Saxony

Vom Vogtland gings ins Erzgebirge, dem Land der Räuchermännchen und der Weihnachtspyramiden. Als wir vor einer Riesenpyramide standen und einem riesigen Schwibbogen, wussten wir, dass wir da sind… Gewohnt haben wir in Oberwiesenthal in der Schachtelbud. Schachtelbud deswegen, weil hier lange Jahre, Verpackungen und Kartons – eben Schachteln – hergestellt wurden. Und Bud bezeichnet eine kleine Industrieproduktion. Oberwiesenthal liegt am Fuße des Fichtelbergs, aber leider auch oft im Nebel. Im böhmischen Nebel haben wir uns sagen lassen. Leider hat uns das Wetter wieder einen Strich durch unsere Pläne gemacht und statt wandern am Fichtelberg standen wieder einmal Museen und Handwerk auf dem Programm. In Annaberg-Buchholz waren wir in der Manufaktur der Träume. Hier gibt es tausende von Spielfiguren zu sehen. Sehr interessant, welche Alltagsszenen seinerzeit so wichtig waren, dass sie mit Figuren nachgestellt wurden. Die Annenkirche mussten wir dann natürlich auch gleich angucken. Wann sieht man schon mal eine so große

From beautiful Grimma with the awesome Finca we went to the Vogtland. Unfortunately again in the rain. On our way we saw very interesting photo opportunities. If possible we drive through the countryside, so that we can enjoy the landscapes. Finally we arrived in Schöneck at the IFA hotel and holiday parc. A huge thing with all kinds of amusements. And a panoramic restaurant. The panoramic view we could only imagine because here at the highest point in the Vogtland we were sitting right in the middle of a cloud. But we had a good wifi connection – unfortunately with costs… In the afternoon we visited the King Albert Theater in Bad Elster. A gem, but with full program. Here they play all year round. How nice! Other houses could learn from them. Right beside the hotel there are very nice hiking trails and mountain bike tracks. But they were

From one lakeland to the other: Leipzig Lakeland (Leipziger Seenland) Also here are a lot of flooded lakes and normally a lot of water action. For us it was only water from above. And a bad cold! We stayed in the Heide Spa Resort in Bad Düben. The area around Bad Düben is well known for the heath, moor and cranes. To see the cranes we got again up very early. We wanted to catch them flying out in the morning. Therefore we met at 7 with a nature guide. In the dark we walked through the forest. You should try that. It is a peculiar atmosphere. Some deer crossed thundering our way and somewhere we left the track and walked along a small smooth path. There is no sign. You just have to know it. At the end of the path there is a visitors platform with benches. Here you

From Hikers’ Paradise we went to water paradise: Upper Lusatian Lakeland (Oberlausitzer Seenland). This lakeland is quite young. Here former charcoal surface mining areas are flooded. And after some years there will be a huge lakeland. Accordingly we stayed in the lighthouse-hotel. Here everything is about water and sailing. Also in the rooms the subject can be seen with portholes at the door and thick ropes as towel rack. Here we have been really challenged. It was raining cats and dogs all the time. What photos do you make at a lakeside in the rain? We accepted the challenge and a rented umbrella from the hotel and went out. Voila! Also during rain you can go to the lake. We also visited swimming holiday houses. They don’t really flow around on the lake but are fixed to the shore, but you are on the water anyway. From the rooftop terrace

From Saxon Switzerland we went to Oberlausitz. Funny enough: when you want to go from Saxony to Saxony sometimes it is quicker to drive through Czechia. So we did that and went through beautiful nature and have seen nice old houses. They were log houses with white joints between the logs. We so far only knew these kind of houses from Carinthia. We could have stopped at each and every one of those houses to take a picture. Finally we arrived at the Sonnebergbaude. A cosy hikers hotel directly at a ski slope and only 200 m away from the frontier. Our morning sport tour led us through two countries. But it was also quite cold, because of the first sub-zero temperatures. Our clothing is not yet winder friendly. The hotel has a funny own hiking card: the 8000 peaks. Directly from the hotel a lot of hiking trails start

When hearing „Saxon Switzerland“ most people will possibly think of these special Elbe sandstone rock formations. Those who have not association to Saxon Switzerland and googel it will first see pictures from these rocks. Imagine being in Saxon Switzerland for 6 days without seeing those rocks at all… That’s what happened to us. At our arrival it was quite foggy and we could hardly see anything. That went on until our departure. But even without the rocks we experienced a fascinating Saxon Switzerland. First there is the river Elbe, which floats slenderly along. And – like always around water – you will calm down immediately when looking at the water. Some restaurants and coffee places have winter gardens directly at the banks of the river so that you can sit, drink something nice and warm and can look around. And on the water there is always something happening. Small boats