I almost didn't go. Another European castle town, another tourist trap waiting to disappoint. But stepping off that train into Füssen's snow-dusted streets felt different. No Instagram filter needed—the medieval buildings actually glowed against fresh powder. Neuschwanstein Castle perched above like it was placed there by someone who understood magic. The locals at the bakery spoke broken English, steam rising from their coffee as they pointed toward hiking trails most tourists skip. I spent hours walking empty paths, breath visible, boots crunching through snow that hadn't been Instagrammed to death. For once, a place lived up to the hype not because it was perfectly curated, but because it wasn't trying to be. Sometimes the fairytale is real—you just have to show up. #Travel #EuropeanWinter #TravelTruth