Day 1 in Füssen

Welcome to Füssen! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag. There is so much for you to see and do!

Begin the afternoon by exploring the quaint medieval town center, with over 700 years of history, it is a delight to stroll through. Wander the cobblestone streets and medieval alleyways, admire the well-preserved city wall, and discover the many historic buildings and artistic treasures. Enjoy a pleasant lunch in any of the charming cafes on the main street `Reichenstrasse` where you`ll also find some great boutiques to browse as well.

If time allows, make your way to Lechfall, about a 10 - 15 minute walk from Füssen`s town center. There is a beautiful spot where the water from the river Lech plunge into Lech Gorge. Walk out over the bridge, and stand over the falls for the best view. Lechfalls are small, but the scenery is beautiful and water is bright turquoise.

Directly across the street from the Lechfall footbridge is a restaurant that has incredible views of the river Lech. Stop here to grab a drink in the late afternoon and watch the sunset.

As night falls, find a restaurant to enjoy some regional Bavarian cuisine. There are plenty of nice restaurants with excellent food to choose from, many with outdoor seating available in the warmer months. Take in the atmosphere of the town at night as your stroll back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Day 2 in Füssen

Wake up early today and head to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Nestled away in the rugged Bavarian mountains, the castle is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in all of Germany. Inspiring the castle from Disney`s Sleeping Beauty, this 19th-century fortification really is a fairytail dream come true. We recommend hiking the trail up to Neuschwanstein, just follow the signs leading you up to the castle, a shuttle is another option. Horse drawn carriages are available for hire as well and will take you to the top if you wish - a great way to set the `fairytale` mood of the day! Enjoy a tour of the castle, check out the gift shop, and stop in the restaurant for lunch. Before leaving, make sure to check out the best view of Neuschwanstein Castle from the Marienbrücke (Queen Mary`s Bridge).

After a pleasant morning enjoying the castle, head over to Tegelberg Mountain next to castle Neuschwanstein. Take a cable car ride up the mountain for stunning views of Neuschwanstein and the Bavarian landscape, it is absolutely breathtaking every way you turn. Once you reach the top, you will be greeted with panoramic views all around - the areas lakes, towns and castles, as well as the nearby mountains and alps. Enjoy watching the hang gliders prepare, lift off and soar through the air. Hike the Konigsrunde am Telebert trail while at the top of the mountain for some more incredible views to the backside of the mountain, looking towards France, Austria and the Swiss Alps. The hike is well marked and takes about 30 minutes each way. Grab a snack or a drink at the Mountain Top Restaurant before you descend down. There is also a big playground for the kids and a toboggan run near the valley station.

End your day with a boat ride at Lake Forggense, one of Bavaria`s largest lakes. Here you can enjoy more stunning panoramic views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castle, the town of Füssen and the surrounding Alpine peaks. The lake is the most beautiful crystal clear blue color and there are great areas to walk, hike and cycle around as well.

Enjoy your evening sampling some local Bavarian delicacies. Cheese is the central ingredient in many of the local dishes in Füssen, and Käsespätzle is one of the specialties that you have to try. Essentially, this dish is German`s answer to Mac and Cheese, and is best consumed after a long day of breathing in the mountain air. For a sweet treat, head to the Kurcafe to try the local speciality, the `Sissi-Torte`, which was created back in the 19th-century and is a chocoholic`s dream.

Day 3 in Füssen

Start your day at the Linderhof Palace and marvel at the beautiful architectural design of King Ludwig II`s Linderhof Palace, the only residence he lived to see completed. The 19th-century palace is set in the Graswang valley and features historic landscaped gardens with fountains, monuments, and an artificial grotto. Tour the royal palace to admire the famous Hall of Mirrors and Versailles-inspired grand staircase. Venture outside the palace to take in the beautiful Rococo-influenced exterior of the building.

Afterward, head to the sanctuary of Wies Church near Steingaden. This is a pilgrimage church established in the late 1740s, extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of the Alpine valley. It is a perfect masterpiece of Rocco art and creative genius, the setting, other attractions nearby, and the surprising size of this rural church makes it worth the trip out here.

About thirty minutes from Wiese Church you`ll come to Schloss Hohenschwangau, a 19th-century palace where King Ludwig II grew up and later enjoyed his summers until his death in 1886. The castle was built on the site of a ruined fortress and quickly became a favorite hunting residence for the royal family. The palace is far less showy than Neuschwanstein Castle with a much more lived-in feel where every piece of furniture is a used original. Some of the rooms have frescos from German mythology, including the store of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin. The swan theme runs throughout.

If time allows after enjoying the Schloss Hohenschwangua palace, make at stop in the Museum der Bayerischen Könige (Museum of the Bavarian Kings). The museum is architecturally stunning, housed in a former lakeside hotel and packed with historical background on Bavaria`s first family. The focus of the exhibition is on King Maximlian II, who had Castle Hohenschwangau expanded to a summer residence, and his son, King Ludwig II, the creator of Neauschwanstein Castle. The exhibition is characterized by views into the surrounding landscape and castles, through the state of the art, interactive museum technology and expansive productions. Tours are offered in several languages.

Once you get back to the bottom head into town for shopping and dinner. Stroll down the cobblestone streets and admire the true Bavarian architecture. There are many great spots for dining and if the weather is good, sit out on the patios and admire the towns charming character a little longer before heading back.

After a packed filled day of exploration head back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Additional Days in Füssen

Should you be able to spend additional days in Füssen make a trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a very popular ski resort which lies at the bottom of Zugspitze, Germany`s highest peak. The town is an hour drive or 2-hour bus ride from Füssen and is definitely worth the visit if you want to spend some more time exploring the Bavarian mountains. Garmisch-Partenkirchen actually consists of 2 towns, which united in 1935. Our advice is to spend more time in the Partenkirchen section which is where you`ll find all the charm and beauty. It is lined with wooden chalets and cobblestoned streets and boasts the traditional Bavarian feel.

Your Last Day in Füssen

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer (if available), if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.