GERMANY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 224

new ones built, including the Vitra Design Museum and the Jewish Museum.
The Gemäldegalerie reunited an internationally renowned collection of more than
1,300 paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries that had been separated since
the end of World War II. Part of the collection went to the United States and part to
Russia. The OldNationalGallery reopened as well. At some point during your vis-
it, stand at the Brandenburg Gate —on either side—and feel democracy in action.
Or take Europe's fastest lift up 90 meters to the platform on the Kollhoff Tower
(formerly the Daimler Chrysler Building ) for a spectacular panoramic view of this
great city. Admission: €6.50. Hours: 1100-2000 daily.
Day Excursions from Berlin
Three day excursions have been selected. All of them—Dresden, Leipzig, and
Potsdam—are typical German cities in their own right. Since the end of World War
II, and until the “Fall of the Wall,” they had been a part of the then German Demo-
cratic Republic, more often referred to as “East Germany.” Consequently, tourist
and transportation facilities are still being improved.
Dresden is an important city in the historic German state of Saxony and prob-
ably best known for its product Dresden china. Leipzig is also a part of Saxony
and owes much of its prestige to its cultural accomplishments. Potsdam owes its
appeal to Frederick the Great, who took the concept of sans souci (without care
or worry) and transformed it into the reality of the delightful Sans Souci Palace.
It was also the scene of the Potsdam Conference in 1945, where Harry (Truman)
met “Old Joe” (Stalin) and got to like him—at least for a little while.
Day Excursion to
Dresden
China, Carillons, and Culture
Depart from Berlin Hauptbahnhof
Distance by Train: 117 miles (189 km)
Average Train Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
City Dialing Code: 351
Tourist Information Office: Dresden Tourist Board, Prager Strasse 2b 01069
Dresden