Bavaria, Germany

While we were in the tourist office looking for accomodations, Gail noticed some brochures on the table advertising bed-and-breakfast places that seemed absolutely beautiful and inviting. Gail wanted to stay in one of these, instead of a hotel in Füssen. We inquired at the desk and found that these bed-and-breakfast places were in a little lakeside town called Hopfen am See, about 5 miles away with regular public bus connections.

The agent at the Hopfen am See tourism office spoke English. He directed us to Frau Keller's Gasthaus (guest house), a few blocks up the hill. We had a large suite with a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and veranda with a large picture window overlooking the lake. But, the rate was quite reasonable at around $45 a night (in 1993). Actually, at first, we had no idea what rate we had agreed to pay. Frau Keller spoke no English. Bob could only recall snatches of German words and phrases from the high school class he took ages ago. Frau Keller resorted to sign language to ask us a question, which we, after several sign gestures, figured out to be, "How many nights do you wish to stay?" Bob, perhaps coherently, responded, "drei oder vier Nacht" (3 or 4 nights). Frau Keller seemed to understand the response. Fortunately for us, we later met a German houseguest who spoke fluent English and interpreted everything for us, including the television news.

Disclaimer: Some people have asked for more information about Frau Keller's Gasthaus. We're sorry, but we really can't provide any. We have no record of her address or phone number. Perhaps, you can contact the closest German consulate for help. Alternatively, you can do what we did, i.e., go to the tourism office once you arrive in Hopfen am See.

We wanted to see Neuschwanstein Castle. That is the castle on American Airlines commercials and countless travel brochures, and is the castle that the DisneyWorld castle is modeled after. This castle is near the city of Füssen in Bavaria. Füssen is a small city with plenty of hustle-bustle and noise.

N e u s c h w a n s t e i n		H o p h e n a m S e e

Hopfen am See	Hopfen am See Town	Placid lake.
While we were in the tourist office looking for accomodations, Gail noticed some brochures on the table advertising bed-and-breakfast places that seemed absolutely beautiful and inviting. Gail wanted to stay in one of these, instead of a hotel in Füssen. We inquired at the desk and found that these bed-and-breakfast places were in a little lakeside town called Hopfen am See, about 5 miles away with regular public bus connections. The agent at the Hopfen am See tourism office spoke English. He directed us to Frau Keller's Gasthaus (guest house), a few blocks up the hill. We had a large suite with a bedroom, kitchen, living room, and veranda with a large picture window overlooking the lake. But, the rate was quite reasonable at around $45 a night (in 1993). Actually, at first, we had no idea what rate we had agreed to pay. Frau Keller spoke no English. Bob could only recall snatches of German words and phrases from the high school class he took ages ago. Frau Keller resorted to sign language to ask us a question, which we, after several sign gestures, figured out to be, "How many nights do you wish to stay?" Bob, perhaps coherently, responded, "drei oder vier Nacht" (3 or 4 nights). Frau Keller seemed to understand the response. Fortunately for us, we later met a German houseguest who spoke fluent English and interpreted everything for us, including the television news. *Disclaimer:* Some people have asked for more information about Frau Keller's Gasthaus. We're sorry, but we really can't provide any. We have no record of her address or phone number. Perhaps, you can contact the closest German consulate for help. Alternatively, you can do what we did, i.e., go to the tourism office once you arrive in Hopfen am See.