Just outside Dresden, the regional capital of Saxony, going towards Meissen you will see the next vines - growing on terraces on the slopes of Radebeul and Coswig near Meissen. The final vineyards on the route are near the romantic Elbe wine villages surrounding Diesbar-Seusslitz. The mediterranean feel, lovely scenery and cheery innkeepers hold out the promise of a carefree way of life. It works its magic as your paddle steamer cruises down the river and you let your gaze wander over the vine-clad terraces and vineyards lining the Elbe's riverbanks. Every day in high season, the world's oldest and biggest fleet of paddle steamers travels through the wine-growing region from Dresden towards Meissen. An attractive section of the cross-border Elbe Cycle Trail also runs parallel to the Saxon Wine Route. It has many links to regional cycle routes, such as the one running off the wine trail taking in the "garden town" of Coswig and the wine and fruit-growing town of Weinböhla.
In 2004, Saxony celebrated 400 years of growing grapes in terraced vineyards. The Saxony Wine Trail was created to mark the anniversary and forms the fourth link between Pirna and Diesbar-Sesslitz in addition to the river, the cycle trail, and the road. About 90km long, the trail connects the region's top places of interest and takes walkers to scenic vineyards enclosed by dry-stone walls, marvellous viewpoints and traditional wine cellars. The charm of this delightful countryside dotted with fascinating towns and villages comes from countless reminder of its "wine drinking" past: here and there a freshly whitewashed vintner's cottage, a soaring church steeple or a snug wine tavern. Your host at a vintner's tavern will pour you one of his own best vintages accompanied by some hearty fare or a sweet dish from the list of house specials, all served up with an amusing Saxon tale or two.
