The Great Palaces, Castles & Gardens of Mecklenburg-Vorpemmern and the lake lands of northern Germany
Hannah Phillip (Fairfax House Director) is planning a tour for spring 2017 to northern Germany’s state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, known especially for its stunning lakes and scenery and rich array of dramatic palaces and historic architecture. This nine-day tour will have two centres in the state capital and historic city of Schwerin (3 nights) and Ulrichshusen (3 nights) nestled in the heart of the lake district, plus two additional nights at the conclusion in Berlin.
The tour will feature a full itinerary taking in the greatest of the Mecklenburg’s glorious palaces, castles, houses (often still in private ownership) and gardens – many with strong eighteenth-century connections. Highlights will include Mirow Palace (birthplace of King George III’s wife Queen Charlotte), the neoclassical Ludwigslust Palace (seat of the Dukes of Mecklenburg 1756-1837) with its English-style gardens, palatial baroque manor-house Bothmer Castle, Hohenzieritz Palace with garden attributed to ‘Capability’ Brown, the romantically-turreted Schwerin Palace (home of the state parliament) and set in magnificent gardens on a lake, Güstrow Palace a marvel of Renaissance architecture, and Rheinsberg Palace built by Frederick the Great of Prussia. We will also visit the towns and cities of Wismar (Hanseatic trading port and World Heritage Site), the old town of Güstrow, the ducal seat of Neustrelitz known for its the Baroque architecture and Neuruppin, Prussian town on the shore of Ruppiner Lake. There will also be optional evening excursions to see the Britten opera ‘Peter Grimes’ and the musical ‘My Fair Lady’ by the Mecklenburg State Opera.
The tour will include entry to all sites, accommodation, most meals (all breakfasts plus some lunches and dinners) and airport transfers. Group air flights can also be arranged should you so wish. Flights will leave from Doncaster Sheffield airport flying to Berlin where the tour will commence. (Those choosing to join the tour in Germany may meet the party at Berlin airport before coach transfer to Schwerin).
The tour will be able to accommodate a maximum of 28 participants. For further information or to make your expression of interest please contact Hannah Phillip: hannahphillip@yorkcivictrust.co.uk
ITINERARY
Sunday 14th May
17.10 Arrive Berlin Tegel airport
Travel to Schwerin
Monday 15th May
AM Meeting in the Ministry of Finance
AM Tour of Schwerin Palace
PM Sightseeing in Schwerin with city tour and free time to explore on own
Tuesday 16th May
AM Tour of Bothmer Castle
PM City tour followed by free time in the World Heritage City of Wismar
Wednesday 17th May
AM City tour of Güstrow
AM Tour of Güstrow Castle
PM Ernst-Barlach Memorial
PM Meeting and tour with Graf von Maltzahn, owner of Ulrichshusen Castle
Thursday 18th May
AM Meeting with the Achtenhagen family and tour
AM Roundtrip of the Lakeland district with tour guide
PM Meeting with Graf von Bassewitz, owner of Dalwitz House
Friday 19th May
AM Tour of Mirow Castle
PM Guided tour of Neustrelitz
PM Tour of the Hohenzieritz Gardens and Parkland
PM Tour of the Oktogonkirche
Saturday 20th May
AM Tour of Rheinsberg Palace
PM Guided tour of Neuruppin
Sunday 21st May
AM Guided tour and round trip of Berlin
PM Charlottenburg Palace
Monday 22nd May
AM Individual time in Berlin
21.05 Return flight to Doncaster Sheffield (arrives 22.05)
Sunday 14 May 2017
until Monday 22 May 2017
Mecklenburg, Germany
