The Plain of Jars in central Laos is one of most mysterious and misunderstood places. It is a large area extending around Phonsavan from the southwest to the northeast. One of the most bizarre archaeological collections, appearing in clusters and ranging from a single jar to several hundred. These containers were created by a people of a megalithic iron-age culture and probably served as burial urns. The jars have been fashioned from solid stone, most from a tertiary conglomerate known as molasse and a few from granite. They are huge, up to nine feet tall, the largest weighing 14 tons.

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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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