day trip

day trip

"Dresden – Saxon Switzerland: Pillnitz – Bastei – Königstein Fortress"

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One day excursion to Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz) for groups with their own bus oder individual guests with a vehicle rented by us.

The romantic bus tour starts along the river Elbe on the Saxon Wine Road to Pillnitz. Vineyards, villas, noble palaces and picturesque wine and fisher’s villages are on the way. Our first stop is the splendid park of Pillnitz palace. Scenically situated at the Elbe river bank you take a stroll through the romantic park with a multitude of rare exotic plants and trees, among them the oldest camellia in Europe. It has a height of about 9 meters  and is estimated to be 250 years old. In the center of the park Duke Augustus the Strong built two baroque palaces in the Asian style that you simply have to see to believe.

The tour continues past the renaissance town of Pirna, and soon we arrive at the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the National Park Saxon Switzerland. Here you will experience a walk over the “Bastei” (bastion) an amazing rock formation towering 194 metres above the Elbe River, which is the landmark of Saxon Switzerland. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view over the unique rock formations in this very unusual mountain area.  

Afterwards on a panorama bus tour you will see more of this peerless and wild landscape with bizarre and steep rock formations that seem to grow out of deep green hollows. Past Bad Schandau the drive goes on to the  Königstein Fortress. This ancient castle and garrison that is built into a huge rock formation can be reached comfortably by lift and the plateu presents the visitor with a surprising variety of sights. Here you can see 50 buildings, some over 400 years old, that bear witness to the military and civilian life in the fortress. A guided tour shows you the oldest garrison church in Germany, one of the deepest wells in Europe, the most secure historic prison in Saxony, the treasury and much, much more – on top of it, an impressive scenic view over the landscape. 

8 hour tour, start and finish in Dresden.
Fee for the Guide 285,- Euro
Admissions are not included in the fee.

Admissions for Pillnitz Park:
https://www.schlosspillnitz.de/en/guest-service/ticket-rates/
Admissions for Königstein Fortress:
https://www.festung-koenigstein.de/en/opening-hours-admission-fees.html

Proposal: Lunch break at Panorama restaurant BASTEI
https://www.berghotel-bastei.de/en/Panoramarestaurant.html

"Saxon Switzerland: Pillnitz, Pirna, Bastei, Stolpen"

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The romantic tour starts in Dresden and runs on the Saxon Wine Route  along the banks of the river Elbe to Pillnitz and the fascinating landscape of Saxon Switzerland with its bizarre landmarks.

At first, vineyards, villas, noble palaces and picturesque wine and fisher’s villages are on the way. Our first stop is the splendid park of Pillnitz Palace. Scenicly situated at the Elbe river bank you see a multitude of rare exotic plants and trees on a guided walking tour, among them the oldest camellia in Europe. In the center of the park Duke Augustus the Strong built two baroque palaces in the Asian style that you simply have to see to believe.

The next stop is Pirna a beautiful town that enchanted even the famous painter Canaletto. It is dubbed the “Gate to Saxon Switzerland” and you will have a guided walking tour through the pictorial small town with gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture.

Soon afterwards we arrive at the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the National Park Saxon Switzerland. Here you will experience a walk over the “Bastei” (bastion) an amazing rock formation towering 194 metres above the Elbe River, which is the landmark of Saxon Switzerland. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view over the unique rock formations in this very unusual mountain area.  

On the panorama drive you will see more of this peerless and wild landscape with bizarre and steep rock formations that seem to grow out of deep green hollows. After some time the landscape changes, the hills grow softer and greener. On a basalt mountain the landmark of this area comes into view: The mighty tower ruins of Castle Stolpen. The former bishop’s palace became the prison of Countess Cosel, the famous mistress of Duke Augustus the Strong. You will see her lodgings in Cosel Tower, where her tragic fate ended, a 84 m deep basalt well, the torture chamber and maybe meet the Castle ghost of Stolpen.

From Stolpen the bus takes you back to Dresden.

6-8 hour excursion, start and finish in Dresden – Guide’s Fee 285,- Euro

Upon request we can rent a bus, van or taxi for you. (Prices differ according to availability and group/vehicle size)

"In the Footsteps of Countess Cosel: Dresden, Pillnitz and Stolpen"

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The tragic fate of Countess Cosel, her rise to the height of power and her fall to the wretched existence as a prisoner of her former lover, is the main topic of this interesting, emotional and entertaining trip.

