Day Tours from Fussen

Bavarian Highlights Day Tour Model

We meet at the Fussen Train Station at 9 a.m. – early enough to accomplish a lot today, but late enough for the 6:51 a.m. train from Munich to connect with those who stayed overnight locally.

Our first transfer is to the village of Hohenschwangau, site of both King Ludwig II's boyhood castle home and Neuschwanstein, the most famous castle he built himself.

Hohenschwangau Castle, where Ludwig grew up, is visibile to one side of the village, but it's less impressive than our focus.

We take a bus ride up to Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) to get a clear view of Neuschwanstein, sitting on a rock high atop the Poellat Gorge. (If Mary's Bridge is closed because of ice or snow on the path, you will be taken to another lookout where you can take wonderful pictures of Neuschwanstein.)

Neuschwanstein is the first of Ludwig's three castle creations, and by far the most impressive.  It was designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical set designer, and -- under Ludwig's instructions -- includes many references to Richard Wagner's operas.

A short walk downhill takes us to the Neuschwanstein Castle for our inside guided tour with a local castle guide.

Ludwig's castles are relatively new as castles go.  All were built in the period from 1869 to 1876, and used the most modern construction practices and technologies of the time to achieve fantastical effects.  Steam engines and electricity, modern venting, and heating pipes are all included in the structures.  The interior walls illustrate numerous scenes from Richard Wagner's musical dramas.

The most lasting impressions will be of the wildly imaginative architectural design and the stunning elegance of the finished interiors.

We ride a horse-drawn carriage down from the castle to continue on our tour.

We leave Hohenschwangau for a short ride to the famous Wieskirche (The Church in the Meadow), the only monument in the region on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. 

Wieskirche was built between 1745 and 1754 in rococo style, and restored between 1985 and 1991.

We have time to survey the pastoral Bavarian meadow setting and visit the stunning interior.

On to Oberammergau, the beautiful Passion Play village below the mountains that's known for its house frescos (Lueftl painting), woodcarvers, and Christmas shops. 

The Oberammergau Passion Play was first performed in 1634 to honour the village’s vow that it would perform a passion play depicting the life and death of Jesus every ten years if it were spared the effects of the bubonic plague then sweeping the region.  Oberammergau was spared the worst effects of the plague and has continued to honour its commitment throughout the centuries. 

You have free time to have a bite to eat, to explore on your own, and to shop for great souvenirs.

Our next stop is Linderhof, Ludwig’s beautiful palace tucked away in the mountains between Fussen and Oberammergau.  Linderhof was built between 1870 and 1879, in an elaborate rococo style recalling the Bourbon Kings.

Ludwig actually lived at Linderhof for several years, unlike Neuschwanstein and his third castle, Herrenchiemsee.

We tour inside the palace with a local castle guide, and your have time to continue up to the Venus Grotto for an inside visit of its illustration of the first act of Wagner's Tannhaeuser and to go for a stroll in the formal gardens.

We return back to Fussen via Austria, up mountain passes of the Tyrol and along the stunning Lake Plansee, understandably a popular spot for water sports and hiking as well as sightseeing.
 
We arrive back at Fussen at about 6 p.m.