Five minutes down the road from the fairytale castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein lies a calm oasis hidden within a sleepy pine forest.
Schwansee Lake is famous for it’s crystal blue water, stunning mountain backdrop and friendly resident swans, but visit during winter and you’ll find a magical frozen landscape.
If you’re feeling brave, you can take a dip in the icy-cold Alpine waters during the warmer months.
For now though, I was happy to stay dry on the shore and soak up the beautiful Bavarian scenery instead.
The perfect place to pause, be still, and take a deep breath in.