Anna Constantia von Cosel is known to this day as the most famous mistress of Augustus the Strong, Duke of Saxony and King of Poland. She lived with Augustus in the lavish Taschenberg Palais in Dresden, and owned the splendid Pillnitz Palace, built in Asian style with its lush park grounds, surrounded by exotic plants and all the accommodation a lady could wish for in the festive times of baroque merriment.

The last 49 years of her life however she spent in solitude, imprisoned in the mighty tower of Castle Stolpen.

We will visit all these places on our trip and you will receive in-depth information of this exceptional and emotional story that lets you delve deeply into life, love and fate in the olden times of the baroque era.  

6-8 hour excursion, start and finish in Dresden – Guide’s Fee 285,- Euro

Upon request we can rent a bus, van or taxi for you. (Prices differ according to availability and group/vehicle size)

"Dresden – Meissen (including Meissen Porcelain Manufactory)"

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One day excursion including:
Sightseeing tour Dresden and Meissen and guided tour of the Porcelain Manufactory Meissen (Erlebniswelt HAUS MEISSEN®).

For groups with their own bus oder individual guests with a vehicle rented by us.

On the walking tour through the Historic Old Town of Dresden you will see the most important and world famous sights. We will visit the baroque Zwinger Palace where the nobility used to have exuberant feasts, the Royal Palace which shows us the beauty of renaissance times. The Theater Square with the Semper Opera reminds us of Dresden’s importance as a metropolis of music and opera. You will also see two highlights of Christian architecture: The Frauenkirche and the Cathedral.

But long before Dresden even became a city, everything started in Meissen. That’s why the town was dubbed “The Cradle of Saxony”. After the walk through Dresden we will go by bus through the picturesque Elbe valley with its vineyards and castles and arrive in Meissen for a walking tour.

In Meissen you will experience a very ancient old town with its typical narrow alleys and enchanting buildings from medieval and renaissance times. On a walk through Meissen you would think that time has stood still. This historic treasure is nestled up against the steep castle hill with the imposing gothic cathedral over the wide curve of the river Elbe. From up there you have a unique view over the scenic landscape with vineyards, the river and a maze of red roofed burgher houses. Enthroned above it all are the cathedral and the Albrechtsburg. It is regarded as being the first castle to be used as a royal residence in the German-speaking world. Here Europe’s first porcelain manufactory was founded. We will visit its present site after a short walk of 20 minutes, or comfortably by bus.

A short individual snack break is possible during the walking tour or during the visit of the porcelain manufactory (Erlebniswelt HAUS MEISSEN®), where you can eat from real Meissen porcelain plates.

At the porcelain manufactory we will arrange the visit and a guided tour through the Demonstration Workshops. There you can watch how Meissen porcelain is made, formed and decorated. The Demonstration Workshops  offer unique insights into the artisanal techniques employed by Meissen’s craftsmen and -women to create its delicate porcelain

After the visit of the manufactory we drive back to Dresden.

6-8 hour tour, start and finish in Dresden. Fee for the Guide 285,- Euro

Upon request we can rent a bus, van or taxi for you. (Prices differ according to availability and group/vehicle size)

Small groups can also use the fast city-train-connection between Dresden and Meissen. We will be happy to accompany you.

We will of course arrange the visit and the guided tour through the Porcelain Manufactory. Admission is not included in the fee for the guide.
You can estimate the admission fees on this website:
https://www.erlebniswelt-meissen.com/en/#entrance

"Moritzburg – Meißen (including Meissen Porcelain Manufactory)"

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One day excursion including: Sightseeing tour Meissen, visit and guided tour through Porcelain Manufactory Meissen (Erlebniswelt HAUS MEISSEN®), excursion to Moritzburg.

For groups with their own bus oder individual guests with a vehicle rented by us.

Long before Dresden even became a city, everything started in Meissen. That’s why the town was dubbed “The Cradle of Saxony”.

