Sherlock Holmes

Reichenbach Falls

The very famous Sherlock Holmes series was created by author Arthur Conan Doyle.  He began publishing stories about the famous detective in 1892.  Many stories, series, and movies have come out based on the character Sherlock Holmes.

Because of Sherlock, the Reichenbach Falls in Meiringen, Switzerland has become famous.  Sherlock and his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty fight and then fall down the Reichenbach Falls.  Some of the movies or series have been shot on site at Reichanbach Falls.  One is in this clip on youtube:

Sherlock & Moriarty Go Off Reichenbach Falls

In May of 2024, my son and his family took me on a European road trip through 9 European countries, including Switzerland.  We went to visit the Reichenbach Falls as part of our trip through Switzerland.  Here is a video of our hike through the Aare Gorge below, as well as our ride in the cable car to Reichenbach:

Reichenbach Falls

Visiting Reichenbach is like visiting a museum to Sherlock Holmes, with lots of information and clips from the movie up at the top where you can view the waterfall, as well as spot to take photos as Sherlock Holmes.

You can find information about visiting Reichenbach Falls here:

Grimselwelt

view of the falls from the parking lot

The rail ride up to the falls

"Across this dreadful cauldron occurred the culminating event in the career of Sherlock Holmes the World's greatest detective when on May 4, 1891 he vanquished Professor Moriarty the Napoleon of Crime."

The Disney Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

At the beginning of every Disney movie we see the Disney castle.  This castle was inspired by a real-life castle in Germany, the Neuschwanstein Castle in Hohenschwangau.  My son and his family took me on a European road trip through 9 European countries, and when we drove through Germany we stopped to visit the Disney castle.

You cannot drive right up to the castle, you have to park in Hohenschwangau and either ride a bus/shuttle to the castle or hike the 40 minute hike, all uphill, to the castle.  It is less than a mile but is a pretty good work-out to get there.  That's what my son and grandson and I opted to do.  Totally worth it!

Their website for tickets and information is located here:

Neuschwanstein Castle

The Disney Castle

The real Disney Castle

Part of the pathway up the mountain to the castle

At various points along the hike we got glimpses of the castle

The front of the castle

My son and grandson and I in front of the castle

view from the castle

view of the castle from the field below

Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe

The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe

Pravcicka Brana -- 1 hour 5 minutes into the movie

You can watch a video about my hike to this natural bridge at this link:

Pravcicka Gate

In Bohemian Switzerland, Czech Republic stands a magnificent arch that you may have seen before without even realizing it.  The film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" features a scene at just past one hour five minutes into the film where for only a moment, Peter, Susan, Lucy, and the beavers cross a large natural bridge.  That bridge actually exists, and is not very difficult to get to if you happen to be visiting the Czech Republic.  The actors did not actually stand on the bridge - no one is allowed to go on top of the bridge because of erosion in recent years.  Additionally, it would have been very dangerous for them to climb on top of the bridge in the winter.  They were digitally added to the top of the bridge.

Although you can't climb on top of this bridge, which is 87 feet tall, you can stand underneath it if you complete a 2.2 mile hike, which is mostly uphill.

Our route from the starting point near Hrensko

Park at the waterfall parking lot in Hrensko and head up the road until you see signs for the trailhead.

To actually stand under the bridge, you have to pay an entrance fee of 4 euro at the gate to the left of the bridge.  Once inside, you can explore around the bridge and even purchase a bite to eat.

Under the bridge

Me, my son Micah and daughter-in-law Jancy, and grandsons Krew and Kyden under the bridge

The view from the bridge is amazing!  It is not the same view from the Narnia movie -- that was digitally created or taken somewhere else.  Here is the actual view from the bridge:

See the hiking trail down below?

Under the bridge

Take the trail that begins behind the restaurant to get an even better view of the bridge from above.  It is a little bit scary for heights, but I made it and I'm terrified of heights!  It is worth it!

Notice the small arch on the skyline just to the right of the Pravcicka.  I have not been able to find out what that arch is called!

After exploring and relaxing under the arch and in the beautiful area up there, then it's time to begin the 2.2 mile descent back to the parking lot.  This is quite a bit easier than the hike up!

In these photos from the Narnia movie, you can see the other small arch on top of the bridge as well

The Narnia Movie