A trip to a German castles is like stepping back in time to when Kings, Princes and Emperors ruled the land.

German castles are as different as they are varied. From the fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II (known as 'Mad King Ludwig') which was the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s castle to the infamous Colditz Castle, used as a prisoner of war camp during WWII.

A visit to Germany and her castles is like stepping back to a time when Kings, Princes and Emperors ruled the land. You can marvel at the splendour and elegance, a legacy left behind by their past Lords and masters. You can wonder in ancient forests and woods. You can trek up snow covered mountains or cruise the tranquil waters of the Rhine. German castles are all original. There is not just a handful of well-preserved ones, but several hundred from all ages and of every genre.

Each has its own long and thrilling history and nearly all offer hospitality. This ranges from comfortable castle hotels and distinctive restaurants to museums and cultural events. You can watch jousting; join in feasts and banquets typical of the middle Ages. You can enjoy concerts and theatre performances against imposing backdrops.

You are invited to live like a king, to develop a fear of ghosts, to marvel at the splendour of their banquets and cower at the telling of a tale or two.

Mespelbrunn Castle is one of the loveliest German castles in northern Bavaria and is located in a small, hidden, picturesque valley. It is because of this concealment that it had survived the thirty Years War and remained unscathed during both World Wars.

Neuschwanstein Castle The first seeds of inspiration for the great castle came from a mini-Wagner festival that Ludwig ordered for the Munich Court Theatre in 1867, and it was his love of Wagner that was influential in his choice for the final design of Neuschwanstien castle.

Burghausen Castle In 600 AD the first building on the castle site was a wooden fortified house built by Bavarian Dukes.

On the summit of Jettenbühl,Heidelberg Castle (mainly 14th-17th centuries) gazes majestically over the Old Town and is one of the most impressive historical landmarks of Germany. The structure, now largely in ruins, preserves numerous examples of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque German architecture.

Colditz Castle was begun in 1158 after Emperor Frederick Barbossa appointed Thimo I “Lord Colditz”. During the 13th century, the town of Colditz was established and the surrounding forests, meadows and farmland settled.

Schwerin Castle was nearly destroyed in 1913 when a fire was discovered in the “Elisabethzimmer” – “Elisabeth’s room”. It quickly spread to other parts of the castle reaching the storeroom where all the hunting ammunition was kept. What pursued was a cacophony of small explosions and loud noises.

Wartburg Castle was the seat of the Thuringian landgraves until 1440, and as a place of courtly culture it became the venue of the Sangerkrieg, the Minstrels' Contest, around 1207.

Cochem Castle which stands on a hill 100 metres above the River Mosel was built around the start of the 11th century and was first mentioned in a document dating from 1051.