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Adelaidean – I’m late on board. Catching up after returning from a trip to South America.
Loving reading your report and all the stories and information. Great photography! I enjoyed seeing Singapore, looks amazing but so far for me. Seeing beautiful Prague brought back good memories of our visit of 2016. The Basilica of St Peter and St Paul looks stunning! The tulips in Wroclaw, wow, a real heaven! And Stadt Wehlen, lovely! Had to do some additions to my long list… |
Day 17: Stadt Wehlen (day trip near Bad Schandau)
Again, we used the ferry to cross the river, and then the train to Bad Schandau. Another passenger was asking how to get to Schmilka and I jumped onto the DB App and explained timing and platform and my terrible German led him to ask “From where you come?” 😂 so we continued in English. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3ffa3cbd8.jpeg You can see the Bastei bridge from the train https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ea728a148.jpeg The unusual sandstone mountains Once at Bad Schandau, we crossed the river by ferry again. Then took the Kirnitzschtalbahn (old tram now electrified) https://www.vvo-online.de/en/leisure...ahn-196.cshtml and walked the forest trail to the Kuhstall, a natural stone arch. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2adb3d54f.jpeg We are headed to the Kuhstall https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a9f6dd78f.jpeg So lush and green https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bd8c69e7a.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...49642caf6.jpeg This man was helping his wife tackle the uphill path, an admirable effort by both of them. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...704155a10.jpeg The arch https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...521291950.jpeg The arch https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...992a1c737.jpeg Lots of crevices in the rock, some narrow access steps we did not attempt https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...414227ae4.jpeg Lunch https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ccde3d862.jpeg Lunch https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b026db262.jpeg The beer garden It is another wonderful forest walk, and some German gemütlichkeit at a beer garden there, with a lentil soup and bread; lots of hikers and a friendly chatty atmosphere, with those at our shared table helping me understand the menu. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...15aaace1c.jpeg Bad Schandau https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cbeefcabe.jpeg Bad Schandau https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7f81bedf5.jpeg Return ferry to train station Bad Schandau https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e4d4ca1d1.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4256f020c.jpeg We returned to home base and had dinner in our market square, which had a bit of extra excitement as the village sirens went off, as they did last night just before midnight. Some locals ran through the square, hopped on a quad bike and raced across to the ferry. Quad bikes a sensible mode of transport for first responders in these steep hillsided villages and rivers to cross. We then had a final walk along the river in the evening light. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...63043681c.jpeg Evening stroll along river https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4f3a51c45.jpeg The ‘train line’ side of Stadt Wehlen https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cb7595867.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4db640728.jpeg Nice homes on steep hillsides https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5e299bee6.jpeg Some of these homes had flood indicators from terrible floods in 2002 and 2013 https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2ea7eb4b7.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bcceeba67.jpeg Today we walked 10 km, 13 flights All transport covered by the guest card today. This was our last day in the region. Really lovely and relaxing holiday base. I will farewell my cousin and her DH in the morning. (We meet sporadically, and it’s an unlikely relationship as they remained behind the Iron Curtain in the 1950’s and my mother had left before significant border restrictions, then emigrated to Australia. I had visited other family members in the 1980’s prior to the fall of the wall, but they were both working in positions in government and were unable to have contact with ‘the West’ and they were both sent to Cuba for 4 years - so we have not had the family connections until later in life where they have met me on various trips.) You will not run out of trails to enjoy - Hiking bus routes: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/e...-bus-wanderbus Or a bit further - To Bad Schandau ferry over Elbe, then the Wanderschiff, to Hrensko in Bohemian Switzerland Czechia, hike / visit the gorges. National park brochure and map https://www.nationalpark-saechsische...e-Englisch.pdf The Malerweg stages: https://thedetoureffect.com/blog/mal...-trail-report/ Ingo, you live in a gorgeous part of the world! |
Wonderful pics Adelaidean. So great you did a bit of Poland. A wonderful country with amazing food,
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Adelaidean, thank you for reminding me. After a while you get used to it and it's nothing special anymore. It takes a wonderful trip report like yours with all the details and brilliant pictures to recall how beautiful the region is.
You're off to Quedlinburg, right? Another picturesque town. Have a great time there! And keep posting ... I'll follow you virtually on your journey. Thanks again. |
Still following along and very much enjoying it. Are you getting up to Dresden at all? I know I've looked at Saxon Switzerland when researching Dresden.
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Thanks for your comments, it has been a nicely paced trip of great variety so far.
