This morning your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby for a drive deep into Bavaria and into the Alps. Today you may visit Neuschwanstein, one of the most recognized symbols of Bavaria. It took 17 years and over 6 million Gold Marks to turn “Mad” King Ludwig II’s fantasy into reality. Set in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, the castle overlooks the idyllic 700-year-old medieval village of Füssen. The views from the castle and from the nearby town are priceless.
Although the castle is still, to this day, unfinished, the interior is stunning. Neuschwanstein is designed in the authentic style of old German knights’ castles and is decorated in themes from Wagner’s operas.
The castle is extraordinarily busy all summer long. We avoid lines as much as possible by booking a pre-set entrance time. Should there be any change in timing today, your guide will advise you. You will also have tickets to get to the castle in the horse and carriage system operated by the castle administration.
After your visit, your driver will take you to the village of Oberammergau for a bit of exploration. Oberammergau is most known for its Passion Play – first performed in 1634 and still performed once every 10 years. Come back in 2020 to see the next performance! It’s a very picturesque village, as residents have a tradition of painting frescoes on their houses with scenes from fairy tales, folk life and bible scenes. If you want to pick up a souvenir here, Oberammergau is famous for its wood carving.
If you wish, you can also visit the Wies Church (Wieskirche), a UNESCO-protected baroque landmark. Completely unassuming from the outside, the interior of this church is magnificently decorated and is a highlight of Bavarian rococo architecture.
If you are interested, another place you could visit today is Linderhof, located near Oberammergau. This is one of King Ludwig’s other palaces and is the only one that he ever lived to see completed, a fairytale palace of fantasy and flamboyance.