jmags

Hi all,

Have one final question about our upcoming trip to Dresden. We'd like to do a a day trip (ideally 1/2 a day or 2/3 of the day) and not sure what our best option is. Initially planned to go to Saxon Switzerland, but hiking is going to be difficult with our toddler. It does seems like a boat ride from Bad Schandu --> Pirna might be an option. Also looking into Pillinitz, Gorlitz and a few other areas.

Any opinions? We are going as a family (7 of us, ranging in age from 2.5 yrs to 60) - primary concern is exploring/seeing an interesting place together.

Thanks in advance!

J62

Will you have a car or will you rely on trains?

Personally I'm not a big fan of the steam ships - they are nostalgic, but I don't like the time they take. If you are doing Bad Schandau to Pirna that's a quicker trip since it's downstream, but you'd need to figure out the trains both ends for 7 people.

If you have a car then you have more flexibility in Saxon Switzerland - I believe you can park up close to the Bastei and walk around that area. You could then drive down to Bad Schandau for lunch, or some could walk down others drive. Or even have 1/2 the group trek both ways., then explore the top part together.

Ingo is our resident Fodors Dresden expert - hopefully he'll see this thread and chime in. I've only hiked up the Bastei from the river valley, but there are lot of people at the top so I'm pretty sure there is parking up there. Every time I've been there I've been with a local Ossie who knows the area and has been my host.

Another option is to take the steam RR from Radebeul to Moritzburg, then walk around the castle grounds there. No views, but it's a cute little village and if the kids like trains it can be fun.

http://www.bvo-annaberg.de/werbeflye...n-englisch.pdf

rhkkmk

go into the nearby mountains on the czech boarder

Ingo

I agree that the mountains of the Saxon Switzerland region are an excellent day trip option. But so are Moritzburg, Meißen, some other castles. Bautzen and Görlitz need a full day IMO.

Yep, the steamers are slow. And you always have to gaze at the mountains from below - no panoramic views. The commuter trains (S1) run twice an hour in the Elbe river valley (Meißen - Dresden - Pirna - Bad Schandau), so logistics are not a problem IMO.

Car or public transportation is an important question here since you have to return to your car if you're driving.

Whatever mode of transport - you can go to Bastei (yep, parking lot, then bus shuttle - or bus # 237 from Pirna).

Another option is fortress Königstein. Commuter train to Königstein, double decker tourist bus up to the fortress. There is even an elevator that takes you up to the plateau.

Another option: the cute small town Hohnstein. Bus #237 from Pirna or driving. The walking path to viewing point Brand is flat and easily doable with a toddler, about 45 minutes.

Nothing wrong with visiting Bad Schandau, strolling along the river promenade, dropping into a cafe.

More info on my Virtualtourist pages:
Bad Schandau:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/12ca7/
Königstein:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/b0ff/
Rathen/Bastei:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/ab24/
Hohnstein:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/cb3b/

jmags

We're relying on mass transit which I suspect complicates things a bit, especially for Saxon Switzerland.

Will check out some of the smaller towns - thanks for the suggestions!