Crowned by the Frauenkirche, which had lain in ruins since the end of World War II until it was re-consecrated in 2005, the historic quarter of Dresden has been completely and sensitively restored and the ‘Florence on the Elbe’ has regained its position as one of Europe’s greatest cultural centres. A glorious city full of architectural, artistic and musical treasures including the Zwinger Gallery with its superb collection of Old Masters, and the Green Vaults, brimming with treasures from the magnificent collections of the Saxon Kings, Dresden is at its most atmospheric at Christmas. Not only will we enjoy the oldest Christmas market in Europe, the Striezelmarkt, started back in the 15th century, but we will also include a visit to nearby Meissen, and an there will be two optional performances at the famous Semperoper: The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky on Christmas Day, and Hansel und Gretel by Humperdinck on Boxing Day.