Neuschwanstein Castle!

Neuschwanstein Castle!

Guidebooks say that this is the world’s most famous castle…the model for Disneyland’s castle.

This was at the beginning of the hike up to the castle.

This was at the beginning of the hike up to the castle.

“Crazy” King Ludwig II is famous for his two fantasy fairy-tale castles: Neuschwanstein Castle and Howenscwangau Castle.

We hiked up a canyon next to a waterfall.

We hiked up a canyon next to a waterfall.

They are Germany’s biggest tourist attractions!

Notice the bridge above Andy. We are about halfway to the bridge at this point.

Notice the bridge above Andy. We are about halfway to the bridge at this point.

The location of the castles is stunning!

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We finally arrived at the top, a 35 minute climb…we worked off our amazing, enormous breakfast provided by our wonderful Airbnb host!

According to Lonely Planet guidebook, King Ludwig planned this castle with the help of a help of a set designer instead of an architect!

There's Andy, waving his arms on the balcony. There were tons of tourists there!

There’s Andy, waving his arms on the balcony. There were tons of tourists there!

It looks like a medieval castle but was building was begun in 1869, but never finished.

Must have a photo in front of the castle, even with random tourists posing for their own photos:)

Must have a photo in front of the castle, even with random tourists posing for their own photos:) At this point, Nate was ready to go back to our hosts’ home to play.

Apparently, King Ludwig only lived here for less than 180 days.

The castle actually looked very new up close. It had just been restored earlier this year.

The castle actually looked very new up close. It had just been restored earlier this year.

Next, we walked to Marienbrucke Bridge, the bridge I pointed out about Andy a few pictures ago.

Next, we walked to Marienbrucke Bridge, the bridge I pointed out above Andy a few pictures ago.

On the way to the bridge we passed this view of the place where King Ludwig lived as a boy.

Here's Howenschwangau Castle, where crazy King Ludwig lived as a boy. Not a bad place to grow up!

Howenschwangau Castle… not a bad place to grow up!

Here's the view from the bridge!

Here’s the view from the bridge!

Then we walked down the hill to Hohenschwangau, the touristy town at the bottom of the hill.

Then we walked down the hill to Hohenschwangau, the touristy town at the bottom of the hill.

The picture above shows how far up we climbed to get to the castle!

The view of the castle from the town. It shows how far we climbed to get to it!

The view of the castle from the town.

Again, this is a must-see if you are ever in this area!  Our day wasn’t even finished at this point.  We left here to go to Fussen: the final, southern-most town on the Romantic Road.  Pictures coming on the next post.

Gotta run, we are off to Italy now!