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| › Holiday Tips › Destinations |
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Trips to the most beautiful Destinations |
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Obere Schleuse (Upper lock) in Hinterhermsdorf - 700m long dam with boat trip was used in the early years as floating. A boat trip into the wild romantic Kirnitzschklamm (couloir) is a wonder of nature. www.hihedo.de/kahnfahrt
The -Waldhusche- Hinterhermsdorf - is a wonder of nature for little ones interested in nature. The 60 hectare big adventure area gives answers to all kinds of questions of the national parks nature.
Waterfall of Lichtenhain - 5m high sandstone step at the confluence of the village brook into the Kirnitzsch; restaurant, terminal of the Kirnitzschtalbahn (railway)
-Kleine Saechsische Schweiz- (Little Saxon Switzerland) in the village Dorf Wehlen - a miniature park shows the most beautiful and most important rock formations of the Saxon - Bohemian Switzerland reproduced with real sandstone. Castles, palaces and destinations, the river Elbe with movably model ships, railway, post station, the first O- bus of the world, a pond with remote controlled model ships and many other things are due in miniature. In the visitors centre you can experience how to produce such miniatures and souvenirs made of sandstone. You can also buy those little decorations and articles of daily use in the shop. www.kleine-saechsische-schweiz.de
Lake -Amselsee- in the health resort Rathen - here you can paddle on a 600 m long artificial built dam amidst fantastic rock scenery.
Waterfall -Amselfall- , a 10 m high waterfall at the -Gruenbach- near Rathen
-Amselfallbaude- (historic hut) information of administration dept. about the national park Saxon Switzerland
The worldfamous bastion -Bastei- with the view point 190 m above the river Elbe and the castle Neurathen. |
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Hiking in Saxon Switzerland |
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Hiking is not a must here, but under the motto -The journey is the reward- the wanderer receives plenty of impressions of the variety of the landscape, the matchlessness of the sandstone rocks in its decomposition forms, the panorama view of the summits and of course the biota of national park Saxon Switzerland.
1200 km of well signed and well-tended hiking trails are available for your walks, smaller hiking tours or sporting hiking. Whether you are planning an individual hiking, accompany a guide or you learn something about the speciality of the national park with the rangers of the national park, its up to your demands. But you should be equipped with a good map of trails, sturdy shoes (best light hiking shoes), adequate clothing and a light rucksack with personal needs.
Several hiking trails and destinations are suitable for wheelchairs. Detailed directions are available on the spot.
www.nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de
Our Tip: In 2006 the new -Malerweg Elbsandsteingebirge- (painter hiking trail- Elbe Sandstone Mountains) was opened. It guides you over 8 stages with 115 km altogether (72 km run on the right hand side of the Elbe and 43 km on the left hand side) along the most beautiful routes to fantastic panorama view and into the wonderful nature of the national park. www.maler-weg.de |
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Hiking destinations in Saxon Switzerland |
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Kuhstall at Neuer Wildenstein (byre at a rock massif)
Schrammsteine (rock group)
Winterberg
Prebischtor in the Bohemian Switzerland (natural rock gate)
Großer Zschirnstein, Kaiserkrone and Zirkelstein
Papststein and Gohrisch
Barbarine on the Pfaffenstein (was the symbol of the Saxon Switzerland for many decades)
Lilienstein is meant to be the most beautiful and impressive Table Mountain of the Saxon Switzerland. A hiking tour to the mentioned destinations will be awarded with a terrific view. |
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Free climbing in Saxon Switzerland |
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The free climbing on the sandstone rocks where you only may use retaining rings which have been routed by the first climber. It has its seeds in Saxon Switzerland and is subject to strict climbing ethics. Modern securing means made of metal (climbing wedge, friends and others) are forbidden and additional securing is only possible by using traditional knotted curds. Climbing is also forbidden during rain and up to 24 hours after rain on massifs and in the area of the softer sandstone.
