Neuschwanstein

Hohenschwangau Castle

If you are in Germany and you're a big Disney fan you have to go see Neuschwanstein because it is the castle that Cinderella's castle is based off of at Disney World. When you arrive at Neuschwanstein, go to the ticket booth and purchase a combination ticket for both the Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castle. It will be about 23 Euro, that is if you are not a student or military card holder.
Hohenschwangau is the lower of the two castles and is the family residence of King Ludwig II. It is a perfectly maintained residence with a beautiful courtyard and an even better view. You are able to see all the rooms in this castle but are not allowed to take any pictures. It is very intricately decorated in the gothic style.

Neuschwanstein Castle

In 1868 King Ludwig II, King of Bavaria , had Neuschwanstein castle built as a residence where he could retreat from people but also because he wanted a "New Castle" (Neuschwanstein) high above the Hohenschwangau Castle. It was not finished until 1886 when the King died. He only lived in the Palace for 2 years and it has never been fully completed. There are only 5 or 6 rooms that you visit on the tour and you can not go inside the palace without a guided tour. In order to get to the palace you can walk (it's a little hike), take the bus, or ride in a horse and carriage. After going into the castle you should go to the "Marienbruecke", an iron bridge built above the Poellat Gorge, where you can see a gorgeous view of the castle (picture above) and the surrounding area. If however you want the typical picture, such as the one to the right, that you always see then I am sorry to say you are going to need a helicopter.

King Ludwig II had four other castles made and are available to the public for tours. The Linderhof Palace, the King's House on the Schachen, Augustine Monastery Herrenchiemsee, and Herrenchiemsee Palace. King Ludwig II is also known as the "Fairytale King" because he created this fantasy world to live in as a way of retreating from reality. Part of this world consisted of private opera and play performances, and traveling dressed in historic, elaborately designed costumes.