Today we were off to the Alps and the castles of mad king Ludwig. It was great to get out of industrial Munchic to the beautiful countryside. The green grass, cows and majestic mountains were right out of the Heidi novel (which Josephine said she tried to read 3 times but just couldn’t finish - funny). It snowed here last week so the mountains were really lovely. We started our visit at Schloss Hohenschwangau (the highland swan castle), summer castle and boyhood home of Ludwig.
Unlike most castles we’ve been too these castles have all the original furniture, paintings, etc. because they were turned into museums after the last Prince died. It was small, but rich in beautiful murals and dark wood. Both Ludwig and his dad were obsessed with knights and the associated legends which were the bases for the construction design and the murals. After a great tour guide at the first castle we went down the hill to ride a carriage in the rain up to Newschwanstein – the fairy tale castle. 
Yes it’s a tourist trap, but it is really wonderful. The castle was never finished but what was is breathtaking. It doesn’t have the opulence of Versailles but we all agreed it was more attractive because of its warmth and scenery….out of every window is a view of the Alps! On the way down we bought something that looked like putzelkin (German New Year’s cookies) without the raisins. Deep-fried dough with icing sugar, what could be better on a rainy afternoon? Sorry mom but they were better than the ones you make! It was a grand day and we’re now off to find some dinner, maybe curried sausage!Jane
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