We set out early in the morning in our Escalade blasting some J.T. Timberlake (sorry Joscha, we weren’t too savy with your music player) to attempt at two-hour drive into the German countryside to the Neuschwanstein Castle, nestled in the city of Füssen in the foothills of the Swiss Alps.

Now this is not just an ordinary castle. To be quite clear, it is the actual castle which served as the model for Sleeping Beauty’s dwelling place…yes it’s that beautiful. But actually more magical because it’s real. From all of our travels this past week and all of the other wondrous places I’ve been so fortunate to experience, this sight takes the cake.

So what’s the Neuschwanstein on this castle ?

Some facts…
Although this ethereal palace in the mountains looks like was built in medieval times, it was conceived and constructed in the late 1800s by King Ludwig II, aka “the mad king” who was the second king of Bavaria. Ludwig’s father funnily enough owned and lived in castle just down a few miles from his future son’s. But was little Ludwig satisfied with a lovely, already built and furnished castle in the mountains?…Of course not. It wasn’t the castle he’d seen in his dreams. So, once his father died when he was 18, it was up into the mountains to craft his vision.

Inside each room of this castle, pick a room any room, are walls and aritifacts laiden with gold and pastel-painted walls depicting each their own specific fairytale or myths of great love…the tale of Tristen and his Isolde scales Ludwig’s bedroom walls. Sigh.

Swans are a reoccuring theme throughout the castle and can be found carved into the castle’s structure, sketched into ornaments in the rooms, swimming through paintings, vases, tapestries, tiled floors…

The schloss (castle) was still being constructed at the time of Ludwig’s death…it remains so.

Sadly, lonesome Ludwig lived in Neuschwanstein alone, sans wife and family, but for only 172 days before he mysteriously passed away…

Never Enough
For the bee and butterfly, circling within the walls just wasn’t enough. There was too much more of this wonder to be savored from afar. So, we took to the hills. We scaled the mountain neighboring the castle and headed up. And I mean straight up. Before long, we were sole hikers.

The rest of the Neuschwanstein scene had dropped off and we were on our own scaling to the highest point to acquire the best possible view in our power. Roughly 30 minutes from the castle’s bases we were suddenly on top of the world. That was it. I was in my fairy tale, and there was no one around to bring me down to earth. This being said, there’s really nothing quite as freeing as breaking off from the pack and literally taking the road less traveled by.

The day began with a clink of glasses, a glass of beer, naturally. With three Englishmen, an Aussie gal, Irish couple, and two Americans (us) in tow… we made quite a sightly spectacle.

Tid-Bits for your Travel Pocket
What’s your’s is mine and what’s mine is….mine
Whatever beer is made in München stays in München. No exportation. Munch on that.

Seeing Stars
The Star of David…not just the Jewish symbol. In the Middle Ages it actually was hung on different buildings and inns to show that yes, indeed, beer was for sale.

Shine your Light
Helles lager beer (light beer) is the locals’ favorite, arguably the best in Munchen, and possibly in the world…or so they say.

Beer for dinner?
Also in the Middle Ages, housewives spent the entire day brewing beer and baking bread for their husbands while they worked the field. Bread and beer. That was dinner. I know boys in the States right now who are thinking, ‘dang what a life.’

Monk of the Party
Monks were actually revolutionary in the mass production of beer. In the Middle Ages they began brewing their own to sell in the countryside where they dwelled, but eventually were able to charge cities whatever they wished for their delectable concoction…they were, after all, the ones who discovered ‘hops’ a small thistle-like looking plant which is now one of the main ingredients in most beers.

Fact vs. Fiction
The darker the beer the better… for your health? Mmmm negative. I don’t really know where I heard this or from who, but I’m guessing I’m not the only one whose been deceived by this false fable. Dark beer, light beer, purple beer, rainbow beer, it’s all the same in calories and content. Drat, I know. However, wheat beer is actually better for you. Wheat beer can be dark, can be light, so be wary, appearance lies. This better-for-you beverage does typically have a clove or cinnamon aftertaste however. Took the taste buds some getting used to but I found it tasty.

Take our sweet digs in München (Munich), for instance. Our wondrous abode did not, as you may think, arise from thin air…Au contraire, our accommodations and transportation were generously offered to us by a München local I had met in Singapore last Christmas while visiting a friend there (Singapore is A-M-AZING and I plan to visit again…again, and again…but that’s another story).

Once Sierra, Cody and I began our travel planning, I spread the word of our alleged itinerary to as many people as possible through email, Facebook, phone, etc. I knew Joscha hailed Germany and immediately contacted him. When our München native heard the Bugs were flying through, he graciously handed over his apartment keys and car, oh sorry Escalade, rather, while he took a vacation to Spain. Hence our free crib.

Love for Hofbraukeller
Joscha was able to spend the first night with us, introducing us to Hofbraukeller, prominent and picturesque beer garden, a local gem, just a summer’s stroll from his apartment. Picture rows upon rows of green-painted picnic tables beneath giant twinkle-lit trees, packed full of nearly 2,000 people, a snug summer breeze in the air.

Before we knew it, we were clinking liters (yes, whole liters, that’s just how they do) of genuine German beer, knoshing pretzels and raw radishes (hey, it’s the custom) with a jolly group of his buddies. Next in line for the night was a pass-by through the beer garden’s unique beach bar, Sausalitos. A beach at a beer garden?! This California girl must be dreaming. It so happened that the owner of this magical beach oasis was a member of Joscha and fellow German crew’s possy. And connecting the dots we go. Mehdi was now there to help us out if we needed any assistance in adjusting to German living, plus score us a free drink or two should we decide to pay a visit to saucy Sasalitos in the upcoming nights. De-lish.

Having already established connections in a foreign part of the world helps tremendously plus is a sure-way to keep it safe when you’re out at night.

Note to female travelers
Growing up girls, it’s no surprise you always have to have your wits about you when it comes to men and you’re out and about. Obviously, while traversing foreign countries, your decept-o-meter is running on high. Of course, as female American tourists, you will undoubtedly be picked up by locals. No matter how friendly these dashing accented men might seem, never be too quick to be chummy, give your numbers or personal information out, let them buy you drinks…basically live up to the naïve American girl stereotype. Not everyone just wants to help you out and show you a good time. That’s why, really, you need to pull from your network, I’m talking pull all the stops you got. Start scrolling through your phone contact list/Facebook and you’ll discover you know people who know people who know people who can hook you up wherever you go.

And hey, people enjoy showing you where they live; They enjoy sharing their culture and customs with you. It’s their time to share their pride and joy, their home, their language, their life with you. It’s a pretty sweet thing to be on the inside, not just an outsider looking in.

To our delight and surprise we stumbled upon a cafe aboard the magical train, complete with wide windows, high stools and tables…the perfect spot to set up and do some writing and photo work.

*By the way, in case you all were wondering, lengthy train rides are where and when we attempt to complete all of our online work. However, as usually there are no outlets on trains, sometimes this means we find an internet cafe to hole up in for an hour or several, or, to our luck, friends’ homes we’ve stayed in have internet to relieve us of late night or early morning ventures to seek out an internet cafe.*

To lift our spirits even higher, the wonderful man working behind the counter took heart to us and supplied us with all of the food and drink we needed to get us through the ride.

My heart was filled during that long, and what would have been discomforting and tedious ride, as we were able to share laughs, bites and sips with the happiest train attendant there ever was. It made me appreciate just how far a kind word and helping hand can carry you throughout the day.