On the following morning in Stuttgart (after an enjoyable evening in Esslingen), I awoke with a renewed sense of energy!
As you may be aware, I hold a substantial appreciation for castles in particular. There is an extraordinary grandeur associated with them that I find truly captivating, and today, our itinerary includes a visit to one of the most iconic castles, not only in Germany but throughout Europe!
This castle is none other than Hohenzollern Castle – one of the rare (and notable) castles worldwide still owned by its original family.
This landmark draws attention from afar, inviting visitors for miles before they can approach its majestic grounds.
We promptly parked the vehicle and took the bus that shuttles visitors from the castle parking area to the castle entrance.
(*It is possible to walk, however, it can be somewhat tedious, and I personally prefer to invest that extra time immersing myself in the castle’s exploration rather than ascending a driveway).
Those who appreciate a good walk will still find enjoyment, as the approach leads up an almost spiraled road toward the castle itself.
Fortunately, the path is adorned with several picturesque distractions, ensuring that before you realize it, you are approaching the castle.
As we reached the castle, it began to snow, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere. The entire setting resembled a fairy tale, creating a breathtaking backdrop as we entered the castle’s precincts.
Instead of entering immediately, we delightfully spent considerable time admiring the exterior of the castle, which was stunning and entirely met my expectations!
Eventually, we entered the castle, which was as magnificent on the inside as it appeared from the outside.
The castle does not currently house its owners, The Prince of Prussia and The Prince of Hohenzollern, due to historical circumstances – an ancient disposition stipulates their ownership shares as ¾ and ¼ respectively. Consequently, the castle is unheated.
As one wanders through its corridors and enter the many splendid rooms, one gains insight into the royal lineage that once resided there, their connection to the British royal family, and stories of their modesty.
The next hour or so was spent absorbing every detail possible within this remarkable castle…
…before eventually proceeding outdoors to explore other sections of this extraordinary site.
Aspects of the castle that were previously unobserved came to light, showcasing multiple engaging vantage points for photographers.
The chill prompted us to retreat indoors for a visit to the chapel before heading to the restaurant for some hearty goulash and fulfilling steaks.
We concluded our visit with a strudel before bidding the castle farewell and returning towards Stuttgart.
Upon arriving back in Stuttgart, invigorated from our journey to Hohenzollern Castle, we proceeded to discover what has been officially recognized as the best gin in the world – Ginstr!
Ginstr represents an exceptional entrepreneurial success story, established by two friends who share a profound admiration for gin. It stands as a testament to passion manifesting into an outstanding product, which, in turn, leads to financial success and numerous accolades.
Rather than merely discussing gin, it is best to experience it firsthand; thus, we indulged in a tasting of gin and tonics as well as gimlets – each remarkably enjoyable.
With that, we decided it was finally time to engage in an activity we had somehow yet to accomplish since arriving in Stuttgart!