We will drive by bus from Dresden through the picturesque Elbe valley with its vineyards and castles and arrive in Meissen for a walking tour. You will experience a very ancient historic town with narrow alleys and enchanting buildings from medieval and renaissance times. On a walk through Meissen you would think that time has stood still. This historic treasure is nestled up against the steep castle hill with the imposing gothic cathedral over the wide curve of the river Elbe. From up there you have a unique view over the scenic landscape with vineyards, the river and a maze of red roofed burgher houses. Enthroned above it all are the cathedral and Albrechtsburg Palace. It is regarded as being the first castle to be used as a royal residence in the German-speaking world. Here Europe’s first porcelain manufactory was founded. We will visit its present site after a short walk of 20 minutes, or be comfortably go by bus.

A short individual snack break is possible during the walking tour or during the visit of the porcelain manufactory, where you can eat from real Meissen porcelain plates.

From Meissen a short drive brings us to the next highlight of the tour: Moritzburg Palace, the baroque hunting lodge. You will have a guided tour through the lavish park around the palace in the picturesque setting of the Moritzburg pond landscape. You will hear exciting and funny stories about the hunting activities of the court, the sumptuous dinners and other good and bad habits of baroque times. Moritzburg is also the filming location for the popular Christmas movie “Three wishes for Cinderella”, and maybe you’ll find the famous lost shoe here. In 2019 Moritzburg Palace was also a major shooting location for the film “Charlie’s Angels”. Upon request we can book a guided tour through the baroque interior of the palace.

The excursion ends with a bus drive back to Dresden.

6-8 hour tour, start and finish in Dresden. Fee for the Guide 285,- Euro

Upon request we can rent a bus, van or taxi for you. (Prices differ according to availability and group/vehicle size)

We will of course arrange the visit and the guided tour through the Porcelain Manufactory. Admission is not included in the fee for the guide.
You can estimate the admission fees on this website:
https://www.erlebniswelt-meissen.com/en/#entrance

Upon request we book a guided tour for you through Moritzburg Palace. In the summer season you will shown the baroque interior of the hunting lodge – in the winter season you will be able to see an exhibition about the film “Three wishes for Cinderella”

You can estimate the admission fees on this website:
https://www.schloss-moritzburg.de/en/guest-service/

"Meissen (with Meissen Porcelain Manufactory)"

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Walking tour through the old town of Meissen and guided tour at the Porcelain Manufactory Meissen (Erlebniswelt HAUS MEISSEN®).

Transfer to Meissen with your own bus or public fast-train-connection. Upon request we can rent a bus, van or taxi for you.

Long before Dresden even became a city, everything started in Meissen. That’s why the town was dubbed “The Cradle of Saxony”. So we will start with an extensive walking tour through the old town of Meissen.

Führung in der Porzellanmanufaktur Meißen
Führung in der Porzellanmanufaktur Meißen
Führung in der Porzellanmanufaktur Meißen

Meissen is a very ancient old town with narrow alleys and enchanting buildings from medieval and renaissance times. On a walk through Meissen you would think that time has stood still. This historic treasure is nestled up against the steep castle hill with the imposing gothic cathedral over the wide curve of the river Elbe. From up there you have a unique view over the scenic landscape with vineyards, the river and a maze of red roofed burgher houses. Enthroned above it all are the cathedral and the Albrechtsburg. It is regarded as being the first castle to be used as a royal residence in the German-speaking world.

Here Europe’s first porcelain manufactory was founded. We will visit its present site after a short walk of 20 minutes, or be comfortably go by bus.

A short individual snack break is possible during the walking tour or during the visit of the porcelain manufactory, where you can eat from real Meissen porcelain plates.

At the Porcelain Manufactory we will arrange the visit and a guided tour through the Demonstration Workshops. There you can watch how Meissen porcelain is made, formed and decorated. The Demonstration Workshops  offer unique insights into the artisanal techniques employed by Meissen’s craftsmen and -women to create its delicate porcelain

After the visit of the manufactory we drive back to Dresden.

6-8 hour tour, start and finish in Dresden. Fee for the Guide 285,- Euro

We will of course arrange the visit and the guided tour through the Porcelain Manufactory. Admission is not included in the fee for the guide.

You can estimate the admission fees on this website:
https://www.erlebniswelt-meissen.com/en/#entrance

Upon request we can rent a bus, van or taxi for you. (Prices differ according to availability and group/vehicle size)

Small groups can also use the fast city-train-connection between Dresden and Meissen. We will be happy to accompany you.