Tour Itinerary
Two hours from Munich, the enchanting old-world town of Füssen lies in the foot hills of the Alps, framed by one of the most breathtaking natural settings in the world. Towering far above the village, seemingly sculpted out of the very mountains that rise magnificently to the heavens, is a sight made from the stuff of dreams: the fabulous and ethereal Neuschwanstein Castle. This glorious folly was built in the 19th century by the famed "mad" King Ludwig II, a man intoxicated by myth and who himself became a legend. The shimmering white towers of the castle among the clouds are instantly recognisable to many who haven’t ever heard the name Neuschwanstein. It is the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, and is famous the world over as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Castle. To visit it is to step inside a fairy tale. Our guide will bring you on the train journey from Munich and accompany you uphill to the castle’s lofty perch, where it sits gleaming above a spectacular panorama of mountains, lakes and valleys. It’s not just about the castle – it’s also about its wonderful location. We’ll take you to the best vantage points: the lake (if time and weather permits we can try the water for a swim), the postcard-perfect aerial view of the equally beautiful Hohenschwangau Castle, the waterfall gorge, the stunning views from the Marienbrücke bridge suspended high over it all. While you are marvelling at the beauty all around, our guide will tell you the engaging story of King Ludwig’s renowned and tragic reign, of his turbulent times, and of the obsession that drove him to build his fantasy castle in the mountains and ultimately destroyed him. We will also arrange a separate internal tour of the king’s private chambers by a specialist castle guide. It is the most practical way to enter the fantasy-world.
Please note this tour does involve some uphill walking. If you prefer not to walk uphill, an optional horse-drawn carriage will take you most (but not all) of the way to the top.