Saxonian Switzerland, Dresden

it is not really off the beaten path, but the Sächsische Schweiz (Saxonian Switzerland) is a little outside of Dresden.

Take the tram to Rathen and then follow all the tourists who want to see this beautiful place!

Perhaps the strongest fortress in the history of Saxony, this near impenetrable structure is ideally situated on the top of a sheer 750 foot sandstone formation that seems to rise vertically from the Elbe river below. The impressive grounds can fill a couple hours stroll on a nice day, but on a bitterly cold one in January, the exhibits failed to hold our attention and the views were obscured a bit by clouds. Still, just seeing this massive 750 year old building is worth the short ride out there. The most popular event is the medieval Christmas market on weekends in December. If you are heading out to the Elbsandsteingebirge, it's worth stopping here too.

Elbsandsteingebirge is the name of the most fantastic and unique rocks-formations of Germany with steep rocks very close to the river and you may climb up there easily and have a great view of the landscape at many places like here on my picture !
You may even drive up there by car and have to walk just 5 minutes to get to this view-point and have a nice restaurant and even hotel nearby.
The view-point on my picture is just about 300 meters from "Bastei" - you simply take the steps through the wood and get there easily.
You may get there also by cruiseship from Dresden and get out at Kurort Rathen and step up the mountains.

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Bastei is the name of special group of rocks, 25 km upstream from Dresden, around the small village called Rathen or Kurort Rathen.
In 1881 an artificial bridge was built in order to walk easily between these giant rocks and millions of tourists get there each year in order to see these special rocks and have a great view of the river Elbe.
Just a few steps from the bridge, that you may see on my picture, there is an old fortress dating back to the 13th century. This fortress was built by wooden buildings between the rocks and it was a safe place for several centuries.

When you click on my picture, you may see people standing in the back of the rocks, and so you will get idea about how high these rocks are...

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Grosssedlitz is about 19 km south of Dresden, in a side-valley of the river Elbe and it is really spelled with 3 s in a row ! or sometimes it is also spelled Großsedlitz. This great baroque palace is mainly famous for its lovely baroque gardens .
This castle is 5 Km from Pirna , simply follow the signs-posts, when you drive on the left shore of the river Elbe / Labe .
When you click on my picture, you will see that the park was built perfectely into the landscape with plenty of lovely sculptures to be found all over the park, including these sphynxes with the funny smile.
The castle is open daily :
March-Sept: 08.00a.m. - 08.00p.m.
Nov-March : Sat+Sun 10.00a.m.-04.00p.m.(weather permitting !)

In Radebeul, 9 km north of Dresden, you may see "Villa Shatterhand" , the villa of Karl May, that was turned into a museum, see my link below !
Karl May was born in 1842 as the child of poor people and started first a career as a thief, who spent a total of 8 years in prison before he became an author of phantastic stories about Winetou, Old Shatterhand and Ali Hadschef Omar...
In fact he never was in America or the middle east, but he was able to describe its landscape and local customs in all of his books.
With the money he earned he finally started to travel to the Middle East (1899-1900)
He sold more than 80 Million books, that were translated into 30 languages.
For more infos about the museum in the "Villa Shatterhand" , click on the link below !
On my pic : The scenery of Elbsandsteingebirge is used as a background for the "Karl May" - festival in Rathenau, 20 Km south of Dresden

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That is what I most like around Dresden. Usually the first place I take all my friends to is Bastei and it really worths visiting. One can take a S-bahn till Kurort Rathen and then use Ferry boat to get on the opposite side of the Elba. The views from the top are great and the narrow path between cliffs is beautiful.

Koenigstein is usually the next one for my friends. The old fortress on the top of mount.

But my favorits are areas called Schrammstein and Affenstein. Walking on the top of cliffs is amazing!

On the pic you see the Castle Koenigstein and the popular rock Lilienstein. Koenigstein is the name of the castle on the rock and the name of the village too. It´s a must to visit both! Castle Koenigstein is easy for walikng - it´s not so high. But for the rock Lilienstein you need good shoes and should be very because it´s a long and high way for hiking.