Nuremberg & Franconia

A SIX NIGHT HOLIDAY | 19 JUNE 2023

The cultural heart of Germany, Franconia is home to some of the most evocative and well-preserved mediaeval art and architecture in Europe. Based in Nuremberg, birthplace of Albrecht Dürer, we will explore the region’s charming towns and cities including Rothenburg, Bamberg, Würzburg and Wagner’s Bayreuth, and we will discover its fascinating history from a patchwork of Teutonic tribes through the Holy Roman Empire to the turbulent 20th century.

Nuremberg

the itinerary

We fly to Nuremberg and transfer to the 4* Le Meridien Grand Hotel in the historic centre where we stay for the duration of the holiday.

Our first morning will begin with a guided walk through the old town of Nuremberg, including visits to St. Sebaldus, the city’s oldest church, which holds Peter Vischer the Elder’s bronze shrine, and to the restored mediaeval church of St. Lorenz, with beautiful stained glass and Peter Vischer’s suspended wood carving of the Annunciation. The day ends at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, which has a collection spanning Germanic culture from the Middle Ages up to the 20th century.

We visit the picture-perfect mediaeval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a popular stop on Germany’s Romantic Road. Highlights include the spectacular 16th century altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider at St. Jakob’s Church and the Reichsstadtmuseum. After lunch we will stop at the remains of the infamous Nuremberg Rally Grounds where the Nazi party held their National Congresses between 1933 and 1938.

Today we will travel to the picturesque town of Bamberg, where we will see the extraordinary Altes Rathaus, which straddles the Regnitz River, as well as the Romanesque cathedral containing a statue of the mysterious Bamberg horseman, and the city museum housed in the old bishops’ palace. During the afternoon we explore the palatial rooms, picture collection and rose garden of the Neue Residenz.

Today is spent in the university city of Würzburg where we visit the cathedral, partially reconstructed after WWII, and the town hall, before stopping for a wine-tasting at Julius Spital winery. The rest of the day is dedicated to the Residenz, a wonderful UNESCO-listed Baroque palace designed by Balthasar Neumann with spectacular ceilings by Tiepolo.

We head to Bayreuth this morning, where we will tour the Margravial Opera House, one of the most ornate and bestpreserved baroque theatres anywhere. We shall also visit Wagner’s handsome house, now the Wagner Museum. In the afternoon we will go the house where Albrecht Dürer lived and worked right up until his death, followed by Nuremberg’s Imperial Castle, which overlooks the city.

DAY

We transfer to Nuremberg airport for our flight back to London.

TOUR LEADER

CHRISTOPHER MONCKTON

Christopher Monckton writes: “The upheavals of the 20th century have tended to obscure the significance of this very beautiful region at the heart of Europe, as an historical centre of political and religious reform. Associated in my mind with the worst features of WWII, chance and necessity first brought me to these enchanting and hospitable places – in a former existence as a professional musician – and the scales fell from my eyes.”

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

19 June £2,489 £480

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with British Airways: Depart Heathrow 08.25, arrive Nuremberg 11.10 Depart Nuremberg 12.55, arrive Heathrow 13.40 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners and one lunch • A winetasting • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Leader