9-11 October 2013, 80 miles but seemed like more.
Weather: cloud, rain, sleet, snow, last rites for 2 pairs of inappropriate leather boots, sun.
We had some time in hand. The Munich map given to us by the campsite had adverts all around the edges, and one was for Neuschwanstein. It’s one of the most famous and most visited castles in the world – I have a feeling that the Disney one is modelled on it. I have always wanted to go there to see if it fulfils the hype. It was a tad off route, but as mentioned, we had some time. So I suggested we do there, B concurred when I showed him the tiny picture on the map.
By the time we got to the area it was lightly raining with low cloud and poor visibility. We had lost Horatio’s passenger side headlight a couple of days before, so this was not good – it’s the side nearest the oncoming traffic over here. Another lakeside campsite and a special area for motorhomes which was a bit less expensive than the main site but we still get to use all the facilities – result!
The forecast for the following day was rain. Nevertheless we planned to go to the castle. There was a free bus from outside the site and another bus from the ticket office to the castle – no worries, and as it wasn’t raining when we left, no umbrellas either.
Neuschwanstein really is worth it. We were lucky as the weather held until we left. There was a walk even after the bus ride up the hill – first to a footbridge viewing point and then to the castle itself. All tours are organised. Good news is you get more information. Bad news is screaming children can make it hard to hear. Selfish parents need shooting. Best news is that its so amazing it doesn’t matter. Koenig Ludwig II was not a good king – he was deposed 3 days for spending too much money 3 days before being found dead in a lake at the age of just 41 – but his legacy is 3 castles/palaces of unbelievable splendour. The decoration and attention to detail answers why the castle was never finished in 17 years, all work stopped on his death. If you have the chance then go. But avoid the high season, we appreciated the chance to walk in and out with only a short wait.
When we left of course it poured. Oh well, no umbrella, as mentioned. Back on the rush hour style bus and down to the village. And straight into a restaurant. Best idea when it’s raining. Oh and the next bus back to the site was a couple of hours away….shame.
Later it turned to snow and rain. Mmm in Germany you are required to have winter tyres in winter weather, and one of the headlights is dead, also not legal…. Let’s see. More rain. Ok. We go to bed.
Next morning – snow all around! Wheee! Or not? So we get snowed in for a day, and it’s only the 11th October !!!
As a result we jumped back on the local bus, returned to Schwangau and took in Hohenschwangau – Ludwig IIs childhood holiday home. Turns out Konig Maximillian (Dad) was less ostentatious than his son, and created a holiday retreat on a much more human scale. Less wow factor, but courtesy of a more fluent guide we found out much more about the family which created these 2 castles, and in the case of Ludwig II there are 3 more in other locations around Bavaria. On the list for future trips!
…until B uses the chance to clean his roof!