Dad & Austin's Euro Trip -Neuschwanstein Schloss

Neuschwanstein Schloss is the castle that inspired Walt Disney for Cinderella's and Sleeping Beauty's castle.  It's been on my do to list since I moved here and I was able to convince Dad and Austin to go see it.  It's about 3 hrs south of Nurnberg at the Austria/Swiss border.  It's very cool.
Here is the view as you approach....

You arrive in a small village and then can either walk up or take a horse drawn carriage to the base of the castle.  We decided to take the carriage ride - it was hot.  You can also do a tour of the inside, but we were all ready too late for the last tour!  Craziness.  If you go I suggest booking your tickets in advance.
Here is the view on the way up....

And at the Castle.....

After we checked out the castle we headed to the biergarten just down the hill for lunch.  Yes, Dad and Austin had pizza, again.

 

When we got back to Nurnberg that evening we met Maria and Emil for dinner at the other go-to Italian restaurant, La Cucina.  Clearly, there was shared bromance between my Dad, Austin and Emil.

Dad & Austin's Euro Road Trip - Nurnberg Highlights

The week they were here I had a big meeting for work, so could they spent Mon-Wed on their own exploring.  They went to all the museums in Nurnberg and even went off to Innsbruck to see a professional Handball match played.  Dad and Austin had met, Emil, my friend and colleague, Maria's husband, at pizza on Sunday and decided to go watch him play.  Then they drove Emil back to Nurnberg from Innsburck after the game in my Mini.  Now the three of them are best friends. :) Here are some highlights from our time together in Nurnberg.

Dad & Austin's Euro Trip - Koln

In April for his spring break, Austin came out to Germany with my Dad.  Soon as they landed we headed off to Koln to see Puma team Stuttgart vs Koln.  We stayed the night and did some sightseeing after the game and the next morning before heading back to Nurnberg via the Rhine to show Austin a few castles.  Back in Nurnberg we met a bunch of my friends, both in town visiting from Boston for a big meeting and the local Nurberger's at the go to pizza place, L'Osteria.  Within the first 48 hours the Italian meals were 3 of 5.....

 

Castles along the Rhine

We stopped in some random small town along the Rhine for lunch at, you guessed it, an Italian place.  Dad and the owner are now friends.