Storm the Castle

DATELINE:
West of Munich, Germany

As we leave Munich and head to Austria, a must stop is the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany

This was the German castle that Walt Disney based Snow White's castle after in Disneyland.

The fortress stands out on the side of the mountain like a sparkling jewel. Getting there is what it was like 100 years ago. Tight, narrow roads built for just one vehicle.

Inside the castle is not so special according to Adam. He visited in 2005 and found only one room on the interior complete.

Therefore, we did a drive by & got some beauty shots of the C70 with the castle in the background (yes, the hitchhiker is included).

And if the truth be known, we stopped down the street first for a quick ride.

"Adam, LOOK!" Scott screamed from the passenger seat. "It's a gondola!!" And with that, Adam did a u-turn.

Moments later, we were on a ski chair lift headed into the Alps. The 10 minute ride lead to a mountain top where parachute jumpers were literally running off the face of a cliff and gently floating back to earth.

We opted to take the chair lift back down.

At the top of the mountain stands a giant cross. It's tradition among the people of Germany and Austria to place a large cross at the top of each summit scaled.

Next: Personal Roller Coaster

The Hangover

DATELINE:
German Countryside

In the movie, " The Hangover," there is a scene where the main characters awake from a long night on the town. They have no explanation for anything that took place the night before.

And neither do we.

Next: Storm the Castle

Oktoberfest (a tad early)

DATELINE:
Munich, Germany

You've heard of Oktoberfest in Germany. But have you heard of its spring sister?

The Sommer Bier Festival is the same party, just the opposite side of the calendar, and smaller in size.

German food, crazy rides and bier tents are all set up along the famed Oktoberfest Park each April and May.

With the flowers blooming, birds singing and the trees budding, spring has arrived in this part of the world.

Adam and Scott approached the grounds not knowing what to expect.

"I thought this was going to be different," Adam said after his first taste of the festival. "It's more of a fair."

And yes, it is.

Rides litter the midway. Food vendors sell everything from bratwurst to hot dogs. There is even a human carrousel. You're not riding horses, rather spinning around while standing at a bar.

First ride: the Sky Slide as it began to rain. Both of us had wet mats (a little gross).

Second ride, Scott climbed aboard a round disc that tries to fling its riders out of their seats. No lap bars here. No seat belts included. No rules either.

"Hold my stuff!" Scott asked Adam with giddy excitement as he ran for the ticket booth. Scott then plopped down the equivalent of $5.00 to get flung.

These rides traditionally only operate in China. They're not dangerous , rather, liberal. They ask the rider to take a fair amount of responsibility for themselves.

After the ride, we met up with a real Schwabinchen, and that is a true complement.

Try to flow this:
For years, Scott's friend, stylist and fellow Ohioan, Cara, use to cut Scott's "TV hair" in Orlando.

One fall Cara traveled to Germany. That's where she met Nico at Oktoberfest.
Since then, they've been a couple.
Now Cara calls Germany home since Nico lives in Munich.

And on this night, Cara and Nico dressed in their best German attire and met Scott and Adam for an introduction into Oktoberfest.

Nico shared insight into the party, like its okay to urinate in public, as long as you hit grass (no sidewalks). One grassy spot is reserved for people who sleep until dawn (passed out). And as Nico says, another corner is full of vomit.

Look close, Schwabinchen from Cedar Point has a much endeared twin!

The five (Schwabinchen included) enjoyed the evening inside the Hippodrom tent, where its tradition to sing and dance ON TOP of your table. More than 10,000 people can enjoy a frosty beverage under one roof.

Singing, shouting and laughing are all expected. And for the skeptics out there, most men come dressed as your favorite travelers, in there Lederhosen. Imagine the garment to equal a man's sport coat in the United States.

Cara is commended for dropping her comfortable life in Orlando to follow love to Germany. She and Nico make a great couple.

NEXT: Storm the Castle

Get Your Hosen!

DATELINE:
Gatmisch-Alpspitzbahn.

It started pretty innocently while behind the wheel of the C70 in Gatmisch-Alpspitzbahn.

"There's a lederhosen store," Scott said when passing a basic storefront while driving.

"THAT'S A *@#%+€* LEDERHOSEN STORE!!!" Adam shouted upon seeing the native clothier pass before his eyes on the passenger side.

