A tale of friendship, frozen toilets, and fairy tale castles – my first European adventure with my best friend.
You might have read my previous blogs about Starnbergersee and Neuschwanstein Castle, but this one is special. This was my very first European adventure – the journey that sparked my love for exploring this continent. More importantly, it was a trip shared with my best friend Rachel during our student days, filled with the kind of unplanned mishaps and pure joy that only happen when you’re young, slightly reckless, and experiencing everything for the first time. Sometimes a place deserves to be revisited in writing because the memories are too rich to capture in just one telling. This is that story – the unfiltered, friendship-filled adventure behind the picture-perfect castle photos.
When Rachel and I planned our trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, we never imagined it would involve closed train lines, desperate searches for toilets, and knee-deep snow adventures. But that’s exactly what made this journey unforgettable.
The Journey Begins: Train Station Shenanigans
The morning of our trip, I got a text from Rachel that nearly gave me a heart attack: “Due to last night’s snowfall, regional trains in Bremen are shut down.” Perfect start, right? Thankfully, she managed to catch an ICE (Inter-City Express) in the afternoon.
When I picked her up from the station around 9 PM, I barely recognized her. After half a year of exchange in Germany, she had fully embraced the German lifestyle – thick practical clothes, hiking boots, a massive backpack, and not a trace of makeup. The German transformation was complete!
Rachel was starving, so I begged my roommate for some sausages from his fridge while simultaneously trying to curl Rachel’s hair for the next day. Talk about multitasking.
By 11 PM, we were finally on our RB train, only to end up waiting at Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof for over an hour. Rachel, ever the diligent student, used every minute to work on her essay due the next day. Meanwhile, I was facing a more pressing issue – discovering the horrifying reality that PUBLIC TOILETS ACTUALLY CLOSE AT NIGHT IN GERMANY!
Our next train to Frankfurt airport was an S-Bahn, still with no bathroom access. In desperation, I convinced Rachel to sing songs with me as a distraction. It helped… marginally. When we finally reached the airport and I found a toilet, I nearly cried with relief. Life lesson: never take 24-hour bathroom access for granted.
Midnight Express to München
We chose the night ICE from Frankfurt to München to save precious daytime hours, assuming we’d sleep comfortably on the train. Spoiler alert: we got maybe two hours of sleep. Two hours before arrival, I decided it was makeup time – for both of us.
After a quick breakfast at München Hauptbahnhof, we headed to our first stop: Starnberg. I’d chosen this place because I’d heard Starnberger See (Lake Starnberg) was beautiful – and after fresh snowfall, it was absolutely magical.
Growing up on a tropical island, snow was a rare sight for me. Standing there, watching sunlight glitter across the frozen lake, I felt like I was living in a dream.
We were literally shouting on the train, pressing our faces against the windows, because everything was so beautiful! The other passengers probably thought we were crazy, but when you see that kind of beauty for the first time, being dignified is the last thing on your mind.
For history buffs, the Museum Starnberger See is worth visiting. I’ve forgotten most of what I saw there, but I distinctly remember the incredibly handsome staff member working there. Some memories stick with you for the right reasons!
München Pitstop: Food and Fatigue
We returned to München for some shopping and lunch before continuing to Füssen, our final destination. After wandering around Marienplatz (and taking the obligatory tourist photos), we found a cozy restaurant for lunch.
After refueling with food, I promptly fell asleep on the train while Rachel took photos of the passing scenery. At some point, I woke up feeling guilty and apologized to Rachel for falling asleep. Two sentences into my apology, my head dropped like a watermelon onto the table. Consciousness: zero. Embarrassment: complete.
Rachel managed to capture some stunning Alps views while I was in dreamland. This is why you travel with a friend – someone’s always awake to document the journey!
Füssen: Heaven on Earth
Arriving in Füssen for the first time, I genuinely wondered if we’d stumbled into heaven. The combination of snow-capped mountains, historic architecture, and pristine winter air was intoxicating.
To save money, we stayed at “Bavaria City Hostel,” which at the time seemed perfectly adequate. Looking back, I can’t believe I was satisfied with just “having a good shower,” but when you’re young and budget-conscious, priorities are different!
That evening, we decided to get some cake for Rachel to get some sugar rush so that she could finish writing her essay. We found a cute cafe and ordered what turned out to be two slices of pure diabetes. They were so sweet that we both started hallucinating that we were tasting something bitter as a counterbalance. Our taste buds were staging a rebellion.
