Dresden, Germany

  • Historic European cityscape reflected in river

The scent of gingerbread, aromatic glühwein and roasted chestnuts has been filling the air of Dresden’s Old Market Square since the mid-15th century. Traditional crafts, such as Ore Mountain folk art, Lusatian blue-printed fabrics and Moravian stars, are popular gifts, as is the city’s famous Dresdner Christstollen, a delicious spiced fruit loaf. Each year, a festival dedicated to the regional specialty takes place, where a giant stollen weighing several tons is presented to the town and sold to raise funds for charitable causes.