When you exchange crowded tourist points for unknown places, you ask yourself, why you didn’t do that sooner. My trip took me to eastern Germany, to the vicinity of Dresden where I did some voluntary work in a smaller hostel on the edge of National Park of Saxony Switzerland.
International experience is always welcome, and if you can spend your summer on the other side of Europe almost without any expenses, it’s that much better.
Woraway website enables people to get food and accommodation in exchange for some work.
I explored Saxony Switzerland and all its beauty. Unusual stone blocks, Elba River that runs through hills invited all kinds of people. Bikers, hikers, water sports enthusiasts. Free climbers made history here as they wrote the rules for climbing in this area in the beginning of 20th century. Sources claim that free climbing originates from here. You’re able to find 14000 climbing ways in a quite small area and the climbers come here from every part of Europe.
Hikers are impressed with 112 kilometre long hiking trail “Malerweg”. It leads past smaller towns and villages and most of the time is spent in nature. It’s a very popular path, especially among Dresden population as they can come here with train in only 30 minutes.
I walked most of the path. Every part is different, with different elements of nature that intertwine with rocks, forests, meadows, paths and beautiful towns. One of the stages offers you a beautiful view on the stone bridge Bastei that is a popular tourist point. The bridge is built into stone blocks and looks like it’s come from a fairy-tale. If you’re there early enough (around 8 a.m.), the bridge will probably be empty and you can walk on the old parts of the castle that stood here a couple of centuries ago. Unfortunately only ruins were left and writings, caught in stone walls.
Not far from here is a table-like mountain, which offered a great place to built the mighty castle fort Festung Königstein. It is one of the biggest forts that lies on a hill in Europe. It has more than 50 buildings that are up to 400 years old. You can get a tourist train from the city Königstein to the crag or take a walk through the forest. The entrance isn’t high and the views are wonderful.
When you get a bit bored in the nature, fans of crowds, young and craving for parties can go to the city Dresden. It is an art, architecture and history centre. The city centre was completely demolished in the second world war so most of the buildings are reconstructed. Dresden is alive again and offers old and new that intertwine and we can see the strong will of people to put the city on its feet again. Countless bars, nice neighbourhoods, museums and live music really make your visit to the city fun.
Saxony Switzerland, I’ll be back.
