My Cinderella Adventure

There were 2 travels that I really really wanted to do after I reached Basel on the 1st Oct. 

One was to taste the authentic Black forest gateau IN Black Forest, and own a cuckoo clock. I will share details of the Black Forest adventure in  my next blog.

The magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle in fall colours 

The other was visit the castle which inspired castles in the Disney movies Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Yes, there is a real castle on which the movie castle has been based on. And it is in a place called Schwangau in Bavaria, about 3 hours drive from Basel. This is a part of 3 castles built by Ludwig II or was it III? But anyways, it was the stuff dreams are made of ... pure romanticism at its height. The pictures themselves were so majestic. Was I excited or was I excited!!!

Tushar surprised me with  Neuschwanstein castle travel plans to me one Friday and on the Sat'day next, 23rd Okt., we were all ready for my Cinderella adventure. Europcar, our favourite rental car agency (favourite as it was the only one within 2 km distance from our home in Basel!) was ready with my favorite car, Hyundai i10. And off we started at exactly 8 o'clock.  But then we realized that the car was a manual one, in which Tushar had to negotiate both the gears and the right hand side driving rules!!!

Bavarian Houses with paintings

However, it was a pretty drive passing along side Zurich, St. Gallen and then finally reaching Bavaria just after noon. Now Tushar did struggle with the manual 'shift' car  - and there were a few anxious moments around quite a few round abouts. But the more worrisome event was when we just about entered a ferry on the way- across Lake Constance. (This was since, we had no idea the GPS had an option for including ferry rides on the way) Now, we had not quite bargained  for a ferry ride  with the car; so we had to re-set the GPS to 'avoid Ferries'.     

HohenSchwangau Castle

Once we reached there, you have to see the view. Actually there were 2 castles - Hohenschwangau Castle and the New Hohenschwangau Castle  - now called the Neuschwanstein castle. We took our entry tickets from the counter, and set off for the closer Hohenschwangau castle initially. Because of time shortage, we could enter only the Neuschwanstein castle, and could therefore view the HohenSchwangau castle gardens and the exterior. But they were damn good. Yes Definitely! 

Gardens of HohenSchwangau Castle

Neuschwanstein from HohenSchwangau

Gardens of HohenSchwangau Castle

It was a slightly uphill ride, and the way down was much easier - if only because of the eagerness to visit  Neuschwanstein castle.

However, Tushar decided to walk uphill for  30 min. against the easier option of taking the horse buggy. Was it tough? Not really, it was hyped in the brochure that its a tough 30 min walk, and we covered it in 20 mins. And we saved a fiver! Anyways the 20 min uphill walk gave us time to think - about the Bavarian region (visit here for more information), and the Allstadt region and life in the period of German romanticism and the romance in our lives and while we are at it, the exciting times we have in Hyderabad... and then reality dawned. I mean Neuschwanstein castle zoomed into view. Man, Was it pretty!

Even prettier was the view from Marien Brucke. You really have to see this place to understand why this was the castle chosen by Walt Disney for the Cinderella flick. Agreed that was a cartoon, but here we were witness to a real castle. And as castles go, this was one of the finest. Just a view from the outside can make you drool. Well, that is also in part because you cannot take snaps of the interior... so you better do with the exterior view only. However, I have a few snaps taken on the sly of the interior..in my private collection. Maybe I can show you a few, provided you beg... hehehe :) 

First glimpse of the Castle

Surroundings of the Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle from Marienbrücke

The 20 min walk to Neuschwanstein Castle

Marienbrücke from inside the Castle

Anyways, during the castle tour, that we could undertake, we were informed that this Ludwig II, died pretty much during the construction and could not live in it. What a tragedy, but on the other had, I think this castle is relatively new because of this! I mean, like a house, which you buy almost new instead of it passing through generations - this castle is never been lived in, although it has been decorated like a new bride. A view of the carpets, the tapestry and the halls bear testimony to the grandeur of this place. 

And Not to forget the view from the top! I must admit that the phrase 'Room with a view' is quite inappropriate the way we use it in daily usage. Anybody should see this snap for a 'Castle with a view'. Magestic. Awe-inspiring. Stupendous.

After the castle closed at around 5 p.m., we went to the Marion Brucke for  a picture perfect view. This place can even inspire you to start poetry. A view of the Bavarian landscape scenery is a joy- especially if undertaken during the season of the fall colour.

A wonderful trip, and thanks to weather gods for holding out on the rain, though the fresh snow carpet added so much to the breathtaking view. 

My tip: You can pass the inside trip of the Hohenschawangau castle, but do not miss the Neuschwanstein and Marien Brucke for all the money's worth (EUR 9 - EUR 17 for combined)

Also, there is a third Ludwig castle in Herrenchiemsee, which is near to Munich. Now, I have to get Tushar interested in that one - maybe when we go travelling again to  the Christmas markets in end-Nov till end-Dec.