Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Baveria and Schloss Neuschwanstein

Today we left early to head towards Schloss Neuschwanstein. Although we left during Munich peak hour, we were against the flow so it didn't take long to leave the city. Once on the autobahn, we had a good run. It was a fast road, 3 lanes wide and not busy. We cruised on about 190km/h and were still passed by a couple of cars. The speed just feels comfortable and so right!

As we climb into the hills a slight mist develops into thick fog, and our GPS takes us via some narrow winding roads to cross over between some B roads. Anyway by the time we reach the village of Hohenschwangau to park for the castle, the visibility is very poor.

We get tickets no problem, and have an hour to get to the castle. There are two options, long steep walk uphill, or take a horse and cart. We opt for the horse! Our ride is exactly two horsepower.

The castle itself is incredible inside. As the King died before it was finished, it was never lived in, so is in mint condition inside. Very impressive, and perhaps the best castle visit I've ever done (and I've done a few!). Due to the fog, I could not see the outside well at all. Here's what I saw from the nearby viewing platform!



Helen has seen it before in better conditions so it keen to tell me what I am missing.


After we leave the castle, we move on towards Austria. As we leave the castle, and presumably drop altitude, the sky clears and we have a beautiful sunny drive through Baveria. The stereotypical German buildings are everywhere - woodgrain, shutters, window planters in full bloom. The cows have bells on them, and when we stop on the roadside we hear them clanging. This is all so cute. I love this place.

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