Castles and Mountains
Hohenschwangau Castle
It is another warm and sunny spring day. From Feldkirch, Austria we drive about two hours to the town of Fussen in Bavaria, Germany.
We had originally planned to come here when we were visiting Munich a number of years ago… unfortunately, we had attended Oktoberfest the previous day and were not up to visiting on the scheduled day.
Fussen is in the mountains and there are two castles here. (Actually, the older castle is in the town of Hohenschwangau but the towns are steps away).
The first castle we visit is Schloss Hohenschwangau, which is the influencer for it’s more famous neighbour, Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Of course you have to walk up a mountain to get to either of them. We go first to Hohenschwangau, checking out the gardens first before our tour. The forget-me+nots are a brilliant cobalt blue.
Hohenschwangau was first mentioned in the 1300s. The tour lasts about 30 minutes. The view from some rooms in the castle are spectacular.
Long Walk Up a Mountain
We pass the beautiful Museum of the Bavarian Kings on the way to the road to Neuschwanstein Castle. Unfortunately, we do not have enough time to go in.
It takes us almost an hour to climb the steep paved road to Neuschwanstein Castle. Our tour 
isn’t until 5:50pm so we walk up another steep road for another twenty minutes to Mary’s Bridge.
The bridge is between two rugged mountains and high above a gorge. The view of Neuschwanstein Castle is amazing. Click here for a short video of the view from the bridge.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein is the prototype for Disney’s Cinderella Palace. It really does feel like something out of a fairy tale.
Unfortunately we are not allowed to take pictures inside either castle. Neuschwanstein is just as spectacular inside as it is out.
The views from the balconies of the castle are truly spectacular.
The walk down the mountain is much easier than it was up.
A Night in Austria
We are a short drive from our accommodations in Austria where we are staying in a more traditional inn located on a farm with fields & horses.