We’re on the road to Dresden! As we drive south, from the North German Plain down through former mining country to the wooded, hilly, winelands of the Elbe Valley (2 hours 45 minutes approximately), Adam will tackle the thorny subject of property repatriation post-German Reunification – why did some people get their land back, while others didn’t?

Welcome to Saxony, smallest and easternmost of German’s wine-making regions, thus a perfect place to stop for a wine tasting and lunch. The region produces a wide range of quality wines, from Rieslings to Pinot Noir, and excellent food to match.

From here, it's under an hour to Dresden where we will check-in to the perfectly located Hotel Taschenbergpalis Kempinski with time to freshen up before our evening’s festivities begin, starting off with a talk by Craig to prepare us for this evening’s concert and pre-theater dinner in stately surroundings.   

There can be few more overwhelming sights than walking into Dresden’s Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) for the first time. Partly because it was only completed 15 years ago: this is post-Reunification rebuilt, after it was laid waste in World War II. And so much for Lutherans being low-key – it’s a riot of carved and painted stone and timber in white and gold. With a wonderful keyhole-shaped nave that makes the church a joy to look at and a pleasure for musicians to play in, the Frauenkirche has two ensembles of its own. This evening we hope to enjoy a brass and organ program, program to be published soon.

Still roaring with energy? Post-concert, meet up with Craig and Adam at the Karl May Bar, the coolest address in town (that just happens to be in our hotel), named after a Saxon writer of, yes, American Old West novels starring a hero called Old Shatterhand. We rest our case. 

HOTEL TASCHENBER PALAIS KEMPINSKI  

 (B,L,D)