Great destinations: Nearby excursions

Meissen, Town of Porcelain

• Time: 5 hours

Over its 1,000-year history Meissen has become world-famous thanks to the porcelain produced here since 1710. The first item on our agenda is a trip to the porcelain manufactory, where masterpieces of "white gold" are produced and the loveliest works from the past and present are displayed. This is followed by a walk around the historical Old Town of Meissen and a climb up the Burgberg (Castle Hill), where the oldest royal palace in Germany, the Albrechtsburg, is found. Includes travel to and from Dresden.

Moritzburg Castle

• Time: 4 hours

The Baroque hunting lodge and castle in Moritzburg is known as one of the loveliest moated castles in Europe. On the tour you will be impressed by the collection of hunting trophies, valuable leather wall hangings and hunting equipment, and valuable furnishings. Later on, take a walk to the Fasanenschlösschen (Pheasant Castle) and the causeway and lighthouse built specially in the eighteenth century to recreate naval battles (4 hours).

On request the trip to Moritzburg can also take place on one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways in Germany (1 extra hour's travel time).

Elbe Sandstone Mountains - Saxon Switzerland

• Time: 5 hours

The first stop on this trip is Pillnitz. After a walk round the park of what was once the summer residence of the Saxon court, the journey continues via Lohmen in the Saxon Switzerland National Park to the loveliest viewpoint in Europe: the Bastei. Take a guided tour to the Bastei bridge or travel on to the Festung Königstein Fortress, where you can tour the largest fortress in Germany and enjoy a unique panoramic view of the impressive table mountains of Saxon Switzerland. Followed by return trip to Dresden.

Tip: the return trip can also be made on a paddle steamer.

The Ore Mountains, Land of Christmas

• Time: 8 hours

The first stop on this trip is Freiberg. The first independent mining town in Germany brought the Saxon rulers their wealth thanks to its silver mines. Get to know the elaborately restored historical town centre on a walking tour; visit the Cathedral of St. Mary (St. Marien) with the world-famous Golden Gate, Tulip Pulpit and Silbermann organ (music can be played on the organ if booked in advance).

The trip continues to the "Toytown" of Seiffen, the centre for traditional Ore Mountain folk art. Watch tiny wooden Christmas masterworks being created in a display workshop; nutcrackers, "smoking men" incense burners, arched candle holders and Christmas pyramids. Return trip to Dresden.

Coach Tour of Lusatia, the Land of the Sorbs

• Time: 8 hours

The first stop on this trip is Bautzen, where we guide you through the originally preserved mediaeval town centre. The trip continues to Görlitz. This old trading town right on the Polish border has plenty of surprises in store with its remarkably rich architectural variety covering five centuries - from the 1900s back to the 1400s.

Tip for the trip there and back: take a detour to Herrnhut, home of the Moravian Church, or visit the St. Marienstern Cistercian nunnery.