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Neuschwanstein – King Ludwig II of Bavaria built this castle as the stone representation
of his reign, but Disneyland’s copy made it every child’s image of what
a castle should be. Started
in 1869, Ludwig never saw it completed, but you can see his dream come to
life and admire the work of hundreds of the best crafts people of the time.
A tour through the castle lasts about 35 min. For admission to the castle, children under 18 accompanied by an adult are free. |
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 Nearby
Neuschwanstein is Castle Hohenschwangau and the fun
way to get there is by horse drawn carriage (can you not do this?) Hochenschwangau was where Ludwig II grew up, but it was rebuilt in
the mid 19th century. There are wonderful tapestries and artwork,
but most notable are the murals which seem to cover every wall in the royal
rooms. For some regal flash, check out The Hero's Hall, where the long banquet
table is decorated with gold centerpieces gold candelabras. |
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Garmisch Partenkirchen is one of the most popular resorts in the area – for good reason. These
two towns form the German alpine resort you’re probably imagining when you
think of skiing or hiking in Germany, with breathtaking mountain views and
typical German architecture everywhere. |
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Don’t miss out on a side trip
to Partnach-klamm, a gorge with tunnels where kids will love the
wild rush of the mountain streams and Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest
mountain. Even if you don’t ski, there’s bobsledding in the winter and hiking
in the summer. To really enjoy the place, make sure everyone has good hiking
shoes. |
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Schwangau – This is where
you’ll start for a tour of Neuschwanstein, but you really should
plan enough time for this town if you like or just plain need a break out
in the country. With four lakes, the Ammergebirge
natural preserve and a hundred
miles of trails, this is a wonderful spot for stretching out your legs.
You can hike, bike, boat, take a ride in a horse drawn carriage, there’s
even a summer toboggan slide then relax at the spa. Late summer and early fall are especially fun times
to be here for festivals. |
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If
you love history, take time to visit the Roman excavations at nearby Tegelberg. |
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Oberammergau –The biggest draw here is
the world famous, centuries old Passion Play, but Oberammergau itself is
a charming village. Stop in the tourism office for special hiking and biking maps: there are guided walks and a couple places to rent
bikes. |
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No
matter when you’re here, this is the place in Germany to buy carvings
– every street seems to have a woodcarving shop. (Ask about visits
to the woodcarving school nearby.) |
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Combine
two treats by biking out to Mad King Ludwig’s Linderhof Castle (locals
claim it was his favorite). Just a few minutes bike ride from town, it boasts
an English Garden, a grotto, several pavilions and a lovely palace.
En route you’ll pass Graswang, a typical Bavarian village, where
you can stop for some current berry juice. You can get to Oberammergau by
train from Munich. |
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Dachau – Surely one of the
most chilling phrases in any language will forever be “Arbeit Macht Frei”
or “work makes one free” the words on the gate into Dachau that mocked the
victims of the Nazi era. This is a compelling site, with exhibits including
guard towers, barracks, gas chambers, cemeteries, and religious memorials.
While it for many it's an historical "must do" it may be best
for older children. For a link to the concentration camp museum,
click here: Dachau |
