On our free day, I ventured out of Germany with a group of 13 people to visit Neuschwanstein, also known as the "real" Cinderella Castle. The palace was built under Ludwig II of Bavaria, but the palace was far from complete when he died in 1886. Although the castle was meant to be a personal refuge for the king and never intended for the public, the regent Luitpold opened the palace to paying visitors. The castle is stunning both on the exterior and interior; the picturesque surroundings accentuate Neschwanstein's beauty, and the detailed decorations featured in every room is almost unreal.
Getting to the castle was its own adventure. We had to navigate the confusing transportation system - take a two-hour train ride (including transfers), take a shuttle to the top of the mountain, and walk 30 minutes to the top of the mountain to see the castle. However, the view from the top was extraordinary, and the tour of the castle was worth every bit of trouble. |