Neuschwanstein, Ludwig's first and most famous castle, built between 1869 and 1886

Neuschwanstein Castle, as typically seen from the Mary's Bridge vantage point.

Neuschwanstein Castle was designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical set designer.

Singers' Hall occupies the
entire fourth floor of
Neuschwanstein Castle.

Neuschwanstein sits on its own height of land at the base of Mount Tegelberg.

A helicopter provides a rare view of the castle – the view from the north.

This top view reveals the audacity of the architecture of Neuschwanstein.

Neuschwanstein in autumn

Linderhof Castle is set in a remote valley between Fussen and Oberammergau.

Linderhof was built between 1870 and 1879, and was Ludwig's favourite residence.

Flora and her nymphs adorn the pool in front of the central Royal Villa.

Linderhof was built in an elaborate rococo style, recalling the Burbon Kings.

Linderhof's Eastern Flower Beds, with Venus and Adonis as centrepiece

The Southern Terraced Hill at Linderhof is crowned by the classical Venus Temple.

The Moorish Kiosk was relocated from a castle in Bohemia and enlarged.

View from behind and above the Palace

Herrenchiemsee is hidden on an island in Chiemsee, Bavaria's largest lake.

Herrenchiemsee, inspired by Versailles, was the most expensive Ludwig project.

The formal gardens feature many fountains and statues, both in the classical style  ...

... and in the fantastic style of romanticism favored by King Ludwig.

Nymphenburg Palace, Ludwig's birthplace in Munich, begun in 1664

Nymphenburg was built to be the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria.

Nymphenburg's facade was redesigned in 1716 and again in 1826.

Nymphenburg's Great Hall is used by the Bavarian Royal family for major receptions.

The grand parterre, central feature of the 200-hectare / 490-acre Nymphenburg park

The gardens date from 1671 but have been redesigned several times.

Nymphenburg's Carriage Museum houses the royal family's state coaches.

Hohenschwangau Castle, near Fussen, Ludwig's boyhood home

Hohenschwangau Castle and village, between lakes Alpsee and Schwansee

Hohenschwangau Castle, seen from neighbouring Neuschwanstein Castle

Entrance to Hohenschwangau Castle, built between 1833 and 1837 by Ludwig's father

Coat of Arms of the house of Wittelsbach, still the owners of Hohenschwangau Castle

Hopfen am See, a "suburb" of Fussen (Füssen), and home base for this tour

Hopfensee Lake in the morning.  How necessary is the "No Surfing"sign?

Hopfen am See, looking south from the back yard of the Landhaus Koessel

This restaurant in Oberammergau is a joy for many senses.

Main street of Bad Tolz, pedestrian-only after the early-morning deliveries

Munich, capital of Bavaria and Germany's 3rd-largest city (metro 6 million)

Munich's City Hall dominates the city's Marienplatz central square.

Munich City Hall's animated Glockenspiel entertains tourists three times a day.

Wieskirche (The Church in the Meadow) is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Wieskirche was built between 1745 and 1754 in rococo style.

Wieskirche:  The Church in the Meadow has a real Bavarian meadow.

Cross in Lake Starnberg where Ludwig II's body was found on June 13, 1886

Lake Starnberg – Ludwig Votivchapel, near where Ludwig's body was found

The Benedictine abbey of Andechs is famous for its Baroque church (1712).

Andechs is also a successful self-supporting economic entity, active in agriculture.

Andechs operates farms, a brewery, a restaurant, and a very popular beer garden.

The Tyrolean Zugspitzebahn goes to the 9,718 ft summit of Mount Zugspitze.

The summit buildings straddle the border between Germany and Austria.

Mount Zugspitze offers breathtaking views of the Alps.

Breathtaking.

On a clear day you can see 4 countries: Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland.

Looking down from Zugspitze on the twin towns of Garmisch- Partenkirchen

Elbsee lake, as seen from Mount Zugspitze above

The comfortable Panorama Restaurant at the summit of Mount Zugspitze.