Germany: June 18, Neuschwanstein

We arrived at Neuschwanstein and the castle was huge! There was also another, smaller, castle next to Neuschwanstein - it is the Hohenschwangau castle.  Hohenschwangau was the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian, his wife Marie of Prussia, and their two sons Ludwig (the later King Ludwig II of Bavaria) and Otto (the later King Otto I of Bavaria). The young princes spent many years of their adolescence here. Ludwig loved the area so much, so he decided to build Neuschwanstein here for himself.  He was said to have been a recluse.  He died before the castle was finished and it was opened to visitors in 1886.

To get up to Neuschwanstein, you have quite a hike!  But, it felt good to get some exercise after sitting on a bus for the last 3 days, and an airplane before that!  We had to wait before our tour started, so we hiked up higher for the higher views!  There was this little tiny bridge that thousands of us tourists were trying to get onto for this picture.  It was a little insane, and scary!  We were really high up on that little bridge!  This castle was the inspiration for the Walt Disney World castle.  I can see the resemblance.

 That's the little bridge we were all crowded on!

 Apparently, the castle is always undergoing construction.

Then we got to go on our tour.  Photos were strictly prohibited inside the castle! 

 A replica of the castle.

The views from here were just outstanding.  I think it's so beautiful it almost doesn't even look real!

Then it was back to the resort.  We walked around Garmich again, and of course had to get our daily dose (or two) of gelato!