Photo Impressions of the Charming Village of Schmilka

Last February, I discovered Schmilka, a charming village 30km east of Dresden in the National Park "Saechsische Schweiz". A whole village is organic! In the middle of Germany's wild east, right next to the Saxon Switzerland National Park, is Schmilka, a district of Bad Schandau. 

From the other bank, the historic ferry "Lena" from 1927 crosses over. Schmilka can be reached by S-Bahn or train via Bad Schandau and then by a short bus trip - or via:

S-Bahn S1 von Dresden bis Schmilka Hirschmühle brings passengers at least once per hour to Schmilka Schmilka-Hirschmühle is a railway station on the Děčín–Dresden-Neustadt railway for the village of Schmilka, Saxony, Germany. The station is located across the Elbe river and can be reached from Schmilka by ferry.  The town may also be accessed on the regional bus services run by the OVPS. OVPS also operates the Kirnitzschtal tramway, a historic tram service that runs from the town center to the "Lichtenhain Waterfall". 

The Elbe Cycleway runs along the banks of the Elbe.

Once a mining and lumber town, and border village to the Czech Republic, looking pretty run-down during the Eastern Block, it became one of the prettiest places in the National Park thanks to a forward-looking investor who bought several heritage buildings and renovated those to their new glory.

The Schmilkaer Brauhaus has a restaurant, serving local cuisine.

Bio- und Nationalpark Refugium Schmilka
Boasting a spa & wellness center, a garden as well as a terrace, Bio- und Nationalpark Refugium Schmilka is set directly in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. 

Small half-timbered houses with quaint guesthouses crowd up the hill to the historic mill from 1665, where flour is still ground and traditional crafts are cultivated in the neighboring organic bakery and beer brewing manufactory.

Fine hotels and stylish vacation apartments are located in and around Schmilka.

It is not surprising that this place was awarded the title "Most beautiful village in Saxony".

The Winter Village Schmilka was also awarded as "Lighthouse of the Tourism Industry"
for its creative and sustainable concept.

For vacations in the middle of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Schmilka is perfectly placed: directly on the Malerweg (Artists Path) and as an ideal starting point for hiking and climbing in the region. 

Mystical, quaint and cozy in winter, so colorful, fresh, and full of life in summer -
you simply have to experience this gem between village culture and nature.

Cycling and dozens of hiking paths can be enjoyed around Schmilka,
and a bicycle rental service is available.

The Ilmenbach stream drives the Schmilka Mill "Schmilksche Mühle" only a few meters
below the spring. Built in 1665, it is one of the first buildings in Schmilka.
The mill was closed in the 19th century. In 2007, however, the mill was restored
to a functional state again and visitors can purchase fresh-milled flour.  
Or get delicious fresh-baked goods just a few meters away

Schmilka is built among the huge rocks of the Saechsische Schweiz in a narrow valley.

Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options are certainly available. I asked the server to show me the vegetable quiche, and she presented this huge plate...

Comfortable chilling in this quiet spot after a long walk.

Schmilka on the Elbe river - as if fallen out of time... 

If possible, travel to the Saechsische Schweiz and Schmilka in late fall, winter or spring.

Read more (English and German):

https://www.instagram.com/biorefugiumschmilka/

https://www.inspirock.com/germany/bad-schandau/muehle-schmilka-a7264468525

https://www.organictraveller.de/organictraveller-schmilka

https://www.winter-sterne.de

https://www.schmilka.de/schmilka-historie

http://www.saechsische-schweiz.info/

http://hikersbay.com/europe/germany/hotel/de/winterdorf-schmilka.html?lang=en

https://www.cafe-richter-schmilka.de/cafe-richter

https://www.schmilka.de/home

https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Bad-Schandau--Germany/things-to-do/food-restaurants

https://meurers.net/2017/02/06/wintervillage-the-ecovillage-schmilka-during-the-cold-season/

https://www.happybiketours.com/data/tours/f6ac1c8b138f0fe277eae5d1952048b7.pdf

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Magnificent Christmas Markets in Europe

Advent in Hellbrunn/Salzburg

Christmassy scents and magical glittering lights, burning-hot chestnuts and mulled wine: every year they make us fall into the Advent mood despite all the Christmas bustle. But where does the tradition of fairytale Christmas markets come from and which ones are particularly beautiful?