Castle Day: The Main Event
By 7 AM the next morning, we were bundled up and ready for our castle adventure. The crisp morning air had that special winter quality – so clean it almost hurt to breathe, with snowflakes occasionally dancing in the sunlight. As we made our way from Füssen to Schwangau, anticipation built with every passing minute.
Then it happened. Rounding a bend in the road, we got our first glimpse of Schloß Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein (High Swan Castle and New Swan Castle) rising from the snow-covered landscape. I literally stopped in my tracks. Growing up with Disney movies, seeing the real inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle felt surreal. The white castle against the dramatic backdrop of snow-covered Alps was even more magnificent than any photo could capture.
“We’re actually here,” we whispered, squeezing each other’s arms.
The moment I saw these two castles perched on their hills, I felt like royalty returning home. There’s something about these structures that awakens a childlike wonder – as if fairy tales could actually be real.
I couldn’t resist staging an impromptu fashion show with the castles as our backdrop – striking dramatic poses and laughing until our cheeks hurt. When else can you pretend to be in a real-life fairy tale? Several tourists gave us amused looks as we twirled around, using the pristine snow and majestic castles as our personal photo studio.
The Tale of Two Castles
Most people come just for Neuschwanstein, but Hohenschwangau deserves attention too. This ochre-yellow castle was actually King Ludwig II’s childhood home, and visiting both castles gives you a fuller picture of the man who would later build the famous “fairy tale castle” that captured the world’s imagination.
Walking through Hohenschwangau first, I was struck by how lived-in it felt – with rich colors, intricate wall paintings depicting German legends, and cozy rooms that showed this was actually someone’s home. The guided tour explained how young Ludwig developed his romantic imagination here, surrounded by epic tales and Alpine views.
Then came Neuschwanstein – Ludwig’s own creation and personal fantasy. Despite being built in the 1800s, it was designed with all the modern luxuries of the time: central heating, running water, flush toilets, and even a telephone line. The tour through Neuschwanstein revealed Ludwig’s obsession with Wagner’s operas, medieval legends, and his increasingly isolated lifestyle.
What struck me most was learning that Ludwig only spent about 170 days in this dream castle before his mysterious death in 1886. All this beauty, all this imagination – and he barely got to enjoy it. There’s something both magical and tragic about creating something so wonderful and having so little time to appreciate it.
Beyond the castles, Alpsee offers beautiful lake views, and history enthusiasts should check out the Museum of the Bavarian Kings near the lake. The museum provides fascinating context about the Wittelsbach dynasty and King Ludwig II’s life, filling in many gaps that the castle tours might leave.
For the best views of Neuschwanstein, head to Gipsmühl-Runde for a less crowded perspective, Marienbrücke for the classic postcard shot (when open), or explore the nearby mountain trails for unique angles that most tourists miss.
Bavarian Feast and Post-Castle Cravings
After several hours of castle exploration, our stomachs were growling louder than any medieval dragon. We found a traditional restaurant on the path down from Neuschwanstein, where wooden beams, checkered tablecloths, and the aroma of hearty German food welcomed us.
“We have to try the Schweinshaxe,” Rachel told me, pointing to a neighboring table where someone was tackling what looked like a prehistoric bone with meat attached. When it arrived at our table, it was bigger than my face. Between bites of tender meat and crispy skin, we plotted our next move.
“It’s winter, we just ate the heaviest meal imaginable… obviously we need ice cream now,” Rachel reasoned. The restaurant’s homemade ice cream turned out to be the perfect contrast to the rich meal – light, not too sweet, and somehow exactly what we needed despite the freezing temperatures outside.
Snow Adventures and Near-Death Experiences
Fueled by pork and ice cream, we made what was simultaneously our best and worst decision of the trip: hiking to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) despite warnings that the trail was closed due to heavy snow.
“It can’t be that bad,” we said confidently, as we started up the path. Famous last words.
The snow quickly went from ankle-deep to knee-deep, then almost to our thighs in some spots. Each step became a workout – lift leg high, plunge through snow, pull foot out, repeat. What should have been a 30-minute walk turned into an hour-and-a-half expedition.
“If we die here, at least it’s beautiful,” Rachel joked, as we paused to catch our breath. The forest around us was magical – every branch coated in snow, sunlight filtering through white-frosted pines, and complete silence except for our labored breathing.
Young and reckless, we pushed forward and occasionally slipped. The higher we climbed, the more spectacular the views became – glimpses of the valley below, the castle turrets through the trees, and the Alps stretching endlessly on the horizon.
After what felt like an eternity of trudging, slipping, and laughing at our own stubbornness, we finally reached Marienbrücke only to find it… closed. A metal gate blocked access to the bridge itself, with warning signs in multiple languages. The irony wasn’t lost on us – all that effort to reach a closed attraction.
