back to 1616, is a complex of palaces, pavilions, temples and grottos set in a Romantic landscape garden.
We devote a whole day to the unspoilt town of Coburg, celebrated as the birthplace of Queen Victoria’s consort, Albert. Schloss Ehrenburg has splendid 17th century Baroque interiors and some of the prettiest Directoire rooms in Europe. Schloss Rosenau, Albert’s childhood home, is blessed with delightful Biedermeier Gothic interiors that have benefited from a recent restoration.
Würzburg is home to a superb Baroque palace renowned for its monumental staircase by Balthasar Neumann and its huge ceiling fresco by Tiepolo.
We stay at the comfortable, family-owned Hotel Sankt Nepomuk, centrally situated in the attractive old town of Bamberg.
This tour will be led by Roger White MA (Cantab), FSA, an architectural and garden historian, former Secretary of the Georgian Group and Garden History Society. Roger is perhaps the country’sleading authority on Georgian landscape architecture.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart Stansted 0750 on Air Berlin for Nuremberg, arriving 1025. Continue via Ansbach to Bamberg for seven nights at Hotel Sankt Nepomuk.
Day 2Walking tour of Bamberg: 17th and 18th century architecture including Concordia, Bottingerhaus, Upper Parish Church, cathedral, Neues Residenz. Afternoon: Alte Hofhaltung, St Jakob and St Michael’s Abbey.
Day 3Morning: Schloss Weissenstein, Pommersfelden (built in early 18th century for Prince Bishop of Bamberg), Schloss Seehof (summer residence of prince-bishops) with tour of castle and gardens. Free evening.
Day 4Free morning in Bamberg. Afternoon: Banz Abbey, Vierzehnheiligen (great Baroque pilgrimage church).
Day 5Via Sanspareil (woodland garden) to Bayreuth: Altes Schloss, gardens of Eremitage, Schlosskirche, Neues Schloss, opera house.
Day 6Whole-day excursion to Würzburg: Residenz, Hofkirche, cathedral (Schönborn chapel). Afternoon: Veitshöchheim (summer residence with Rococo garden). Free evening.
Day 7Whole-day excursion to Coburg: Veste Coburg, Schloss Ehrenburg, walking tour of town centre, Schloss Rosenau.
Day 8Palaces at Ellingen and Eichstatt (superb Rococo interiors) then continue to Nuremberg airport for 1830 departure, arriving Stansted 1905.
Cost includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast & six dinners, excursions & admissions.
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £180.
