jrchapma

I'll be in Munich from February 3-9 and am hoping to do some day trips. If you had to choose between Neuschwanstein and Salzburg, which would you pick and why? If you like Salzburg, what are your favorite sites there? I know I'm asking for opinions and that what you like I may not. But still, I want to read what your thoughts are.

As for me and my hubby, we like to see churches, architecture, and really enjoy walking tours. He majored in art but doesn't necessarily like spending all day hanging out in museums. We don't feel compelled to see Mozart's home but am certain that there are other beautiful sites to behold in Salzburg.

Thanks to all for your opinions!

Chatters

Why choose? Do both. We did and it was not a problem at all. Two things are important; a car and decent driving weather (Feb is not the optimal time, but still a doable proposition).

Intrepid1

You can do either by rail or with a car.

Personally, given your overall interests I'd take the 1 1/2 hr trip to Salzburg by rail (or drive..as you prefer).

Concentrating on the "old" part of the city you could visit the cathedral and the fortress and simply soak up the environment. There's plenty to do besides Mozart's house.

As to Neuschwanstein, IMO the best part of that castle is the outward appearance; the innterior isn't nearly as well-adorned as is the Linderhof much less the palace at Herrenchiemsee.

In Munich itself if you'd like a smaller "Ludwig fix" consider visiting the Residenze where the carved carriage collection is so over the top it makes the visit worth it for that alone. Also, the in-town Nymphenburg Palace has interiors which are very interesting..again, more richly decorated than Neuschwanstein and easier to reach (by tram) too.

jrchapma

Great info Intrepid! Because of your advice, and the advice of others to my question about the Bayern Pass, I'm planning on traveling via train.

When you say to visit the compound in Salzburg, do you mean Hohensalzburg Fortress? I read about Hellbrunn Palace online and it is unfortunately closed the month of February. That looks very interesting!

I have never traveled from country to country via train. Do we go through customs in Salzburg? Again when we return to Munich?

I'm definitely hoping to see the Residenze and Nymphenburg Palace while in Munich. How much time should I allot for each?

Great recommendations considering the interests I shared with you. I'd be happy to read any more suggestions.

PalQ

Completely different places. Salzburg one of Europe's very finest looking cities - certainly in my Top Ten. Neuschwanstein one of Europe's most bizarre and amazing castles, in a lovely sylvan setting - but an Ersatz Castle built in the 1850s as a clone of a medieval castle - architecturally unique if bogue. Fussen, quintessential Bavarian Alpine resort town, very cute. Nice walks: from train station to Neuschwanstein (2.5 miles) thru a forest, and great walks behind the castle through the foothills of the Alps, and nice walks in town along roaring river and along water cascade. Great walks here - but not a walking tour as i sense you mean it - in a city like Salzburg where every step seems to yield another old church and lovely square. Salzburg, an ABC town - another bloody church at every turn. Plus a mighty hilltop castle brooding over the town, bisected by a rushing river.
Quite different places, Fussen and Salzburg, but both most exceptional.

ThinGorjus

Neuschwanstein??? Why would you want to go to that horrid dump?? It is a complete horror story, darling. Just buy one of those Neuschwanstein jigsaw puzzles at the Walmart, because that would be far more interesting than the real thing. Now, if you are going to sit at one of the beer gardens at the bottom of the hill and get pissed drunk all day, that is another story. That, at least, would not be as boring as a tour of the castle.

Musicteacher

In reply to the question about going through customs when travelling from Munich to Salzburg, there are no longer any border formalities between Germany and Austria.

grosenb

Having been to both in September, I would not waste my time in Neuschwantstein. Like other posters, the outside is nice to look at and that's about it.

Salzburg is a wonderful small city. Easy to get around and interesting too. Get a good map and guidebook and check out the "must see" attractions. The castle overlooking the city, the modern museum at the top of the hill overlooking the city. You take an elevator to the top and after you are finished there you can walk to the castle.

Mozart has two homes in Salzburg. I only saw one. It is a simple home with a few displays. Doesn't take up much time to go through.

You will be glad you went to Salzburg and wonder why you went to Neuschwanstein.

Gail

RufusTFirefly

Neuschwanstein for me--the old history major and anthropologist coming out, I guess. I majored in European history from the French Revolution to WWII. Mad King Ludwig's story has always fascinated me--and Neuschwanstein is his crowning (so to speak) confection. It's not old, but as part of Ludwig's saga, it is very interesting. Plus it is a fantastic creation in its natural setting.

Also, I just like that area of western Austria and southern Germany--roughly from Chiemsee to the Bodensee. Lots to see and do in the area.