In the early Middle Ages, the pre-Christmas markets were used to gather supplies for the long winters. From this tradition, the Christmas markets or Advent markets with mulled wine, gingerbread, and other sweets have developed in the course of time. Here are just a few examples of the many that visitors can experience:

Prague

From mid-November, Prague will be one of the best places for those who want to stroll through the Christmas market with the scent of Christmas cookies, chestnuts and mulled wine on the Prague Square of Peace. Other markets can be found in Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square, Tylovo and Republic Square.

Dresden

Dresden features a total of 12 Christmas Markets, it has the largest number of Christmas markets in the eastern part of Germany, namely the famous Striezelmarkt. Most Christmas markets there start in the last November week. The Striezelmarkt in Dresden - and the oldest in Germany - is considered the first genuine Christmas market in the world. Founded as a one-day market in 1434, it celebrates its 585th anniversary in 2019.

Striezelmarket in Dresden

Nuremberg

The Nuremberg Christmas Market is also one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Europe. At the market stalls, you can find traditional, handcrafted Christmas decorations and beautiful gift ideas. Strengths can be found with Nuremberg gingerbread and the famous grilled Nuremberg sausages. The Nuremberg Christkind (a young lady) appears on the balcony of the Church of Our Lady to open the holiday season.

Innsbruck

The location of Innsbruck with the mountains surrounding it makes a wonderful atmosphere. There is not only the Golden Roof that shines at Christmas time but also the stalls of the Christmas Market which nestle against the historic houses. A large Christmas tree is the center point with various stalls around it. In addition to traditional crafts and Christmas souvenirs, punch, gingerbread, and many other delicacies are offered.

Then there is also the Rattenberg Advent in a medieval town close to Innsbruck - best known for its glass manufacture - with fine old buildings with a pedestrian center. Visit Hall in Tirol's Christmas Market also. It is lower-key but very nice.

Bozen - Bolzano

Für ein knappes Monat erfüllt weihnachtlicher Duft die Straßen und malerischen Gassen der Südtiroler Landeshauptstadt; der schillernde Glanz romantischer Leuchten und flackernder Kerzen taucht Bozen für kurze Zeit in zauberhaftes Licht. Der Christkindlmarkt Bozen in Südtirol ist der größte Weihnachtsmarkt Italiens und lockt er mit seinem ganz eigenen, besonderen Flair alljährlich unzählige Besucher an den in der Adventzeit prächtig geschmückten Waltherplatz.

Bozen Christmas Market

My Personal Favorites in all of Europe are the Advent Markets in Salzburg:

Mountain scenery, historic churches, tranquil alleys, and cozy castles - all lovingly decorated with thousands of lights and a glittering blanket of snow - that's Salzburg in Advent. Various Christmas markets in the city area, especially the one in front of the cathedral, are definitely worth a visit. My favorite, however, is a little outside at Hellbrunn Palace.

Hellbrunner Adventszauber 

Amidst the stunning scenery of the palace and the park of Hellbrunn, you can enjoy Salzburg's most festive and idyllic Advent market and its varying program. 

Monday to Thursday - FREE ENTRANCE and Friday/Saturday/Sunday after 6 p.m. 

Saturday/Sunday, during the day until 6 p.m. - € 5.00 per person. Children under the age of 6 are always free. For the entrance every visitor is given a voucher for a drink (mulled wine, hot punch or children's punch) worth € 3.70 and it includes the entrance to the Salzburg Zoo. The drink-voucher can be redeemed during the opening hours in the Advent 2019 - and also at any other day.

Already from mid-November, there is a fairy forest consisting of more than 400 conifers, decorated with 13,000 red Christmas baubles and fairy lights, which allow the entire area to shine in a very special light as soon as dusk arrives. 

A great number of traditional Advent huts, romantically hidden between the green trees, make the time waiting for the Christ Child pass more quickly. It’s a unique ambiance and a festive setting that can't be found anywhere else. 

• Every Wednesday at 3 p.m. you can enjoy Stubenmusi in the “Adventkaffee in the Orangery” (traditional folk music is called Stubenmusi).
• Choirs: traditional live music with wind players (Weisenbläser)
• Nativity scene exhibition 

The area of the water park to the Sternweiher is accessible during the opening hours of the Advent market. The Hellbrunn Palace Park is illuminated by a festive, enchanting light installation. Visitors can reach Hellbrunn by bus line 25 from the train station, the Mirabell Gardens or from downtown.

