You Can Not go to Germany and Not Go To a Castle or Two!!!

My last day in Munich I spent on a countryside tour to see the famous “Sleeping Beauty” castle.   I took a tour that wound thru Bavaria.  The first stop was Linderhof Castle.  This was built by King Ludwig II.  He was a recluse and loved this castle because he could walk in the country and pretty much be by himself.  He had a dining room where the table would drop down a floor to the kitchen so he did not have to see the servants and could eat totally alone.  It wasn’t a big Castle but every thing was covered in gold leaf so it looked ” over the top” opulence.
We drove up the mountains to the little town of Oberammergau.  There is a spectacular passion play there every 10 years that draws  500,000 people.

It was then on to Castle Neuschwanstein.  This is an amazing  giant castle built on top of a cliff.  I can not image how the stones and furnishings were transported up the steep hill to the entrance. This castle was build around 1870 by Ludwig because he liked castles. It was not ever needed or used for defensive purposes.  The Castle was not completed when Ludwig died a mysterious death by drowning at the age of 40.

These pictures do not do it justice……it is incredible!!!  What I didn’t know was that there is a two mile up hill walk to the castle.  When you get there—there are another 300 steps to ascend to view the rooms.  I couldn’t believe how many old people and little kids were making the trek.  
By the time I walked to the train station and took my metro train and bus home I was too tired to eat dinner…..it was to bed for me.  Luckily, I had a Nature’s Valley bar and my host had left me a bottle of seltzer so not to worry: I didn’t starve.

I didn’t get too see much of Munich— it definitely deserves more time.  This is a little church across from my place.

p.s. German men are very gallant— if I came to steps leading to or from my public transportation they inevitably offered to help me with my suitcase…..I didn’t even have to limp.

p.p.s. I not ever going to Octoberfest without a drindl and braids!!!!!