Dresden

Go on a self-drive holiday to Dresden, known as the Florence of the Elbe.

The cultural city of Dresden is the capital of the state of Saxony. Located in the Elbe river valley between Berlin and Prague, your car holiday in East Germany will take you to a wonderful, fascinating and historic city. There are many idyllic cities in East Germany but few will thrill like Dresden. Here you can combine history, culture, shopping and gastronomy - all in absolutely world-class style.

Dresden is world famous for the beautiful buildings in the city centre. The old city centre is not very big and it is easy to stroll around the city at your own pace and see all the famous buildings up close. As far as the old town stretches, you can see one highlight after another and from the park on the Brühlsche Terrasse, you can enjoy views over the Elbe and Neustadt. Start at this end of town at the Renaissance Albertinum, home to an exciting modern art museum, and then move through a wide range of cultural highlights.

In the centre of the old town you come to the Frauenkirche. The city's beautiful church was destroyed during an aerial bombardment in 1945, but has been restored to its former glory after a lengthy renovation. Originally built in the 18th century, the church was one of the most prominent domed Protestant churches of its time. The church's dome is one of the city's landmarks today, with the church rebuilt from a mixture of old and new stone.

The holiday can include all the cultural experiences your heart desires as you move from the Frauenkirche and on to Semperofer, where the city streets are teeming with museums and galleries. Find out more on the city's website, so you can decide in advance which are best for you. Semperofer is without doubt one of the most beautiful music houses in the world. Built in 1841, the Dresden Opera House has been rebuilt numerous times over the years, but still stands as an impressive building in Dresden. The opera house is a great experience for any music lover, so read more about current performances if you want to experience an evening of music. The city as a whole is steeped in its long musical history, and the Staatskapelle, Philharmonie and Kreuzchor also thrill with their orchestras and ensembles.

From Semperofer you can easily get to Dresden's most famous building, the Zwinger. This impressive highlight of Baroque masterpieces was also rebuilt after enormous destruction during World War II. The impressive Baroque complex is packed with cultural experiences. See the countless beautiful paintings in the Zwinger Museum or visit the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, which houses works by Raphael, Giorgione and Titian. Also visit the Armoury, which has a collection of ancient weapons and battle armour. The Zwinger also houses a very famous porcelain exhibition. In good weather, enjoy a stroll in the large courtyard or take a break in the beautiful palace park, a respite from the bustle of the city.

On the perfect Dresden self-drive holiday, you'll also discover the 3 stunning castles on the Elbe. Just 3 km east of the city centre are Schloss Albrechtsberg, Lingnerschloss and Schloss Eckberg. A stroll along the Elbe while enjoying the impressive castles is a great experience for young and old alike. When you are on holiday in your own car, you also have the luxury of exploring the area outside Dresden. You'll see great sights like Schloss Pillnitz, a Baroque palace just east of Dresden that's a great day out for the whole family, so the kids can experience an exciting trip back in time, or you can take a city break in the picturesque town of Pirna, located in the valley around the Elbe. Here you can explore the cobbled streets and just soak up the atmosphere.