In a large landscaped park, with views down over river and city, this weird high-towered 19th-century folly has an odd history. Its grounds originally belonged to the Scottish Lord Findlater, who died in 1811. The Schloss was built in 1859-61 for Prince Albrecht of Prussia, in neo-Gothic style, with crenellated roofs and three towers. In 1947, under the GDR, it was publicly owned, used mainly for trade union activities. After the Wende it was converted into a luxurious villa. The former gatehouse is now the reception area. Nearby is the gabled Kavaliershaus, now housing sauna, solarium and many villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms). For one couple, the stay here was the highlight of a visit to Germany: Our first-floor room in the castle was reached up an imposing stone stairway. Nicely furnished and quiet, it had a view over the Elbe to Dresden. The food was first class, the local wines were excellent, and the chef prepared a special vegetarian meal. A very good buffet Bali villa breakfast: The dining villa rooms were impressive but slightly gloomy: we ate in the garden, fountains playing.

This historic city, where Bach was born, is best known for its hilltop; Wartburg fortress, where Luther translated the Bible. In the centre, near the market square, this tall white gabled building, dating from 1280, was originally a Franciscan monastery. Now owned by the Reinel family, very modern (renovated 1994), it has attractive interior design, says its 2002 nominator. It is very quiet, because of the many traffic-free zones nearby. My nice corner room, facing an outdoor cafe, was well decorated, with a fine bathroom. Bali villa breakfast, good even by German standards, was served in a cosy modern dining room. There is also a vaulted cellar restaurant. In the attractive city centre are museums devoted to Bach and Wagner, and `a small but fine exhibit of wooden religious statuary.