Symbiosis of Railway & Culture:
Advent Trip to Dresden
with the "Prestige Continental Express"
in the style of the "Orient Express"
1 to 4 December 2023
The Journey
Our journey takes us to the proud state capital of Saxony, also known as Florence on the Elbe. Dresden impresses with its irresistible combination of romantic landscape, baroque architecture and one of the most beautiful historic old town ensembles in Germany. The city panorama captured on canvas by Bernardo Bellotto casts a spell over every viewer. Between 1694 and 1763, the art-loving Saxon Electors Augustus the Strong and his son Frederick August II created the magnificent baroque city and laid the foundation for today’s world-class Dresden museums.
During our stay, we offer two programs: Those interested in culture get to know the sights of Dresden and Meissen, while railway enthusiasts can concentrate on the traffic engineering aspects and visit two narrow-gauge railways with steam locomotive operation. In your free time, a visit to the famous Striezelmarkt is recommended.
Trip Details
At about 8.15 am our journey starts with the special train from Zurich main station. The journey goes via Basel, Karlsruhe, Würzburg, Probstzella and Leipzig. Boarding is possible in Aarau, Liestal, Basel Bad Bahnhof, Karlsruhe Hbf and Würzburg Hbf. Enjoy the varied journey in a unique ambience.
In addition to the carriages of the “Prestige Continental Express”, there are also two 1st class carriages of the “Suisse Train Bleu”. During the trip, we will spoil you with a light lunch and a fine dinner on board. Around 9.30 pm we will reach Dresden and take you to your booked hotel.
Cultural:
In the morning we will take a guided tour through Dresden’s old town with a visit to the most important sights such as the Prince’s Procession, the Royal Palace, the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger and Brühl’s Terrace. After lunch, we will visit the Semper Opera House and learn all about the impressive history, craftsmanship and unique flair of this world-famous opera house during a guided tour.
Railway Program:
We start with a guided tour of the Transport Museum, where the only original replica of the “Saxonia” can be seen. Afterwards we take a trip to Freital-Hainsberg and take the oldest narrow-gauge railway still in operation, the Weisseritzertalbahn, to Kipsdorf.
Cultural:
Our excursion takes us to the porcelain and wine city of Meissen. In the show workshop of the world-famous porcelain manufactory, you can experience how dreamlike masterpieces are created from the “white gold”. After the tour, you can expect a private organ playing on the world’s first organ with pipes made of Meissen porcelain. We will have lunch in the historic restaurant “Vincenz Richter”. Afterwards we take a walk through the historic old town on the castle hill.
Railway Program:
Today we visit the Ore Mountains and take a steam locomotive to the highest town in Germany. We continue by bus to Cranzahl, from where the Fichtelbergbahn takes us to Oberwiesenthal near the Fichtelberg. On the 17 km long route, you can experience the steam locomotives in a dreamlike landscape. After lunch in Oberwiesenthal, you will take the steam train back to Crzahl.
Early breakfast at the hotels. Transfer to the train station. At about 8 am. departure of the special train. Return via the same route as on Friday. The disembarkation stops are the same as on the outward journey. Lovely lunch and light dinner on board. Arrival in Zurich main station at about 7 pm.
Friday, December 1, 2023
At about 8.15 am our journey starts with the special train from Zurich main station. The journey goes via Basel, Karlsruhe, Würzburg, Probstzella and Leipzig. Boarding is possible in Aarau, Liestal, Basel Bad Bahnhof, Karlsruhe Hbf and Würzburg Hbf. Enjoy the varied journey in a unique ambience.
In addition to the carriages of the “Prestige Continental Express”, there are also two 1st class carriages of the “Suisse Train Bleu”. During the trip, we will spoil you with a light lunch and a fine dinner on board. Around 9.30 pm we will reach Dresden and take you to your booked hotel.
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Cultural:
In the morning we will take a guided tour through Dresden’s old town with a visit to the most important sights such as the Prince’s Procession, the Royal Palace, the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger and Brühl’s Terrace. After lunch, we will visit the Semper Opera House and learn all about the impressive history, craftsmanship and unique flair of this world-famous opera house during a guided tour.
Railway Program:
We start with a guided tour of the Transport Museum, where the only original replica of the “Saxonia” can be seen. Afterwards we take a trip to Freital-Hainsberg and take the oldest narrow-gauge railway still in operation, the Weisseritzertalbahn, to Kipsdorf.
Sunday, 3 December, 2023
Cultural:
Our excursion takes us to the porcelain and wine city of Meissen. In the show workshop of the world-famous porcelain manufactory, you can experience how dreamlike masterpieces are created from the “white gold”. After the tour, you can expect a private organ playing on the world’s first organ with pipes made of Meissen porcelain. We will have lunch in the historic restaurant “Vincenz Richter”. Afterwards we take a walk through the historic old town on the castle hill.
Railway Program:
Today we visit the Ore Mountains and take a steam locomotive to the highest town in Germany. We continue by bus to Cranzahl, from where the Fichtelbergbahn takes us to Oberwiesenthal near the Fichtelberg. On the 17 km long route, you can experience the steam locomotives in a dreamlike landscape. After lunch in Oberwiesenthal, you will take the steam train back to Crzahl.
Monday, 4 December, 2023
Early breakfast at the hotels. Transfer to the train station. At about 8 am. departure of the special train. Return via the same route as on Friday. The disembarkation stops are the same as on the outward journey. Lovely lunch and light dinner on board. Arrival in Zurich main station at about 7 pm.
The Special Train
Out of love for true beauty and elegance, the “Prestige Continental Express” was created. Originally used as dining cars for the German Federal Railways, the carriages were completely rebuilt in 1999 and modelled on the style of the legendary saloon cars of the “Orient Express”. In the elegant dining car (with tables for 2 and 4), you will experience the nostalgic railway feeling of the Belle Epoque. A pianist will entertain you in the piano bar. Class of the “Suisse Train Bleu” from the 1960s with comfortable side aisle compartments (for 4 people).
Hotels in Dresden
Hyperion Hotel Dresden am Schloss
This hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Dresden’s historic Old Town. Behind its historic façade lies a stylish and modern interior design.
Motel One Dresden at Zwinger
A comfortable city hotel with a modern design concept. The well-known sights can be reached on foot in a few minutes.
This trip is fully booked