Tristan and Isolde
by Krumlovgirl
If you visit Neuschwanstein Castle you will see the paintings depicting Tristan and Isolde in King Ludwig's bedroom. Here is the story...
Tristan and Isolde were members of different tribes but when Tristan was injured at a battle in Ireland Isolde tended him and healed him with herbs. The king wanted to wed Isolde so he sent Tristan back to her to help him win her hand in marriage. She agrees to marry the king but on the journey back Tristan and Isolde drink a glass of wine together, not knowing that it had a love potion in it. Upon drinking it, they fall in love with one another. They continue the affair even after Isolde is married to the king. When he finds out, he condems Tristan to death. Tristan manages to escape though, and later the king finds out that it wasn't their fault, that they acted out of the magic potion. He forgives them but eventually Tristan dies from his love and Isolde soon follows out of sorrow.
Now, if you have ever watched "Legends of the Fall" you'll know that the Tristan in THAT story wasn't so different than the one in the legend.
High Palace
by iandsmith
There is an opportunity to move out onto the old palace walls and then climb one of the towers. Should you choose to do that on a winter's day when it's snowing, you'll be glad the wall was covered! I should warn those who tend to have vertigo attacks that the stairs are fairly steep and narrow (pic 3) and it was only with some cajouling that I managed to get Rosemarie up the stairs.
There are views over the town (pic 5) though it was pretty much white with lines through it when we were there.
The entrance road gateway is dated 1899 but that refers to restoration rather than the original date of the fort which, through its mixed history, actually started back in Roman times around 2,000 though the remnants of this occupation are scant. Most of what you see dates from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Der Alpsee I see
by iandsmith
In a way it's not really an "Off the beaten path" activity as there is a well trod path around this small lake at the base of the alps. It's just that compared to Neuschwanstein and Hohenswhangau, the number of tourists is a trickle.
I had wanted to walk around it on my previous trip but ran out of time and was uncertain just how long it would take. Had I simply noticed the sign my question would have been answered! It happens to be about 90 minutes around this body of water and, on the northern side there's a lovely aspect looking directly at the first of the alps.
On a clear day you might get a wonderful reflection shot but I had to make do with a reasonable one as my pictures indicate. They also reflect that it was wintry conditions although it was Easter, albeit at the earliest of its dates in March. It had snowed lightly for the previous two days and was about to dump even more that day and night and that made for a nice colour variation on the peaks. It's a fairly flat walk except for a minor hill near Hohenswhangau but it's definitely not suited to wheelchairs and can get a bit wet after snow, as it was for us.
Alpsee
by iandsmith
Different times of the year will yield different results for your walk. It was fairly slushy at times during our stroll and the spring vegetation hadn't yet sprung forth.
As with most walks of this type, the scenery is constantly changing.
The varying angle will make what you saw a minute ago seem completely different and offer different photo opportunites.
These are samples of my snow shots.
Sleeping Beauty's castle
by asianbelle
I heard from someone that Sleeping Beauty's castle in Disneyland was patterned after Schloss Neuschwanstein. So, instead of heading to the replica, better go and see the original.
Locally known as "mad" King Ludwig II's castle, Neuschwanstein is nestled in the mountain. Whew! I could just imagine Ludwig surveying his surroundings and his constituents.
My favorite room in the castle is Ludwig's own bathroom. The guide told us that, while soaking in the tub, Ludwig likes to gaze at the stars. But, glass roof is yet to be invented then, so he simulated the black sky and the bright stars through lighted candles enveloped in black curtains.
Well, maybe, Ludwig is not a "mad" King, but a King with a vision, a man ahead of his time.
Sign in with Facebook
lekker!
Nestled in the Alps
Modern Bavarian Bistro
Fussen Town
