Gold - 'A Touch of Class' in Dresden

Historic Dresden for a Crusader Gold Holiday has all the ingredients for success: a great hotel in the middle of the city, the National Park, known as “Saxon Switzerland”, a visit to Colditz Castle and of course Dresden itself.Day 1 Departure
A morning departure to Dover and our ferry crossing to Calais. We then travel through France and Belgium to our chosen overnight hotel.

Day 2 Travel to Dresden
We continue to the former East Germany to Dresden and to our hotel.

Days 3-5 At leisure
At leisure in Dresden with three included full day excursions. The recently restored Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady, is a highlight of any visit to Dresden. Theaterplatz Square is graced by the Zwinger Palace, the most important late-Baroque building in Germany, the opulent Semper Opera House, the Residenz Palace with its stables and “Procession of Dukes”, a frieze of Meissen tiles, and the cathedral. Or you could head for the three palaces along the Elbe and the historic mountain railway in Loschwitz. The city’s cultural scene blends the traditional and the modern. The Elbe Valley around Dresden, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts lush meadows, magnificent villas and majestic palaces. Few other cities have undergone such a radical transformation as Dresden.

Included Excursion
Full Day Tour of Dresden, cruise & Pillnitz Palace An excursion with a local guide, starting with a leisurely walking tour of Dresden to explore and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Due to the systematic transformation of its buildings in the 18th. Century to a style befitting its position as capital of Saxony, Dresden was once justly called The “Florence of the North”. After the walking tour you will board a paddle steamer for a cruise on the Elbe to see Pillnitz Palace where you will have some free time and a guided walking tour through the palace grounds. This palace complex with its spacious gardens is located a few kilometres outside the Dresden city limit.

Included Excursion
Full Day Leipzig & Colditz A full day included excursion travelling to Leipzig, associated with Johann Sebastian Bach and composer Richard Wagner, and where Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous German author and poet, studied law at University. There will be an included sightseeing tour of the city, followed by free time. Our journey then takes us to Colditz to visit the beautiful medieval castle overlooking the River Mulde which includes a guided tour of the escape routes and museum to learn how brave men struggled for freedom. Finally we make our return journey to the hotel.

Included Excursion
Full Day “Saxon Switzerland” National Park A full day included excursion to “Saxon Switzerland” National Park, famed for its unique rock formations coupled with the magnificent panorama from the Bastei Cliffs over the deeply-cut Elbe Valley and surrounding mountains. The bizarre landscape of the Saxon Switzerland National Park is unique in central Europe.

Day 6 Travel to overnight hotel
Today we travel westwards through Germany and on to our overnight hotel.

Last Day Travel home
We depart for Calais and our ferry crossing to Dover, arriving home during the evening.Westin Bellevue Hotel, Dresden
We stay for 4 nights at the 5 star Westin Bellevue Hotel in Dresden, located among beautiful gardens on the banks of the Elbe River, opposite the historic city centre. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, beer garden, café bar & lift to all floors. There is a wellness area including a swimming pool, saunas & fitness club. All bedrooms are en-suite with hairdryer, TV & telephone.