Saxony

Eight and a half kilometres through the middle of this idyllic floodplain forest and lively parks, under the Sachsenbrücke bridge, past artist quarters and trendy districts with renovated industrial architecture: the best way to experience Leipzig's unique charm is from the water. Paddle your way through modern Leipzig, starting at the city harbour – on this route, you're never far from the next opportunity to grab an ice cream or lemonade. If that sounds a little too active for your taste, why not try a more comfortable sightseeing boat instead?

Getting there: 1 hour 15 minutes by train from Berlin.

For decades, the ruins of the Baroque Frauenkirche were a reminder of war and destruction. During the reunification period, the 'Call from Dresden' that initiated its reconstruction resounded around the world – and was answered. Since 2005, this impressive building has once again risen high in the centre of Dresden, a stone symbol of peace and reconciliation with black patinated original stones preserved between the new, light-coloured sandstone. And the Semperoper, Zwinger, Green Vault and the picturesque Elbe are just a few minutes' walk away!

Getting there: 1 hour 30 minutes by train from Leipzig.

One of the oldest sparkling wine traditions in Europe was founded almost 200 years ago in the picturesque Radebeuler Lößnitz. The bottle-fermented sparkling wines from the Baroque Wackerbarth Castle were among the best in Germany, but the historic complex itself fell into disrepair during the GDR era. Today, sparkling wine culture is once again flourishing within its lovingly renovated walls. Join us and discover how the Free State of Saxony preserves its cultural heritage at Europe's first adventure winery.

Getting there: 30 minutes by S-Bahn from Dresden (S1) to Radebeul-Kötzschenbroda, plus a 15-minute walk.

You don't need a car to explore the Saxon part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains with their distinctive rock formations, castles and ruins. You can travel from Dresden by bus, S-Bahn and national park railway, on the historic Kirnitzschtalbahn tram, by ferry and hiking boat, on a paddle steamer and even an Art Nouveau lift, all without having to search for a parking space. Incidentally, Saxon regulation to protect the sandstone even permits you to climb many of the peaks. Let's go on an adventure!

Getting there: 45 minutes by S-Bahn from Dresden to Bad Schandau (S1).

Chemnitz, known as Karl-Marx-Stadt in GDR times, has much to offer for both eye and mind: the monumental bronze bust of Marx, the opera and state theatre, railway and industrial museums, the moated castle Klaffenbach and the Art Nouveau Villa Esche. Above all, Chemnitz is a city of art – one of the highlights is the Museum Gunzenhauser with 380 pieces by Otto Dix. And because Chemnitz is preparing for its grand entrance as European Capital of Culture 2025, there is more to experience today than ever before!

Getting there: 1 hour by train from Dresden.

Do you know what a posamenter does? Historical craftsmanship is alive and well in the Ore Mountains – and you can try your hand at crafts yourself in the numerous workshops on offer. Whether you want to make 'posaments' such as tassels, lace and decorative ribbons, carve wooden horses, trim brushes or mould incense cones from dough: visit the area around the region's capital of Annaberg-Buchholz and witness traditions come alive. By the way, the German-Czech Ore Mountains/Krušnohoří mining region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.

Getting there: 1 hour 30 minutes by train from Chemnitz to Annaberg-Buchholz.