Bavarian Itinerary
 

Hi! My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Europe this winter and are currently planning our itinerary for Germany, particularly Bavaria. We are torn between whether we should do Fussen/Neuschwanstein castle or Steingaden/Wieskirche? We are not sure about how "view-able" they will be since it will be winter time. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

They are close. We stayed in Fuessen and went to the castles one (very foggy day). We couldn't even see Neuschwanstein from Hoehenschwangau. The next day, on the way to the Weiskirche we saw both from the road. After the Weiskirche we went back to Neuschwanstein to get pictures from the Marienbruke.

The Wieskirche is only about 30 to 40 minutes from Fuessen. No reason you can't do both in a day. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau should take less than half a day.

I seem to always travel in Germany in the winter. It has it's challenges with the driving. But I thought that Neuschwanstein is most beautiful with a mantel of snow!!

And as the above posters state, you can do BOTH with a car!

-john

Hi again,

Maybe you already know this, it's less than 10 minutes from Fuessen to Neuschwanstein.

And you don't have to stay in or even visit Fussen/Fuessen. You can stay in Hohenschwangau at the base of the castles.

If you are traveling by car Neuschwanstein, Wiesekirche Oberammergau, Linderhof and Ettal Monastary are all pretty close together and easily accessable. the Germans take very good care of their roads in Wintertime so you shouldn't have a lot of trouble getting around.

This is one of my favorite parts of the world so raise a glass for me while you are there.

We have done Germany many times in the winter. Roads are all usually in good shape unless you hit a storm in progress. Some roads are simply closed in the winter in the Alps so you need to check on these when planning your driving. There should be info somewhere on the winter road closings as they do them each year.

We have done an easy day from Garmisch to Neuschwanstein to Wieskirche to Obarammergau with short stop at Ettal Abbey and back to hotel in Garmisch. As many posters are stating: They are all close together.

ditto the above

I've been driving Continental and Goodyear lately. Continental definitively have a better grip. Winter tires are mandatory.

Be aware, the law holds the driver responsable for the roadworthy condition if the car, not the rental agency. Whatever they claim, it doesn't count. You have to tell them what is needed.