Salzburg at Night

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Salzburg Downtown in Advent:

Don’t miss the Christmas Museum! It is open daily from 10am to 6pm

During the Christmas holidays: 1st Advent - 31st December (24th December & 31. December: 10 am till 1 pm) as well as during Salzburg Festival 

Or take a short train ride out to Oberndorf: The tiny “Silent Night Chapel”, built on the site of the church where, on December 24,1818, a priest and his organist first sang the carol singers' favorite - now the most famous Christmas song

Mozart

Salzburg revels in its Mozart connection, naming sweets, squares and special occasions after him. But the only site that cuts the genius down to human size is Mozart's birthplace, the claustrophobic third floor at Getreidegasse 9. See a locket holding his infant curls, read personal letters to his sister and, marvel at his baby-sized violin.

Make it to the end of the Getreidegasse and you can dig into the story of the real “Von Trapp” family at the Sound of Music World museum.

Restaurants:

Zwettlers, Getreidegasse 3

Using only ingredients from local suppliers, this 160-year-old restaurant serves the Austrian holy trinity — soup, schnitzel, and strudel. Delicious!

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

This cellar has been feeding pilgrims since 803. No surprise, then, that its vaulted medieval chambers score top marks for ambiance. Try their Salzburger Nockerl, a light meringue-and-cream dessert.

My Favored Hotel

Art Hotel Blaue Gans, located in the famous Getreidegasse in a 14th-century building but with brand-new rooms, is only minutes from the Dome, the Mirabell Castle and all the other famous and historical places in the city. No car needed at all! Stellar location!

It certainly has free Wi-Fi, free, excellent breakfast and has large, modern rooms. The only thing I would wish is more electrical plugins, but the reception could help with an extension cord. 

Salzburg is a very bike-able city — Avelo Mozartplatz has bikes for hire. You can easily cycle along the Salzach river to the next village, Hallein. Or visit the Guglhof Distillery for a Schnapps-tasting.

Enjoy enchanting Adventtrips to Europe!

http://www.hellbrunneradventzauber.at/

http://weihnachtsmarkt-salzburg.at/galerie

http://www.salzburger-weihnachtsmuseum.at/

https://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/top10/mozarts-birthplace

https://www.weihnachtsmaerkte.it/de/weihnachtsmarkt-bozen-suedtirol.aspx

https://www.rattenberg.at

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Photo Impressions of Dresden, Germany

Dresden is also called "Florence at the Elbe" thanks to its idyllic location on the banks of the river, the city's beautiful coffee shops and Biergartens, its excellent examples of Baroque architecture, and world-class museums. 

Dresden Zwinger

Most of the city's attractions are all within walking distance from Dresden's Altstadt, the Old Town. The Zwinger Palace is one of the most excellent examples of late Baroque architecture in Germany.

Frauenkirche

Last time (25 years ago) I was in Dresden, the famous Frauenkirche was only a pile of stone rubble, left from the bombings of WWII. In the meantime, within a few years, the baroque church was rebuilt to its old glory and was again opened in 2005.

Schiller Biergarten

Join the locals during the warm months at the "Biergartens".

Pfunds Dairy Store

"Pfund’s Dairy" is the most beautiful milk store in the world. Don’t leave without trying some local cheeses, homemade ice cream, or a glass of fresh milk.

Dresden-Loschwitz

Dresden-Loschwitz: Wein, Water, and Villas. The Loschwitz district of Dresden is famous for its stylish villas and traditional wine-growing. The location on the Elbe slopes alone, with height differences of over 100 meters, makes the district something very special. 

Elbe River and Old City

Don't end your sightseeing in the City, there are lots of beautiful castles nearby, easily reached by boat or train. Why not take a boat trip on one of the historic paddle steamers on the river Elbe? You can take a coffee cruise in the afternoon (where you can eat as much German cake as you want) or take a boat tour to Meissen, famous for its porcelain artists.

Dresden might be much smaller, but it beats Berlin as a city destination in the Eastern part of Germany.

Out of the ordinary tips for Dresden can be found here too:

https://hostelgeeks.com/things-to-do-in-dresden-germany/

For example, the tip to eat at the University Mensa, or to visit the Café Oha, a cozy coffee place stuffed with sofas and creative decorations on the wall. It’s located in one of the buildings of Dresden’s Academy of Fine Arts.

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