Culture

A Winter Wonderland: Neuschwanstein Castle and Christmas King Ludwig’s Winter Wonderland. Ludwig II is at the heart of so many stories of Munich and Bavaria that it is unsurprising that the fairytale king should feature prominently in the most fairytale time of year. To see Neuschwanstein Castle tower above a winter landscape is to step…

The German-speaking regions of central Europe have a long and rich history, and are famous for many many things: precision engineering, cars, the Autobahn, music, picturesque landscapes, fairytale castles, and romantic medieval towns and villages. But above all else, Germany is associated with beer. In Germany,  beer is not just a beverage – it’s a…

When you think of Bavaria, you almost certainly think of beer. And you probably picture it served in a typical Bavarian Bierhaus. In your imagination, this will be an old world, wood-pannelled restaurant, with hunting trophies hanging from time-coloured walls, and where German food and beer take center stage. Nestled in the heart of Bavaria,…

Today, German beer festivals are celebrated throughout the world, but the most famous of all of them will forever be in Munich. The great capital of southern Germany, is renowned for its centuries-old brewing traditions and vibrant beer culture. The great symbol of this is the world-famous Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich. Known locally as…

You may have seen the George Clooney movie, or read the (much better) book that inspired it. If so, you’ll have some idea about the role Neuschwanstein Castle plays in the story of World War II and the “Monuments Men.” During the war, the Nazis looted occupied Europe of countless artistic treasure representing centuries of…

No visit to Germany is complete without a visit to a Schloss – a word that covers everything from imposing medieval castles to glittering 17th century baroque palaces. Neuschwanstein Castle is the most celebrated of all of them, but here we give some alernative recommendations for the best that can easily be visited from Munich….

Füssen and the neighbouring village of Hohenschwangau are globally associated with Germany’s most famous tourist attraction: King Ludwig’s glorious Neuschwanstein Castle, shimmering on its lofty perch far above Lake Alpsee and the nearby Forggensee. What is less well known is that Neuschwanstein is only one of a number of stunning castles in the area. Just…

Most people know Neuschwanstein Castle as an inspiration for one of the 20th century’s great cultural figures: Walt Disney. Bavaria’s famous fairy tale castle is the role model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. To really understand Neuschwanstein, however, we need to see how it was in its turn inspired by one of the great cultural…

A day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle combines stunning romantic architecture with a breathtaking natural location in the Bavarian Alps. The gateway to Germany’s famous Romantic Road, the region around Füssen is home to some of the most picturesque hiking trails in Bavaria. Neuschwanstein itself is merely the glittering centerpiece of an awe-inspiring alpine landscape. The…

The biggest cliche about German beer is that you can have any type of beer you like in Germany as long as it’s lager. This is far from the truth. There may not quite be the 1800 varieties of beer that there are of sausage, but there is plenty of choice when it comes to…