Germany has castles; really cool castles. Mom and I were able to visit three in a day (for a mere 25 Euros, or $40 per person nonetheless). We visited Neuschwanstein (above), Linderhof Palace (directly below), and Hohenschwangau (two below).
We actually toured Linderhof first because it is located in Austria and was the closest destination to
Reutte, where we had just stayed. This is the palace where King Ludwig, the one many called crazy, spent the last years of his pathetic life. The inside of all three castles are, unfortunately, photofree zones. The inside of Linderhof is almost entirely gold plated and is completely unrealistic fantasy. Linderhof is also the site of a large manmade cave, complete with colored lights (one of the first electric-lighted places in Europe) and everything else we've seen at Disneyland -- Walt would have been lost with Ludwig's misguided genius.
Hohenschwangau was castle #2 for the day and was designed by Ludwig's father. It is much more livable and in a sense normal, as far as royal castles go.
Before leaving Linderhof, however, we spent quite a bit of time on the grounds. The smallest of the three castles, it is nestled deep in the edge of the Austrian alps. There are small ponds, creeks, and trails dotting the tourist map. If I recall, on a previous tour I was told that this palace was initially a hunting lodge (Ludwig in his obsessions turned it into a wanna-be French thing).
We stopped and had a little picnic lunch along this lake. It's a rough view but somebody had to take it in.
At the edge of the lake, the water was a glowing green color. There are a lot of interesting water colors in the Alpine creeks, rivers, and lakes; varying from perfectly clear to white, gray, blue, green, and all between.
Keeping with the lake theme, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, which are located within about 500 yards of each other, also sit next to some pretty puddles.
Germany is shameless with their tourism. Nearly every public restroom in the country has a fee. This one cost us 50 cents per person (though we might have hopped the bar once due to a lack of change). After $40 each you think they would let us freshen up.
Hohenshwangau, barely in the picture above, looks over a lush valley. I would consider myself privileged to live in such a pretty place. I would consider myself even more privileged if I had a summer castle with this sort of view.
Last thing of the day (with the exception of 3 hours in the car) we hiked up to Neuschwanstein, the unfinished, unbelievable mansion castle that inspired one of the world's greatest dreamers, as mentioned Walt Disney. Yes, Elsa, this is where it all began.
Mom was kind enough to pose in the exact same spot that Dad did for me 3 years ago.
The entrance was large enough to drive a coach through, then safely exit once inside. And the castle was large enough to host half of the country. Pictured below is an interior courtyard where a church was planned but never erected. All construction stopped abruptly when Ludwig mysteriously died.
In my quick assessment, King Ludwig was not crazy, he was eccentric. I guess a nice way of saying it is that he was fabulouss (emphasize the lisp). My firm opinion, after multiple tours, is that he was gay in an era that didn't coddle that sort of behavior, while at the same time he was a figurehead that stood in the way of a coming government in the united Germany. After all, what are the odds of two people drowning (Ludwig and the Dr. that diagnosed him as crazy) in waste deep water one week after being labeled insane?
Germany has castles; really cool castles. Mom and I were able to visit three in a day (for a mere 25 Euros, or $40 per person nonetheless). We visited Neuschwanstein (above), Linderhof Palace (directly below), and Hohenschwangau (two below).
We actually toured Linderhof first because it is located in Austria and was the closest destination to Reutte, where we had just stayed. This is the palace where King Ludwig, the one many called crazy, spent the last years of his pathetic life. The inside of all three castles are, unfortunately, photofree zones. The inside of Linderhof is almost entirely gold plated and is completely unrealistic fantasy. Linderhof is also the site of a large manmade cave, complete with colored lights (one of the first electric-lighted places in Europe) and everything else we've seen at Disneyland -- Walt would have been lost with Ludwig's misguided genius.
Hohenschwangau was castle #2 for the day and was designed by Ludwig's father. It is much more livable and in a sense normal, as far as royal castles go. 
Before leaving Linderhof, however, we spent quite a bit of time on the grounds. The smallest of the three castles, it is nestled deep in the edge of the Austrian alps. There are small ponds, creeks, and trails dotting the tourist map. If I recall, on a previous tour I was told that this palace was initially a hunting lodge (Ludwig in his obsessions turned it into a wanna-be French thing).
We stopped and had a little picnic lunch along this lake. It's a rough view but somebody had to take it in.
At the edge of the lake, the water was a glowing green color. There are a lot of interesting water colors in the Alpine creeks, rivers, and lakes; varying from perfectly clear to white, gray, blue, green, and all between.
Keeping with the lake theme, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, which are located within about 500 yards of each other, also sit next to some pretty puddles.
Germany is shameless with their tourism. Nearly every public restroom in the country has a fee. This one cost us 50 cents per person (though we might have hopped the bar once due to a lack of change). After $40 each you think they would let us freshen up.
Hohenshwangau, barely in the picture above, looks over a lush valley. I would consider myself privileged to live in such a pretty place. I would consider myself even more privileged if I had a summer castle with this sort of view.
Last thing of the day (with the exception of 3 hours in the car) we hiked up to Neuschwanstein, the unfinished, unbelievable mansion castle that inspired one of the world's greatest dreamers, as mentioned Walt Disney. Yes, Elsa, this is where it all began.
Mom was kind enough to pose in the exact same spot that Dad did for me 3 years ago.
The entrance was large enough to drive a coach through, then safely exit once inside. And the castle was large enough to host half of the country. Pictured below is an interior courtyard where a church was planned but never erected. All construction stopped abruptly when Ludwig mysteriously died.
In my quick assessment, King Ludwig was not crazy, he was eccentric. I guess a nice way of saying it is that he was fabulouss (emphasize the lisp). My firm opinion, after multiple tours, is that he was gay in an era that didn't coddle that sort of behavior, while at the same time he was a figurehead that stood in the way of a coming government in the united Germany. After all, what are the odds of two people drowning (Ludwig and the Dr. that diagnosed him as crazy) in waste deep water one week after being labeled insane?
4 comments:
I wish I were in Europe instead of Guam. You have so many beautiful places to visit. Once again excelent pictures.
It's just so weird to see the EXACT same photos from our albums, but with different people in them. :) We have some gorgeous shots of those green waters too. My oh my how I miss living in Germany.
Ahhh, little Elsa made your blog...
Good pictures.
Looking forward to having you home soon!
SR
Wonderful castles but Neuschwanstein still the best
www. New-Swan-Stone.eu
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