Stretching from the Alps to the Baltic and North Seas, Germany makes for inspiring, fascinating and invigorating travel. Spend one day exploring half-timbered medieval towns and spectacular baroque palaces in Bavaria, and the next immersing yourself in fast-paced cosmopolitan cities. Metropolises such as Berlin provide a world of variety, with renowned historic attractions Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin wall right next to the top techno clubs on earth. Art and design explode in continual evolution, with Weimar providing the mecca for fans of Goethe, Schiller, and the Bauhaus Movement, and forward-thinking galleries dotted all over the country. Nature lovers have a paradise to explore, including pristine Alpine pistes, huge glimmering lakes, and thousands of miles of dense forest dotted with curative thermal springs. Culinary enthusiasts will delight in Germany's world-famous beer, sausage, and 'stollen'.
Dresden, the capital of Saxony, is often referred to as the ‘Florence of the Elbe’ alluding to both its picturesque riverine location on the banks of the River Elbe and its role as a centre for arts and beautiful architecture. Almost entirely destroyed following the fall of the Reich in 1945, Dresden has undergone a remarkable renaissance - its main monuments and former GDR buildings have been tastefully restored and its historic centre pedestrianised. The most famous symbol of reconstruction is the Dresden Frauenkirche Church with its magnificent baroque dome dominating the city centre. The city features panoramic terraces, ceremonial staircases, huge squares adorned with statues of solemn-faced saints and monarchs and a spectacular cityscape characterised by countless spires, towers and domes.
Set bestride the Elbe River in the Free State of Saxony is the idyllic town of Meissen in picturesque Dresden Elbe Valley, best known as the birthplace of European porcelain. The town’s world-famous china was first created in the astounding late Gothic Albrechtsburg castle in 1710. The town is awash with historic structures, as a stroll through the Old Town is a visual feast where colourfully painted townhouses line the cobblestone streets, along with the medieval Rathaus and the Gothic Frauenkirche. Discover the artistry and artisanship that goes into creating the porcelain at Erlebniswelt Haus Meissen. Other notable highlights include the striking high-Gothic masterpiece of Meissen Cathedral, the Meissen City Museum, Proschwitz Castle, Meissen Art Association, Thürmer Pianoforte Museum.
