wrenwood

Ok I think I have our route, and possible nearby Castles

4 nights near Berchtesgaden ~ Hohenwerfen Castle. We could also consider Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg if we have a rainy day.

4 nights in GP/Mittenwald/or Fussen ~ Eisenburg Ruins near Pfonten ( and of course 1 or more of Ludwigs Castles)

2 nights Meersburg ~ Burg Meersburg in town and stop at Hohentwiel Fortress Ruins near Singen on the way to Grindelwald
http://www.festungsruine-hohentwiel.de/en/

5 nights Grindelwald ~ Schloss Spiez and Oberhofen on Thunsee ~ I think these would be great if we have a rainy day

Last day, leave Grindelwald and drive to Zurich airport ~ stop at Lenzburg Castle on the way. We could stay in Lenzburg or nearby, or at the airport.

Would love more comments and information and suggestions! I'm excited, the only ones of these that my husband and I have been to are Ludwig's Castles!

Cranachin

Besides Eisenberg, other ruins near Füssen include Ehrenberg (across the border in Austria), Falkenstein, and Freyberg.

We visited Ehrenberg around 10 years ago and enjoyed it. Evidently much has changed since then, as there is now a museum (about which signs hinted when we were there). The museum charges admission, but the ruins are still free, I think. You might want to double-check that, though.

The German-language website is http://www.ehrenberg.at/de/home.html (I can't seem to find one in English).

Another palace that might be of interest is Ludwig's Linderhof, between Oberammergau and Füssen. In addition to the palace itself, the gardens have a lot of neat features, including the Venus Grotto and a fountain that shoots high into the air.

wrenwood

Thanks Cranachin I will check out Ehrenberg, Falkenstein, and Freyberg.

My husband and I have been to Linderhof in addition to Neuchwanstein and Hohenschwangau, but not sure at this point which my brother's family would enjoy most.

My guess is my nieces would LOVE the Grotto at Linderhof, so maybe a toss-up between Neuchwanstein and Hohenschwangau as another option.

wrenwood

Found this site describing Ehrenberg, Falkenstein, and Eisenberg (click on the red squares)

http://www.romanticroad.com/neuschwa....php#eisenberg

ashwinb

Just came to know about these castles in Austria , they look really really good and atmospheric and big: Hochosterwitz Castle near klagenfurt and Riegersburg Castle near Graz.

wrenwood

Thanks ashwinb, the castles look really really cool, but I'm afraid they are just too far out of our way

elberko

Hochosterwitz is my favorite castle (it's in my profile), but it's not a ruin, in addition to not being near the proposed route.

~Liz

wrenwood

My husband and I have been as far east as Durnstein but not Vienna, so obviously we need to plan another trip to eastern Austria and it's Castles (and maybe Croatia!)

Hochosterwitz does look awesome!

wrenwood

It's possible we could fly out of geneva instead of Zurich. Any Castles I should look up for a visit our last day from Grindelwald to Geneva?

Google Maps takes us around Berne and down around Lausanne.

Michael

http://www.chillon.ch/en/index.cfm

wrenwood

Thanks Michael I should have mentioned that we have been there.

Ingo

Not exactly ruins, but have a look at

- Romont
- Grandson
- Moudon
- La Sarraz

and many more ...

Do you know the website www.swisscastles.ch?

wrenwood

Will take a look.

I guess they really don't have to be "ruins" just castles that they can wander through themselves (they'll be 18 and 21) without being on a tour. We will have done tours through Herrenchiemsee, Neuschwanstein, and Linderhof (which to me are more like palaces)

They did enjoy Hampton Court Palace, we used audio guides and you're fairly free to roam around there. And I said, they did love Chepstow and Kennilworth.

wrenwood

Hi Ingo, just saw it was you as I submitted the last reply!

I'm quite happy right now, planning for Switzerland (Murren) this year and Grindelwald in 2015.

Will have to make it back to Sils and Soglio in 2016!