Munich, capital of Bavaria and Germany's 3rd-largest city (metro 6 million)

Munich's Olympic Park, site of the 1972 Summer Olympics

Olympic Park is still an integral part of the life of Munich (München)

Konigsplatz (Königsplatz), created at the command of Crown Prince Ludwig

Munich's Ludwigstrasse, Residence, Odeonsplatz, and Theatine Church (L-R)

Munich's opera house, the National Theatre

Marienplatz is Munich's central square, dominated by the Rathaus (city hall).

Munich Residence, the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs

Neuschwanstein, Ludwig's most famous castle, built between 1869 and 1886

Neuschwanstein sits on its own height of land at the base of Mount Tegelberg.

Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle), seen from Mary's Bridge

Neuschwanstein Castle was designed by Christian Jank, a theatrical set designer.

The helicopter provides a rare view of the castle – the view from the north.

This top view reveals the audacity of the architecture of Neuschwanstein.

Singers' Hall occupies the entire fourth floor of Neuschwanstein Castle.

Hohenschwangau as seen from Neuschwanstein in the autumn

Linderhof Castle is set in a remote valley between Fussen and Oberammergau.

Linderhof was built between 1870 and 1879, and was Ludwig's favourite residence.

Flora and her nymphs adorn the pool in front of the central Royal Villa.

Linderhof was built in an elaborate rococo style, recalling the Burbon Kings.

Linderhof's Eastern Flower Beds, with Venus and Adonis as centrepiece

The Southern Terraced Hill at Linderhof is crowned by the classical Venus Temple.

The Moorish Kiosk was relocated from a castle in Bohemia and enlarged.

View from behind and above the Palace

This restaurant in Oberammergau is a joy for many senses.

Businesses as well as homes are adorned with elaborate frescoes.

Oberammergau's many Christmas stores feature local wood carrvings.

Christkindlmarkt

Wieskirche (The Church in the Meadow) is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It was built between 1745 and 1754 in rococo style, and restored 1985-91.

The interior was decorated with Wessobrunner-style frescoes and stuccowork.

Wieskirche: The Church in the Meadow is located in a real Bavarian meadow.

Vienna's Hofburg Imperial Palace was the home of the Hapsburg dynasty

The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna, built between 1874 and 1883

Vienna State Opera House, home of the world-famous State opera company

Celebrations in front of Vienna's Rathaus (City Hall), built 1872 - 1883

St. Stephen's Cathedral in central Vienna, on the site of an 1147 parish church

Schönbrunn Palace evolved over centuries from a hunting lodge begin in 1696

Queen Maria Theresa made Schönbrunn the imperial summer residence

The Neptune Fountain, one element of Maria Theresa's gardens and park plan

The 18th century gardens are used for current day concerts and celebrations

The Gloriette crowns a 60m / 200 ft hill overlooking the Palace and Vienna

Maria Theresa's Tiergarten first opened in 1752, and is the world's oldest zoo.

The Palm House pavilions with temperate and tropical sections, added in 1881-82

Salzburg has one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps.

Mirabell Palace, built by a Prince Bishop in 1606 for his mistress

Mozart was born in a home on Getreidegasse and raised in Salzburg

17th century baroque Salzburg Cathedral was the site of Mozart's baptism

Fortress Hohensalzburg, on Festungsberg hill, can now be reached by funicular.

The fortress, begun in 1077, is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.

Its hilltop location gave the fortress a view (and control) of a wide region.

Hellbrunn Palace, built in 1613-19 by the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg

Melk Abbey overlooks the Danube River, adjoing the Wachau Valley in Melk.

The Benedictine abbey was founded in 1089 with a gift from Leopold II of Austria.

Today's Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736.

The high point of the monastery is the church, noted for its frescoes.