Enjoy The Country, Berlin To Dresden

When visiting Berlin, you might want to take a day trip out of the largest city in Germany and discover other interesting sites in the country. The City of Dresden is less than 200 km south of Berlin and has a rich and storied history. By car, the trip from Berlin to Dresden is about 2 hours and by train, which runs frequently from Berlin to Dresden, takes about 4 hours.

River Elbe and the city of Dresden, GermanyAlong the River Elbe, Dresden suffered massive damages during World War II from the Allied Forces bombings that virtually destroyed the city. However the city has rebuilt itself and now resembles all of the grandeur that it previously had before the bombings.

Dresden was once the capital of Saxony, and the city’s history goes back over a thousand years. Today Dresden has reclaimed its status as a cultural, political and economic center of Germany.

There are several interesting attractions to see in Dresden and perhaps the most important building is the Dresden Frauenkirche, or Dresden Church of Our Lady. The church was destroyed during the bombings that occurred during World War II and took years of rebuilding to its current state of grandeur. Today the church looks remarkably like it did centuries ago.

Another important site to visit in Dresden is Der Dresdner Zwinger, or the Zwinger, a Baroque styled palace that is commonly thought to be the premier site in Dresden. Zwinger is considered to be one of the finest pieces of Baroque architecture in the world. Some of its top features are a vast courtyard, which includes the famous Wallpavilion and a number of art galleries.

Also not to be missed is the Semperoper, the Dresden Opera House, which had to be rebuilt a few times due to both the World War II bombings and a fire in the 19th century. This site is considered to be the most famous opera house in all of Germany, which features the world renowned Saxony State Orchestra.

Part of Dresden’s allure is the River Elbe, which stretches nearly 700 miles in length. through both the Czech Republic and Germany. One of the most popular places to visit along the Elbe is the Elbe Meadows. The residents of Dresden frequent the beautiful meadows to have lunch and view the live music that is presented there.
If you are looking for great places for fine dining in restaurant, here are a couple choices for your pleasure. The Grand Cafe Coselpalais is nearly 250 years old and is not far from the Dresden Frauenkirche. This fine restaurant is well known for its German-French cuisine and excellent selection of wines. Another great restaurant to consider is the Pulver Turm an der Frauenkirche. Pulver Turm is translated in English to be The Powder Tower. This popular restaurant, whose history goes back nearly 500 years, is reasonably priced and also features a wide variety of fine wines.

As you can see, there are plenty of attractions to see and places to dine. This historical city should definitely be on your list if you are looking for a day trip from Berlin.

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Magdeburg, By Car Or Train from Berlin

Magdeburg, the capital city of the Bundesland, was once one of the leading medieval cities of Europe. After Germany reunited, it has constantly been modernized with many park and exceptional attractions. It is Germany’s third greenest city. It has many shopping areas, two of the top-rated universities and scientific research institutes.

Old Gothic Cathedral, Magdeburg, GermanyLocated in the center of Germany, it is easily reached by train or car. If arriving by air, land at Hanover or Berlin, and then drive in by taking the Motorway A2. Getting around in the city is easy as the ferries, buses, and streetcars all use the same tickets.

Magdeburg, being a vital medieval city, has many buildings of different architectural design from that era. The cathedral of St. Maurice and St Catherine, also called the Magdeburger Dom, is renowned for its Gothic Architecture. It was constructed from the 1200 to 1500s on the site of an earlier Roman cathedral. The Abbey Kloster unser lieben Frauen (Cloister Our Dear Woman), which was established in the 11th century, is recognized as of the more important Romanesque buildings in Germany. It is now used for an art museum.

In addition to the churches, other significant tourist sites are the Green Citadel, a home planned by architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the Millennium tower in the Elbauenpark, and the Kulturhistorisches Museum.

Since Magdeburg is one of the greener cites in Europe, bike riding fits well. Bike paths are provided on the sides of the streets, and all the public transportation permits bikes on board. The Elberadweg, a bike path along the Elbe River lets travelers explore the city while enjoying a break at the beer gardens and restaurants that dot the river.

River Cruises provided another option for exploring the area. A variety of choices includes a trip along the river to view the city’s skyline, a trip to the town of Schonebeck and cruises at nighttime.

Magdeburg is a major retail center and offers many shopping malls. Karstadt, which dates from the cold war, has typical social design. After the Cold War ended, new malls such as City Carre and the Allee Center, were built. The Breite Weg, previously one of the largest shopping avenues before World War II is once again lined with large stores, bars, and restaurants.

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Travel from Berlin and Spend a Day in Beautiful Potsdam Germany

Just forty minutes southwest of Berlin is the historic city of Potsdam Germany. Made famous in modern times by the 1945 World War II conference, this home to Prussian kings boasts numerous lakes, several significant cultural landmarks and Germany’s largest World Heritage Site. Visitors staying in one of the many Berlin apartmentsor hotels for a extended time, find taking a day trip from the capital of Berlin to Potsdam will be enthralled by the architecture, palaces, gardens and distinct historic districts of this city of higher learning.

Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, GermanyThe first stop for any trip to Potsdam should be the summer home of Frederick the Great. Sanssouci Palace and its terraced vineyards were built in the mid-1700s. Visitors to this German rococo style building can view masterpieces by Panini, Pesne and Watteau. As you stroll through the palace and the adjoining park, admiring the graceful mix of architecture and nature, you’ll understand why this became a World Heritage Site in 1990.Admire the fascinating architecture of the mansions as you wander through the Neubablsberg district. These opulent structures, designed by Grenander, van der Rohe and Muthesius were the stately homes used by Stalin, Truman and Churchill. You can experience the intrigue of the Cold War at the Glienicker Bridge where spies were exchanged. Sightseers can meander through the gabled brick homes of Dutch Quarter and tour the Potsdam Museum and its collection of artifacts reflecting local culture from 17th century to the present. The area is also full of trendy boutiques, bars and restaurants. Visitors will marvel at the ornamental log cabins and Orthodox Chapel in the Russian enclave of Alexandrovka and the history of the German film industry on display in the Potsdam Film Museum.

When it comes to dining, Potsdam has a variety that will please any taste. You can spend time in a romantic street café, enjoy a fine meal in a fashionable fish restaurant and then visit a genuine Italian ice cream parlor and partake of the decadence that it has to offer. The cuisine found within the city also includes Greek, Chinese and French. There is a dining experience to please every palate and budget.

Potsdam is also home to many institutions of higher learning. It all began when The Royal Prussian Geodetic Institute was relocated to the city from Berlin in 1892. It was here that the absolute weight of the planet was determined. This passion for knowledge continued with the opening of several other colleges and universities that include the German College of Film in 1954 and Potsdam University in 1991. As a result, this college town has a vibrant night life.

By staying in a hotel or apartments in Berlin a couple extra days, visitors will find that with its combination of museums, parks, shopping and leisure activities, Potsdam is well worth the thirty five kilometer drive from Berlin.

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