Germany Day 3-4 and Innsbruck, Austria

Day 3

Rothenburg odt.

Today we spent our time looking around the walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.  This looks like a Disney city in that it's so quaint that it seems staged.  The buildings and the cobblestone bring you back to medieval times, but with 21st-century workers and wares.  

We started out along the wall which you can access at various points throughout the city.  From there we could see into people's homes and yards - all kept very clean and pretty.  We ended up at the south entrance - the Spital tower and gate at the bottom of the long street Spitalgasse. You can go in the tower and explore - unfortunately, the old cannons are now aimed at an intersection outside the city.

We mosied up the Spitalgasse and visited the various shops.  There is a classic photo op where the street divides - this street is called Plönlein  - it's a shot that you see on postcards and advertisements for Rothenburg odt.

We stopped at a bakery and several candy and Christmas shops on the way. Shellie and I took in an early snack of potato soup and goulash (and beer) just before we reached the city center.  The rest joined us for adult milkshakes and more soup.

 

"Put them in the Iron Maiden"
"Excellent!"
- Bill & Ted

We visited the large Christmas shops and booked some dinner reservations. Dave and I visited the  Medieval Crime and Justice Museum.  Check out the pictures of the Iron Maiden (learned it may have been a hoax) and the Masks of Shame (not a hoax).

After going back to the hotel for a midday siesta (Mittagspause), we ate dinner at Eiscafé-Pizzeria Italia and had Lasagna, Pizza, and other dishes - very good and good service.  

Day 4

Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, and Innsbruck, Austria

Today was castle touring day, and we went to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle which is famous for being referred to as the inspiration for Disney's Cinderella Castle.  It is in far south-central Germany near the Austrian border in a town called Schwangau.  As you may or may to have picked up on - the German word Schwan is in all of these place names.  And you may correctly guess that it means "Swan" which was the favorite animal of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and subject of his friend, composer Richard Wagner's, opera Lohengrin.  

The Neuschwanstein Castle is on a hill (as are most castles) and is technically a palace (meaning it doesn't look like a fort).   After getting timestamped tour tickets in advance (online is best), you can walk or take a buggy approximately a mile up the hill to the actual castle.  The tour covers the life of King Ludwig and why he built the castle, which has several nice views, and you have to do it, BUT,  there are two better places here - the Marienbrücke and the "other" castle, Hohenschwangau.  The Marien bridge is about a 10-minute walk from the castle exit and offers great views of Neuschwanstein from afar.  There are other beautiful scenic overlooks along the way.  I would recommend allowing time between castle visits for this side quest.

View from the Marienbrücke 

Swan in the Garden

After coming back down the mountain, you can easily reach Hohenschwangau on foot.  I think this is the prettier castle and the better tour.  The views from the castle windows feature tree-lined lakes.  Before or after your visit you can stroll in the small but beautiful gardens.  The tour covers the history of the King and his brother, both of whom suffered tragic endings. 

Neuschwanstein from
Hohenschwangau 

You have to do the Disney castle, but you should do this one. Since it's way out of the way, you should really always do both.

Lake view from Hohenschwangau

After the tours, we decided to use the daylight to travel the 71 miles to Innsbruck, Austria to spend the night.  We were amazed by how beautiful the drive was, and the sight of the Alps was magnificent.  Innsbruck is a small town, known as a popular ski resort, on the river Inn.  We checked into our hotel, Hotel Mondschein, right in the center of town, on the river, near the main bridge (Innbrücke).

Panorama of the Inn and Innbrücke from our hotel room

This hotel was perfect - great staff, nice rooms, good breakfast, great location.  After failing to get a reservation at our preferred restaurant, the desk manager booked us dinner at Ottoburg, an ever better place nearby in a historic building.

After dinner, Shellie and I went to the Casino, but Shellie didn't have ID, so we just went back to the hotel. I think we saw five other people on the mile or so walk - there was no one out - except people were going to a hole-in-the-wall Irish bar.  The city center is pretty at night.  When we got back to the US, we started watching this season's Amazing Race (Fall 2022) and they were in the exact city center we were.