Fulfill your Disney fantasy in Neuschwanstein
A dream is a wish your heart makes - and this time it comes true by simply taking a flight to Munich, Germany.
Neuschwanstein is perhaps the world's most famous castle, and even if the name isn’t immediately familiar, the architecture certainly will be because it inspired the design of every castle in every Disney movie you’ve ever seen. Thanks to the vision of King Ludwig II who commissioned the work, every aspiring princess today knows exactly how her home should look.
There are many ways to travel to Neuschwanstein, but we chose to make the journey a part of the experience by renting a BMW to enjoy the freedom of the autobahn, where speed limits are non-existent. It wouldn’t be strictly necessary to stay close to the castle with such a vehicle at our disposal, but the setting of the AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa is not to be missed. Situated right by the lake, in view of another of Ludwig’s creations, Hohenschwangau, this is one fairytale location to bring dreams to life.
Entry to either of the castles requires advance reservation, preferably made several months ahead to avoid disappointment. Failing that, the exterior and grounds can still be enjoyed without a ticket. That experience might not quite be everything but you could at least imagine yourself as Aurora, picking berries in the forest, and you are halfway there.
If walking hills are not your strong suit, you can take a horse-drawn carriage right up to Neuschwanstein’s door, but the trail is not unduly difficult and the approach on foot is worth the effort. The same can be said for much of the Alpsee surroundings. The AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa has access to over 100 km of hiking trails, or 50 km in the wintertime when the snow must be cleared from the footpaths. For those who are even more actively inclined, cross-country skiing is available, with Alpine ski resorts only slightly further afield, while summer visitors will find 90 km of dedicated cycle paths.
A single day to see the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles would be sufficient, but seeing is only a part of the true royal experience. To understand just why Walt Disney and his wife picked Neuschwanstein as the blueprint for the castle in Sleeping Beauty, you really need to take your time to take in the essence of this Bavarian paradise. A place like this, and precious time, could be your own formula for creativity, and who knows what your next big royal idea would be?