Located 2 hours from Munich, the enchanting old-world town of Füssen lies in the foot hills of the Alps, framed by one of the most breathtaking natural settings in the world. Towering far above the village, seemingly sculpted out of the very mountains that rise magnificently to the heavens, is a sight made from the stuff of dreams: the fabulous and ethereal Neuschwanstein Castle.

This glorious folly was built in the 19th-Century by the famed "mad" King Ludwig II, a man intoxicated by mythology and who himself became a legend. The shimmering white towers of the castle among the clouds are instantly recognizable to many who haven’t ever heard the name Neuschwanstein. It is the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle and is famous the world over as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang castle.

To visit it is to step inside a fairy tale. On this full-day tour from Munich, your guide will take you by train or coach and accompany you uphill to the castle’s lofty perch, where it sits gleaming above a spectacular panorama of mountains, lakes and valleys. It’s not just about the castle – it’s also about its wonderful location. You will go to the best vantage points and explore the lake. If time and weather permits, you can even enjoy a swim. Get postcard-perfect views of the equally beautiful Hohenschwangau Castle, the waterfall gorge and the stunning Marienbrücke Bridge, suspended high above it all.

While you are marveling at the beauty, your guide will tell you the engaging story of King Ludwig’s renowned and tragic reign, of his turbulent times and of the obsession that drove him to build his fantasy castle in the mountains and ultimately destroyed him. Skip the long lines for the separate internal tour of the king’s private chambers by a specialist castle guide. The tour is the most practical way to enter this amazing fantasy-world.