I'll be in Dresden with some free time Friday night 12/2, and all day Saturday 12/3., departing on Sunday. It seems like all my usual hotels are fully booked for those 2 nights. Is something special going on or is it normal Christmas season weekend travelers?

I have other hotel options, so not a worry there. If there's some special event then I'd like to get in on the action, or avoid it if it's just unnecessary crowds. I'm not really interested in anything more than a walk through of the Christmas market in the Altmarkt as it's there year round with mostly the same vendors.

Any other events that weekend nearby in Saxony. I'd also consider a longer day trip. I haven't booked my flights yet, so I can do an open jaw into Dresden, out of somewhere else Berlin, Prague, or elsewhere if I want.

TIA

It's the normal Advent season madness. In Dresden is "Stollenfest" on Saturday. Certainly crowded. I'd rather go and see the cute and smaller Christmas market in Loschwitz/Körnerplatz.

Much more interesting is the Miners' parade in the light of torches in Freiberg. Starts 6 pm. Christmas Oratorio in the Dom there 4 pm and 7.30 pm - but I doubt you'll get a ticket that late. The trains run back to Dresden until midnight or so, no problem.

Schloss Wackerbarth has special events Christmas/wine related also.

That weekend is Lichtelfest in Schneeberg (western Erzgebirge), very romantic but also crowded, of course. Miners' parade there on Sunday.

The steam trains (Freital-Dippoldiswalde, Cranzahl-Oberwiesenthal e.g.) have special "Nikolaus" rides that weekend. Should be fun.

I regret VERY much I won't be in the region that weekend. Advent is nowhere better than in the Erzgebirge

I.

Oh Ingo, I regret very much I won't be in the area either! This is the first year in six that I haven't been but look forward to next year. Would love to see a miners' parade. Advent is so special there. (And you have given me such great recommendations.) CJ

Thanks a bunch, Ingo. Great ideas.

I'll certainly bring home a few Stollen, but I'm the only one in the house who will touch them.

Freiberg is sounding intriguing - last trip I took day trips south and south-east, so perhaps this is the time to go west.

If I'm in the Radebeul area I'll consider Schloss Wackerbarth. Speaking of west & Radebeul, I heard the Karl Mai saloon closed.

Against your prior advice I've booked the NH Altmarkt for the weekend. I do like the location, the rate, and proximity to the train station. Will let you know if the bells from the Kruezkirche are bothersome.

Oratorio ticket in hand. The 4pm is sold out, but quite a few tickets for the 7:30pm @ www.ticket2day.de.

To make things simple I may see if I can get a Freiberg hotel for Saturday night since I fly out of DRS on Sunday.

Very glad you got the Oratorio ticket. You're in for a treat! Staying overnight would be a bonus. Did you do a search on www.freiberg-service.de? Unfortunately it came up with "nothing available" for online booking.

I checked again and the latest trains back to Dresden on weekends leave 10.45 pm and 11.09 pm. Should work, too.

Looking forward to your review of the NH Altmarkt. Location is definitely perfect.

Heard about the Karl May Saloon closing, too. Not that I had been a frequent visitor ;-)

In case you need some inspiration/information on Freiberg, check my Virtualtourist.com page on the town:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/f6d5/

Have fun!

Ingo

CarolJean, six years in a row sounds fantastic! Coming back next year is even better, something to look forward to ;-) Just plan accordingly so you can visit a miners' parade.

Cheers, Ingo

Currently in Dresden. Weather is nice. Cool, but not frigid like last December. The Frauenkirche Christmas market is right outside my hotel room window. It's nice to get in the spirit when those old German favorites are playing over the speakers. Songs such as "I'll have blue Christmas" by Elvis, and "Feliz Navidad" by Julio Iglesias...

Got my Tuesday fill of Herb bread stuffed with ham an cheese (think German calzone) with a Gluehwein or 2, followed by some roasted chestnuts and a hot brandy. I love Christmas markets, if only for the street food.

I was able to get a hotel room for Saturday night in Freiberg. Ticket for the Bach Oratorio in the Royal Box in hand.

I am living thru your visit! Have a great time. Can't wait to hear about Freiberg.

Ticket for the Bach Oratorio in the Royal Box in hand.>>

i had to smile, J62. The Christmas Oratorio is also being performed here in Cornwall, in Truro cathedral, on saturday night. Sadly I anticipate no scrum for tickets - we're a heathen bunch, and we have no royal box in the cathedral.

perhaps on Sunday we can come back here and compare notes?

LOL, I was just yesterday on the same Christmas market, J62 and had exactly the same food. Plus a cup of Feuerzangenbowle (which was apparently one too much ).

Have fun, y'all!

Off to Quedlinburg on Friday. We'll see how that is.

just had to look up "Feuerzangenbowle" - sounds fun. We don't really have anything here to rival the German Christmas markets, mores the pity.

please come back and tell us about Quedlinburg, Ingo.

Will do.

Having a little fun. Another evening at the same Christmas market. Plus a cup of Feuerzangenbowle (which was apparently one too much ).

Ingo! It's so nice to 'see' you! I'm looking forward to hearing about Quedlinburg. I must admit I have to google it first!

That Feuerzangenbowle is devil-ish, eh? ;-)

Gomiki, so nice to 'see' you, too! Have a great Advent season!

Ingo - what is it that gives it such a kick?

the recipe i read said that it is wine with rum in it - that can't be all surely?

Noch eine Runde. I would describe it more lilke hot sangria. Very sweet.

I think it's the sugar. No, I would not prepare it with rum. Just wine, spices and the sugar.

Btw, back from Quedlinburg. Sort of disappointing. I'll post a brief report later.

Sorry, of course you need high-percentage alcohol. But you put the alcohol over the sugar "bomb" and it should burn, this way melting the sugar that drops into the wine - so the alcohol from the rum should be gone.