Ascension Trip to Bavaria: Neuschwanstein Castle

Started the day with a proper German breakfast.

Uli, Leonard and Lina Marie take refuge from the rain.

We had to buy ponchos - effective.

Neuschwanstein Castle.

The kitchens of Hohenschwangau Castle - now that's a stove!

Hohenschwangau Castle.

These castles are on hills - good thing we had carriages nearby!

The entry of Hohenschwangau Castle.

1 Euro ponchos hit the spot.

Hohenschwangau Castle from Neuschwanstein Castle.

Climbing to the bridge rewarded with incredible view. Karsten and Leonard joined Steve for the hike.

The castle's surroundings are stunning. 

Visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle was always high on our list and we were glad that we could spend the day at this historic place. 

The castle is every bit as beautiful as one sees in photographs. We knew that it was the inspiration behind the Disney castle. What we didn't realize was all the history behind the castle and Ludwig II of Bavaria. Not only was it to be a personal refuge for the regent but also to pay hommage to Richard Wagner.

It is a fascinating place to visit. We enjoyed visiting both Nueschwanstein and nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood home of Ludwig II and where he lived and watched the construction of Nueschwanstein. 

Ascension Trip to Bavaria: Lachen and Nesselwang

View from our apartment in Lachen.

The farm had kitties.

Anna holds one too.

Bavarian countryside.

A painting in a local restaurant. Steve thought Maria could learn from this depiction, particularly since Steve has so much Schneid.

Uli and Maria.

Kate and Leonard play on the car.

Picturesque Bavaria.

Traditional Bavarian clothing in a local shop.

Dinner in Nesselwang.

Our breakfast in our apartment.

They had rabbits too.

Kate learning about milking.

Karsten decides to take a ride.

Local church.

Bavarian cousine.

The girls enjoy spaetzle.

Steve and Karsten have a beer.

Traditional post wedding decoration - starts the clock on when the baby should arrive.

Last year we travelled to Luxembourg and Trier for Ascension weekend with our good friends, the Vierkas. We met the Vierkas in Dubai and both families moved to Europe in 2010. The Vierkas moved to Hamburg and us to Switzerland. We enjoy their company and our families travel well together. We agreed last year to meet again over Ascension. This year it was Bavaria.

Last year Uli found as terrific accomodations in a small German village. This year was the same. We stayed in furnished apartments at Veiter-Hof in Lachen, Germany. Lachen is comprised of a handful of buildings, mostly related to dairy farmers. Our hosts are dairy farmers plus work other jobs during the day. They were terrific hosts and we managed to get by despite our limited German and their limited English. 

Just up the road is the town of Nesselwang, a municipatlity in the district of Ostallgäu in Bavaria in Germany. Though only 3,200 fulll time residence, its location foot of the Alps in Allgäuat make it popular with tourists for skiing in the winter and scenary during the summer. 

We enjoyed the local cousine and taking part in the daily activities of dairy farming in Bavaria.