Leipzig, Dresden, Meissen, Bautzen, etc.

Old Jul 25th, 2016, 09:34 AM
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Leipzig, Dresden, Meissen, Bautzen, etc.

I'm wondering how best to string together these cities, plus Goerlitz and Zittau. Solo, trains, likely September 2017.

I could spend 2 nights in Leipzig (arrive around 10a), train to Dresden for 2 nights (1/2 day trip to Meissen), then one night each in Bautzen, Goerlitz, Zittau. And onward to Berlin from there.

Does that make sense? Or I could spend 2 nights in Goerlitz and go to Zittau as a 1/2 day trip.

Would appreciate feedback on my thoughts. Thx!
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 11:32 AM
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Both Goerlitz and Zittau are easily accessible from Dresden, or train between the 2 - I've done both in single long day trip in a loop, Zittau first, then Goerlitz. Not sure I would book 2 nights there...

Loved Zittau - be sure to take the steam train.

Meissen is also a day trip form Dresden.
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 12:28 PM
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don't forget about Saxon Switzerland just south of Dresden - take a train along the Elbe with its sandstone cliffs topped by fortresses - one of the most gorgeous river valleys in Germany - can combine with a visit to one of those cities I think.

The Leipzig area is one of my very favorites - don't neglect short day trips from there like to Naumberg, Weimar, Erfurt and Eisenach for the castle Martin Luther hid out in for a spell- his tiny room still sporting ink stains from when he allegedly threw his ink pot at the Devil when he appeared to him here.

All those cities are bunched together - could do a couple a day.

Sorry for the diversion but just in case you are looking for more smaller gems.

Trains are great - if doing a lot of inter-city trips check out the German Railpass but if not book discounted tickets at www.bahn.de/en - the official site of German Railways or in a regional area be sure to know about the Lander Tickets where for 25-30 euro a day you can take unlimited trips on regional trains.

For lots of great info on German trains check www.bahn.de/en for schedules and fares; www.seat61.com- great info on discounted tickets and for general info www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 01:02 PM
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Stay two nights in Görlitz. See Bautzen enroute from Dresden to Görlitz, spend the afternoon sightseeing in Görlitz. Day trip to Zittau (definitely see the Lenten Clothes), if there is time (I doubt it) head up to the Zittau mountains (Kurort Oybin), best take the steam train.

Spend the last morning in Görlitz, head to Berlin in the afternoon.

Frankly, it's a very rushed itinerary. You won't have time for museums, and art gallies, just for strolling through the old towns and having a quick look into the churches. A shame, but there's so much to see and so little time ...
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 01:11 PM
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You could easily spend 10 days or more exploring the area, and of course 2 nights in a place translates into only one whole day - barely enough for Leipzig and definitely not long enough for Dresden and then you want to add in day trips.

Can you find a few more days?
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 01:12 PM
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Hi Ingo,

Last (and only) time I was in Görlitz was maybe 6-8 years ago and I found it quite run down. It seemed the revival of other eastern cities such as Dresden that I'd witness over a 20yr span had not yet trickled down to places like Görlitz. There were clearly hints of a more glorious era, but they were hidden behind disrepair.

Has that changed?
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 09:04 PM
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Hi J62,

Görlitz quite run down? No way! Make that at least 8 years ago ... I was there 10 days ago for "Tippelmarkt" (pottery market) and it was VERY lively and stunningly beautiful. About 80% of the houses are restored now. Most of those not yet restored are in the outskirts, though. I guess the application for European Cultural Capital (2010?) gave the latest kick for investments.
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 08:21 AM
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Thank you all for your comments. I know it's not near enough time, but I can plan to return for more in depth visits. My focus this trip is the Caspar David Friedrich paintings in Leipzig and Dresden, and walking around the other cities, enjoying the architecture.

Another quick question: I might try to get to Drebach, tiny place south of Chemnitz; not a biggie if I don't make it, but am assuming I would need a rental car to get there. Have never rented, or even wanted to rent, a car in Germany, but assume it'd be simple driving in that area. Yes?
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 09:07 AM
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Caspar David Friedrich hunting and you don't plan to go to Chemnitz? The Kunstsammlungen (Art Collections) there have a very nice department on the Romantic era, including paintings by Caspar David Friedrich, Johan Clausen Dahl, Carl Gustav Carus, Anton Graff, Johann Christian Klengel, Ferdinand von Rayski, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld and Ludwig Richter. You might check them out on the drive to Drebach.

http://www.kunstsammlungen-chemnitz....&xid=44&id=393
(In German only, sorry.)

Driving in that area is not particularly difficult. It's in the mid-range mountains, though, so expect narrow, windy roads. Depending on where you start you can drive either B 174 to Zschopau or B 95 to Gelenau, then it's small roads to Drebach.
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 01:03 PM
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travsolo - i've not been to Chemnitz or Görlitz but I can echo what Ingo says about driving in the area being relatively easy, except when one encounters an "Umleitung" or diversion - they can be the very devil!
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 03:17 PM
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Hauptbahnhof Bahnhofstr., Chemnitz 09:02 1:05 1 BUS Fares not available
No OnlineTickets possible
Scharfenstein Bahnhof, Drebach 10:07

Seems bahn.de/en shows buses to Scharfenstein Bahnhof in or near Drebach?
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 06:43 PM
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Thank you for the link! Reading German isn't a problem. So it looks like another stop for my string of cities.
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Old Jul 27th, 2016, 05:51 AM
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I echo PalenQ's suggestion to go to the Saxony Switzerland national park for a day or even stya one night in Bad Shangau, especially if you like hiking. Even if you don't the views the park are beautiful and definitely worth the visit.
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Old Jul 28th, 2016, 10:13 AM
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Thank you all! Bus might work, too. Interesting sidelight about Burg Scharfenstein.... on Google Maps, couple reviews of the Burg....one from a guy who was there in 1984-85 when it was still a jugendwerkhof.....check out the various translations of that!
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Old Jul 28th, 2016, 12:14 PM
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Burg (castle) Scharfenstein is a gem, especially for those who are fond of Christmas items.
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Old Jul 31st, 2016, 03:39 PM
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If I rent a car, I'd likely also check out Gruenhainichen, the home of Wendt & Kuehn (wooden angel orchestra, etc.)

And, Ingo, what about those other two castles that they promote along with Burg Scharfenstein?

Again, thank you all for the good information!
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Old Aug 1st, 2016, 10:21 AM
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Good idea to pay a visit to Wendt & Kühn. Maybe you also have time for the little workshop/museum where they make the beautiful little wooden boxes (Spanholzschachtel) in Grünhainichen, no idea if it's still open, actually, sorry ...

Augustusburg is highly recommended. Join a guided tour to see the Renaissance chapel and the well house (including show). I also loved the frescoes where the rabbits hunt down the humans

Lichtenwalde - a beautiful garden and a stunning collection of woodcarved items from all over the world (ethnographic museum, you could say). Plus a few historic rooms, mostly chinoise style, but nothing out of the ordinary IMO.

You certainly won't have enough time for all of them, right? Augustusburg is sort of a *must* when in the area, but you could skip Lichtenwalde, I think.
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