Saxony is a land of contrasts, a region whose scenery has been described as looking "like turbulent seas of earth". Its capital is Dresden, the "Florence on the Elbe". Big-city flair and small-town romance, river valleys and mountains, meadows and forests, palaces and castles, manor houses and stately homes, arts and crafts, classical music and a lively bar scene, industrial architecture and industrial culture: Saxony has it all. Of all the beautiful scenery, the crowning glory is Saxon Switzerland. What other region offers such a wealth of strange natural wonders in such a small space as the Elbe Sandstone Massif with its wild and romantic rock formations, right on Dresden's doorstep. The River Elbe carves its way through the very heart of this unique landscape.

Distinctive art and culture, centuries-old tradition and scenic charm all come together in Saxony's holiday regions. The cultural scene is shaped by internationally renowned theatre and music productions, prestigious festivals, museums and exhibitions. Saxony is known for its unique craft traditions: musical instruments in the Vogtland, woodcraft in the Erzgebirge mountains, porcelain in Meissen, textiles (lace) in Plauen and clocks in Glashütte. Delightful scenery with soaring peaks and picturesque valleys and lakes makes this region the ideal setting for a countryside holiday, health and fitness break or family vacation.

Saxony's towns and cities are rich in culture and history. They are crammed with extraordinary places of interest and are closely linked with such world-famous names as Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. Dresden, the regional capital and Leipzig, the venue for many leading trade fairs, as well as other smaller towns such as Bautzen, Görlitz, Zwickau and Chemnitz are abundant with splendid reminders of the past and enjoy a rich cultural scene.