“Mad” King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps, Germany

"Mad" King Ludwig II of Bavaria had the castle Neuschwanstein built for his reign. He died before taking up residence there, but it is a marvel of architecture and decor. The swan motif abounds and each room is themed after a Wagner opera.

Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria, Germany, and King Ludwig’s Herrenchiemsee Palace

Stunning views of Chiemsee, freshwater lake in Germany near the Alps. On the Herreninsel island I visited Herrenchiemsee, "Mad" King Ludwig II's palace - and an exact scale replica of Versailles.