About this experience
The entire life of the King of Bavaria seems like a fairy-tale legend. I will reveal to you the secrets of his relationship with his cousin Sisi, tell you about a thwarted wedding, and a Pompeian-style castle. We will glide on a boat to a fragrant park with a thousand rose bushes and see the secluded island of the 'Swan Prince'.
What to Expect
Tales of Lake Starnberg
We will head to the 'ducal' lake, surrounded by a picturesque Alpine range. Artists came here for plenaries, and poets and writers held creative salons in the houses. You will walk along scenic paths along the shore and take a nostalgic boat ride to the Island of Roses. I will tell you who owned these lands, what aristocratic traditions the descendants uphold, and how the magnificent park and other buildings appeared on the island.
The Mystery of the King and Empress' Relationship
The heroes of our tour - King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the Austrian Empress - will immerse you in the romance of the 19th century. You will learn what connected these two mysterious individuals and what events filled their lives. We will stroll through the blooming shady park, visit the 'Casino', and talk about the childhood and youth of the lovers, their secret correspondence, dreams, and harsh reality. We will then head to the villa where the eccentric and wilful Sisi grew up. The luxurious mansion overlooking the lake, with turquoise fountains shooting up and partially preserved fortress walls with the owners' initials, will impress you with its grandeur. We will also visit the hotel where the Austrian Empress stayed when visiting her homeland and admire her sculpture. And at the site of the mysterious death of the 'Moon King' near Berg Castle, where Ludwig II was held after his arrest, you will see a cross and a chapel reminding you of this mystical story.
If desired, we will have lunch at a unique historical inn associated with the tour's heroes. Here, they serve national cuisine dishes, and the staff speaks exclusively in Bavarian dialect.
Organizational Details
- Transportation is arranged and paid for separately.
- The tour takes place from May to September.
- Additional Expenses: boat trip to Rose Island - 4 euros (adult) and 1 euro (child), visit to the 'Casino' villa - 3.5 euros, lunch at a family restaurant.
