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Guide to Dresden, Germany
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DresdenLike many important and noteworthy cities in Germany, Dresden is a place divided (though not equally) by a river into an Altstadt (Old Town) and Neustadt (New Town). In this case, it is the River Elbe that has effected the split scenario locals and visitors have grown to love. Since its inception, Dresden has been a beauty that millions have been able to see, even call home. When standing at the foot of one of the city's most splendid churches, one can't help but feel inspired, as well as awestruck by the sheer stamina all here have led with since the end of World War II. As all who are familiar with the fate of the German nation during those disastrous years know - if only too well - much of Dresden was demolished by Allied forces; photographs of the devastation have been abundantly reproduced and shown through the civilized world. Of course, the people of Germany partook in a unionized effort to disassociate themselves from the former ruling order and emphasized and showcased their engineering prowess, for skeptics of their well-meaning were many. As we all know, decades thereafter, the nation was embraced for its marvelous inventions and today it stands as possibly the most influential member of the EU.Dresden is only a small snippet of the western European block, however even those who wish to focus on the most captivating sites German land has produced will find this city appealing.
When to go:
When the sun shines in Dresden, the city's smallest nuances are highlighted amongst the stone edifices that adorn the landscape. At these times, Dresden is at its peak. Whether cold, hot, humid, or parched, the city looks best when lit. You may want to try it out for size in summer, however with rising temperatures comes unease; spring and autumn are great alternatives if you're willing to accept a time more prone to downpours. If equipped with a good number of layers, a Dresden blanketed in white is a true sight for sore eyes.
Getting there and around:
Sharing a terminal with a neighbor (like most major European cities), Dresden provides it's arrivals and departures with a spacious and well-appointed interior and its schedule is dominated by international carriers. Also - a German trademark - a convenient tram is available around the clock to serve travelers en route to (or coming away from) Dresden - possibly the fastest way to get to the city center. If you're a tarmac person, you can rent a car, board a bus, or hire a taxi to do the job. Chances are that you'll be so swept up in the marvels of 20th century (and previous) architecture that straying from Dresden's compact grid will not be on your agenda. If this is the case, public transit will be all that is necessary.
Attractions:
One (or two, if one wishes to be technical) aspect of the city dubbed an original amongst its counterparts is its inclusion of funicular service (again, two to be exact). These cable-driven contraptions are ordinarily utilized by suburban commuters residing on the hillside, but you can use them to view Dresden from above, an especially pleasant activity on clear days. If concrete and steel artistry have got your thoughts in a knot and you'd like to bring your sightseeing pleasure down to a more intimate level, the gallery of the Albertinum is a highly recommended alternative.
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