And with that, the C70 was was U-turning through a quaint neighborhood with Tudor homes and well kept yards.

Upon approaching the store and parking directly across from the front door, the fashion show began.

"Light colored or dark?"
"Long paints? Short shorts?"
"Do those fit?"
"What colored checked-shirt?"
"We have a sale."
"Got shoes?"
"You'll need socks."
"Hubba, hubba!"

See the before & after pictures below. Both walked out of the store with their American clothes in a bag, since they were now dressed for Oktoberfest.

NEXT: On the Town in our new outfits.

On top of Germany

DATELINE:
Eibsee, Germany

About an hour south of Munich, you'll discover Alpine Country. The architecture switches fast from German to Swiss. Chalets dot the hillside. Speaking of hills, in Eibsee, Germany, you find the country's tallest mountain, the Zugspite.

"I don't want to leave and go back to Munich," Adam says after seeing the village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Although the tourist center told us we could not drive to Eibsee to catch the gondola, the map we were given said differently (we did spot Wank, Germany and decided to skip that town).

On the way to the gondola, what started as a beautiful day quickly clouded over. Adam and Scott experienced the summer's first thunderstorm not in Florida, but along the German-Austrian boarder.

Because of the lightening, the gondola was shut down.

Rain fell. Tempers of other tourists soared. The staff tried in their best English to explain the delay. After listening to the lightening detector send it's shrill warning for 30 minutes, we gave up.

On the way back down the foothills, Adam gave Scott a lesson in "bump shifting."

"Oh wow, I see my gears on the dash board light up," Scott said surprised.

Apparently, the C70 allows you to switch gears, although the car is an automatic. There's no clutch, just the gear shifter. Who knew?!

After the driving lesson, we discovered Aldi. The grocery store was small, but the pretzel dispenser was a huge hit. Push a button and watch a pretzel magically appear!
Bam! Fresh Pretzel.

Lunch is served.

Next: A Costume Change

Ein Prosit

DATELINE:
Munich, Germany

A German tradition since 1589, the Hofbräuhaus was a necessary stop while in Munich. Nestled between the exclusive garment district and the Marienplatz glockenspiel (the tower with the moving figures), this beer hall and restaurant was a must stop for both Adam and Scott.

First things first, the beers are big! Order a beer and its brought out in a giant 1 liter stein. Seating is traditional German long benches, so grab a seat and make friends with the whole table.

The beer garden was enchanting as night fell, the lights came on and the leaves on the trees signaled spring's arrival.

Our appetizer in the form of a break bowl. There were two pretzels, a slice of rye bread and a roll.

Dinner was chicken and potatoes for Adam and pork steak and potatoes for Scott (who wore his special Schwabinchen shirt).

"I never thought I would be back here again," Adam said longingly while gazing at the outdoor beer garden patio of the famed beirgarten.

After dinner, we discovered an upstairs Fest Hall and a second level dedicated to serving locals. That's when we sat down at a second table and had apple strudel for desert.

And true to her homeland, Schwabinchen was right there with us!

Peace & Quiet

DATELINE:
Castell, Germany

Gothenburg.
Copenhagen.
And now Munich.

We've seen several world class cities on EuroCoaster'13. And now we add Castell, Germany to the list.

Unlike the major cities listed above, Castell has one thing they don't: peace.

We found this small hamlet by chance, by leaving the beaten path. It's cobblestone streets, window ledges lined with flower boxes and garden gnomes are the real Germany.

"I thought it was more than amazing," Adam recalls.

Unlike major cities, lunch is served daily only between 11-2pm. Dinner starts at 5. We were too late for one and way two early for the other.

So a walk to the old church, time on a park bench breathing the fresh air and photo opportunities will have to do for now.

The house of worship dates back to the early 1700's. The steps were flanked by two pine trees and birds singing in the brisk air.

Fence posts in front of homes have broken pots on them, now serving as base plates for new plants whose roots can be exposed (see photo below). And speaking of homes, the houses here are so old, they only a single digit house number.

Very picturesque, Castell is the unnamed town Disney artists place in their animated movies. It's also a place where you may be able to find a Scwabinchen in a red dress running around town.

Next: Adam is greeted by an old friend.