PalQ

Brain stimulation is in the eye of the beholder i guess - what's boring to one is enthralling to another. I've toured hundreds, literally hundreds of European castles, forts, palaces, etc. that i was truly bored at but i've rarely been as excited as at Neuschwanstein, where upon every turn there was a mind-boggling visual feast. Oh it's easy to diss it as garbage. But i say read up on 'Mad Ludwig' the Bavrian king who built it, an eccentic and hopeless romantic, read about how he would sit on the iron bridge in the gorge behind the castle and visual how his castle would look, read about how Wagner, who grovelled for funds from the king, would come here with him - read the story and then your experience will be much more engrossing. the fact that after bankrupting the Bavarian treasury, in part leading to his losing the throne the mad king finally finished his dream castle only to live in it a few days before being found mysteriously drown in a lake. I'm not saying it's better than Salzburg, but to me at least it was a fabulous experience.
Otherwise yes like most tourists who come here and encounter the awful crowds and trappings of a tourist trap, you'll be put off.

RufusTFirefly

While there are often crowds, you can buy tickets ahead of time so you don't have to wait in line. And I don't think either the castle or the town of Hohenschwangau has many tourist trap trappings. Tourist Trap Trappings? Hmmmmmm, Terrible Tourist Trap Trappings? Terrifically Terrible Tourist Trap Trappings?

jrchapma

Ahhh! I love reading all of your opinions! More, more, more!!!

RufusTFirefly

By the way, Wieskirche--Wies church--is an interesting sight not far from Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau.

PalQ

Well to me they aren't the terrible trappings of a tourist trap - i love these kind of places. Yes the castle is, literally above it all, but down below where the tourist buses ejaculate their hordes is a bevy of cafes and tourist shops, rivalling any 'tourist trap' i've seen. The kitschy horse-drawn fiacres taking the hordes up the steep hill. I guess tourist trap is in the eye of the beholder - and i actually find these type of things also enthralling.

bavariaben

Talk about Neuschwanstein and I get interested. Personally, I would choose any of King Ludwig II's creations over any large city such as Salzburg (if having to make a choice).

Ludwig II is one of my favorite characters in history. The overused adjective "Mad" is too easily attached to his name by those who have not examined him thoroughly (as was the case with the commission sent to arrest him). Ludwig was eccentric certainly and definitely flamboyant - but never proven 'mad'. Another erroneous myth about the good king is that he spent Bavaria into bankruptcy with his building - when in fact he was spending his own personal money and digging deep into Wittelsbach family money - and that is the most likely reason he never lived to see some of his projects finished. You have to admit he had a flair and genius talent.

One of my favorite sights is the view of Neuschwanstein from the Marienbrücke - snow, rain, fog, sunshine - makes no difference - it's quite a sight. I had the good fortune to meet a former castle administrator for Neuschwanstein who lived in and reared a family there over a 30 year time period. Talk about a dream job...

bc_canuck

Having done both last spring my choice would be Salzburg. Neuschwanstein was nice to look at from the outside but wasn't much on the inside. Once you see the castle(s) and the main street of Fussen there isn't much more. Salzburg had more to offer and a greater variety. You can spend many more hours walking Salzburg and see more of the items you listed that you two like. As an aside I think the Royal Palace Museum in Berchtesgaden had far more to offer inside as a complete historical palace.
We also used a Bayern pass and it was the best to get around. Don't worry about the border, there isn't one. We took the bus from Berchtesgaden to Salzberg (faster than train) and all we saw was a sign saying "Welcome to Austria"

RufusTFirefly

Actually there are several finished rooms (over a dozen as I remember) in Neuschwanstein, and they are filled with astounding craft work. Some of the best you will see anywhere.

Yes, not "Mad" in the technical sense, but that is the "title" he is stuck with.

As to tourist trap--Hohenschwangau just isn't all that big; there aren't that many tourist shops. I like horseback riding and buggie rides--don't dis the buggies. As to tourist buses--well, most places with something wonderful to see are going to have lots of tourists, and they have to get there somehow and they need food. I don't see how cafes tourist traps.

PalQ

Rufus- i agree with you. Maybe i missused the term tourist trap, with trap being perjorative. A tourist hubbub i should say and i thought the restaurants and shops down below were rather nice. But it is a highly touristed place and that turns some folks off - not me, the more the merrier.

candert

I toured Neuschwanstein last week. I'd agree with all the statements above. It's beautiful to look at from the outside, but the tour is pretty useless. I would catergorize Neuschwanstein as one of those places you can say you went to if it comes up at a cocktail party, but that's about all you'll get for your endeavour.

If you are looking for another alternative I'd recommend looking just east. You have the towns of Oberammergau, Ettal, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald. All are great examples of Bavarian towns on the edge of the Alps. Plenty of scernery and snow.

MaureenB

We visited both places from Munich by train (using the wonderfully inexpensive Bayern Pass), and each direction took 1.5- 2 hours through pretty scenery.

Loved the old fort above Salzburg for its history and its breathtaking views of all around it. I would choose Salzburg over Fussen, if I had to, but you really could easily do both if you have two days for such excursions. The train ride is so convenient and cheap, I think it would be a mistake to rent a car, especially in February.