The Alps - Day 5
Our day started off—of course—with another stop to charge this damn car. Thankfully, we found a charger at a McDonald’s, so at least we could grab some food and make the best of it. The drive to Zugspitze was gloomy—cold, rainy, and so foggy we could barely see the road. We both started to wonder if this trip was even worth it.
But then the gondola started climbing, and everything changed. As we rose higher, we broke through the clouds into bright sunshine, and suddenly we were surrounded by an endless sea of white below us. The views were incredible—like standing on top of the world. All the hassle getting there instantly felt worth it.
We originally had our hearts set on visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, but it was completely booked out—no fairy-tale visit for us this time. So, we pivoted and made our way to Linderhof Palace instead, another of King Ludwig II’s creations. It turned out to be a great choice! The palace itself is stunning, though sadly, no photos are allowed inside—so you’ll just have to take my word for it (or admire the gorgeous grounds instead).
Of course, “Tour Guide Caitlin” was in full form again, this time giving a dramatic demonstration of what not to do according to the park signs—namely, stepping on the flowers. Don’t worry, she didn’t actually do it, but she made it look convincing! And can we talk about those signs for a second? Everything looks so official... except the “No Dogs” one. It’s like they ran out of budget halfway through and just threw that one together at the last minute.
For dinner, we decided to take our Airbnb host’s recommendation and check out a local spot called Scheidegger. The place had that perfect Bavarian charm, complete with hearty food, great beer, and friendly service.
By this point in the trip, we’d learned our lesson: the portion sizes here are no joke. So, we ordered one meal to share, which turned out to be the best decision ever. Not only did we both leave perfectly satisfied, but we even had enough room left for dessert—because how could we possibly say no to a warm plate of Apfelstrudel? Absolute perfection to end the night.
