Today started bright and early with a long bus ride to Neuschwanstein Castle. I was half asleep for most of the drive but when I woke up and looked out the window I was surrounded by mountains and nature. It felt like I had traveled to a completely different world. The view alone was breathtaking and set the tone for what ended up being one of the most magical days of the trip. 

Once we arrived some of us took a horse-drawn carriage up the hill to the castle. It was such a fun and unique experience that made the whole visit feel even more like a fairytale. The castle itself was absolutely stunning both outside and inside. The artwork and detail in each room were unbelievable. Every wall felt like a piece of art and the architecture was so beautiful. I loved learning about King Ludwig II and the history behind why he built the castle. It made the visit feel even more special. 

After the tour some of us walked to a nearby bridge where we got a view of the castle and the mountains all around it. The scenery was unreal and it’s a view I know I’ll never forget. We had lunch together near the castle which was also a nice way to bond with the group and enjoy the peaceful setting. 

Later in the afternoon we headed back to the University of Augsburg where we had a guest lecture from an employee at MAN Truck and Bus. He talked more about what makes MAN unique and how they’re working on things like hydrogen engines and sustainable technology. It was cool to hear how some of what we saw earlier in the week connected to bigger goals in the industry. 

We ended the day with dinner at an Italian restaurant where I tried their signature pizza and it was so good. After such a full and amazing day it was the perfect way to wind down. Seeing the castle and being in the Alps made today feel really special and it’s definitely one of my favorite days so far.