Munich was first established by monks in about 750AD; Munchen means ‘Home of the monks’. The city is most associated with the aristocratic Wittelsbach family. The Wittelsbachs dominated Bavaria and Munich for over 600 years until 1918 with the abdication of King Louis III, the last king of Bavaria, and the creation of the Bavarian republic.

Bavaria became the focus of numerous far right political groups and it was here that Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party, which he later transformed into the Nazi Party. In 1923, Hitler attempted to overthrow the government of Bavaria with 3000 Nazi Brownshirts. The Bavarian state police remained loyal and fired on Hitler and his Nazis, killing 16 people. Hitler was arrested and given a very lenient sentence of five years, of which he served just nine months.

Infamously, the first Nazi concentration camp at Dachau was built just outside Munich. It is especially notorious for its ‘medical’ experiments.  The city was heavily bombed during the Great War, with more than 40% of its buildings destroyed. Nonetheless, some of the city’s medieval buildings still stand, including three of the seven town gates and the fifteenth century cathedral. In addition, there are several fine examples of Baroque and Rococo architecture.

Our best value sample itinerary from £480

5 Days to Munich by Air

Day 1:
Travel from the UK to Munich by air; meet your transfer to take you to your accommodation. Free time to explore the local area.

Day 2:
Visit Dachau Concentration Camp for an audio guided tour. In the afternoon take the Third Reich guided tour in Munich.

Day 3:
Full day visit to Nuremburg with guided tour; visit the Nazi Rally Grounds and the Court Room where the post war trials were held.

Day 4:
Full day visit to Berchtesgaden, take a guided tour of the Eagles Nest, Hitlers summer residence and then have free time to explore Berchtesgaden.

Day 5:
Check out of your accommodation, visit the Munich Residenz. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.