Neuschwanstein : Treasure or Travesty?

View from Marienbrücke Jan 2010

Well, that was dramatic, but my opinion is if you are visiting Germany, and you are around the Munich / Bavarian area - definitely go and see it.  It IS worth seeing, but one just needs to have patience, and not really mind it being in an extreme tourist trap.  Not exaggerating!!  It's extreme.



I visited in January 2010 for a long weekend.  I thought for sure it would be more serene - especially in January (the off season), but that was not the case.  I think I became more infatuated watching from the restaurant, which overlooked the castle, the number of tourist buses bringing people in hourly.  Never seen something like that!  I cannot imagine what it is like in the peak/summer season. 


 

When you arrive - you have quite a journey to the top - so be prepared!  The walk is quite long, and up a steep hill, so better be in good shape or be ready to pay for the horse and carriage up.  The tours of the castle are offered in multiple languages as well - which is a plus.  Overall it's alright, but definitely not the same quiet/realistic experience I have had in other Schlosser, but it is iconic, and worth seeing.





Be sure to also find the Marienbrücke.  It's a bridge that gives you THE view of Neuschwanstein, and gives you such a great picture to remember....though I look a little nervous...this is because one must not..

 

....be afraid of heights..see the bridge?

Here's a better zoomed version

Now...King Ludwig's parents lived in a castle just adjacent to his..called Schloss Hohenschwangau.  This is also a must see while visiting.

This I found to be more impressive, and it was beautifully lit up at night:

Hohenschwangau at night during a light snow fall.

Don't forget to check out the Alpensee...or the Zugspitze - the highest point in Germany, and sample a good coffee, and cake on the German side, and walk over to Austria, and sample an Austrian bier.

Seilbahn to the Zugspitze!  This thing just reminds me of James Bond!!

Ich bin da!

Beautiful!!

OR make a day trip to Innsbruck in Austria - just do not go on a weekend during school holiday season or...you might run into a traffic jam, and see this on your navi...eeeeeeeeeeeep!  That wasn't fun, so then you can go to the neighboring town.. Füssen when this doesn't work out.

Overall I do give this experience a good rating of 9/10.  It's picturesque.  Just be prepared for tons of tourists.  If that doesn't bother you then...enjoy your fairy tale!! 

The End.