Munich: Castle Neuschwanstein

Today was our day off and tomorrow we are flying home. Two other co-workers and I rented a car and drove to the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps where the Castle Neuschwanstein (New Swan Castle) is located. The castle was built between 1869 and 1886 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and is now under consideration to be one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World". Not only that, but the Disney castle was designed to look like the Neuschwanstein castle. It’s really an amazing place, I’m so glad I got to see it.

Read more info about the castle here:
http://www.neuschwanstein.com/english/index.htm









Some towns we passed on the way



Even though today was only in the low 50’s and drizzling, I think I rather be riding like this guy



The castle from the road



The castle is near the town of Fussen, which is near the Austrian border









Fussen







Village of Hohenschwangau



Castle Hohenschwangau built by Ludwig’s II father



This is how we got to the castle

We did a tour of the castle, it's the only way to see the inside. It's amazing, although there was no photography allowed inside accept from the windows, so you’ll just have to go there yourself if you want to see it.











Castle Neuschwanstein







Views from the castle

We walked all the way down to the car, the road is very steep, it got dark and it was drizzling again.



Castle Hohenschwangau at night

Munich: Food

So we’ve been to many Bavarian restaurants this week, but tonight we hit the jackpot. This place was not overrun with tourists and the food was amazing. The best Spatzel or Spaetzle (German egg dumpling noodles) so far.



Munich (and Bavarian) food is meat based revolving mainly around pork, many meals are not served with any vegetables. If vegetable are served, they are usually boiled. As in the rest of Germany, in Munich a huge variety of sausages (Wurst) are available.

A local specialty is the giant pretzel called Brez'n which are covered in a sprinkling of rock salt.

Munich itself has a number of large breweries, some of which you can visit too, e.g. Paulaner, Spaten, Löwenbräu. Basically beer falls into two types; wheat beer (Weissbier) and lager (Helles Bier). You get differant types of all beers, e.g. dark wheat beers, yeasty wheat beers and so on.

Cigarette smoke is a major problem in restaurants. It seems as if almost everyone smokes and very few restaurants even bother with just-for-show non-smoking sections, as if it would do any good anyway. If you don't smoke and hate being around others who do, you'll have problems here.



The worlds smallest pickup truck?

Munich: English Garden

Munich´s famous 900-acre park has shaded paths, brooks, ponds and swans and is best known for its four beer gardens (Chinesischer Turm, Seehaus, Hirschau, Aumeister) and nude sunbathers. The park stretches from the center of the city (near Odeonsplatz) to the northern city border. I didn't have enough time to see a lot of it, just a glimpse.



There is still a lot of leaves on the trees and fall colors everywhere









Swans and ducks

Munich: A walk to city center

Today I took a walk towards the downtown in the morning. Since yesterday the temperature has been unseasonably warm, today was going to hit 65 degrees or more.

Munich itself is a city of exquisite Rococo buildings, Gothic churches, stucco buildings and modern shops.







It’s so cool how in Europe you can park your bike anywhere



I saw two Ducs today, this one and a red 748 going by















So what’s with these cigarette vending machines on the sidewalks?

Munich: near my hotel

I took a short walk around the neighborhood this morning and I found out that two blocks down from the hotel there was a motorcycle rental place. Too bad I won't have enough free time to ride. I didn't bring my gear anyway.



I really like some of these enduros that we don’t have in the US





Cool modern building



Typical German building



A park a block away from the hotel



Narrow residential street



Those funny tiny European cars

Munich, Germany

I’m here for one week for work. I flew out of Chicago at 6PM on Sunday and landed in Munich Monday afternoon. I flew to London first, then changed planes and flew to Munich. It was a long day by the time I went to bed since I didn't get to sleep on Sunday.





Hofbräuhaus

This beloved beer hall has existed since 1644 and lives up to its reputation: beer, food, tourists, oom-pah music, drunken revelry and Lederhosen.





Oom-pah band









Beer really is better in Germany, my favorite is black weiss beer



Mmmmmm.... German food





Check out the wall of beer steins, personalized and locked away for their owners



Tables labeled with "Stammtisch" are reserved for regulars (this is true for all Bavarian restaurants)







Marienplatz

The boulevard between Marienplatz and Karlsplatz/Stachus, with the medieval city gate Karlstor, has been a pedestrian zone and Munich's busiest shopping area since the 1970s.