We set out to explore the Neuschwanstein Castle (inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle). It was built for King Ludwig II.
This is Hohenschwangau Castle - a 19th century palace. It was the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was built by his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria. Hohenschwangau Castle was built on the remains of the fortress Schwanstein, which was first mentioned in historical records dating from the 12th century.
We took a carriage ride up the mountain to Neuschwanstein Castle, which seemed a little fantasy like.
Then we walked the rest of the way and waited our turn to tour the castle.
In my own fantasy like way I picture a beautiful maiden running down these stairs to meet her knight. I don't think things like that really happened at this castle. Anyway, I love history, facts and what not, but I want to know the feelings and emotions that happened too. That to me, makes a place real - or maybe romantic! :)
(Kind of a goofy picture. You can definitely tell we were a little sleepy eyed, but we were having so much fun!)
You couldn't take pictures inside the castle, but you could take pictures looking out. So, check out the views from the castle windows.
Can you even imagine living in a place like that? Crazy...it seems a shame that King Ludwig II only lived there a total of 172 days.
After the castle, we got lost in some beautiful country back roads. Layne loved all the cows, especially the cows with bells. I thought it was so funny that he was trying for a picture of a cow with a bell and he got this one - without a bell.
We came across this fabulous restaurant and had to ask our waitress if we were in Austria or Germany. It was Austria, and they served some fabulous food. I had a white asparagus pasta dish that was so yummy. White asparagus (spargel) was being harvested and dishes with spargel were quite popular at this time in Germany and Austria. They also had this amazing bread served with different kinds of salts and oils. My favorite was the hibiscus salt with walnut oil. Kim and Layne took a liking to the coal salt. The coal salt looked like black sea salt, and had a smokey flavor. It was all so good even the water was cold!
Then we came across this gorgeous lake in the mountains. Holy cow, it was so pretty!
The water was amazing! It was like this cloudy green - blue color, yet it was amazingly clear. It kind of reminded you of a green quartz rock.
Layne spotted a rock in the water that he wanted. I just knew he was going to fall in. He didn't, but he didn't get the rock either. It was much too cold to take a bigger chance - but I was ready with the camera just in case. :)
Then we came to this monastery (Kloster Ettal), so cool! Sadly, we didn't get any pictures inside because they were about to start a service.
I love the look on Kim's face in this picture. I can't remember what we were talking about, but maybe it was the smell inside the monastery - it was gorgeous, but it truly smelled old and musty inside.
After a fabulous day we went back to Edelweiss, a military lodge and resort (I highly recommend it), and swam in the heated pool and took some time to relax.
Just two more pictures of the beauty of Edelweiss.
