With director Paul W. Anderson drawing the world's eye to the enchanting castles of Bavaria in his latest action-adventure flick, The Three Musketeers, the romance of the German state's gothic spires, thick emerald forests and rich history are the perfect backdrop for a film filled with swashbuckling, double-crossing and bodice-ripping.
Bavaria unfolds across Germany's southeast like a fairytale. And the sense of magic that imbues the air isn't confined to the likes of the jaw-dropping Neuschwanstein Castle, as look a little higher and you'll be treated to the snow-capped mountains of the Alps.
Throw away the map and let your curiosity lead the way, starting with a visit to Schloss Linderhof, 19th-century King Ludwig II's whimsical palace tucked away in a forest, and inspired by the splendour of Versailles. The drive to reach the Schloss is just as impressive, with its breathtaking views of the valleys below the Ammergau Alps.
You simply cannot visit Bavaria without spending at least half a day at Neuschwanstein Castle. Dominating the hillscape around Hohenschwangau, this neo-Gothic delight - one of the most visited sites in Germany, so expect queues - was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria for the composer, Richard Wagner, in the late 1880s.
Munich for art and spas
Nearby Munich is an artist's haven, packed with galleries, live music and markets, not to mention plenty of over-sized, yet cosy beer halls.
Relax with a dip in the famous spa waters of elegant Baden-Baden, or hike through the breathtaking scenery of the Bavarian Alps, or there's a cable car to the top available for the less sporty. Finally, if you have the time, kayak across Lake Constance from Lindau, a beautiful town that's watched over by the surrounding snowy peaks.
Filmed there
Unknown, Hanna, The Three Musketeers, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Cloud Atlas
Fly there…
Emirates and Lufthansa fly directly to Munich. Visit www.emirates.com or www.lufthansa.com
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Bavaria's magnificent must-visits
Stay here…
The charles hotel
The Charles Hotel in Munich injects sleek cosmopolitanism into a beautiful city known for its Bavarian charm. Just half an hour from Munich's Franz-Josef-Strauss Airport and close to the central train station, the hotel is only a short walk or metro ride from the Botanical Gardens.
Visit www.thecharleshotel.com
