After settling in at our Pension, Bob and I decided to venture back into town which was just down the road. I can't ever describe this location and do it justice; and we hadn't even entered or approached the castles, but being there and viewing them from afar was awesome! (There are two castles: Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.) Neuschwanstein Castle, which was the model for Cinderella's Castle at Disney World, is white and Hohenschwangau is a light brick color and is located on an opposite slope with a background of craggy gray mountains which had the remnants of snow in their jagged crevices surrounded by evergreen trees. This was truly an unbelievable sight.

As we laid in our beds that night, out of our window we could see Neuschwanstein lit up on the mountain high above us. After a delicious breakfast provided by our hostess, we started toward the castle. It is a one-kilometer steep climb to Schloss Neuschwanstein - and yes, it was a steep climb! Although it was the middle of May, by the time we arrived at the castle just before 9a.m., we were carrying the sweaters we had layered over our other clothes.

Although the inside of the castles should not be missed, it is their magnificent locations on the mountains, with the Alps in the background, that is the memorable thing that we will always remember.

Once inside the gate.... Neuschwanstein was the dream of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He lived in the castle only 190 days before being declared insane. He and his doctor were found drowned in Lake Alpsee. Both castles are filled with paintings from Richard Wagner's Operas, gold, gilt and opulence although sparsely furnished. Neuschwanstein was actually never finished and much of it is empty even today.