cjdonohue

My grandson (20yrs-traveling with EF educational tours) had to change his tour from May to Jan 2023 touring Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Neuschwanstein in January. I am all excited for him! But am worried due to the winter weather that some of the venues will be closed. Such as the castle in Neuschwanstein and the scenic Marion Bridge overlooking the castle? I assume Mt Pilatus will be opened being geared to skiers. Any feedback to my worries from your experiences traveling in winter months in such places.
loving Grandmother

Sassafrass

Did he change the tour or did EF? Is he going with friends or a group?

https://www.wanderingermany.com/neus...castle-winter/
That part of Germany is really beautiful in winter, but no guarantees in winter. The bridge will be closed if it is icy.
The walk up to the castle is long and a bit steep, about 30 minutes. It can be harsh. He will need long underwear and waterproof shoes or boots if it is wet with snow. Insulated socks are a good thing. Think freezing feet for the hike up and back, and the castle is cold too.

swandav2000

Hi cjdonohue,

I live about 60 km from Neuschwanstein and in fact was just there about a month ago with my nephew and his girlfriend.

There are three ways to reach the castle -- walking, a carriage ride, or a bus -- see attached photo.




I imagine the EF folks will have the day completely planned for the visitors, so your grandson should be taken care of. You can find all info you want at

www.hohenschwangau.de

He should definitely have water-proof shoes with good lug soles, and he should have good, thick socks.

Venues don't really close in the winter -- folks just bundle up and enjoy themselves. Well, the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden does close in winter, but you don't say that he'll be visiting there.

Hope he has a good time!

s

lavandula

If it's a guided tour the tour organisers will take care of events and what is open and closed. If anything planned for the journey is closed they will have a substitute activity. I have been up to the top of Mt. Pilatus in winter and I can assure you it's open , even for people without skis. Neuschwanstein is open but for reduced hours, from 10:00am - 4:00pm. I am not sure about the bridge but I can't see why that would not be open for business. I echo the others on making sure your grandson has appropriate clothing and footwear, and a beanie to wear on his head (important).

I have done a tour across the Christmas - New Year period and the tour crew were amazing in organising or re-organising our events and pathways if there was a snag. For instance, when we got to a certain tunnel between Austria and Italy, it was closed, so we went over the Brenner Pass into Italy instead. It was even prettier, even if slower. Or one tour company was not open for the Rhine cruises, so they went to another company. All this was before internet and mobile phones and they had their fallbacks every step of the way, and being winter, we were not hampered in our alternatives by crowds from elsewhere. Nowadays we probably wouldn't even have the problem of the tunnel, there would be traffic warnings well in advance. And now people would be able to ring ahead and make different arrangements that way so things would be even more seamless. Probably this would all happen to many summer tours too, so I wouldn't worry too much, tour organisers are totally professional.

Lavandula

cjdonohue

Thanks so much for all the feedback. I have seen Ludwick’s castle; it was breathtaking from the bridge!! I’m sure the tour Director will find a way to get there if the roadway up is opened. He’s not worried at all. He excited about seeing all the Alps during winter time. I loved my trip through the same places!!
happy traveling to all.