Castello di Amorosa is a castle and a winery located near Calistoga, California. It is the creation of Dario Sattui, who wanted to honor his grandfather Vittorio by building something that paid homage to his home in Italy. By the time he finished, he had created a 121,000-square-foot, 12th-century Tuscan style, castle to house his winery. The Castello was made with brick, wood and iron imported from Europe and combined with over 8,000 tons of local Napa Valley stone. It produces world-class wines including popular white and red wines as well as proprietary Italian-inspired blends like Il Barone, La Castellana, and Il Passito. The popular Napa Valley destination offers a variety wine tastings and tours including a food and wine pairing tour and a cheese and wine tour in a unique Tuscan castle setting.

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Neuschwanstein castle is one of the most visited and certainly most photographed castles in the world. It was built in the 19th century by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria since 1864. The castle is located very close to the village of Hohenschwangau, about 20 minute walk by foot. Guided tours take about 35 minutes, and you will have to walk 170 steps up and down. The 15 rooms you see on the tour show astonishing craftsmanship and richness of detail. The woodcarvings in King Ludwig’s bedroom took 14 carpenters 4 1/2 years to complete. Walt Disney was inspired to design Cinderella’s castle in Disneyland after Neuschwanstein visit.

The castle is open daily April to October, 8am – 5pm, November to March 9am – 3pm. You are not allowed to take photographs or videotape the inside of the castle. Ticket prices run 12 eur regular / 8 eur reduced per person. ( children and young people under 18 are free )

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