5 nights starting from
£2995
Battle of the Nations
Dresden
Dresden
Dresden
Dresden
Dresden
Leipzig Opera House
Battle of the Nations, Leipzig
Leipzig Art Nouveau
Chemnitz Theaterplatz
Chemnitz
Tour highlights:
Visit Leipzig’s iconic Grassi Museum and Riquethaus café
Tour the Villa Esche in Chemnitz, a masterpiece of German Art Nouveau
Explore Jugendstil and Secessionist architecture in Dresden
Enjoy two fascinating lectures from Professor Anne Anderson
Step into the golden age of artistic innovation, where elegant lines, intricate ornamentation, and the spirit of modernity transformed cities into living galleries. This six-day cultural journey through Dresden, Leipzig, Chemnitz and Hellerau traces the evolution of Art Nouveau—known locally as Jugendstil and Secession—into a bold new aesthetic language. From the garden villas of Dresden and the expressive façades of Leipzig to the rare treasures of Chemnitz, uncover the artistic ideals that reshaped Central Europe. With expert guidance from Professor Anne Anderson, explore exquisite architecture, remarkable museums, and off-the-beaten-path gems.
Available Departures |
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| 13 - April - 2027 | £ 2995.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings London Heathrow Departing: 13th April 2027 at 11:15 Returning: 18th April 2027 at 16:55 |
Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Berlin, then transfer to Dresden
Fly from London to Berlin and transfer to our hotel in Dresden. After settling in, enjoy a welcome drink followed by an introductory lecture from Professor Anne Anderson: 'Jugendstil/Secession: New Art for the Modern Age'. Dinner with wine is included this evening.
Day 2: Art Nouveau in Dresden
This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Galerie Neue Meister, home to one of Germany’s most important collections of 19th and 20th-century art. After a break for lunch (own expense), Anne leads a walking tour through Dresden’s Art Nouveau quarter, taking in decorative façades, villas, and elegant streetscapes. We conclude with a private guided visit to the twin-towered Christuskirche Strehlen.
Day 3: Day Trip to Leipzig
We begin with a guided tour of the striking Stadtbad Leipzig, an early 20th-century bathhouse rich in Jugendstil details. Our architectural tour continues with Anne, taking in the Krochhaus, Hansa Haus, and Specks Hof, before an internal visit to the café of the remarkable Riquethaus, where we enjoy coffee and a traditional Lerche pastry. After lunch (own expense), visit the Grassi Museum of Applied Arts to see its celebrated exhibition From Art Nouveau to the Present, followed by a visit to the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations) for an optional climb up 365 steps to its observation deck.
Day 4: Hellerau then Dresden
We begin the day with a tour of Hellerau, Germany’s first garden city and a pioneering centre of early modern design. A guided walk reveals an extraordinary ensemble of early 20th-century architecture, where architects created a coherent community of cottages, villas and workshops set among curving streets and greenery. Back in Dresden we have the afternoon free before Anne’s second lecture: “Jugendstil to Modernism”.
Day 5: Day trip to Chemnitz
Today we drive to Chemnitz via the Kassberg area to view some of best preserved Art Nouveau residential districts in Europe. Entire streets are lined with richly ornamental facades, decorative tilework, and elaborate architectural detailing, reflecting the prosperity of Chemnitz during its industrial heyday and the flowering of Jugendstil design. Next visit Villa Esche, an architectural masterpiece designed in 1902 and one of Germany’s finest examples of Jugendstil architecture, where we have a private guided tour following by lunch included at the cafe. In the afternoon, explore the city’s vibrant modern art collections at Kunstsammlungen am Theaterplatz, followed by a visit to the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff House, the artist's former family home and now a museum dedicated to his life and work. Farewell dinner this evening is at a local restaurant, with wine included.
Day 6: Departure
Free time this morning to explore Dresden at your own pace before our group transfer to the airport and flight back to London Heathrow.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 23 passengers.
Tour Grading: Please note this tour has been graded as moderate with lots of time spent on foot, and standing time for viewing attractions. Please visit the mobility page of our website for further information or call our team to discuss any mobility issues prior to booking.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Bilderberg Bellevue Hotel, Dresden
Set on the banks of the River Elbe, this stylish 4-star hotel offers peaceful gardens, an indoor pool, and modern comforts in a historic building just a short walk from the Old Town.
With a first degree in archaeology and a PhD in English, Anne was a senior lecturer in Art and Design History at Southampton Solent University for 14 years from 1993 to 2007. She specializes in the Aesthetic Movement, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism. She has published several books, including The Perseus Series, which accompanied the Edward Burne-Jones exhibition held at Tate Britain (2018), and Art Nouveau Architecture (2020). She has also published over 50 articles in respected academic journals.
Anne has curated four national exhibitions, mostly recently Beyond the Brotherhood The Pre-Raphaelite Legacy (2019-20). American fellowships held include the Huntington Library, CA and the American Antiquarian Society, MA. She has lectured for The Arts Society, The Art Fund, the V&A Learning Academy, the National Trust and Christies’. Her career as an international speaker has taken her all over the world, including Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. She undertook her sixth lecture tour for Arts National Australia in 2024. She has also lectured on several cruise ships, Swan Hellenic’s Minerva, the Spirit of Adventure and the Hebridean.
Anne has received a rapturous response from our travellers at the UK lectures and tours, as well as a host of tours overseas, and her knowledge, wit and enthusiasm bring her beloved subjects to life in whatever location she finds them.
