Bloody hell—Schwangau, Germany is not for the faint-hearted, especially if you have ants in your underwear. Yes, that happened. But before I dive into the insect horror, let me tell you about the magic of this place.

Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, Schwangau is home to Neuschwanstein Castle, the iconic Sleeping Beauty castle that inspired Disneyland. But there’s more than just fairytales here—there’s history, indulgence, insanity, and a bit of chaos… my own included.

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Ants, Grumpy Germans, and Campsite Chaos

I swung into a fully booked campsite and immediately got yelled at by German men. One grumpy bloke tapped me on the shoulder:

“We don’t all need to know your life story.”

Mate, chill—I was just trying to check in! The lady behind the counter was working fast, and he looked sheepish after. Moments later, I discovered that King ants had taken up residence in my underwear, which really put the “mad” in my day.

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Meet King Ludwig II: The Swan King

Ludwig II, also known as the Mad King or Fairy Tale King, ruled Bavaria from 1864 to 1886. His childhood home? That cozy castle just perched above the mountains. The guy was a dreamer—introverted, creative, and obsessed with art, music, and architecture.

From his bedroom window, he could see the site of his future fairy tale castle, Neuschwanstein. He hand-picked every detail of his castles, but ironically, he only spent 10 days in them. Instead of governing, he indulged in lavish artistic projects, much to the frustration of his ministers.

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Insanity, Betrayal, and a Mysterious Death

The political intrigue is wild:

• Ministers plotted to remove him, citing extravagance.
• Four doctors declared him insane, three of whom had never met him.
• During the initial attempt to arrest him, police and a heroic baroness defended him with… an umbrella.

The final twist? The next day, Ludwig and the lead doctor went for a walk and both mysteriously drowned in a lake. Talk about a dramatic exit.

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Castles, Carriages, and Crazy Views

Schwangau is castle central: every hill seems to have one perched on it. You can get to Neuschwanstein by horse-drawn carriage, bus, or a 40-minute hike (I chose the hike—my legs regretted it).

Along the way, there are:

• Mary’s Bridge for the classic fairy tale photo
• Incredible mountain vistas
• Random people paragliding—tempting, but I was too buggered (and ant-bitten)

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Campsite Life

After surviving the ants, I managed to get back to the campsite. It was hot, the van was warm, and I discovered my awning for the first time—surprisingly easy to set up.

The next adventure? Florence, Italy, where things apparently take a darker turn. Will my van survive? You’ll have to watch the next video.

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Final Thoughts

Schwangau is magical, chaotic, and completely immersive. Fairy tale castles, dramatic history, and the occasional ant invasion—it’s all part of the adventure.

Pack patience, sturdy shoes, and maybe an insect repellent. You’ll thank me.