In the aftermath of the Great War of 1914-18, it seemed inconceivable that Germany could rise again from its shattering defeat and, within less than 20 years, would be threatening its European neighbours. By the mid-1930s all the signs were there although few predicted what was to come nor the consequences of appeasement. Adolf Hitler’s ‘Nazi Party’ had imposed a New Order in the Fatherland and a vision of global supremacy that was intended to endure for the next thousand years. In those early days Hitler was seen by his people as a saviour who would lead them from the humiliating defeat of 1918, the reparations imposed on Germany by the War’s victors, and the crippling inflation of the early 1920s. Hitler also had his admirers beyond Germany; here was a strong leader for difficult and turbulent times.

But soon, this Nazi vision was to become the nightmare of total war leading, ultimately, to a scale of unspeakable barbarism, destruction, and national humiliation never before seen. Our tour follows the evolution of this dream: how and why it happened, and the factors that led to Germany’s unconditional surrender in 1945.

Munich, of all German cities, is the one most closely associated with the rise of Nazism. During this tour, we visit the Feldherrnhalle, where the Putsch of 8-9 November 1923 failed, leading to Hitler’s imprisonment. We go to the Königsplatz, the centre of Nazism for many years and the site of the ill-fated Munich Agreement of 1938; and the Mariensplatz, where the young Adolf Hitler spent much of his time plotting his future rise to power.

Following our tour of Munich, we move on to Nuremburg, to visit the Nazi Party Rally Grounds and the adjacent Nürnberger Kongressalle, designed by Albert Speer. In the final part of our tour, we travel to the Bavarian Alps and the Führer’s preferred seat of power at the Obersalsberg near Berchtesgaden, the scene of many meetings and fateful decisions. We will have lunch at the “Eagle’s Nest” (Kehlsteinhaus), commissioned by Martin Bormann as a 50th birthday present for Hitler, and now a mountain-top restaurant. We end our tour back in Munich, with an opportunity for leisure and sightseeing.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Wednesday): Fly London Heathrow–Munich. Transfer to Maritim Hotel for four nights. Dinner and introductory briefing.
Day 2: Morning tour of Munich. Lunch break in Munich - Optional visit to Dachau Concentration camp. Private dinner arrangements.
Day 3: Travel to Nuremburg. Visit the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the ‘Fascination and Terror’ exhibition and Albert Speer’s Nürnberger Kongressalle. Group dinner.
Day 4: A day’s excursion to Berchtesgaden, the Obersalzberg and Berghof area and Museum, including the tunnel complex used as a headquarters and garrison. We shall enjoy lunch at the famous “Eagle’s Nest” overlooking the Berchtesgaden countryside. Return to hotel in Munich for dinner.
Day 5: An opportunity to explore Munich for sightseeing and shopping, prior to our return flight to London Heathrow.