When my dad heard about all the places we were visiting in southern Germany he said, "Wow, are there any castles left to see in Germany? Now you can go home and rest!"
Really though, over the course of our time in the area, we toured five different castles. Four of them were built or worked on by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and one was an older castle called Ehrenberg from the Medieval Ages.
On our way to Fussen from Salzburg, we stopped in Chiemsee and took a boat out to see Herrenchiemsee. The day started off a bit chilly and foggy, but as we made our way across the water, the fog lifted making for a beautiful day to tour.
The walk past the Augustinian Monastery on the hill by Herrenchiemsee.
The walk up to the front reminds us immediately of Versailles, outside of Paris.
Family picture outside of Herrenchiemsee. Again, no photographs allowed inside the palace.
Since it's winter, the water fountains were all turned off and covered.
Truly though, the Hall of Mirrors, the bedrooms, the detailed copy work inside, we felt like we were at Versailles while touring Herrenchiemsee. Ludwig II really looked up to Louis XIV, and this monument to the French king shows it.
That night, after checking into our rented apartment, we went to dinner at a 500 year old guesthouse. Krypto and Sissi both had a bacon dumpling in a mushroom gravy. It was amazing!
Gwangi, Indy, and I all had the Jagerschnitzel with spaetzle! Yum!
Yes, you read that right, this place has been open since 1495!
It was so good, we ate here on our first and last nights in the area. We stayed in between Fussen and Pfronten. This particular place was in Pfronten.
At dinner, looking through the pamphlet we had been given earlier about Herrenchiemsee.
The next day, Gwangi wasn't feeling too well again. I think we pushed him too much with the move from Salzburg to Fussen and a castle on the way. He stayed back again to rest. Indy, Gwangi, Sissi, and I made our way over to see the Linderhof...the only castle/palace that Ludwig II actually finished in his lifetime. This was the drive we took each day from our apartment that was situated on the lake between Fussen and Pfronten.
We drove by this other lake, on the German and Austrian border, on our way to the Linderhof. Had to pull over and get a picture.
Much smaller and more manageable than the other castles of Ludwig II.
Again, no photos allowed inside. So, you only get the views of the outside.
Winter time, so none of the water fountains were running.
Some photos of what it would like like in other seasons, and also some of the modifications going on to the gardens.
The view back behind the Linderhof.
As we were walking away, one last look.
Sissi found a bracelet in the gift shop at the Linderhof! Super fun to see something with her name on it and not ending in an "e" which seems more common.
The next day we had timed tickets to see Neuschwanstein...even in January, the place can sell out. It's the #1 attraction in Bavaria. As you're walking up the hill to get to the castle, you can look across the way and see Ludwig II's dad's castle. He spent a good amount of time here as a boy and they say that was his motivation for building Neuschwanstein across from Hohenschwangau...the bigger, better version of his dad's house. with an even better view.
Our view as we were walking up the hill.
A waterfall on the way.
Almost there, just needed a break as we were winded.
Indy and I visited here almost exactly 20 years ago for our 2nd wedding anniversary.
The view out over the valley as we were climbing up the hill to Neuschwanstein.
We made it!
As we waited for our tour time, we took a walk around the castle base.
The unfinished "garden entrance".
Wow, look at his view down to the lakes and Hohenschwangau.
An old wooden map of the area on the trail.
We walked out to the large expansion bridge which allows you to look back at Neuschwanstein.
I am definitely not a fan of looking down from a bridge like this. I got my photo and went back to the side, where I was safe, and let the boys hang out talking on the bridge.
Krypto and Indy went out much further on the bridge.
The spectacular view of Neuschwanstein from the Marien Bridge.
Yes, that is the bridge, out over quite an open area.
As we walked back to Neuschwanstein for our tour, we took a few photos...Indy and I with the lakes in the background.
And, turning the other way, with Neuschwanstein in the background.
Krypto asked for a photo with the castle behind him.
Sissi preferred the more natural, in nature, pose.
Gwangi liked to see how tall he was next to the castle.
Walking into the castle.
Very fairy tale-ish....the idea for Cinderella's castle at Disney came from here.
A look back at the bridge from Neuschwanstein.
You can't take photos inside, but here was our exit from the castle. He had a great view!
The kitchen could be photographed :).
Lunch! We ate at the restaurant at the base of Neuschwanstein...the prices were the same as anything in town and it gave us a great view.
From Neuschwanstein, we took the quick drive to
Ehrenberg. A castle fortress built and used from the late 13th century onward to protect the travel and trade interests coming north and south from Venice to Augsburg, Germany.
It was extremely hands on and very kid friendly. It was a favorite of ours, for sure.
Kids being goofy!
It was a super cold and windy afternoon and we would have liked to spend more time at the ruins, but Sissi was on the edge of not being able to feel her face or hands. We headed back down after only an hour on the site.
It was really fun to walk around and explore and discover different nooks and crannies. I bet the summer here, with all the different activities they have going, would be the best time to visit. Crowds though?!
Some lovely views around here, and the longest suspension bridge in the area.
Indy and Gwangi with the suspension bridge behind them. It costs extra to walk the bridge, so we just said, "no, not this time." I wasn't too disappointed.
She's got a smile here, but she was very cold!
You can walk up and down, but after our walk up and down from Neuschwanstein earlier in the day, I thought it was better to take the tram.
Kids in the tram.
Part of the original building here, protecting the pass and collecting the tolls as people traveled back and forth trading over the years.
They had a hands on museum. We all really enjoyed our time going through it. I just wish they would have turned the heat on. It was COLD!
Trying on armor to see how much it really weighs.
Fun!
And, taking silly photos together.
That night, we hit the Falkenstein Guesthouse for dinner!
Even got a stein with some Coke in it. We bought two of them for Indy as his souvenir on the way out.
Where we were staying had an indoor heated pool, a few of the nights the kids relaxed by doing some swimming.
Final castle....the Falkenstein ruins. The one that Ludwig II never really got to start on because he died.
A short drive up the mountain is timed. It's a one way road, so certain times of the hour traffic heads up, and certain times traffic heads down.
Then you have to hike the rest of the way up, but the view is beautiful. And, if you want, there is a guest house for you to stay the night.
With a Tesla recharging station!
The placard showing this was King Ludwig II's castle site.
This location was supposed to be his perfect castle...as if Neuschwanstein didn't have amazing views....he thought this one was even better.
He bought the property with the ruins on it from the 13th century. It is the highest castle in all of Germany, and you feel it on the hike up! He had plans drawn up, but they were never realized as he died so young.
So lovely.
While up here, we had a picnic lunch, using up some of our groceries from the week. This was our last day and last castle. The next day we would head home. I put all the castles together in one post, so the blogs of this trip aren't quite chronological...I'll blog next about our time skiing and trying to toboggan...the snow this year wasn't the best for either of those activities.