But even from our spot by the gate, the view was breathtaking. Neuschwanstein stood proudly against the mountains, its white towers matching the snow-covered landscape. Despite not being able to access the bridge, we agreed the journey had been worth it.
Some visitors were climbing over the gate to reach the bridge, but with sheer cliffs on either side and no one knowing our whereabouts, we decided not to risk it. Two years later, some Chinese tourists got lost in that same area and needed helicopter rescue. Sometimes the wiser choice is the boring one.
“Let’s take photos and head back while we still have daylight,” I suggested, suddenly aware of how isolated we were.
The Treacherous Descent and Nighttime Magic
As darkness began to fall, our descent quickly turned from challenging to dangerous. The path had areas where previous hikers had created accidental slides – smooth, icy chutes that could send you careening off the edge if you weren’t careful.
We fell completely silent, focusing entirely on each careful step. No jokes, no conversation – just the sound of our labored breathing and boots crunching through snow. The exhilaration of our earlier adventure gave way to concentrated effort and genuine concern. Our phone flashlights cast shadows across the snow, barely illuminating enough of the path ahead.
Looking back, we were incredibly lucky to make it down safely. What had started as an exciting adventure had become a genuine test of endurance and nerve.
When we finally reached the valley floor, our legs trembling from exhaustion, something magical happened. We turned back toward the mountains and there they were – both castles illuminated against the night sky. The sight was enough to break our tense silence.
Some places have a magic that demands to be earned through effort. Standing there in the cold, looking up at those illuminated castles after our harrowing descent, I knew this was one of those moments I’d remember forever.
The Journey Home
As darkness settled over Füssen, we boarded the night train back to our respective cities, exhausted but exhilarated. Classes awaited us the next day – the fairy tale adventure giving way to mundane reality. With sore legs and phones full of photos, we said our goodbyes at different train stops. This first European adventure taught me something I’ve carried to every trip since: the most meaningful journeys aren’t the perfectly planned ones, but those where things go slightly wrong, where you push beyond your comfort zone with someone who matters. As the train pulled away into the night, I knew these castles would always mean more to me than just pretty buildings – they were the backdrop to a friendship adventure that even Ludwig’s imagination couldn’t have scripted better.
Chasing Winter Magic: A Snow-Filled Adventure to Neuschwanstein Castle
A tale of friendship, frozen toilets, and fairy tale castles – my first European adventure with my best friend.
You might have read my previous blogs about Starnbergersee and Neuschwanstein Castle, but this one is special. This was my very first European adventure – the journey that sparked my love for exploring this continent. More importantly, it was a trip shared with my best friend Rachel during our student days, filled with the kind of unplanned mishaps and pure joy that only happen when you’re young, slightly reckless, and experiencing everything for the first time. Sometimes a place deserves to be revisited in writing because the memories are too rich to capture in just one telling. This is that story – the unfiltered, friendship-filled adventure behind the picture-perfect castle photos.
When Rachel and I planned our trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, we never imagined it would involve closed train lines, desperate searches for toilets, and knee-deep snow adventures. But that’s exactly what made this journey unforgettable.
The Journey Begins: Train Station Shenanigans
The morning of our trip, I got a text from Rachel that nearly gave me a heart attack: “Due to last night’s snowfall, regional trains in Bremen are shut down.” Perfect start, right? Thankfully, she managed to catch an ICE (Inter-City Express) in the afternoon.
When I picked her up from the station around 9 PM, I barely recognized her. After half a year of exchange in Germany, she had fully embraced the German lifestyle – thick practical clothes, hiking boots, a massive backpack, and not a trace of makeup. The German transformation was complete!
Rachel was starving, so I begged my roommate for some sausages from his fridge while simultaneously trying to curl Rachel’s hair for the next day. Talk about multitasking.
By 11 PM, we were finally on our RB train, only to end up waiting at Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof for over an hour. Rachel, ever the diligent student, used every minute to work on her essay due the next day. Meanwhile, I was facing a more pressing issue – discovering the horrifying reality that PUBLIC TOILETS ACTUALLY CLOSE AT NIGHT IN GERMANY!
Our next train to Frankfurt airport was an S-Bahn, still with no bathroom access. In desperation, I convinced Rachel to sing songs with me as a distraction. It helped… marginally. When we finally reached the airport and I found a toilet, I nearly cried with relief. Life lesson: never take 24-hour bathroom access for granted.
Midnight Express to München
We chose the night ICE from Frankfurt to München to save precious daytime hours, assuming we’d sleep comfortably on the train. Spoiler alert: we got maybe two hours of sleep. Two hours before arrival, I decided it was makeup time – for both of us.
