Watch my Relive video here!:https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOnZDnx7BO

This was supposed to be a rest day; I guess it was if you live in the hills. Today was only 65 km but still had just shy of 3,000 ft of climbing, less then what we have been doing but still!

 

Check this video clip:

49E70723-652E-4D70-A44A-2515CA809413

We weaved our way along  the Austro-German border and continued  north into the deep mountains of southern Bavaria. We crossed through the Ettaler forest. Cheese and famous Trappist beer from the Ettaler Cheese Factory were picked up for future consumption. Check  this clip:

56BBCD24-AF97-41E5-B483-9EA48A94ED49

and this one, cows in the bike path!:

1BBE6CE1-C72A-44E5-B756-A03918083B0C

We rode through the forests along the Alpsee river to avoid the tourists.

   

Many castles dot the mountain tops, however it rained most of the ride, so we did not see them. However what we did see was fantastic.

   
 

Our day was shorter today so we could tour the castle high above the hotel where we are staying, which is nestled at the base of the hill. And in the last 25km, the weather broke and the sun came out, much like yesterday…destination Neuschwanstein

Check this video clip:

6AC370AF-18EA-440D-9ADB-3EB9073BAE91
and this one: FullSizeRender
and this one: FullSizeRender

and this one: FullSizeRender

We arrived at the Ameron  hotel in the village of Neuschwanstein and rooms weren’t ready so we had some beer and goulash soup at a biergarten cafe while we waited…

   

Neuschwanstein Castle is in a mythical location, and is Europe’s most beautiful castle. It was built along with other castles in the Schwangau valley in the mid-1800’s by King Ludwig II. It is about a 25 minute steep uphill walk or in my case with my leg, I took a bus. Ludwig built it an decorated it to honour othe medieval rulers and God as he was very devout, and to composer Richard Wagner. He only lived there for 172 days, when  he drowned in the lake just behind where our hotel now stands. Of note, Neuschwanstein is the castle Walt Disney modelled the castle on the Magic Kingdom in all his theme parks. It is massive.

 

    the view was amazing!       the village below, our hotel, red roofs directly across from the yellow castle ( also built by Ludwig II)

           

A beer(s) and snacks at a biergarten steps from the hotel after the tour of the castle, unfortunately no photos of any kind were allowed.

        

Another stellar dinner and fine white German wines were enjoyed by all.

     

Life is good in Neuschwanstein!