Today was one for the books; four countries in a single day! We began our journey in stunning Lucerne, Switzerland, winding our way through some of the most breathtaking alpine landscapes we’ve ever seen. Snow dusted peaks, lush green valleys, and idyllic little villages kept us captivated as the kilometers rolled by.
Our first border crossing took us into the tiny principality of Liechtenstein, the sixth smallest nation in the world. With a population of around 40,000 and a total area of just over 160 square kilometers, it’s a place you can explore in the time it takes to finish a cup of coffee. Still, nestled in the heart of the Alps, it offers a unique charm all its own; clean, peaceful, and surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain scenery.
Next, we crossed into Germany to visit the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle. Perched dramatically on a hilltop, this 19th century fairytale castle was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle and it’s easy to see why. It’s stunning from every angle.
This included a short walk to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge). An absolutely breathtaking spot to view the castle from across a gorge. The sight of Neuschwanstein nestled among the peaks was magical and surreal.
Unfortunately, we weren’t told in advance that entry tickets weren’t included in the visit, and by the time we arrived, they were completely sold out. A real disappointment, but the castle and the views from the bridge more than made up for it.
To come down the mountain, we opted for a horse-drawn carriage ride. A perfect way to slow down and take in the surroundings. We sat up front with the driver, who shared stories about the history of the area and told us all about the horses; two beautiful, strong creatures that seemed to know the path by heart. It added such a charming, personal touch to the experience.
Our last country of the day was Austria, where we arrived in Innsbruck, the picturesque alpine city known for its colourful facades, medieval old town, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. The city looked like something out of a storybook.
We had the evening free to explore before heading to the 8:30 PM Tyrolean Folk Evening & Dinner. But, let’s be honest, 8:30 is far too late for dinner in my world! So, we grabbed a quick bite around 5:30… just a slice of pizza to tide us over. Or so we thought. What came out was a slice the size of a dinner plate! We barely made a dent in it. As we sat outside enjoying the cool mountain air and the view, we shared what was left with passersby from our tour group, turning our giant pizza slice into an impromptu appetizer station.
It was a wonderfully lively and colorful show, complete with traditional Austrian music, alphorns, cowbells, yodeling, and dancers in full folk costume performing energetic routines. The performers were incredibly talented and full of spirit, making it feel like a joyful celebration of Alpine culture. There were humorous moments too, and even a little audience participation that kept everyone laughing.
One of the small amusements of this trip has been the ever-evolving bed setup at each hotel. So far: one double, then two singles pushed together, and tonight? Two singles apart, just for variety. It’s become a bit of a running joke with each new room we check into!
All in all, it was a long, incredible day full of majestic views, unexpected detours, and little stories we’ll laugh about for years to come. Tomorrow’s adventures await; but today was a true highlight.
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