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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)