Bavarian Gardens in the land of the Blue Rider: Schloss Linderhof, Prairie planting & a fine Paeony collection

5 days | £3795 per person with flights | 24 - 28 May 2027

Schloss Linderhof, Prairie planting & a fine Paeony collection

Bavaria in southern Germany is renowned for its Alpine landscapes, fairytale castles and deep -rooted traditions, one of which is a strong commitment to cherishing and supporting nature and gardening. We will visit a wide range of gardens from the grand formal gardens of nobility to small private gems, as well as a garden associated with the “Blue Rider” group of artists that includes Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter. We have carefully selected two hotels for this tour: Hotel Vier Jahrzeiten Kempinski in Munich, a five-star hotel with royal Bavarian flair in the famous Maximilianstrasse in the heart of Munich and the 4-star Hotel Blaue Gams in the small town off Ettal. From the hotel there are breathtaking views of the town, its Benedictine Abbey and the Ammergau Alps. Fine regional food will be included throughout the tour.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Depart London and fly to Munich. We travel to Weihenstephan for lunch in the gardens of the oldest still operating brewery in the world. In the afternoon we visit the internationally renowned teaching and experimental Weihenstephan Gardens. This will include a tour of the trial garden with its stunning plant combinations that have been a key innovator of the Prairie planting style. Drive into Munich to the Hotel Vier Jahrzeiten with time to settle in before dining together.

Day 2

We start with a guided morning stroll in the Nymphenburg Palace Gardens to take in the vast baroque, axial-symmetrical designed 18^th-century garden with later 19^th century additions. Immediately adjacent is the Munich Botanical Gardens where an introduction will be followed by free time to further explore the range of gardens. Lunch will be included at the Gardens Café. In the afternoon, there will be free time to explore Munich, perhaps to visit Lenbach House which contains a wide selection of works by the Blue Rider artists. Return to Hotel Vier Jahrzeiten to dine together.

Day 3

Leaving Munich, we travel to the small town of Murnau to visit The Munter House, the former home of artist, Gabriele Münter (1877-1962) who sometimes shared the house with Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) and other artists of the “Blue Rider” group. The Murnau landscape and the house and its garden became an important inspiration for Münter and Kandinsky works. Following lunch at the Schlossgarten Café-Restaurant there will be a visit to the Schlossmuseum Murnau to see works by Gabriele Münter and the “Blue Rider” group. Drive the short distance to the small town of Ettal to the Hotel Blaue Gams where we stay for two nights with evening meals included.

Day 4

The 19^th century parkland gardens of Schloss Linderhof were designed by the Court Garden Director, Carl von Effner for King Ludwig II following the King’s request for a garden in the style of Versailles. These demands were met with Effner’s talent for creating colorful, highly decorative and visually striking garden scenes. The visit will include the recently restored grotto and the interior of the Schloss. This afternoon is free to explore the town of Ettal, including the Benedictine Kloster Ettal, established in 1330, which runs its own brewery and distillery and makes its own cheese.

Day 5

Two contrasting private gardens are included today. A morning visit to Hollberg Garden, a classic cottage garden interspersed with a wide range of peonies, including common peonies (Paeonia officinalis rubra plena, Paeonia officinalis alba plena, etc.) that have grown in gardens for centuries, but also peony hybrids, and wild species of both herbaceous and shrub peonies. We then travel to meet Inge Feckl in her garden Das Grune Paradies in the small village of Schwindkirchen. Here lunch is included before exploring the tranquil garden that has been tended by Inge for the past 45 years. Return to Munich airport for our return flight to London.

Hotel Vier Jahrzeiten Kempinski

The Hotel Vier Jahrzeiten Kempinski has been a symbol of luxurious hospitality in the centre of Munich since its foundation in 1858. Each room is unique and features all modern amenities blended with 'Royal Bavarian Flair' making for a truly elegant and comfortable stay. Guests can also enjoy an exceptional culinary experience, with a range of refined dining options showcasing both international flavours and Bavarian specialities. From the moment you arrive, every detail is designed to make your stay memorable.

Hotel Blaue Gams

Situated in the picturesque town of Ettal and surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Bavarian Alps, Hotel Blaue Gams offers a charming and relaxing retreat in the heart of southern Germany. Its comfortable rooms, beautiful mountain views and cosy interiors provide the perfect setting for an authentic Bavarian getaway. The hotel has a distinctly traditional feel, with an emphasis on warm hospitality and a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. After a day spent learning and exploring nearby gardens, guests can return to a welcoming setting and enjoy the slower pace of life in one of Bavaria's most scenic villages.

With Flights: £3795

Join Direct: £3645

Single Supp: £410

Deposit: £450

Departure Dates:

24 - 28 May 2027

Duration:

4 nights / 5 days

Your Holiday Includes:

Return flights (Economy class) from London to Munich
Two nights’ bed and breakfast at Hotel Vier Jahrzeiten Keminski in Munich
Two nights' bed and breakfast at Hotel Blaue Gams in Ettal
Private coach transfers and excursions
Four evening meals and four lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the tour host and a tour leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Host & Leader

James Foggin

James grew up on the Wirral Peninsula and studied History in Newcastle upon Tyne before moving to Germany in 1999. He trained in production horticulture before spending 10 years at a large rose garden and nursery in the South-West of Germany. He presented the YouTube channel „James Der Gaertner“ in cooperation with the Koenigliche Garten Akademie in Berlin and later made monthly TV appearances as a gardening expert for SWR Television in Baden-Baden. He has contributed to several gardening periodicals in Germany and the UK including Hortus and has previously accompanied Boxwood tours to the Cotswolds, Kent and Sussex and the Rhineland. Since 2016 James has managed a large private garden amongst the vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl near the city of Freiburg.

Sophie Piebenga

Born in The Netherlands and based in the Cotswolds, our expert Sophie Piebenga has lived most of her life in the UK. Trained with the National Trust and qualified at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, all whilst working as head gardener of a private estate, Sophie quickly developed a particular interest in the conservation of historic gardens. This eventually led to a doctoral study at the University of York, researching the work of the early Victorian landscape gardener, William Sawrey Gilpin. Sophie has since worked freelance, mostly in the field of historic landscape conservation, and, for the last 25 years, has regularly led Boxwood tours around the UK and to Ireland, France, Spain and The Netherlands.

Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.

Please note that Boxwood Tours use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.