MUNICH A Pre-Christmas treat: Art and Opera in Bavaria's Capital
6 days | £3325 per person with flights | 30 November - 5 December 2027
A Pre-Christmas treat: Art and Opera in Bavaria’s Capital
Munich is among Germany’s best-loved destinations, a sophisticated city where Bavarian tradition and outspokenness meet Italian flair and elegance. Founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion, this ‘metropolis with a heart’ offers a unique blend of architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque and from Greek Revival to Jugendstil. For centuries Munich has been a haven for culture with a vibrant arts scene and its numerous museums are largely the result of the Wittelsbach dynasty who combined political ambition with artistic patronage. Museum collections range from outstanding ensembles of Classical sculpture to world-class picture galleries that include works from all periods, with old German Masters being particularly well represented. Away from the heart of the city, among beautifully verdant manicured surroundings at the grandiose summer residence of Nymphenburg, the Wittelsbach courtly elegance is at its most spectacular.
Day to day Itinerary
Day 1
Fly from London to Munich. Journey by private coach to our hotel in the centre of Munich followed by an introductory orientation walk before our welcome dinner together.
Day 2
A day on foot to explore further Munich’s centre: the neo-Gothic Flemish looking town hall overlooking the Marienplatz, the huge Gothic Frauenkirche characterised by its onion-domed belfries, the majestic church of St Michael built in the style and spirit of the Roman Counter-Reformation to the theatrical Late-Baroque gem of the Asamkirche, the private church of the artist brothers Cosmas Damian and Egid Quirin Asam. After lunch, visit the labyrinthine Residenz, vast home of the dukes and later kings of Bavaria. Built over three centuries, it includes grottoes, ballrooms and a fabulous treasury that holds the oldest surviving English royal crown. The precious Rococo Cuvilliés Theatre offers a delightful contrast to the imposing Early Baroque of the Theatiner court church nearby.
Day 3
Today is dedicated to Munich’s principal picture galleries: at the Alte Pinakothek, we will study some of the highlights including works by Leonardo, Dürer, Rubens and many others. After lunch, the collection of the Neue Pinakothek awaits with masterpieces from Romanticism to Impressionism, with a focus on 19th-century German art. In the evening there is the option to enjoy a performance at one of Munich’s world-class musical venues.
Day 4
We spend the day on foot exploring the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum. Its rich and varied collections range from Carolingian ivories to virtuoso Renaissance limewood carvings, and 17th-century costume to Jugendstil furniture. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure with free time for you to explore the city – perhaps taking in the atmospheric Christmas markets.
Day 5
Among Munich’s most striking architectural ensembles is the Neoclassical Königsplatz, created by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in the first half of the 19th century. Here, the Glyptothek is home to major works of Ancient Greek and Roman sculpture assembled by the philhellenic monarch. The Lenbachhaus across the road was the Italianate home of Franz von Lenbach, Munich’s prince of painters at the turn of the 20th century. This handsome villa, now a museum, houses the stunning collection of paintings by the Blaue Reiter group of Expressionist painters, from August Macke and Franz Marc to Vassily Kandinsky.
Day 6
In the morning, drive along Maximilianstrasse, Prinzregentenstrasse and Ludwigstrasse, the main boulevards of Munich’s great 19th-century town planning projects, before going for a stroll at Nymphenburg, the glorious country house of the rulers of Bavaria, with extensive gardens and pavilions, among them the Amalienburg, epitome of Rococo building and ornament. After lunch at a restaurant in the palace grounds, coach transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.
Hotel Platzl
A family-run hotel with deep Munich roots, the Platzl is one of the most traditional hotels in Munich city centre, just a short walk from Marienplatz, the Residenz Palace, and the Bavarian State Opera. Set in the heart of the Old Town, it charms guests with contemporary, comfortable rooms and a beautiful leisure area inspired by Ludwig II's Moorish Pavilion. Steeped in Bavarian tradition yet thoroughly modern in its comforts, the Platzl is the perfect home from which to experience the very best of Munich.
With Flights: £3325
Join Direct: £3175
Single Supp: £450
Deposit: £450
Departure Dates:
30 November - 5 December 2027
Duration:
5 nights / 6 days
Your Holiday Includes:
- Return flights (Economy class) from London to Munich
- Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hotel Platzl
- Private coach transfers and excursions
- Two evening meals and one lunch
- Guided visits to the sites and monuments listed in the programme
- Services of the tour lecturer and a tour manager
- Detailed programme and study notes
- All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff
- Ticket to a musical performance
Tour Lecturers
Dr Ulrike Ziegler
Specialising in mediaeval art and the cultural politics of post-war Germany at the universities of Regensburg and Aberdeen, Dr Ulrike Ziegler is a well-respected member of Art Pursuits and has lectured at universities and for multiple cultural institutions, along with organising and leading many study tours in both Germany and Austria. Ulrike is now working on Art Pursuits' German programme.
Tom Abbott
Tom Abbott studied psychology and art history in the US before completing his graduate research in the history of art and architecture in Berlin, where he now lives. Tom also studied at the Louvre School of Art History in Paris and has lectured around the world, specialising in architecture and art from the Renaissance to the Baroque and beyond.
Travel Information
The price does not include extras at the hotels or travel insurance.
Please note that Art Pursuits use hotels of character featuring a variety of rooms & styles.
Stamina
Please note that most of our tours involve a large amount of walking, across uneven ground and often without the opportunity to sit down for at least half an hour. We ask that clients inform us if they have difficulties before booking to avoid any issues whilst on tour.
