Sleeping Beauty's castle and other Fussen, Germany Things to Do Tips

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.

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Address: Fussen
Directions: From Fussen train station, take a bus going to the castle. However, the bus station is actually at the foot of the mountain where the castle is located. Hence, you need to hike or ride a horse drawn carriage to finally reach the castle.

Schloss Hohenschwangau is the older of the 2 castles. One could say it is the ancestral castle, since King Ludwig's parents lived there. It is known for the figure of a dove on top of one of its towers.

Going up, we took the fastest (but "steepest") path in our excitement and haste to see the inside of the castle. Midway, there is a couple of benches where you can rest and marvel in the beauty below you. Going down, we took the path designed for a more leisurely pace which was a wise decision as it led us toward the lake.

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Address: Fussen
Directions: From Fussen train station, take a bus going to the castles. The bus' last stop is at the foot of the mountain where the castle is located. From there, it's walk, walk, walk. Oopps, I mean, walk up the hill.