Dresden was a wonderful contrast to Berlin. The old town was all bundled together in one compact section, it was much smaller and felt like a mix between a university town and the suburbs. I experienced more kindness from family members who I was only meeting for the first time. I stayed with my grandmother’s  cousin’s niece Martina and her husband Gert who opened their doors and arms to me, treating me as a daughter during my stay. I could not be more thankful for their generosity and hospitality. I had a truly wonderful time. We spent many evenings sitting on their back porch, overlooking their flourishing garden, sipping rosé, while they patiently answered all of my many questions about Germany. In pictures, here’s a bit of my time in scenic Dresden.

Day 1: Fabulous authentic German lunch and tour of the old town

Day 2: Tour of the Historic Green Vault and walk along the shore at sunset during the Kaiser Mania concert to observe crazy Roland Kaiser fans. On our way home we saw hundreds of rollerbladers; apparently Dresden shuts roads every Friday during summer for this large group to safely skate the city.

Day 3: Sachsische Schweiz National Park, biergarten (beer garden) lunch, Japanisches Palais (Japanese Palace), and in the evening met Gert and Martina’s son Jurge

Day 4: Tour of Semper Opera House, Zwinger exhibits- Old Masters Picture Gallery, Porcelain Collection, and Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon, tour of places my parents visited when they were young, met Gert and Martina’s son Frank, coffee with Gert and Martina’s daughter Enis and a snitzel dinner (YUM!)

I sincerely hope to come back to Dresden one day!