Austria

Two Nights and Dazed in Austria

June 29-July 1, 2004

Village of Pinswang

Stayed at the cozy Tyrolean-style Gutshof zum Schluxen inn in western Austria. Part of a working farm with rabbits, cows, mountain bikes, nearby hiking trails, and idyllic pasture and mountain views. 'Twas a comfortable, quiet place to lie low while feeling under the weather. The food was probably delicious. Speedy bobsled-like luge courses nearby--if your stomach's ready for twists and turns.

Castle Day in Bavaria, Germany

Near Fussen, Germany, the huge, turreted medieval-style Neuschwanstein Castle, built from 1869-86 to be the hilltop domain of Ludwig II of Bavaria, aka "Mad" King Ludwig. "Are we at Disneyland?" Lavishly decorated and furnished, complete with rooms commemorating Wagnerian operas--but home to the king for only 140 days when he died mysteriously at 40. Also viewed it from a distance on Mary's Bridge (Marienbrucke).

Nearby is Hohenschwangau Castle, Ludwig's boyhood home originally built in the 12th century.