Europe Trip, Day 7

The next day in Bavaria was a day of touring nearby attractions! We packed in 3 separate castle tours, plus visited a monastery all in one day! We had experienced such warm temperatures that this overcast, cooler day was very much enjoyed!

Linderhof Palace was the primary residence of Ludwig II. Above the palace Ludwig had a grotto built to emulate a scene from a Wagner opera, complete with a swan boat and man-made lake with waterfall that you see above. He was obsessed with Wagner and touches of his work could be seen in each of the castles we visited.

Linderhof's gardens were immaculate.

Linderhof was nestled in a "forest" type setting...very unassuming and private.

Near Linderhhof was Ettal Monastery, and active Abbey and school, which famously housed Detrich Bonhoeffer during WWII. Of course we had to stop by!

We ate and shopped while there. Above is the area's traditional "weisswurst". While it was fine, the pretzel that came with it was the best I'd had the whole trip! This was a neat, quiet little town.

The two larger castles we visited were Hohenshwangau and Neuschwanstein. These castles are within walking distance of one another and were both the residence of "Mad" King Ludwig. Hohenschwangau was where he spent his childhood, and Neuschwanstein was what he built when he became king himself. Neuschwanstein, built in gothic style, is what the Disney castle is modeled after (pictured above while standing on Mary's Bridge).

Neuschwanstein in the distance.

Hohenschwangau with beautiful mountains and lake as backdrop.

We walked to "Mary's Bridge" for a great view of both castles.

Up close at Neuschwanstein

More of Neuschwanstein

Up close of Hohenschwangau.