Bavarian castles

One of the most popular castles in Europe, Neuschwanstein attracts more than 1.3 million visitors a year. It was built from 1869 to 1886 in the neo-late Romanesque style of a German knights' castle, with lavish furnishings and paintings depicting scenes from Wagnerian operas. The castle sits on a rugged hill amongst a backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery. It can be reached on foot, bus or, for a more romantic experience, horse-drawn carriage. If you think you've seen it somewhere before that may be because Neuschwanstein inspired the design of the Stardust Castle at Disneyland, California. Admission: Euro9 (HK$86); horse-drawn carriage: Euro5 a person. Visit www.neuschwanstein.com.

Designed in rococo style and set in an isolated mountain landscape, Linderhof, complete with a mini hall of mirrors, was modelled on part of Versailles, outside Paris. At meal times, a long dining table magically appeared through the floor laden with food for the reclusive Ludwig. In front of the palace are a glorious pool and 25-metre fountain with gilded nymph statues. Linderhof's most impressive feature, however, is the Venus Grotto, an artificial cave and lake where musicians floated around on a swan-shaped boat while performing the king's favourite music. The grotto doubled as a stage set and was astonishingly advanced for its time, with lights that reflected on the lake in the cave to create coloured effects, and an artificial wave machine. Admission: Euro7. See www.linderhof.de.

King Ludwig II spent his childhood playing in the halls of Hohenschwangau, which, having been built in the 12th century and destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte, was restored in Romanesque style by Ludwig's father, Crown Prince Maximilian. The interior has a troubadour style, with wall paintings of Bavarian knights and folk heroes. The rooms are exquisitely decorated with ornaments from Greece and Turkey. An appreciation of Hohenschwangau's charms can be combined with a visit to Neuschwanstein, which sits on an opposite mountain. Admission: Euro9; horse-drawn carriage: Euro3.50. Visit www.hohenschwangau.de.