After a quick breakfast at München Hauptbahnhof, we headed to our first stop: Starnberg. I’d chosen this place because I’d heard Starnberger See (Lake Starnberg) was beautiful – and after fresh snowfall, it was absolutely magical.
Growing up on a tropical island, snow was a rare sight for me. Standing there, watching sunlight glitter across the frozen lake, I felt like I was living in a dream.
We were literally shouting on the train, pressing our faces against the windows, because everything was so beautiful! The other passengers probably thought we were crazy, but when you see that kind of beauty for the first time, being dignified is the last thing on your mind.
For history buffs, the Museum Starnberger See is worth visiting. I’ve forgotten most of what I saw there, but I distinctly remember the incredibly handsome staff member working there. Some memories stick with you for the right reasons!
München Pitstop: Food and Fatigue
We returned to München for some shopping and lunch before continuing to Füssen, our final destination. After wandering around Marienplatz (and taking the obligatory tourist photos), we found a cozy restaurant for lunch.
After refueling with food, I promptly fell asleep on the train while Rachel took photos of the passing scenery. At some point, I woke up feeling guilty and apologized to Rachel for falling asleep. Two sentences into my apology, my head dropped like a watermelon onto the table. Consciousness: zero. Embarrassment: complete.
Rachel managed to capture some stunning Alps views while I was in dreamland. This is why you travel with a friend – someone’s always awake to document the journey!
Füssen: Heaven on Earth
Arriving in Füssen for the first time, I genuinely wondered if we’d stumbled into heaven. The combination of snow-capped mountains, historic architecture, and pristine winter air was intoxicating.
To save money, we stayed at “Bavaria City Hostel,” which at the time seemed perfectly adequate. Looking back, I can’t believe I was satisfied with just “having a good shower,” but when you’re young and budget-conscious, priorities are different!
That evening, we decided to get some cake for Rachel to get some sugar rush so that she could finish writing her essay. We found a cute cafe and ordered what turned out to be two slices of pure diabetes. They were so sweet that we both started hallucinating that we were tasting something bitter as a counterbalance. Our taste buds were staging a rebellion.
Castle Day: The Main Event
By 7 AM the next morning, we were bundled up and ready for our castle adventure. The crisp morning air had that special winter quality – so clean it almost hurt to breathe, with snowflakes occasionally dancing in the sunlight. As we made our way from Füssen to Schwangau, anticipation built with every passing minute.
Then it happened. Rounding a bend in the road, we got our first glimpse of Schloß Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein (High Swan Castle and New Swan Castle) rising from the snow-covered landscape. I literally stopped in my tracks. Growing up with Disney movies, seeing the real inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle felt surreal. The white castle against the dramatic backdrop of snow-covered Alps was even more magnificent than any photo could capture.
“We’re actually here,” we whispered, squeezing each other’s arms.
The moment I saw these two castles perched on their hills, I felt like royalty returning home. There’s something about these structures that awakens a childlike wonder – as if fairy tales could actually be real.
I couldn’t resist staging an impromptu fashion show with the castles as our backdrop – striking dramatic poses and laughing until our cheeks hurt. When else can you pretend to be in a real-life fairy tale? Several tourists gave us amused looks as we twirled around, using the pristine snow and majestic castles as our personal photo studio.
The Tale of Two Castles
Most people come just for Neuschwanstein, but Hohenschwangau deserves attention too. This ochre-yellow castle was actually King Ludwig II’s childhood home, and visiting both castles gives you a fuller picture of the man who would later build the famous “fairy tale castle” that captured the world’s imagination.
Walking through Hohenschwangau first, I was struck by how lived-in it felt – with rich colors, intricate wall paintings depicting German legends, and cozy rooms that showed this was actually someone’s home. The guided tour explained how young Ludwig developed his romantic imagination here, surrounded by epic tales and Alpine views.
Then came Neuschwanstein – Ludwig’s own creation and personal fantasy. Despite being built in the 1800s, it was designed with all the modern luxuries of the time: central heating, running water, flush toilets, and even a telephone line. The tour through Neuschwanstein revealed Ludwig’s obsession with Wagner’s operas, medieval legends, and his increasingly isolated lifestyle.
What struck me most was learning that Ludwig only spent about 170 days in this dream castle before his mysterious death in 1886. All this beauty, all this imagination – and he barely got to enjoy it. There’s something both magical and tragic about creating something so wonderful and having so little time to appreciate it.
