A quick trip to Dresden and itˋs surroundings

We left Prague the next morning, but we didn't go very far.

Only about 20km outside the city, I was parked at a shopping center and Carmelo and my human went on a bike ride along the Euro Velo 7 which runs along the Moldau (Vltava).

This area seemed to be the Holledau of the Czech Republic, which is to say, it's hops growing region. Kilometer after kilometer of hops fields.

Just a couple of fishermen (there were around 50 of them)

The World Rowing Championships, not a spectator magnet Iˋm afraid

We spent the night in a little clearing alongside a smaller river. It was a bit of an adventure getting there with plenty of low hanging branches and potholes. We had to back up twice quite a distance because locals were coming the other way and they would absolutely not back up!

But once we arrived and the few other people there had left, we had the place to ourselves and enjoyed the peace and quiet after the bustle of the city. I nursed my new scratches while my human went swimming in the river.

A good way to end the day; sunset, wine, silence

And a great way to start a day; coffee, a book, a view

The next couple of days we spent in the German part of the Erzgebirge, the Ore Mountains, which lies on the way to Dresden. Because the city is so close, we had decided to pay it a visit "on the way".

To call the Erzgebirge exactly that really is a long stretch. A hilly area partially covered with forest, that's a lot more accurate.

Nevertheless, my human went on a couple of good hikes, enjoying the walking, but missing the uphill battles and the summit experiences.

A large water dam; may it never leak!

Wild strawberries!

This part of Germany is known for its handicraft of making nut crackers, Christmas pyramids and similar things. There are workshops to visit and actual museums, a nut cracker museum, can you imagine? But since my human is a Christmas grinche, she walked right past them.

Arriving in Dresden, we found a good safe spot for me in front of a harbor restaurant, only three kilometers by foot to the Semper Oper and the famous Zwinger.

Which, of course, were the first things to go and see.

Funny story about the Semper Oper: it's named after its architect, Gottfried Semper. His original building was destroyed by fire in 1869 and he, having been run out of the city for political reasons, was asked to return to rebuild the opera house. He gracefully declined. But he developed a new plan and sent his son to build it.

Truer words have never been said

The Zwinger, a baroque masterpiece, consists of various buildings which are connected by high walls to create a courtyard. Unfortunately, the gardens and water plays have all been ripped out two years ago and it's all still a huge construction site.

The whole complex was originally designed as an Orangerie, brainchild of Elector of Saxony Friedrich August I., because having an Orangerie in Germany in the 18th Century demonstrated great wealth, since, obviously, orange trees are not exactly native here.

Part of the Zwinger is the Green Vault. Maybe you have heard of it in 2019 when one of the biggest art robberies ever took place here. Jewelry and artifacts worth 113 million Euros were stolen. Most pieces have been returned recently and the robbers sentenced to up to six years of prison.

Gluttony being driven into hell by the Devil himself

Intricate ivory carvings

These are cherry pits, seen through a magnifying glass

One of the pieces that was stolen; with 41 carat the most valuable diamond in the collection

A horseshoe, borken with his bare hands by August the Strong in 1711

Also very impressive is the Frauenkirche, which captivates one through its simplicity.

And then there is the Fürstenzug, the Parade of the Electors. It is the largest mural made of porcelain in the world, 102m long, 23.000 tiles used. Originally it was a painting. But in the sub-optimal German weather they had to come up with a better solution quick. And thanks to the closeness of Meissen, they did.

The Brühlsche Terasse, Brühlˋs Balcony, was titled as the Terrace of Europe by Goethe. Well, it's a long platform from which you can watch the ships go by on the river Elbe. It might have been more impressive back in the day.

On the other side of the river lies the Neustadt, the New Town, which, for the most part, is older than the city center, due to its almost complete destruction in the Second World War.

Since Dresden was a center of fine arts, theater and culture, nobody anticipated an attack on the city. Which is exactly why it was targeted. They didn't even have an aircraft interception system and were utterly defenseless. 25.000 people died.

The Neustadt is the amusement part of the city; cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs on every corner with arts and crafts shops, galleries and trendy boutiques scattered throughout.

"The most beautiful milk shop in the world"

Not a single bottle of milk anywhere to be seen

Dresden seems to have been quite a progressive city for some time.

In 1899 the first patent for a bra in Germany was submitted by Christine Hardt.

The city was also the first to produce latex condoms in Europe!

Oh, and they invented garden gnomes, thanks for that one!

To see some of the surroundings of the city, my human took Carmelo on a bike ride to Meissen and beyond along the Elbe.

By the time they got back, they had done 110km instead of the planned 80km or so, due to the lack of a bridge to cross the river by and cycle back on the other side.

They had a look around the old town of Meissen, the Frauenkirche, the porcelain factory, of course, and the ice cream parlor.

Meissen is known internationally for its fine porcelain which is being produced here since 1708, having been the first manufacturer of the "white gold" in Europe. In those days porcelain had a higher value than actual gold.