One of our favorite days on this vacation was the day we spent at Partnachklamm. It snowed a bit, so that was a HUGE bonus. Our girls have had very few experiences with snow, having lived in San Diego most of their lives. We went to the gorge with a father (Jaime) and daughter (Evie) who were also on vacation (from England) and staying at the same hotel as us. The girls had met at the pool earlier and hit it off immediately.

The Gorge was right down the road from our hotel. You park at the Olympic Stadium and then walk a few miles to the Gorge. It was a gorgeous walk and we took our time. We even stopped so that the girls could build their first snowman/ snowbear.

 

Evie and Quinnie

selfie

snow, glorious snow!

 

 

 

 

Right before the Gorge there was this little restaurant and a few small shops where you could buy snacks, drinks and souvenirs. On the way back home we stopped there and got to-go cups full of the best Glühwein (warm, mulled/spiced wine) I’ve ever had. It made the walk home even more enjoyable. The kids bought candy and a few postcards.

The kids also pressed their own souvenir metal coins (we collected them at most of the places we went). Will show pics of them in another post.

Entrance to the Gorge (doorway to the left)

 

 

Kiera

Kiera

SO many waterfalls!

 

 

Simon, Kiera, Jaime

 

 

 

me

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kiera

 

 

 

the girls

 

 

exiting the other end of the Gorge (where it comes out)

the girls had energy for more climbing

 

On our way back to the car (snow all melted by rain).

Someone’s finally tired. Thank goodness for Papa!

random crucifix in a field

If you’re interested, here’s some more information on Partnachklamm…

Before driving home we stopped by the 1936 Olympic Stadium…

 

 

 

Ski Jumps

 

It was a GREAT day!

 

 

Schloss Neuschwanstein (New Swanstone Castle) is one of the most famous castles in the world. It’s the castle that Walt Disney based Cinderella’s Castle on. It was VERY impressive (and I think only 1/3 of the castle is shown to the public). Again, no pics allowed inside the castle so these are of the walk there and the castle courtyard/ outside of the castle.

We took the shuttle bus up to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) to get an amazing view of the castle. I never knew I was afraid of heights until I went on that bridge. The pics don’t do the experience justice. It was a narrow bridge, VERY high up, on a VERY windy day. You could feel the bridge shake, which made ME shake. I was holding onto the bridge with white knuckles but managed to get a few OK pics.

the bridge

 

waterfall on one side…

Neuschwanstein on the other!

Then we hiked the rest of the way (about 20 minutes) to get to the castle. It was a very scenic walk.

 

 

 

Hohenschwangau Castle in the background

 

 

 

 

Entrance to Castle

 

Panorama Simon took of entrance (and me snapping a photo)

view looking out of entrance

 

 

 

love the joy on Kiera’s face

 

courtyard

 

Waiting in the courtyard for our tour. The girls still LOVE when it rains (having been deprived of it for so long in San Diego). They happily ran around in it during most of our wait.

After our tour

 

We missed the last shuttle bus and had to walk down. The girls loved it of course- more time to explore!

Until someone got tired…

The girls both got swans at the castle gift shop. Quinnie named hers Sisi after one of the Princesses who once lived at the Castle.

We’ve had weeks worth of swan pics drawn by the girls. I love that after they experience something they often draw it.

 

 

Castle in the Alps by Quinnie

Here’s more information on Neuschwanstein if you’re interested (with some great pics of the inside of the castle)…