Beyond the castles, Alpsee offers beautiful lake views, and history enthusiasts should check out the Museum of the Bavarian Kings near the lake. The museum provides fascinating context about the Wittelsbach dynasty and King Ludwig II’s life, filling in many gaps that the castle tours might leave.
For the best views of Neuschwanstein, head to Gipsmühl-Runde for a less crowded perspective, Marienbrücke for the classic postcard shot (when open), or explore the nearby mountain trails for unique angles that most tourists miss.
Bavarian Feast and Post-Castle Cravings
After several hours of castle exploration, our stomachs were growling louder than any medieval dragon. We found a traditional restaurant on the path down from Neuschwanstein, where wooden beams, checkered tablecloths, and the aroma of hearty German food welcomed us.
“We have to try the Schweinshaxe,” Rachel told me, pointing to a neighboring table where someone was tackling what looked like a prehistoric bone with meat attached. When it arrived at our table, it was bigger than my face. Between bites of tender meat and crispy skin, we plotted our next move.
“It’s winter, we just ate the heaviest meal imaginable… obviously we need ice cream now,” Rachel reasoned. The restaurant’s homemade ice cream turned out to be the perfect contrast to the rich meal – light, not too sweet, and somehow exactly what we needed despite the freezing temperatures outside.
Snow Adventures and Near-Death Experiences
Fueled by pork and ice cream, we made what was simultaneously our best and worst decision of the trip: hiking to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) despite warnings that the trail was closed due to heavy snow.
“It can’t be that bad,” we said confidently, as we started up the path. Famous last words.
The snow quickly went from ankle-deep to knee-deep, then almost to our thighs in some spots. Each step became a workout – lift leg high, plunge through snow, pull foot out, repeat. What should have been a 30-minute walk turned into an hour-and-a-half expedition.
“If we die here, at least it’s beautiful,” Rachel joked, as we paused to catch our breath. The forest around us was magical – every branch coated in snow, sunlight filtering through white-frosted pines, and complete silence except for our labored breathing.
Young and reckless, we pushed forward and occasionally slipped. The higher we climbed, the more spectacular the views became – glimpses of the valley below, the castle turrets through the trees, and the Alps stretching endlessly on the horizon.
After what felt like an eternity of trudging, slipping, and laughing at our own stubbornness, we finally reached Marienbrücke only to find it… closed. A metal gate blocked access to the bridge itself, with warning signs in multiple languages. The irony wasn’t lost on us – all that effort to reach a closed attraction.
But even from our spot by the gate, the view was breathtaking. Neuschwanstein stood proudly against the mountains, its white towers matching the snow-covered landscape. Despite not being able to access the bridge, we agreed the journey had been worth it.
Some visitors were climbing over the gate to reach the bridge, but with sheer cliffs on either side and no one knowing our whereabouts, we decided not to risk it. Two years later, some Chinese tourists got lost in that same area and needed helicopter rescue. Sometimes the wiser choice is the boring one.
“Let’s take photos and head back while we still have daylight,” I suggested, suddenly aware of how isolated we were.
The Treacherous Descent and Nighttime Magic
As darkness began to fall, our descent quickly turned from challenging to dangerous. The path had areas where previous hikers had created accidental slides – smooth, icy chutes that could send you careening off the edge if you weren’t careful.
We fell completely silent, focusing entirely on each careful step. No jokes, no conversation – just the sound of our labored breathing and boots crunching through snow. The exhilaration of our earlier adventure gave way to concentrated effort and genuine concern. Our phone flashlights cast shadows across the snow, barely illuminating enough of the path ahead.
Looking back, we were incredibly lucky to make it down safely. What had started as an exciting adventure had become a genuine test of endurance and nerve.
When we finally reached the valley floor, our legs trembling from exhaustion, something magical happened. We turned back toward the mountains and there they were – both castles illuminated against the night sky. The sight was enough to break our tense silence.
Some places have a magic that demands to be earned through effort. Standing there in the cold, looking up at those illuminated castles after our harrowing descent, I knew this was one of those moments I’d remember forever.
The Journey Home
As darkness settled over Füssen, we boarded the night train back to our respective cities, exhausted but exhilarated. Classes awaited us the next day – the fairy tale adventure giving way to mundane reality. With sore legs and phones full of photos, we said our goodbyes at different train stops. This first European adventure taught me something I’ve carried to every trip since: the most meaningful journeys aren’t the perfectly planned ones, but those where things go slightly wrong, where you push beyond your comfort zone with someone who matters. As the train pulled away into the night, I knew these castles would always mean more to me than just pretty buildings – they were the backdrop to a friendship adventure that even Ludwig’s imagination couldn’t have scripted better.