Neuschwanstein

Hohenschwangau Castle

If you are in Germany and you're a big Disney fan you have to go see Neuschwanstein because it is the castle that Cinderella's castle is based off of at Disney World. When you arrive at Neuschwanstein, go to the ticket booth and purchase a combination ticket for both the Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castle. It will be about 23 Euro, that is if you are not a student or military card holder.
Hohenschwangau is the lower of the two castles and is the family residence of King Ludwig II. It is a perfectly maintained residence with a beautiful courtyard and an even better view. You are able to see all the rooms in this castle but are not allowed to take any pictures. It is very intricately decorated in the gothic style.

Neuschwanstein Castle

In 1868 King Ludwig II, King of Bavaria , had Neuschwanstein castle built as a residence where he could retreat from people but also because he wanted a "New Castle" (Neuschwanstein) high above the Hohenschwangau Castle. It was not finished until 1886 when the King died. He only lived in the Palace for 2 years and it has never been fully completed. There are only 5 or 6 rooms that you visit on the tour and you can not go inside the palace without a guided tour. In order to get to the palace you can walk (it's a little hike), take the bus, or ride in a horse and carriage. After going into the castle you should go to the "Marienbruecke", an iron bridge built above the Poellat Gorge, where you can see a gorgeous view of the castle (picture above) and the surrounding area. If however you want the typical picture, such as the one to the right, that you always see then I am sorry to say you are going to need a helicopter.

King Ludwig II had four other castles made and are available to the public for tours. The Linderhof Palace, the King's House on the Schachen, Augustine Monastery Herrenchiemsee, and Herrenchiemsee Palace. King Ludwig II is also known as the "Fairytale King" because he created this fantasy world to live in as a way of retreating from reality. Part of this world consisted of private opera and play performances, and traveling dressed in historic, elaborately designed costumes.         

Cochem, Germany

Life-size chess by the river.

Cochem Castle. It's a little hike but it's a sweet sight. 

Cochem is a small town situated right on the Mosel River. The Mosel River is one of 2 major rivers in Germany and are both major wine regions. On our first tour to Germany we lived right by this town and used to travel to it constantly for walks along the river and ice cream. The town is at the foot of a hill with a castle, the Reichsburg, dating back to 1051. The town is also completely surrounded by vineyards and hills. Looking up at some of them makes you wonder how they could even pick them at the angle they are situated. Anyway, Cochem is a cute little town to spend the day in shopping, exploring the local cuisine, tasting the wine, visiting the castle and playing chess by the river. If you want a breathtaking view of the entire valley you can take the Sesselbahn, a chair lift, to the Pinner Kreuz. About 20 minutes, walking, from the top of the mountain is the Leisure and Wildlife Park in Klotten, where you will find more than 120 animal species. The village of Klotten is a nice little wine village to explore and enjoy an afternoon lunch. If you are into walking and hiking the Nordic Fitness Park is nearby where they have a route for everyone, from flat to ascending and from forests to vineyards.

One of the many house you will see like this.