Hello, fellow adventurers!
It might have been over a year ago, but the magic of my first European adventure is still fresh in my mind! In this feature, I’m taking you back to a place that felt like a dream come true: Neuschwanstein Castle tucked away in the snowy Bavarian Alps.
Truth be told, Munich wasn’t even in our original plans. But because we applied for our visa through the German embassy, we had to extend our stay in Germany a bit. That meant squeezing Munich into our itinerary. But hey, I’d heard so much about Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Palace, so I figured, why not? To make things easier, we booked a day trip to Neuschwanstein through GetYourGuide, starting from Munich. (Don’t worry, I’ll save Linderhof for another blog post – this one’s all about Neuschwanstein!)
Remember this? A guy who had only ever dreamed of European castles, stepping off a coaster into a scene blanketed in white. It was like being in the movie Frozen (minus the talking snowman)! The air was cold, but my heart was overflowing with joy.
The bus journey, from Munich, itself was a scenic treat. Rolling hills, and charming villages, all built up the excitement. As we got closer, the castle started peering through the trees – that moment was pure magic.
I still can’t fully describe how beautiful Neuschwanstein was. It was even grander than in the pictures. Snow on the towers and turrets made it look like a giant gingerbread house. Seriously, it felt like a dream!
Our tour inside the castle was a whirlwind of amazing rooms, each one more beautiful than the last. There was gold almost everywhere, expensive tapestries, and murals that told stories of knights and legends. I kept pinching myself, just in case I was dreaming. The Throne Room? Amazing! The view from the windows? Breathtaking scenery of snow-covered mountains and forests. Unfortunately, taking photos/videos inside the castle itself was not allowed. Couldn’t even sneak in one.
Why Winter? The castle is beautiful in any season, but there was something extra special about seeing it in winter. The snow made it even more magical, and there were fewer people (bonus!). Also, the feeling of being in a snowy wonderland is just different.
If you have time, take a walk around the village of Hohenschwangau. It’s small but charming, and there are many places to eat delicious food and drink hot chocolate.
Even over a year later, the memories of Neuschwanstein Castle still make me smile. It wasn’t just a place I visited in Europe, it was like something out of a storybook. A place where dreams come true.
So, if you haven’t been, add this to your bucket list. And if you have, let’s reminisce together in the comments!
P.S. Stay tuned for more throwback posts about my first European trip. There’s so much more to share!
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