Dresden

Located on the banks of the Elbe River, Dresden's cityscape is decorated by an architectural legacy built by former Saxon kings, Augustus the Strong and his successor, Augustus III. Steeped in timeless grandeur, several of the buildings' steeples, domes and cupolas belie the turbulence it suffered at the hands of the Allies in 1945. The city of Dresden stands in reconstructed glory today – even the ravage-inducing bombings could not dim the historic splendour of its original structures. Including the Baroque finesse of the Frauenkirche that towers over the city as a stoic symbol of peace, and the noble facade of the Saxon Zwinger Palace, a bevvy of significant landmarks that were lost to war were remarkably restored, and Dresden rose before the modern world like a phoenix from the ashes. Christened 'Florence on the Elbe', Dresden's former glory still shines through in its Altstadt, where bustling Christmas Markets bring renewed zeal to bitter winters, top-rated museums draw endless visitors, and shopping avenues, both old and new, coexist in harmony. A city that holds dear its wealth of historic heritage, Dresden's real enchantment lies in its welcoming embrace, making it one of the most multicultural cities in Germany.