mandavilla

Hi, we're going to Germany this THursday, and are wondering if we were to take a tour of just one castle, which would you all recommend? we're staying in Schwangau THursday night, and thought we'd tour a castle in the morning. We plan on seeing both Neuschwanstein & Hohschwangau & perhaps LIndenhof, but the kids prefer touring inside just one of them, and i don't know which might be most interesting. Kids are 10 and 14.

THANKS for any of your ideas!

Mandie

AisleSeat

Plan on BOTH Hohenschwangau (to see how people who lived in castles really lived) and Neuschwanstein just because it is the most famous castle in the world and you shouldn't go all that way and not see it. Hohenschwangau has original furnishing from the family and is like touring a rich aunt's house. Neuschwanstein was built and mostly never moved into so it is a shell in many parts but worthwhile none the less. Linderhoff, Herren Chiemsee and even Nymphenburg in Munich will be more fo the same.

mandavilla

Thanks, Aisle seat. WE'll plan on both castles. Do you recommend that we get tickets ahead of time, or do you know if there is some efficient way of avoiding long lines? THANKS!

Mary_Fran

I think your kids might enjoy Linderhoff more than Neueschwanstein, and you would too. It's a beautiful place. The palace is full of beautiful furniture, in a baroque, over-the-top style, and there are other things to see at the site, such as the Moorish Kiosk and the grotto.

We intended to visit Neueschwanstein as wall, but as we drew near and saw the bumper-to-bumper tour busses and masses of tourists, we rethought our plans to visit this mostly empty castle and be content with our memories of Linderhof.

Intrepid1

I suppose it is like whistling into the wind but I think when all is said and done you'll find that Neuschwanstein was great to look at from the outside, and rather boring (when compared to the Linderhof) on the inside.

Hopefully, you won't have to wait long for an English language tour of Neuschwanstein...one advantage when there are a lot of people waiting to get in.

rex

<<none the less. Linderhoff, Herren Chiemsee and even Nymphenburg in Munich will be more fo the same...>>

I think that this generalozation is way too dismissive, and doesn't sound like the perspectives of someone who can tell you what each is really like.

A far better and more informative post on the four castles (i.e., excluding Nymphenburg) can be found at

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34632692

...including info on waiting times yu might anticipate.

I think that by far, the best strategy for avoiding long lines (at Neuschwanstein) is to arrive <u>early</u> - - 8:30 is good, 8 is better.

I can't imagine going to Linderhof and not going in. It's a good two hours round trip from Schwangau, as far as I know.

Best wishes,

Rex

Intrepid1

Mandavilla:

I realize that Neuschwanstein and Linderhof are both compelling in their own, rather unique, ways.

I have to disagree with AisleSeat's assertion that Herrenchiemsee would be &quot;more of the same&quot; and I really wish you had the time and inclination to visit <b> that </b> particular palace (which is a hige favorite amongst the locals).

That &quot;more of the same&quot; would be the largest of <b> all </b> the Ludwig buildings and the interior decoration makes all the others look cheap by comparison.

But Herrenchiemsee is somewhat off the beaten path, I realize, and not on the usual &quot;tourist radar.&quot;

I'm sure you'll be delighted with your choices.

RufusTFirefly

Keep in mind that you can make advance reservations for both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles on the internet and not have any waits in line except for the ride up to the castles (actually, the walk up to Hohenschwangau is pretty easy).

Here's the website where you can make advance reservations: http://www.hohenschwangau.de/546.0.html

As to Linderhof, it took us about 45 minutes driving time from Linderhof to Hohenschwangau along the Plansee and through Reutte, Austria.

mandavilla

Thanks for all your help. Your information is quite helpful, and i'll report back after we go. not sure what we'll do right now (depending on jet lag, etc), so we'll play it by ear &amp; explore the area at our leisure! THANKS AGAIN!