We went to a castle! [Backpacking over 60]

This is the sixth instalment of Libby’s journey backpacking through Europe with her husband… To read her previous post, click here.

King Ludwig loved the smaller of the two castles, so our guide told us.

Linderhof was very rich in gold and ornaments with large ponds and fountains in the front. I had a bit of a smile to myself when we got there as we the humans were being herded like cattle and told not go beyond roped off areas, yet there was a little dachshund and a dog of unknown lineage having a great time playing in the ponds and fountains. While there, a large storm came from nowhere. One minute we were in the sunshine the next we were literally in the clouds of this enormous storm. As we left, we drove down the mountain we drove out of the storm and it must have been fast moving as it was no time before it was sunny again.

Next stop Schloss Neuschwanstein…Hello Disneyland! This is the castle I am sure that Walt copied for his castle. The views were breathtaking and the castle has to be seen to be believed. We took a horse drawn carriage up to the castle and would walk back.

This man wasn’t mad – he was just born years/centuries before his time. The innovations in that castle were all thought up by him. He had a phone/intercom, central heating (all the pipes from the kitchen are run through the walls to keep the place warm) and a proper toilet. We got lost in the place and after a few hours we eventually made our way out which takes you under the castle which was like walking through an ice box and again, it was supposed to be.

We decided to stay the night in the area as my brother wasn’t well. We chose a beautiful ski lodge, minus the snow. The owner spoke excellent English and we were able to ask her all sorts about the area. The lodge was picture perfect – beautifully crafted out of wood just like all the pictures you see of the snow fields in Europe. We were leaving early as my brother really wasn’t well and as he had been trekking in South America before meeting us in the UK, he needed to see a doctor just incase.

Half way through the night we were woken by the most spectacular storm; it was awe inspiring. The lightning over the Alps and the rain was just lovely. We eventually went back to bed and when we awoke it was time to go to Austria. No getting lost today, we headed straight to Vienna. The drive to Austria was a bit surreal we were surrounded by snow capped mountains and yet it was a very pleasant 25 degrees. It looked as though you were driving into a massive storm as it was so dark ahead and then you looked up and realised it was the mountains soaring high into the sky.

Well how funny is that – we have just driven through a little place called “Wank”, so you can imagine the smile we had when we pulled up at the Inn and I will let your imagination guess what the name was! We needed a loo so off my husband went (he doesn’t speak German). Herr and Dam were on the toilets. Yep, you guessed it he thought they had missed spelt “HER”.

And I thought well “Dam” must be the male. Not being a good wife I sat in the car and got a good case of the giggles, especially when two ladies walked into the toilet. I have never seen hubby exit anywhere so quickly!

Not that much further and we had crossed into Austria. We had to buy a pass to be able to drive on the freeways/autobahns. The roads are perfect and no one complains about this even though it effectively makes them toll roads. It really wasn’t a lot… just 7.30 euros for 10 days.

Stay tuned because tomorrow morning we’re off to Austria!

What castles have you visited around the world? Tell us about them and which ones you recommend for travellers to visit to in the comments below…