THE DISPUTED SERIES, DAY 13
Summary
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GERMANY
Fairytale castles in the Alps. I arrived late and was offered a cheap upgrade by Hertz, which I declined. So the fella said he would give it to me anyway… anyone say commission?!!
I HAD THE ENTIRE PLACE TO MYSELF, NOT WHAT I EXPECTED AT ALL
After a 2-hour drive in the Ford Kuga, I arrived at Haus Alpenrose, £50 for a single room including breakfast, and one of the closest hotels to SCHLOSS NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, one of the most beautiful fairytale castles of Europe. Seeing as I booked it this morning, I can’t really complain.
WHERE IS SCHLOSS NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE?
I couldn’t believe the trust in Alpenrose, though. I was arriving after check-in and leaving before checkout, so I wouldn’t see anyone from the hotel. They just told me to have the money on the table when I was leaving!
NIGHT SCAPE
Driving up to the village at night, you could see this Alpine castle illuminated from a distance, and it was a sight to behold. I’m aware I sound like an old man, but it was unbelievable and made me even more excited for tomorrow!
The following morning, I was up early and made my way to the ticket desk at the bottom of the hill. The weather was smashing for this time of year, and not a cloud in the sky. If you want tickets to get inside the castle, you must buy them here; otherwise, you can walk around outside to your heart’s content.
GETTING TO THE CASTLE
The first tour is at 10 am, so I had 1hr 30 minutes to kill, perfect to explore around the castle. The walk up takes around 30 minutes, and then to the viewpoint (Marienbrücke Bridge) another 10 minutes. There is a bus, but it doesn’t start until after 9, so no sense in waiting around for the crowds to join.
MARIENBRUCKE
The view from the bridge is phenomenal; it really is like something out of a fairy tale. This appears to be the best time to go to avoid the crowds. There was a busload at the beginning, and then, once they left, no one else came to the bridge for 20 minutes, so I pretty much had it to myself. I’ll put this down to the tour beginning shortly and everyone making their way to the castle.
DRONE
Knowing it would make an epic photo and video, I risked taking the drone out despite the various warning signs, and as you can see, it was worth it in the end.
INSIDE THE CASTLE
The tour is a guided (you are part of a group) audio tour and caters to almost any language. You only get to see maybe 20% of the inside, but it’s still very much worth it. The extravagance of wealth was mind-blowing. Unfortunately, it’s forbidden to take photos of some areas inside.
After the castle, I had a drive around the grounds. The castle is only a few minutes’ drive from the Austrian border, which is literally an empty cabin and barrier. The EU is an amazing place!
It was then back to Munich to drop off the car, followed by a very relaxing 12 hours. An overnight train to Frankfurt, a flight to Dublin (with Ryanair, no less), and then a 2-hour bus up to Belfast!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’ve been to Munich before and was never totally fussed, but I’d have to say it’s worth visiting just to see the castle. It’s clear that a rental car is an easy option and offers added flexibility. You can also do it in a day if you prefer to get back to Munich, but the area around the castle is also worth exploring, with its various hikes and quaint little towns. You can also sign up for a tour, which takes the hassle out of getting tickets and transport to and from Munich.
NEXT UP
My reflection post on the last 12days travel, click to read! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
141/229
This post is part of The Disputed Series, that begins with Wine at Georgian
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
Question Time
- Have you been to Schloss Neuschwanstein, what was your experience like?
- Did you do a day trip or stay over?
- Was it busy?
- Have you visited any other castles which you think are nicer?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
