the KÖNIGSTEIN FORTRESS, in front of the hotel, on the opposite bank of the Elbe-river
the SAXON STEAMBOAT COMPANY, oldest and largest paddle wheeled steamship fleet in the world. Navigation from March till November, from Dresden till Schmilka and further on into Bohemian Switzerland and Prague.
Various different arrangements are possible, for parties etc.
the MALERWEG, a fabulous hiking trail, over 112 kilometers of well-kept footpath. Start is at Liebethal near Pirna, and it will guide you through lovely sites of Saxon Switzerland such as Uttewalder Grund, Stadt Wehlen, Bastei, Polenztal, Hohnstein etc.
It was the initial footpath painters and poets used to wander into this Elbsandstein Mountains in the 19th century.
CYCLING in SAXON SWITZERLAND, over 40 kilometers of cycle-tracks all through the most beautifull spots of this region. Cycling is allowed all year round from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. in order to allow the forest animals their tranquillity and rest during the night.
A special cycle track follows the banks of the Elbe-river, where small fery-boats can make you change banks by crossing the river.
MOUNTAIN-BIKING , another marvellous way to discover the very special beauty of these mountains. A well-marked network of trails brings you to stunning sites. For more information, please contact www.peers-touren.de
the OPEN AIR THEATRE in the ROCKS, of RATHEN, a wonderfull stage amid the steep cliffs.
the ROWING TRIPS on the Obere Schleuse, a unique experience. Using old-fashioned and very much probed rowing-boats, you will discover the more than hundred years old way to move on the Kirnitzsch-river. In the 19th century, floaters constructed sluices to dam up enough water for the transportation of trunks. Their heritage now offers us a marvellous way to explore the nature alongside this river.
The KIRNITZSCHTAL TRAMWAY, an old-fashioned tram-car twisting through a beautifull and dreamy valley. Travelling from Bad Schandau till the Lichtenhainer Waterfall, the journey is passing through beautifull surroundings. Each of its many stops allows you to make marvellous walks amind the many bizarre rock-formations.
The OSTRAU ELEVATOR in BAD SCHANDAU, a historial elevator that will bring you to a marvellous look out over the Elbe and its country-side, its hills and valleys.
It also brings you a good way up to the Ostrauer Scheibe for a walk to the Schrammstein area.
The POST MILE PICKETS, a curiosity of Saxony. In order to mesure up the entire state, King August the Strong put these pickets into place, thus marking each 9 kilometers as one saxon mile. It enabled him to put up a road system. Still 180 of them can be seen today, and a permanent exposition is held at Lauenstein Castle near Dresden.
CAVES of the ELBSANDSTONE MOUNTAINS : more than 335 different caves have sofar been discovered,and each month new ones are found.
They all have there own particularities. The caves at the Königstein mountain have inscriptions from centuries ago, and some of them where used as listening posts in the days of Napoleon. Robber knights used them as a hide away in the 15th century, and in some of them you can see petrified mussels in the rock, brought there by the waters of an ocean, some 50 million years ago.
the LABYRINTH, a marvellous playground next to Königstein where a maze of rocks and spires creates a unique labyrinth. For children it constitutes an exiting experience, and adults might enjoy some fearfull moments!
Marks on trees line out an adventurous trail where one will have to master a dark and humid tunnel, a shaky wooden bridge, numerous ravines and crevices...and have some fantastic views through deep gorges.
ACTIVE WATER-PARK MONTE MARE - a caribbean experience in Neustadt ( 20 minutes by car) where you will find all the amenities of a Water Park Paradies such as toboggans, whirlpools, Turboshower etc.
GROSSEDLITZ BAROQUE GARDENS - a fine masterpiece of landscape gardening.
THE CASTLES OF STOLPEN, WEESENSTEIN, KUCKUCKSTEIN and RAMMENAU at a short drive away 20-45 minutes.
Three marvellous towns at the doorstep of Saxon Switzerland:
DRESDEN, with its baroque buildings along the banks of the ELBE, the ZWINGER, the SEMPER OPERA HOUSE, the FRAUENKIRCHE
MEISSEN, a dreamy small jewel with its magnificent DOM church and ALBRECHTSBURG CASTLE, and famous PORCELAIN FACTORY
PIRNA, with its beautifull historic centre, unchanged since the days of the italian painter CANALETTO