No matter the country or time zone, I am up between 6:30 and 7am . . . Our morning starts with breakfast at nearby Edelweiss Alpen Restaurant on the backside of the Frauenkirche. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, potatoes, and hot chocolate, I am fortified for a day of shopping and further orienting myself to Dresden's Innere Altstadt.
If previously unmentioned, it has been 18-months since mom and daughters have all been together . . . hence, this is truly a "Reunification Tour!"
If previously unmentioned, it has been 18-months since mom and daughters have all been together . . . hence, this is truly a "Reunification Tour!"
Fortified, our morning excursion retraces some of the steps taken yesterday when I was first oriented to the Inner Old City section of Dresden.
Our first stop — on the way to the Altmarkt — is a shop that sells wonderful handbags and clothing, which will become a "theme" of this trip. As will stopping at cafés for ice kaffees, fresh lemonades, ice cream and gelato . . . mostly because it is bloody hot (and humid)!
Being a Saturday, there are lots of families walking around with many young children carrying ice cream cone-like bundles filled with candy, treats and dolls. These I learn from Juli and Konstantin are given to young children who are just starting school. In fact, one's very first day of school is more celebratory than graduation!
The Altmarkt is a collection of buildings with many shops, restaurants and cafés on the outside perimeter and a three-story modern enclosed shopping center in the center. A large plaza where events are held. Feeling peckish, we head back to Neumarkt for lunch at Kurfürstenschänke Restaurant and Kaffeehaus at An der Frauenkirche 13. Situated around the corner of our hotel — our rooms are directly above the restaurant — it will become a handy outpost for cooling beverages, lunches and a place to rendezvous!
Fortified once again, we take a walking tour past the Parade of Nobles Mural, stop at what will become one of my favorite stops was Camondas at Schokoladenmuseum — this store offers an incredible selection of yummy chocolates from all over the world as well as a café. [On my last full day in Germany, I found out there is a second Camondas just steps from our hotel right on the Neumarkt!!!] And, walk along the Brühlsche Terrassee.
Being a Saturday, there are lots of families walking around with many young children carrying ice cream cone-like bundles filled with candy, treats and dolls. These I learn from Juli and Konstantin are given to young children who are just starting school. In fact, one's very first day of school is more celebratory than graduation!
The Altmarkt is a collection of buildings with many shops, restaurants and cafés on the outside perimeter and a three-story modern enclosed shopping center in the center. A large plaza where events are held. Feeling peckish, we head back to Neumarkt for lunch at Kurfürstenschänke Restaurant and Kaffeehaus at An der Frauenkirche 13. Situated around the corner of our hotel — our rooms are directly above the restaurant — it will become a handy outpost for cooling beverages, lunches and a place to rendezvous!
Fortified once again, we take a walking tour past the Parade of Nobles Mural, stop at what will become one of my favorite stops was Camondas at Schokoladenmuseum — this store offers an incredible selection of yummy chocolates from all over the world as well as a café. [On my last full day in Germany, I found out there is a second Camondas just steps from our hotel right on the Neumarkt!!!] And, walk along the Brühlsche Terrassee.
Back at Hotel Suisse to cool off in the air conditioning of my room, I read for awhile, showered and changed before rejoining the others in Zelda's apartment before heading out for an early dinner of burgers and beer at Hans im Glück (Altmarkt 24). The restaurant's interior design includes birch trees that add a "natural forest" ambiance to its otherwise contemporary decor. The menu so many choices . . . after much consideration I went for their "Classic: The Mother of All Burgers," sans bread, that came with a lettuce and arugula salad, tomatoes and their secret sauce . . . sides of potato frits and sweet potato fries were also ordered. Yummy-delish!!!
Interestingly, German menus list all possible food allergens for each dish so diners can make informed decisions — very cool! Also of note is that our typically American habit of wanting to make substitutions or otherwise make changes to a menus' offerings is not the order of the day here . . . best to order directly from the menu.
Interestingly, German menus list all possible food allergens for each dish so diners can make informed decisions — very cool! Also of note is that our typically American habit of wanting to make substitutions or otherwise make changes to a menus' offerings is not the order of the day here . . . best to order directly from the menu.