I will be traveling to Germany and spending 8 days in the Dresden area including Bautzen and Cottbus. I am looking for places to stay.
I am ok with small local hotels and hostels. I understand that this is the center of Sorbian culture in Germany, and I am looking for any local guides and places to learn about Sorbian culture. I will be staying in Dresden, but taking day trips from there. I also understand there is a National Park in the area and would be interested in finding out if there are any excursions to the National Park. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Posted by
737 posts
I can't say anything about Dresden because I haven't been there for quite a while.
But talking about Sorbian culture Spreewald must be mentioned: https://www.spreewald.de/en/culture-lifestyle/sorben-wenden/sorbian-customs.
And because you chose Bautzen you know for sure that it is the capital of the Sorbs in Germany: https://www.bautzen.de/en/citizens-town-hall-politics/city-portrait/the-sorbs
To get a good first impression of the Saxon Switzerland National Park I recommend the hotel right at the Bastei Bridge: https://berghotel-bastei.de/hotel/uebersicht/
I would not recommend only day trip. It is an incomparable experience to spend at least 1 night there. A dream to walk the few meters from the hotel to the Bastei bridge before breakfast and not to meet many other people (apart from a few photographers).
And maybe this page will help to find a guide: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1528 posts
Years ago, we stayed at Hotel Elbpromenade in Bad Schandau. We took a trip on a Dampfschiff to Dresden and return. We also used the local ferry for a dinner across the Elbe from Bad Schandau. I would recommend a visit to Festung Königstein. Enjoyed a few hours in Bautzen. Lots of mustard there. From what I read they had a hard time with Covid. We drove. Maybe not within your sphere, but a visit to Meißen and the Vineyards along the Elbe is nice.
Posted by
San Francisco
15559 posts
If you do decide on going to the Spreewald, I would suggest seeing Lübbenau.
In 1997 I did a day trip from Berlin to the Spreewald, visited especially Lübbenau, interesting for its cultural and historical sites, a nice and relaxing place.
Posted by
San Francisco
15559 posts
On staying in a hostel in Dresden: My first time staying overnight in Dresden was on the first post-retirement trip in 2009. That was at the Dresden DJH hostel "Jugendgästehaus" located on Maternisstraße, a large building, Mietskaserne. Instead of the normal dorm room, this time I opted for a private single.
This is the nearest hostel to the central train station, Dresden Hbf., ca. 10-15 min walk. Good hot dinners offered in this hostel. Their awards along the wall attest to that.
Posted by
OP
New Mexico
2 posts
Thank you everyone!
I appreciate all of the information you have provided. It has given me places to start my planning.
Happy Travels!
Denise
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32521 posts
I stayed at the Intercity Hotel Dresden and would certainly recommend that. The room was very clean and comfortable, the staff were great and they served a nice breakfast. The location is perfect..... it's right across from the main station, there's a tram stop right outside the front door, and it's an easy walking distance to a large outdoor plaza that has lots of shops and restaurants. I would absolutely stay there again!
As I recall, the hotel provides a free local transportation pass to guests.
Posted by
California
191 posts
I stayed at The Intercity in Dresden in December. The best deal is if you qualify for their senior rate. It is easy to miss on their web site, but just keep scrolling down to the bottom. We also got a pass for the tram but I had to ask for it when checking in.