Castles of Saxony
A castle tour to Saxony
including viewing of castles that are for sale

Also available as a private tour throughout the year.
either escorted or self-guided

        This extra-ordinary escorted tour will take you back in time to experience the fascinating history of Saxon castles and of Saxony itself. The tour can include unrestored castles that are for sale and are of interest to you. Special group prices apply to 8 or more traveling together.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Depart USA for your flight to Leipzig.

Day 2 - Arrive in Leipzig where you will be met by your Posh Journeys hosts and transferred to the Renaissance Castle Machern. Upon arrival enjoy a welcome drink with the owners. Afterwards there is time to relax or take a stroll in the  large romantic park of the castle. Later we meet for a dinner of Saxon specialties accompanied by fine wine or beer, your choice.  D

Day 3 - After breakfast embark on a day trip to Leipzig a city with the flair of Paris, both old and young, and one of Germany's most dynamic cities. A guided tour will take you to all the famous sights, the renowned Gewandhaus Symphony Hall, the Opera House, the St. Thomas Church where Johann Sebastian Bach was cantor, the 18th century Baroque Stock Exchange, the old and new Town Hall, ending at the town square. In the afternoon view unrestored castles in the Leipzig area. In the evening enjoy a rustic dinner at Auerbach's Keller, perhaps Leipzig's most famous inn which is the setting for the poet Goethe's tale of Dr. Faustus.  B D

Day 4 -A day trip will take you to the Castle Trebsen where you visit the castle which in part houses a school that teaches the art of traditional stucco work as it used to be done centuries past. You will be able to observe the fascinating process of creating stucco art as used in the restoration of castles.  In another part you will view the process of recreating old methods of building. Afterwards you can pause for lunch in the medieval Kuechenmaisterey, the castle's kitchen inn.  Dinner is at the Castle Machern. B D

Day 5 - This morning you leave the Castle Machern to drive to Torgau, a beautiful small Renaissance town on the banks of the river Elbe. Visit the great Castle Hartenstein with its dry moat in which bears have been kept for centuries as well as the Marienkirche, the church where Martin Luther's wife Katherina von Bora is entombed. An exhibition in the castle details the history of the reformation which was an important chapter in the towns history. Afterwards visit a historic 16th century town house in need of refurbishing after which you have time to linger a while in one of the sidewalk cafes in the town square before driving to the nearby Castle Triestewitz, your home for the next three nights. Upon arrival you will meet the owners Manfred and Monika Pawlik, your hosts for your stay at Triestwitz.  Dinner is at the Castle Triestewitz tonight. B D

Day 6 - After breakfast a day tour takes us to Dessau a town known for its extensive gardens built by Duke Leopold III in the mid 1700's. In the company of his friend, the architect Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff, the Duke traveled throughout Europe and the Mediterranean to get inspirations for a garden complex he was planning to built. On his return he commissioned von Erdmannsdorff  to re-create the gardens and buildings which had impressed him on his travels. Thus Dessau became famous for these extensive and exotic gardens which were open to the public from the beginning. After visiting Dessau and a historic manor which awaits renovation, continue to Wittenberg where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church. At the end of the day we return to the CastleTriestwitz.  B

Day 7 - An excursion today will take you to the 1000-year old town of Meissen known for its famous porcelain.  In Meissen visit to the porcelain factory take a stroll up to the mighty Augustusburg Castle, the first great castle in Germany which towers on a hill above Meissen.  On your return to Triestwitz enjoy a wine tasting at the cellars of the wine estate of Prince von Lippe which produces some of the finest wines of this region. Overnight is at the Castle Triestwitz.  B

Day 8 - Today you bid Manfred and Monika farewell to drive to Wermsdorf where you visit the Castle Hubertusburg, one of the most elaborate country castles in Europe and one of the finest examples of Saxon Baroque architecture. From Wermsdorf continue through extensive forests which were once the hunting grounds of the Saxon electors, to Kaditzsch and to Hoefgen. Continue on to Grimma a small town on the banks of the Mulde river. Here you arrive at your destination for the next three nights, the romantic Castle Gattersburg. Dinner tonight is on your own so that you can select one of the many specialties the castle's charming restaurant has to offer. B

Day 9 - After breakfast tour 800-year old Grimma in the company of a local hostess who will familiarize you with the fascinating history of this pretty small town after which you have time on your own to spend as you please. In the afternoon we continue to the 12th century Castle Colditz. One of the most notorious times in the castle's history were the years between 1939 and 1945 when it was a P.o.W. prison camp for allied officers. In time these men invented some of the  most daring escapes. A museum dedicated to this time will let you relive their struggles to escape to freedom. On our return to Grimma we make stop at the ruin of the Abbey of Nimbschen from where Martin Luther helped the nun Katherina von Bora and nine other nuns to escape in supply wagon.  B 

Day 10 - After breakfast we drive to the old town of Podelwitz whose moated castle dates to the Renaissance. Visit the castle and its beautiful grounds before continuing on to Koessern to make a stop at the Jagthaus, a hunting castle frequented by the Saxon kings and their guests which has been restored in recent years.  In the afternoon a scenic drive takes us to the immense Fortress Mildenstein whose most imposing room is the so-called "grain attic" a master piece of medieval carpentry. Later we visit an even more imposing castle, the Fortress Kriebstein which towers on a steep rock above the river Mulde. In the evening end the day with a good glass of wine at the Castle Gattersburg. B

Day 11 - We bid the Gattersburg farewell today to drive to Dresden, the capital of Saxony where you have a guided walk through the fabulous old Baroque center. Visit the Zwinger the palace of the Saxon kings, the Semper Opera House, and the Frauenkirche, Dresden's most elaborate church which, after being destroyed in 1945 is being rebuilt and is nearing its completion. The afternoon is at leisure to visit one of the museums or go shopping on your own. Later in the afternoon we continue to the hunting castle Weissig set in a romantic landscape of meadows and forests which has been restored a few years ago.  Enjoy a dinner of Saxon fare at the castle tonight.  B  D

Day 12 - After breakfast we set out to visit the 1000-year old town of Bautzen. A private guided tour will familiarize you with the long history of this impressive medieval town. Time permitting visit the Castle Rammenau, a restored Baroque castle of imposing dimensions before we return to Castle Weissig for a farewell dinner of Sorbish cuisine accompanied by the wines of this region. B D

Day 13 - This morning transfer to the Dresden airport for your return flight.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR PRICES.