Neuschwanstein (New-schwan-stein) was the home of King Ludwig the Second. There is also a lot of debate over if it was the inspiration for Cinderella's Castle or Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Personally, I don't care because it's Disney Princess and it's a gorgeous place! However, comparing the two pictures, there are a lot of similarities between the two and Neuschwanstein.
Our morning started by waking up at our normal 6am time and checking a taxi to the train station to get on the 7:54am train to Fussen--the city where Neuschwanstein is located. The weather forecast called for a high of 44 degrees and Abundant Sunshine! After dealing with bleak weather, clouds, and snow... I was ecstatic to say the least!
Well... I was automatically disappointed. It was completely overcast and practically foggy for the entire day.
We met a very nice group from Spain who were very lively and full of wonderful energy. I even got to practice my Spanish that I haven't spoken in 6 years. It got a little weird because I kept thinking in German though!
Following Rick Steve's Guidebook (seriously, he is the great and powerful when it comes to traveling in Europe) we ventured on the city bus to the foot of the hill to the castle. There are many shops and restaurants located at the bottom of the hill just waiting for tourists from all over the world to buy their goods. I did manage to pick up a few things while there.
The bus was not running today, so we hiked up the hill which was about the equivalent of walking up the EC for 30 minutes straight. There were a lot of nice places to stop and take a picture of the view.
Going towards the castles!
Up Close of Cinderella's/Sleeping Beauty's Castle
Located at the top of a mountain...
The beautiful Alps in the distance
The green sign says that it is a countryside reserve for the eagles
Hohenschwangau (High Swan Country Palace)--King Ludwig's Childhood Home
Beautiful Castle as well.
Hiking up the hill--The equivalent to walking up the EC hill for 30 minutes
A cute waterfall on the way up the hill
Castle!!
View of the city below
Some Japanese tourists were living it up!
Ta-da!
There it is!
I have to represent my school! Go Blugolds!
It's so regal!
And I, of course, have to send some love to NRHH!
Yummy and warm, deep-fried German Yogurt balls!
Mm-mm good!
There were horse-drawn carriage rides that you could take up and down the hill
Unfortunately, Mary's Bridge (The bridge where all of the famous/post card pictures are taken) was closed and there was a no-trespassing sign there. So we hiked back down the hill and hiked up the other side to Hohenschwangau.
You can see Neuschwanstein in the distance
So Beautiful!
Love it! No wonder they based a princess's castle after this place!
The view of the Alps from Hohenschwangau
Then we had an hour to look at the shops and grab a late lunch before boarding the bus back to the train station.
We stopped in one restaurant and got Kaesespaetzle which is a delicious German speciality of uber cheesey noodles with onions. So good!
Then we got on the train to head back home. We had a slight layover at one of the stations where we got talked at by a 60 year old stubborn German women. We told her we didn't speak German and she talked at us (in German) for 10 minutes straight. I really didn't know what she was saying at all... stubborn.
FINALLY, on the way back the clouds pulled away to reveal the Abundant Sunshine we were suppose to have that day. Luckily, there is suppose to be a heat wave this week (lower 50's!!!) so there should be a lot of sun!! :)
I'm heading to Prague next weekend! Super excited to add another country to my list! Especially one that I have family roots too--My great-great grandfather on my dad's side was born in Bohemia (which was then turned into Czechoslovakia after WWI and then the Czech Republic now). He attended the University of Prague during his time there.
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