Santa Opus

Santa Opus was also able to partake in the trip to Dresden, and like Chase he is a great fan of German Christmas markets. He spent much of his trip at the Striezelmarkt, the largest of Dresden’s Christmas markets, and the oldest (575 years!) in Germany.


The days were chilly but the Glühwein kept him warm, and treats such as Mohnstriezel (poppy seed cake) filled his belly (he has to admit he is not the greatest fan of Dresden’s famed Stollen, although he did try almond and poppy seed versions that were quite tasty).


Santa Opus also enjoyed the market’s entertainment, which ranged from puppet performances for children to choirs singing German Christmas carols, and made friends with the market’s many creatures.


All of the time spent at the Christmas markets meant that he missed some of the city’s other attractions (most notably the Dresden State Art Collections).


He did, however, make it to the Royal Palace’s impressive Green Vault, where he admired Augustus the Strong’s many treasures, displayed in ornate themed rooms. He also managed to pull himself away from the markets long enough to try the cozy restaurant Paulaner's, which had what he thought was the best Glühwein in Dresden, and to enjoy a concert at the Frauenkirche, an 18th century church destroyed during World War II, which was reconsecrated in 2005 after thirteen years of reconstruction.


Santa Opus was very sad to leave Germany, but took solace in the fact that his suitcases were filled with Christmas décor and sweet treats to enjoy back in Washington (and he is, of course, already contemplating what German city and its markets he’ll hit next year).

Chase

Chase is a jet-setting Christmas-loving penguin. While he certainly does not feel the need to find an excuse to travel, the German Christmas markets always provide a wonderful incentive to find the time to head to Europe during the hectic holiday season.


He recently had the great luck to join his family in Dresden, which is perhaps the loveliest, most Christmassy city he has ever been to…every public space seemed to house a Christmas market. And he made it his mission to hit them all.


Chase stayed at the comfortable but not too glamorous Westin Bellevue (apparently only individuals staying in preferred Starwood guest rooms are deemed worthy of conditioner). He did, however, like its location on the Elbe across from the Old Town, as the walk over the Augustus Bridge was absolutely lovely. The hotel was also in close proximity to the charming Neustadt Haupstraße Christmas market, where he found some fabulous Christmas decorations, indulged in treats, and had a glass (or two) of Glühwein. He enjoyed the festive décor (even if there were no penguins), the traditional plum men and Kurrende (choir) figures being his favorites.


Chase managed to tear himself away from all of the shopping and consumption of sweets (if only briefly) to make time for a quick trip to the town of Meissen.


He enjoyed the views from the Albrechtsburg Castle


and liked the Gothic cathedral (although he did not quite understand the point of the room where visitors were invited to watch a video of an old man playing a somewhat unimpressive organ, but apparently some people were captivated).


Chase also stopped by the Meissen Porcelain Museum.


He was not a great fan of the tour, which involved being herded from room to room to observe live demonstrations of the process of creating porcelain objects (with a pre-recorded soundtrack), but did admire the lovely wares.


Although Chase enjoyed his excursion he was happy to return to Dresden and its markets…on a short trip it’s all about establishing priorities and making the most of one’s time, and it’s hard to beat Glühwein and whipped cream topped waffles.