Road Trip: Lucerne via Neuschwanstein Castle

Another day, another castle.  We changed our tune, as we drove through Bavaria.  Instead of “Doh, a deer, a female deer,” we were singing “Bang bang, chitty chitty bang bang, our fine four fendered friend.”  Okay, maybe Macklemore might have been playing too.  Neuwschwanstein Castle is different, special even, compared to the dozens of castles around these parts.  The inspiration behind Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” and the background to the castle scenes in “Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang,” Neuschwanstein is lush with fairy tale lore, including its former resident and eccentric owner, Ludwig II, King of Bavaria.  It is easy to see why the sight was chosen for this castle, with breathtaking views of the verdant valley on one side, contrasted with the Jugend mountain range on the other, and complete with natural waterfalls.  Tours are required to view the interior and purchasing these in advance is highly recommended if you don’t want to stand in line.

That evening, we found ourselves in Lucerne.  Set on a lake with the Alps in the background, Lucerne is as pretty as a postcard.  We strolled the streets and browsed through many a watch store, bought swiss army knives for the boys, and waited for the cuckoo clocks to note the hour.  We also strolled along the Chapel Bridge, built at the beginning of the 14th century and adorned with original paintings, some of which were destroyed in a more recent fire.  Though there are other noteworthy sights in town, including the “the dying lion of Lucerne,” and the Jesuit and Franciscan churches, we opted for a more child-friendly activity in the form of the Swiss Museum of Transport.  You could easily spend a day here.  There is much to see and do, including paddle boats, scooters, trains, and more.  We had to tear our kids away at closing time!