Dresden, Germany

After checking out of our mediocre hotel in Nuremberg, we rolled our suitcases across the street to the train station and caught an early train to Dresden.  This required us to maneuver (hoist) the suitcases six stairs just to get into the station and then about thirty stairs to get to the platform and then three big steps onto the train.  And then we had a train change in the town of Hof.  So we had to descend three steps, roll the suitcases across the platform and then back up two steps plus another six to get to our section on the double decker train.

Enough with the aerobic workouts.

Dresden was leveled to the ground in WWII.  It had been relatively untouched until almost the end of the war.  The bombing is considered controversial as strategic German targets were left alone yet the town itself was leveled.  Dresden has rebuilt a significant portion of its city but there are still areas being developed.  Many of the buildings were only finished in the last ten years.

After checking into our stunning hotel, the Kempinski, and having breakfast, we walked across the street to the Zwinger to visit the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon and the Porcelain Collection.  Both exhibits are incredible and don't miss them if you visit the city. (no photos were allowed in the Porcelain Collection)

It was time for a refreshment before we started our walk to the Albertinum Museum.

Hofkriche

Sachsische Staatsoper (Opera

Photos were not allowed in the Albertinum.  The museum has a significant collection of German Impressionists along with the usual suspects.  They also have an incredible collection of sculptures.  The interior of the building is unique, a wide open three story atrium with basically nothing in it.  The viewing galleries are on the exterior of the open space.  Awesome structure!

So we were tired by now.  Even though the train trip was relatively easy, the lugging of the suitcases and worrying about the unknown had taken its toll for the day.  We headed back to our hotel to recuperate. 

Frauenkirche

Goodnight.