Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public. The shy king had built the castle in order to withdraw from public life – now vast numbers of people came to view his private refuge.
Today Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular of all the palaces and castles in Europe. Every year 1.4 million people visit "the castle of the fairy-tale king". In the summer around 6,000 visitors a day stream through rooms that were intended for a single inhabitant.
The setting of Neuschwanstein could not be more idyllic. However, movement in the foundation area has to be continuously monitored, and the sheer rock walls must be repeatedly secured. The harsh climate also has a detrimental effect on the limestone façades, which will have to be renovated section by section over the next few years.
Berlin's most famous street, Unter den Linden - literally translated as Under the Lime Trees Avenue - has for centuries been a draw for visitors and locals alike. This broad avenue, stretching some 1,400 meters and connecting Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate to the Lustgarten, began as a humble riding track in 1573 for royalty on their way to the Tiergarten to hunt, a route formalized in 1647 when the Great Elector had six rows of trees planted, including the famous limes. Today, its two car lanes are separated by a wide central pedestrian area that extends much of the street's length and provides a wonderful place to relax and take in the bustling city around you. Notable landmarks are the Arsenal and the Gendarmenmarkt, the Opera House, and St. Hedwig's Cathedral. Make sure to check out the many museums, botanical gardens, and the stunning Grunewald Forest.
Of course if you're a hiker you have to check out the Bavarian Alps! So head to southern Germany for a wide variety of cultural experiences. Learn to make cheese in the Allgäu, and don't forget to eat some Kässpätzle! Hit the trails either in the Allgäu or at Mount Zugspitz. the Chiemgau and it's marvelous Lake Chiemsee invites visitors to the "Chiemgau Hiking Autumn" featuring guided hikes plus the opportunity to try some of the local seasonal game and fish!