Beautiful Bavaria
Bavaria is located in the southeast part of Germany. It is the largest German state and makes up a fifth of the total land area of Germany. The area of Bavaria can be dated back to the 1st century BC. Bavaria became a republic after being the Kingdom of Bavaria from 1806 to 1918. You can read more about Bavaria and Germany being one here. I heard a very subtle whisper of Bavaria and northern Germans sharing a mutual dislike for one another and I couldn’t understand it until I read up on it. Bavaria is very beautiful territory. I won’t go too much into airing anyone’s laundry, but as a tourist, you should be aware that there is a quiet (polite by America’s standards) battle going on between “northern Germany” and Bavaria. It isn’t something you should be alarmed by as a tourist, but many German’s don’t like Bavarians, and some Bavarians don’t consider themselves Germans. It is just best to be respectful and maybe even remain oblivious to their feelings towards one another.
My time in Bavaria was very limited. After our suitcase debacle, we were behind by a few days on our entire trip. While we had planned to spend most of an entire day in Munich and Bavaria, we barely made it to see the Neuschwanstein Castle and up to Munich to check into our hotel for a night before we would have to leave early the next morning to meet our friends in Ravensburg. I had plans in Munich to watch the noon Rathaus-Glockenspiel, as well as check out Olympiapark. It just wasn’t in the cards for me this time.
I sacrificed most of Munich to see the Neuschwanstein Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle has long been on my bucket list. I have a great love for castles, and this one with its iconic look and beautiful location, climbed its way up my list after a puzzle I did of it several years ago. It inspired Walt Disney to create the Magic Kingdom. It is a hike to get to but on your way to the top are great photo-op stops overlooking the land and cities below. Once you get to the top, you can make your way around the grounds with or without a ticket to the inside. There is a path you can take around the castle to a foot bridge- Marienbrücke, which is more hiking. This bridge is where you will find your photo-op of the castle that you probably will be looking for. The bridge is pretty high up, so if you are afraid of heights, like I am, either bring someone with you who isn’t, or try to go out when it isn’t quite as crowded. The bridge’s wooden planks give a bit as you walk over them, which is very unsettling when you are dealing with a phobia. It is safe though. The castle itself was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Construction began in 1868 when the medieval twin castles that once stood in its place, were demolished. Foundation was laid in 1869. In 1884 the king was able to move in even though it wasn’t finished. He built it in dedication to Richard Wagner who died before the castle was complete and before he could see the castle. King Ludwig II only stayed in the castle a total of 172 days. King Ludwig II died mysteriously on June 13th, 1886. His body was found in shallow water along with Dr. Bernhard von Gudden after the two men were out for a stroll. His death was ruled a suicide by drowning but the circumstances are far too mysterious for this to be the real cause of death. If you get a chance to read further about King Ludwig II and his life, it is a fascinating life to read about and his death brings out the detective in everyone really.
Anyway, I was not at all disappointed in Neuschwanstein. The drive to get there takes you through little village-type communities that are full of history. It is all surrounded by beauty. It has so much history and tales to tell. There are hot cocoa stands along your hike to the top because you can certainly feel the temperature in the air drop as you climb in elevation, getting closer to the castle. We commissioned a horse carriage. I normally wouldn’t do this because I am an animal welfare advocate and am always leery about horse carriages but I studied the drivers and the horses a bit before paying them. It was recommended to us to take one of these up the hill. They take you a partial ways up the hill and drop you off to hike the rest of the way. The horses were friendly, but not scared of anything. Our driver was very loving to all of the horses, even when he thought no one was looking. The horses also had lots of personality which was a good sign to me. I would just hike up it on my own next time but it made for a unique experience and if you have small kids, it might have to be an option. We were there in the evening hours though, and everything was closing up shop already. Even the restaurants at the beginning of where you can make your way to the castle. That is classic Germany for you though. At the castle we ran into fellow Americans who offered to take our picture for us and were very friendly. We took all the pictures we could in the cold, rainy weather as a fog rolled in below us. Worried about the hour-plus drive we had ahead of us to our hotel in Munich, I rushed my way through it, but I made a mental note to not let that be the last time I visited this castle. Perhaps next time getting there earlier, and staying longer, and definitely doing the full tour.
Overall, Bavaria is definitely the look many people think of Germany. It is mountainous, full of trees, and shades of green. It makes for a beautiful drive most of the time. While I didn’t get nearly enough time there, I got enough of a taste to know it is going on my must-visit list in the future. The people we interacted with were very friendly and English was not even a problem for anyone when trying to communicate since Bavaria is really big in tourism. I highly recommend Bavaria as a stop if you’re visiting that part of the world.
Do: Bring Euros, Expect shops and restaurants to close early, Visit Neuschwanstein Castle, Be polite and practice good manners, Be prepared to hike a lot when visiting Neuschwanstein, Dress appropriately and have a jacket most of the year, tip when applicable - 10% is considered a good tip in Germany
Don’t: Discuss the subtle disgust between most of Germany and Bavarians, Litter, Bring a lot of items to carry when hiking up Neuschwanstein- especially if doing a tour since there will be a lot of people on the tour with you
Neuschwanstein Castle from Marienbrücke
Marienbrücke Over the Waterfall in Bavaria
View From the Hike Up Neuschwanstein Castle
View Down from the Marienbrücke