The Elbsandsteingebirge (Elbe Sandstone Mountains) is one of the oldest climbing areas at all. Already in 1870 gymnasts of Schandau climbed on the Falkenstein and this is meant to be the climbing hour of birth in the Elbsandsteingebirge. The Elbsandsteingebirge is a must for all lovers of the sandstone climbers and the pleasure in a gorgeous climbing landscape. There are over 1100 free-standing sandstone towers with about 15000 climbing trails in all severities in Saxon Switzerland. www.rock-trail.de |
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Sightseeings in Saxon Switzerland |
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Fort and town Hohnstein
The fort Hohnstein is enthroned on the high rock (Hoher Stein) and surrounded by deep precipices above the romantic Polentz valley (Polentztal) and the town Hohnstein. A little museum talks about its changeful history when it was also used as a prison. Since 1997 the castle is a house of nature lovers.
Fort and town Stolpen
Stolpen gained famousness through Countess Cosel. The mistress of August the Strong, King of Saxony and Poland, who banished the Countess to this place, had to spend 49 years of bondage here. www.burg-stolpen.de
Fortress Koenigsstein
The fortress, 240 m above the river Elbe, is the symbol of the town Koenigsstein. There is an excellent view from the 9, 5 hectare big fortress plateau over the landscape of Saxon Switzerland. Permanent exhibitions and constructions of the Late Gothic, renaissance and baroque are to be marvelled at. www.festung-koenigstein.de
Weesenstein palace
Wesenstein palace soars above the Mueglitz. A unique architectural ensemble joins the heaviness of the Middle Ages, the symmetry of the renaissance and the magnificence of the baroque to a rare association, consistently tradition. www.schloss-weesenstein.de
Baroque Garden in Großsedlitz
In the baroque garden Großsedlitz where the courtly society once used to celebrate and promenade, visitors can experience gentle tourism in charming beauty nowadays. The garden which was accomplished by August der Starke for his representations is almost original in its basic structure. www.barockgarten-grosssedlitz.de
The palace Zuschendorf, (Landschloss Zuschendorf) is situated on the outskirts of Pirna. Its also known as camellia palace and is assumedly derived from the 13th century. It has a changeful history and a big number of proprietors. Today in its wonderfully well-tended park, valuable botanic collections are placed there. Some of them are partly several centuries old. Among camellia, azaleas, bonsai and ivy, the biggest hydrangea collection of Germany is awaiting you
www.kamelienschloss.de
The National Park House in Bad Schandau is one of the most modern visitors centres of Germany. Discover things hidden for the human eye under the microscope, watch busy ants in the sole ants zoo in Saxony. Photos, lyrics and music of two slide shows abduct the visitor into the world of the national park. www.lanu.de
The Saxon steam navigation is the oldest and biggest paddle steamer fleet in the world. Incomparable beautifully is a trip on the Elbe, the landscape of stones and rocks and idyllic places are passing by quietly and introspectively. www.saechsische-dampfschiffahrt.de
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Art and culture in Saxon Switzerland |
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Since the discovery of the Elbsandsteingebirge (Elbe Sandstone Mountains) by Adrian Zingg and his Swiss friends, whose naming -Saechsiche Schweiz- (Saxon Switzerland) is traceable since 1790, the region is closely connected with art and culture. A multiplicity of etchings, drawings and paintings inspired the people with this unique landscape over centuries. Also musicians let themselves inspire by the wild romantic nature. It was Carl Maria von Weber who composed his romantic opera -Der Freischuetz- here.
