Andy's Germany Adventure: Day 8, am

Monday, 17 January 2011

It was a bright, sunny winter's day in Saxony and the museums are shut, so I took a little round-trip out into the surrounding countryside via the Weinstraβe (wine road) to the Sächsische Schweiz (Saxon Switzerland) National Park. This is where Caspar David Friedrich and his Romantic followers came to paint about 200 years ago. It's easy to see why - I let the pictures speak for themselves. Of course, when Friedrich was painting pictures of one man alone facing sublime of nature, I doubt he was thinking of coach trips, a four star panorama restaurant and a cafe terrace with ice cream stand! It's probably packed here in summer.

If you are into walking, this is a great place for a holiday. My top tourist tip for a pretty town is Hohenstein, perched high in the mountains. Königstein is the best choice best to the river Elbe. Bad Schandau is a bit disappointing.