Simply Bavaria

Meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras this morning, your holiday begins as we board the Eurostar to Brussels. Changing trains in the Belgian capital, we travel via Cologne to Ulm, our base for the next seven nights.

Set on the banks of the River Danube, Ulm is ideally placed for exploring Bavaria, with its medieval old town and impressive church spire providing a charming introduction to the region.

• Dinner

After breakfast, the day is yours to explore Ulm at your own pace, a city rich in history and riverside charm, and the birthplace of renowned physicist Albert Einstein.

At the heart of the city stands the magnificent Gothic Minster, home to one of the world's tallest church spires. You could climb the 768 steps to the viewing platform for panoramic views across the city and, on a clear day, towards the Alps. You could also take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Danube and through the historic Fishermen's Quarter, where picturesque half-timbered houses line the waterways. Among them is the 'Crooked House', a wonky 14th-century building recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's most crooked hotel. Back in the Old Town, Ulm's colourful Town Hall is another highlight, its frescoed façade and intricate astronomical clock offering a glimpse into the city's past.

This evening, dine at leisure and perhaps sample some local Swabian specialities, such as Maultaschen, filled pasta parcels, or Spätzle, a traditional type of soft egg noodle.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we travel to the island town of Lindau. Set on the edge of Lake Constance, this pretty medieval town has a stunning backdrop of the Swiss and Austrian Alps. You're free for most of the afternoon to explore the town's historical centre around the market square. The main attraction here is the 16th-century palace, Haus zum Cavazzen, a beautiful building that's now a city museum. It's also possible to take a cruise on the lake from Lindau.

You could walk along the harbour, not far from the station, to visit the Mangturm - a 12th-century building that was once a lighthouse for the lake and now has a colourful tiled roof after a lightning strike hit it in the 1970s. There are parks on both sides of the island, and a shady promenade along the lakeside with viewing spots and seating areas where you might like to enjoy lunch.

Travelling back to Ulm later this afternoon, the evening is free to dine independently.

• Breakfast

A fairytale castle perched on a hilltop, world-famous Neuschwanstein is the epitome of a romantic castle and our first destination today. Travelling by coach to the alpine village of Hohenschwangau, we walk up the hill for a guided tour of the iconic castle. Built by the 'Fairytale King' Ludwig II in the 19th century, Neuschwanstein was an elaborate countryside retreat for the reclusive monarch. With piercing turrets, towering walls and romantic balconies, the medieval-style castle inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty. Strolling around the grounds around the grand interiors the windows reveal magical vistas across the Bavarian countryside.

There's time to find lunch before continuing to nearby Füssen, a traditional Bavarian town and the southern end of the Romantic Road. You are free to look around the quaint streets and pastel-hued medieval buildings, visiting the Benedictine monastery or admiring the illusory 'trompe-l'œil' architecture of the late-Gothic castle. Alternatively, stroll along the river or stop for a local beer in a tavern.

At the end of the afternoon, we return to our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

There are further opportunities to discover southern Germany today with coach travel included to Munich.

Once there, soak up the delights of Bavaria's capital at leisure. At its centre is the charming Marienplatz, home to the neo-Gothic Town Hall. Topped by two onion-domed towers, Frauenkirche cathedral also contains the mysterious 'devil's footprint', while a charming glockenspiel can be found on the town hall's clocktower. Of course, the city is also renowned for its historic and atmospheric beer halls. To learn more about the history of brewing, visit the Oktoberfest Museum of the city's oldest beer house, the Höfbrauhaus. The 17th-century Renaissance gardens of the Hofgarten stand behind Munich Residence, the former home of Bavarian dukes and kings, while the expansive English Garden is larger than New York's Central Park and attracts visitors to its lakes, rivers and peaceful Japanese tea house.

Returning to Ulm, this evening is free to dine independently.

• Breakfast

One of Germany's best preserved medieval towns, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, is our destination today. This picturesque town of half-timbered buildings is the jewel in the Romantic Road's crown.

A guided tour of the spectacular Old Town showcases the best sights of Rothenburg, which was one of Germany's largest and most important cities in the 1400s. The gently sloping market square gathered round the grand town hall is lined by broad, colourful buildings, many now housing restaurants. A popular spot for photos is Plönlein, where two cobbled streets split, one rising slightly to a gate tower and the second descending to another. In the middle, a crooked yellow house tilts time-worn towards a small fountain. After the tour, you're free to enjoy your picnic lunch and continue exploring. There are many interesting museums and shops selling traditional Bavarian wares, while the Turmweg is a walkable route along the 12th-century fortifications taking in some of the town's 46 towers.

After the tour, you're free to continue exploring at your own pace. There are many interesting museums and shops selling traditional Bavarian wares, while the Turmweg is a walkable route along the 12th-century fortifications, taking in some of the town's 46 towers. In late afternoon, we transfer back to our hotel for dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free for you to explore more of Ulm and other nearby towns, such as Günzberg on the banks of the Danube. A historic marketplace draws visitors to its centre while, on the outskirts, Lego City has recreated some of Germany's most iconic landmarks out of the popular building bricks.

Heading north by direct train, you could reach Heidenheim in under an hour. Here, you can find Hellenstein Castle which has interesting museums within its charming ruins. Alternatively, discover remnants of the Roman Empire in nearby Aalen at the Limesmuseum, displaying fascinating artefacts and an open-air excavation of a cavalry fort. Further afield is the city of Stuttgart, famed as a centre of the automotive industry. There is plenty to see here, including museums celebrating Porsche and Mercedes-Benz cars.

Returning to the hotel this evening, enjoy our final dinner at the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Bavaria revealed its amazing sights during this exploration of the region. From the pretty island town of Lindau on the shore of Lake Constance to King Ludwig's iconic Neuschwanstein Caste, southern Germany was showcased through fairytale architecture, dense forests, rolling hills and beautiful towns. Connecting them all was the Romantic Road, from the cobbled lanes of Füssen to the picturesque streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The half-timbered buildings of these historic towns encapsulated the authentic charm of Bavaria and the Romantic Road.

Leaving the hotel after breakfast this morning, we are transferred to the train station. From here, we travel by rail to Paris and switch trains to the Eurostar service to London St Pancras where your holiday comes to an end.

• Breakfast