Ingo, that’s the same for all of us, I think, regarding appreciating where we live. But also travelling, that first sight of a castle and I’m snapping away, then next day I walk past barely glancing at it, lol. Tripplanner, I did not visit Dresden this time, but I have been before. Certainly a stunning city with many sights and fascinating museums. It would be a wonderful base to explore the region, as a 30 min train ride brings you to these walking trail options. I just needed a nature based week after 2 city bases. |
Day 18: Stadt Wehlen to Quedlinburg
Our final breakfast together and I hopped on the ferry to the local train station, then train to Dresden, to pick up the pre booked IC to Magdeburg, then regional train to Quedlinburg. I took an earlier train than the DB App suggested, given potential delays (quite a busy line with freight trains to and from Czechia). Worked well, there was a 10 min delay and I still arrived at Dresden HBF with plenty of time to seek the facilities, a lunch purchase, and locate platform. Dresden HBF easy to navigate and the IC train departed on time. Very comfortable 1st class carriage, only half full, arrived on schedule. Quedlinburg is a historic, wealthy trading town with a large number of preserved half timbered (fachwerk) houses remaining. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/535/ It lies in the Harz region, and together with Wernigerode, Goslar, Halberstadt, Stolberg, and others, features as some of the prettiest medieval towns in Germany. The train from Quedlinburg to Thale is is 12 minutes, for easy hiking in the Bodetal. It looks like the Brocken steam railway, and Rammelsberg mining tour are also popular. The walk to the hotel in Quedlinburg is short and pleasant. This is definitely a nice part of town. My room is huge, and quiet. The hotel is only a 5 minute walk from the castle and the market square. Had a short wander and dinner, then a stroll a few blocks around my hotel, admiring the gracious mansions (not half timbered in this part). Plus really well kept parks, now busy with dogs getting their evening walk. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7f8072e42.jpeg The castle, abbey, church above the town https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b9f22cfa6.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0011dc877.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...411bf7f22.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f9bd22c4e.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1816e0f53.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...13644727f.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ebca45925.jpeg Waterworks building https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8eb6cdd0d.jpeg The historic waterworks building, built 1885 https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8892cbbec.jpeg Nice parks surrounding the waterworks https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...37f7b7fdd.jpeg Very elegant buildings in the block around the hotel, with beautiful large trees and gardens https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2dacd255a.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1274dde9c.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...13b9daa3c.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7af0ab685.jpeg Public green spaces, well tended https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a95b63b28.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b9dd3e2c5.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...31dc45c10.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...de6967ff2.jpeg Walked 6.5 km today |
The buildings look gorgeous. Do you know if it is post-WWII reconstruction or are the buildings originals that escaped the world wars?
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Enjoying the "unseen" Poland, we've only been to Gdansk, Warsaw and Krakow. You've covered a lot on this trip !
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Tripplanner, Quedlinburg escaped the wartime destruction that so many other towns and cities endured.
But there are some East German era buildings that are just ugly. Aesthetics were not a priority. https://www.thegermanyinsider.com/quedlinburg-guide/ |
ANUJ and Millie, yes, Poland was wonderful, and just a taster.
Hambaghale, glad you were able to log back in to Fodor’s. |
Adelaidean, just got caught up with your time in Stadt Wehlen, and now Quedlinburg! What charming towns and gorgeous countryside. I have to look them up in the map to see where they are, and now have to put them on my list to visit in the future. Thank you for telling us about these lesser known places outside of the big cities. So many places... so little time.
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Adelaidean - you make look Quedlinburg so charming, so picturesque! And it is exactly that ... however, somehow I never really enjoyed my visits there. Maybe it was the lousy weather (March), the crowds (Advent weekend) or the mediocre food and still run down houses back in the 1980s. It looks so beautiful on your pictures! I realize I must go back and give it another chance. So far my favorite in the area is Wernigerode.
Cannot wait for the next chapter! |
Somehow can’t add any more to my TR, when adding photos I get the message “you are no longer logged in”
maybe I’ve posted too many photos, lol but can just add a written reply - Ingo, on choosing bases, everyone I spoke to had their favourite. My cousin said Goslar, my friend said Wernigerode. It would definitely be bleaker in March. I prefer trees greening up, and flowers. And blue sky 😎 There are no charming canals and flowerboxes like those Alsace villages, and Bavaria. yk, yes, I like to mix it up a bit. |
Adelaidean,
What a wonderful on the go trip report you have, I thoroughly enjoy the journey through your photography. I also like the way you travel, a morning riser, and with a wonderful mix of cities with nature. No driving travel is my motto too. Sorry for your loss, and it was great that you were traveling to parts of your ancestors homeland. I had just returned from my recent trip to Greece and southern Italy. I will tag along your remaining journey to northern Italy. All the best for your journey. |
Wonderful photos Adelaidean, thank you! I love seeing a part of the world I don't know at all. As already said - too many places, not enough time.
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Someone at Fodor's helped - and sorted it all. I absolutely love the contrast between the early morning walk when places are not open and the later one with all those fascinating store fronts and things for sale. What an amazing small (I assume ? ) town!
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I've been following along Adelaidean and as always what a trip report you have here. I had to laugh when I saw your pictures of the Wroclaw dwarf statues. I have pictures of some of the same ones from when I was there. I now know what this area looks like when there isn't a ton of snow all around. You make me want to go back as there is just so much more to see and love. I had vowed to get up early when in Prague, but I now know what I missed. Hopefully with a small break, you can continue to post more pictures.
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Thanks, glad it brings back memories or is of interest.
Agree, we can’t see it all, and virtual travel can also be fun and enlightening. But… still can’t post photos. I’ll wait for tech support to help. |
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