The Felsenbuehne Rathen (Rathens Mountain Theatre) - Europes most beautiful natural theatre offers annually from May to October performances of operas, spectacles, concerts and plays of Karl May in a unique natural scenery of sandstone rocks. www.felsenbuehne-rathen.de
The music festival -Sandstone & Music- enthuse music lovers in 2007 and for 15 years now. From March to December, well-known artists make music under the direction of Ludwig Guettler in churches, palaces and also Open Airs in the quarry in many places of the Saxon Switzerland, the Bohemian Switzerland and the Eastern Ore Mountains. www.sandstein-musik.de |
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Cycling in Saxon Switzerland |
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Cycling tours and mountain biking - You like cycling or mountain biking? No problem, there are plenty of cycle tours through the national park area Saxon Switzerland and their hinterland. Depending on the condition, you have the possibility to choose between short or long distances. Easier than in the mountained part of the Elbsandsteingebirge (Elbe Sandstone Mountains) is the Elberadweg (cycle track next to the Elbe) which you can follow from Bad Schandau to Decin in Bohemian Switzerland or towards Dresden. Of course you can combine this trip and using the S-Bahn from Dresden on you way back www.rock-trail.de
Our Tip: We gladly give advice to you and organise the lending of bicycles. |
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Wellness in Saxon Switzerland |
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At the -Toskana Therme- (Tuscany Spa) in Bad Schandau you can experience: -Liquid Sound in the Tuscany of the East-, world project of the Expo 2000, brine thermal water 35 deg C, four indoor pools, whirlpools, mother-child-area, 360 deg -video - projection, liquid visual, sauna landscape on 700 sqm, wellness area/ therapy, aqua - wellness, atomised spray projection in outdoor area and waterworld. www.toskana-therme.de
Dr. Petzold - Kraeutervitalbad (herbal -vital- bath) in Sebnitz is a small but very nice bath and focuses on the implementation of herbs and oils. There are also a swimming pool and outdoor pool as well as sauna, steam bath and whirlpool. There are specific and special implementation of the region for body and soul. The Cleopatra bath, hay bath, algae bath, rasul bath (oriental bath), evening prime rose oil bath, Cosel bath (related to the Countess Cosel), Curcurbita bath, rose blossom bath, mudpacks, sole, massages and cosmetics. www.dr-petzoldbad.de
Our Tip: Treat yourself with a Cosel bath. Twosome, in the golden Cosel bath with a glass of sparkling wine and you experience a veritable sensual amusement. |
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Adventure baths in Saxon Switzerland
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Monte mare in Neustadt in Saxony - if there is dirty weather; the adventure bath in Neustad will compensate you and the whole family with giant slide, wave pool, turbo shower, jet stream channel, water fall, childrens world
Adventure bath Hohnstein, Adventure bath Rathewalde, Waldbad Cunnersdorf
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City sightseeing tours in Saxon Switzerland |
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Bad Schandau - wonderfully situated the Elbe, Bad Schandau is the most central resort in Saxon Switzerland. The small town with its typical mediaeval town centre invites to an enjoying stroll through the town centre with its cafes, restaurants and shops. As the oldest health resort in Saxon Switzerland it has a big tradition. With classic health resort institutions, completed with modern beauty and wellness offers, you will find here everything for body and soul.
Sebnitz - Art and nature lovers can linger in museums, visitors centres and exhibitions and can explore saxon tradtions as well as other themes. It ranges from classic the production of artificial flowers to model railways museum. The journey from the Caucasus to Africa in 2 minutes is recommended for globetrotters. In direct neighbourhood are the -Afrikahaus- (African house) and the -Kaukasusstube- (The Caucasus snuggery). Sebnitz is also en vogue as wellness oasis. The licensed health resort offers the best for a relaxing and pleasant personalised stay.
Pirna - The town to the Saxon Switzerland is situated and imbedded into the picturesque landscape of the Elbe valley, between Dresden and the Elbsandsteingebirge (Elbe Sandstone Mountains). Untroubled by damages of war and great fires as far as possible, one can experience places in the historic Old Town whose silhouette could be kept over the centuries such as the market painted by Bernardo Bellotto, also named as Canaletto, in the middle of the 18th century. The paintings of the Venetian made Pirna world famous. It is worth while to do a discover tour through the medieval city centre with its winding alleys, lordly town houses, charming courtyards and numerous fonts. The town offers a big variety of culture and leisure time facilities, farmers markets and many small shops, restaurants and cafes.
Our Tip: RATAGS - arts and crafts house - On two 3-sides yards you take into the magical world of the folk art of the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). In old buildings with cross vaults you will find the suitable present for each occasion and tastes. Visitors centre and event shopping on more than 3000 sqm - unique in Germany. (Hauptstrasse 120, Stolpen OT Langenwolmsdorf www.ratags.de |
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With the boat on the Elbe through the Saxon Switzerland |
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Canoe & rubber dinghy tours - You want to get to know the unique fluvial topography of the Elbe from the waterside? Whether choosing a canoe, rubber dinghy or kayak, in the boat of your choice you can paddle from Bad Schandau up to Wehlen or Pirna and go back by urban railway.
If you prefer it rather sporting than you can book a tour up to the requested place and there you hand over the boat and gets a bicycle to cycle back on the Elbe cycle track to Bad Schandau.
But if you want to go on an upriver tour than treat yourself with a return on the 400 hp strong power boat with 60 kilometres per hour with the skipper who will bring you back to Bad Schandau quick and safe.
Our Tip: We glady give you advice and book for you the required adventure programme. |
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