REGENSBURG Mediaeval metropolis on the banks of the Bavarian Danube

7  days | £2835 per person with flights | 1 - 7 October 2026

Mediaeval metropolis on the banks of the Bavarian Danube

The origins of Regensburg, situated on the northernmost point of the Bavarian Danube, lie behind the sturdy Roman walls of Castra Regina. Built to intimidate and ward off Germanic tribes these walls did not only defy fierce attacks but also the disintegration of the empire itself. As a mighty fortress it served the Bavarian dukes as residence and first capital of the Duchy of Bavaria. Since the 8th-century Ratisbona was favoured by visits of Frankish kings and emperors as well as by the establishment of an Episcopal see. Its citizens developed into undaunted and enterprising merchants dealing in luxury goods from all over the then known world. Regensburg’s political significance and economic prosperity soon precipitated in major ecclesiastical and secular building projects. An exceptionally large number of these outstanding architectural treasures from a Carolingian ring crypt to a grand Gothic cathedral have survived the ravages of time. Furthermore, the virtually intact mediaeval townscape, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, makes Regensburg so memorable. This tour focuses on the riches and often hidden treasures of medieval art and architecture in Regensburg, some of which are only accessible by special appointment. The region’s other towns may be less well-known but are just as attractive: Straubing and Landshut are mediaeval towns founded by the Bavarian dukes brimming with art and architecture from late-Gothic to Renaissance and Mannerism. The surrounding countryside invites exploration of an unspoilt landscape of cliffs, rivers and forests, which inspired Albrecht Altdorfer and the painters of the Danube School in the early 16th-century to “invent” landscape painting. Travelling by coach and by boat we will discover this less well-known, yet culturally rich part of Bavaria.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from London to Munich. From there continue to Regensburg for an introductory walk past the surviving Roman city gate to the mediaeval bridge across the Danube.

Day 2

Explore the unspoilt mediaeval centre of Regensburg on foot: the day focuses on the Gothic cathedral embellished with beautiful sculpture and stained glass windows. Its freshly restored cloister with 11th- and 12th century chapel is a special highlight (by special appointment). The afternoon is dedicated to the newly refurbished Diocesan Museum and the Cathedral treasury, both displaying a plethora of art from the early Middle Ages to the Baroque.

Day 3

A second day in Regensburg will take us to the church and cloister (by special appointment) of the Scottish Benedictine abbey of St James which is a gem of Romanesque architecture. Continue to the abbey of St Emmeram. The church boasts an unparalleled wealth of three mediaeval crypts ranging from Carolingian to Salian (special access) while its cloister is an art historical picture book of Gothic architecture. We conclude the day with a visit to the Dominican church with its soaring Gothic architecture and another beautiful cloister (by special appointment).

Day 4

Excursion to the market town of Straubing, where the Gäubodenmuseum houses a stunning Roman hoard treasure. The town’s main church of St James is a splendid example of a Late Gothic hall church, while the basilica of St Peter is a Romanesque building virtually untouched by later interventions. In the afternoon return to Regensburg via the Neoclassical temple of the Walhalla. Located on a hill top above the Danube a great vista connects this national monument with the Neo-Gothic spires of Regensburg cathedral seen in the distance.

Day 5

In the morning the coach will take us to Kelheim from where we take a boat through the nature reserve of the Danube gorge, the deepest and narrowest section of the Bavarian Danube. Our destination is the Benedictine monastery of Weltenburg, situated at one of the river’s most beautiful spots. Apart from savouring some of the culinary delights of the abbey’s production we focus on the exceptional abbey church built and decorated by Cosmas Damian Asam in the early 18th-century. From here continue to the village of Rohr, to admire the spectacular “theatrum sacrum” of the Assumption by Egid Quirin Asam of the early 1720.

Hotel Goliath am Dom

Just a stone’s throw from Regensburg Cathedral is the Hotel Goliath am Dom, a boutique hotel housed in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. Each room has its own unique design to reflect the hotel’s historic character whilst providing all necessary amenities to keep guests feeling comfortable. This charming hotel is the ideal base for our exploration of the city.

With Flights:   £2835

Join Direct:   £2685

Single Supp:   £325

Deposit: £450

Departure Dates:

1 - 7 October 2026

Duration:

6 nights / 7 days

Your Holiday Includes:

• Return flights (Economy class) from London to Munich
• Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hotel Goliath am Dom
• Private coach transfers and excursions
• Three 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
  

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.

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.