Fact Sheets & Video - Germany

Most people have trouble pronouncing the name Neuschwanstein (noy-SHWAN-shtine) but they have no trouble recognising the castle. This is the fairytale castle that you have seen on posters and coasters everywhere. This is also THE castle that inspired the design of the Disneyland castle.

The Germans like to call King Ludwig II 'eccentric' but the rest of the world just calls him Loony Ludwig. In 1864 Ludwig II became King (he was just 18) and his wild imagination left a remarkable legacy.

Next door is Hohenschwangau - Ludwig's boyhood castle where he lived for 17 years. It's often overlooked as the poor cousin of Neuschwanstein but it provides an interesting insight into Ludwig's past and his passions. Ludwig had a fascination with the composer Richard Wagner.

In fact, he created Neuschwanstein as a theatrical tribute to Wagner's operas. But Wagner never stayed in Neuschwanstein. He stayed next door in Hohenschwangau and tourists can visit the rooms he stayed and played in.

About an hours drive from these castles is Linderhof Palace. Out of the 3 castles that Ludwig built, this is the only one that he completed. He loosely modelled Linderhof on the palace of Versailles and it even has a smaller replica of the 'Hall of Mirrors'.

This castle really gives you a sense of Ludwig's lonely, odd life. He built an artificial grotto complete with a shell-shaped gilded boat. His dining table retracted through the floor to the kitchen below so that he could avoid interaction with his servants at meal times. And on the ceiling in one of the rooms he had engraved "I am superior to all, I am the State".

Unfortunately his delusions of grandeur came to a tragic end. His obscene spending put him in severe debt and resulted in the authorities forcing him out of Neuschwanstein and declaring him mad. Soon after, Ludwig and his physician went for a stroll around Lake Starnberg. They were found dead and no cause of death was ever conclusively determined.

Costs & Contacts

Thai Airways International & Lufthansa - Fly return to Munich from $ 2370 ex west coast and $ 2435 ex east coast. Call Lufthansaon 1300 655 727. Prices correct at 8/3/07. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Hotel Mueller - from $ 250 Standard room, $ 280 Superior room, $ 410 Suite. Includes breakfast for two. Prices correct at 7/4/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation Conditions apply.

DriveAway Holidays - Car hire from $52 a day. Based on 7 day rental for Opel Corsa or similar. Call 1300 363 500. Prices correct at 7/4/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.