Castles of Saxony
A Viewing Tour of Castles for Sale in Saxony 
and Brandenburg
Available as a private tour throughout the year

Scheduled departure limited to 12 participants June 18 - 29, 2009

        This tour is a fabulous adventure geared to those who are interested in investing in a castle. There are still many castles for sale, often at a very reasonable cost. Most however, will have to be refurbished or even rebuild in part. Nevertheless they are an interesting subject and often represent a good investment. Whether you want to buy or whether you are just curious what it takes and costs to become the owner of a castle, this tour will take you off the normal tourist pass to experience the romance and fascinating history castles.  

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 un-restored 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 and where students learn the intricacies of historic restoration. 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 view two castles, one in need of restoration another has been renovated and made into a small hotel and is for sale. Later in the afternoon arrive at 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 the castle. Before dinner attend a lecture by Manfred Pawlik who specializes in the restoration of castles where you will learn of what is involved to buy and restore a castle. Dinner is at the Castle Triestewitz tonight. B D

Day 6 - After breakfast a day tour takes you to the renaissance Castle Martinskirchen which was built by the brother of the Saxon Cabinet Minister to the famous King Augustus the Strong. You will have a tour of the castle which is for sale. Later visit two other castles which await renovation. In the evening return to Castle Triestewitz for dinner and overnight. B

Day 7 - An excursion today will take you to the adjoining state of Brandenburg where you will view several un-restored castles that are for sale. On your return to Triestwitz enjoy a barbeque at the castle's courtyard. Overnight is at the Castle Triestwitz.  B D

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 view two castles in need of restoration that are for sale. Continue on to Grimma a small town on the banks of the Mulde river. Here you arrive at your destination for the two nights, the romantic Castle Gattersburg, an operating small hotel which is for sale.  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 - We bid the Gattersburg farewell today to drive north to Potsdam near Berlin for a two nights stay viewing two castles that are for sale en route. In the evening join us for dinner in a well known local restaurant. B D

Day 11 - After breakfast we set out to visit two unique properties, one within the city limits of Berlin, the other is an elaborate Baroque estate on an island connected by a causeway to the medieval town of Fuerstenberg on the River Havel. B

Day 12 - This morning transfer airport for your return flight.

TOUR COST ON REQUEST