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Dresden at Christmas - Art, architecture and music in the Saxon capital
8
days
from
US$5,640
Book today with a deposit of
US$846
21st - 28th December 2026
- Walks to see the fine 18th- & 19th-century architecture and outstanding art collections.
- Musical performances in the Semperoper, Kulturpalast or the Frauenkirche (programmes to be confirmed in the summer).
- Excursions to Meissen and Schloss Pillnitz.
- Rebuilding, restoration and refurbishment has wrought wonders in this once shattered city.
Dresden’s greatness as a city of the arts was very much the creation of two electors in the 18th century: Frederick Augustus I (‘the Strong’, 1694–1733) and his son Frederick Augustus II (1733–63). Though founded at the beginning of the 13th century, for its first 500 years it was a minor city of little distinction. This despite having been selected as residence in 1485 by the branch of the dukes of Saxony that gained the electorate in 1547.
Augustus the Strong’s pillaging of the state treasury to feed his reckless extravagance was both symbol and to some extent the cause of his dismal record in most areas of statecraft, but his achievements as builder, patron and collector rank him among the most munificent of European rulers. Great architecture, a picture collection of legendary richness, magnificent accumulations of precious metalwork and ceramics (porcelain was manufactured here for the first time in Europe) and a glorious musical life transformed Dresden into one of the most admired and visited cities in Europe and a major destination on the Grand Tour.
From early in the 17th century Dresden has been one of the most important operatic centres north of the Alps. Performing in the magnificent 19th-century theatre designed by Gottfried Semper, the modern company has built upon the long-standing tradition of high standards of musicianship and visually exciting (if not avant-garde) productions to ensure a consistently high standard of performance.
Itinerary
Fly from London Heathrow to Berlin at c. 10.30am (British Airways) with onward travel to Dresden (c. 2 hours). Time to settle into the hotel before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Introductory walking tour of the city including the exterior of the Zwinger, a unique Baroque confection, a pleasure palace, arena for festivities and museum for cherished collections (interior visit later in the week). Afternoon visit to the great domed Frauenkirche, whose restoration is now complete. Some free time before dinner. We hope to offer a musical performance this evening.
Drive downstream to Meissen, ancient capital of Dukes of Saxony and location of the discovery of hard-paste porcelain. The largely 15th-century hilltop castle overlooking the Elbe, the Albrechtsburg, is one of the first to be more residential than defensive, and within the complex is a fine Gothic cathedral. Visit the world famous porcelain manufactory.
In the morning and early afternoon return to the Zwinger complex. See the porcelain collection and the Old Masters Gallery, one of the finest collections in Europe, particularly strong on Italian and Netherlandish painting. Christmas dinner. There are several m
Free morning. In the afternoon visit the Albertinum, reopened in 2010 after extensive renovations and home to the New Masters Gallery. Dinner and an evening musical performance to be confirmed.
Drive along the banks of the river Elbe to Schloss Pillnitz, a summer palace in Chinese Rococo style, set within extensive parklands and gardens and housing notable collections of decorative arts. Continue south to Pirna, a picturesque town on the Elbe. We hope to offer a musical performance this evening.
Morning guided walk through the Neustadt district of Dresden, including the Dreikönigskirche (Church of the Three Kings) as well as the opportunity to visit the Kügelgenhaus, the Museum of Dresden Romanticism. Afternoon visit of the Residenzschloss to see the wonderful Green Vault and its contents, one of the world’s finest princely treasuries, once again displayed in their original venue. Final dinner.
Drive from Dresden to Berlin Airport and fly to London Heathrow, arriving c. 3.30pm.
Expert speaker
Dr Jarl Kremeier
Art historian specialising in 17th- to 19th-century architecture and decorative arts; teaches Art History at the Berlin College of Acting and the Senior Student’s Department of Berlin’s Freie Universität. He studied at the Universities of Würzburg, Berlin and the Courtauld, is a contributor to the Macmillan Dictionary of Art, author of a book on the Würzburg Residenz, and of articles on Continental Baroque architecture and architectural theory.
More tours led by Dr Jarl Kremeier
Practicalities
Two sharing: US$6,100 or US$5,640 without flights. Single occupancy: US$6,890 or US$6,430 without flights.
Travel by private coach; hotel accommodation as described below; breakfasts; 1 lunch and 5 dinners with wine, water, coffee; interval canapés at one performance, all admissions; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer.
Music: tickets for 3 performances are included. Programmes are confirmed in the summer.
Steigenberger Hotel de Saxe, Dresden. A 4-star hotel in the heart of the Old Town, 10 minutes’ walk from the Semperoper and the Zwinger. Rooms are in the category Grand Deluxe. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
Vehicular access is restricted in the city centre. Participants are expected to walk to the concert venues and there is a substantial amount of walking and standing around in art galleries and museums. Average distance by coach per day: 35 miles.
Between 10 and 22 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Dates & prices
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2026
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
21st - 28th December 2026
Speaker:
Dr Jarl Kremeier
Price:
from US$5,640
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