Dresden is in the former East Germany. It is about a 3 hour trip from Prague,
by train or by car. Dresden is in the region known as Saxony, and sits on the Elbe river. Dresden was firebombed
by Allied forces in February 1945, which leveled the town and killed tens of thousands of civilians. Today Dresden
has been rebuilt and is a nice place to visit. Of interest are the Frauenkirche, the Semperoper, and the Zwinger.
A thirty-minute train ride from Dresden, Meissen is a pleasant day trip. Meissen
has a quaint, well-preserved center. You must cross a pedestrian bridge from the station to reach the center. Climb
up to the Albrechtsburg for a great view of the region, and check out the cathedral and palace. Also sample the
local wine, as Meissen is at the heart of a wine-growing district.
