The author, a travel journalist, was born and lives in Germany. Saxony (Sachsen) is one of the most densely populated states in Germany, but has natural beauty especially in the Saxon Switzerland area south of Dresden. Its two major cities, Dresden and Leipzig, are tourist magnets. Dresden is restoring its pre-1945 Baroque appearance and in addition to the marvelous architecture, Dresden has some excellent museums and art collections. The immediate appeal of Leipzig is less obvious but it is a great city to visit - it gives the impression of a lived-in city rather than an artificial tourist attraction. For those interested in the Reformation, Lutherstadt-Wittenberg is an interesting stop between Leipzig and Berlin. The author provides innumerable tips on special discounts available for travelers (some 20 on train and bus travel alone) and tells how to save on gas (cheapest on Mondays, most expensive on Wednesdays), as well as virtually everything else, with inside information on getting the best hotel rooms at the best prices, the best deals and the best food at restaurants. For every area of the country, full information is supplied on how to get around, the best shopping, the foods and the recommended places to eat, where to stay, from charming guesthouses, hostels and campsites, on up to the most luxurious hotels. Includes town and country walks, cycling, fishing, canoeing & kayaking, Rhine cruises, wine tours, concerts and other cultural events - it's all here! As a Pocket Adventure Guide, it shows you how to experience everthing the country offers more intensely and directly than most travelers know how to do - seeing the place close-up through adventures, both cultural and physical, including in-depth encounters with the people. Other guides lack our level of detail, our adventure perspective and our emphasis on direct experience of the country. We provide an insider's knowledge that you won't find in other guides.