April 2025 Update: Berlin and Dresden, Germany
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Hello again and happy May! I hope wherever you are, spring has decided to show up. For us? Not so much.
We started April in Berlin, where we were lucky to see daytime temps in the 60s (F). Then we moved on to Dresden, where the weather remained cool with a little rain thrown in. I guess I shouldn’t complain. I do prefer it to sweating through Southeast Asia.
Read on to find out what we got up to in April.
Wrapping Up Berlin
As I mentioned last month, we spent four weeks in Berlin, mainly to renew our passports. Our appointments went more smoothly than expected, and instead of the estimated two to three weeks, we had shiny new passports in just one week. Color me impressed.
Since we had already checked off Berlin’s biggest sights in March (the Memorial to Murdered Jews, Checkpoint Charlie, and plenty of Berlin Wall remnants), we focused our final days on art and museums.
We admired the 19th-century paintings and sculptures at the Alte Nationalgalerie, but the Futurium stole the show.
The Futurium explores what the future might look like for humans, the planet, and technology, and it is packed with hands-on exhibits. If you like pressing buttons and feeling smart, this is your place.
Sometimes we stumble onto great spots while doing what we do best: wandering the city. One day, we ducked into the Friedrichs-Werdersche Church only to find it had been transformed into a sculpture gallery. Another time, we walked to see the Neue Synagogue and found a small museum tucked inside.
The synagogue has quite a story. It was vandalized and set on fire by Nazis during Kristallnacht in 1938. Luckily, a heroic police officer dispersed the crowds and had the fire extinguished before the whole place was lost.
It continued to be used as a synagogue for a few years but was eventually seized by the German Army to store uniforms. After the war it stood vacant for decades and was finally brought back to life after the fall of the Berlin Wall, although it is no longer used as a synagogue.
Arriving in Dresden
Old Town Dresden has the German vibe we felt was missing in Berlin. It may be small, but it is packed with gorgeous baroque buildings.
I was surprised to learn that the center of Dresden was destroyed during bombing by British and American forces in February 1945, killing an estimated 25,000 residents.
Several historic buildings, including the Royal Palace, the Zwinger Palace, the Semperoper (opera house), and the Frauenkirche (Lutheran church), were demolished. They have been rebuilt, using original plans and salvaged materials wherever possible.
The Historic Green Vault and the Porcelain Collection
The Historic Green Vault houses treasures collected by August the Strong, who ruled the area from 1694 to 1733. Each room is more jaw-dropping than the last. Photos aren’t allowed, so you’ll just have to trust me—or better yet, go see it yourself.
The Porcelain Collection, also thanks to August the Strong, is housed in the Zwinger Palace. The museum was under renovation when we arrived, but luckily for us, it reopened on April 17.
Other Dresden Sights
Here’s a look at other things we did in Dresden:
A Ridiculous Taxi Ride
When we got to the Dresden train station, no Ubers were available, so we hopped in a taxi.
Our driver had the name of our hotel, Aparthotel Münzgasse, but took us to Aparthotel Neumarkt instead. Then he proceeded to drive us around Old Town, getting further and further from our destination. I finally had to ask him to stop the meter.
Just as I was ready to bail out of the cab, he stumbled onto our street. He had the nerve to charge us 15 euros for what should have been a seven-minute ride. This, my friends, is why we love Uber and Grab.
English in Germany
English is widely spoken in Germany, and most tourist spots have signs in both German and English. Strangely enough, many of the websites for attractions do not have an English option. A small mystery in an otherwise very English-friendly country.
On the Website
In April, I published our “March Update: Ho Chi Minh City and Berlin” and “How to Save Thousands of Dollars While Traveling”.
What’s Next?
After Dresden, we head to Erding, Germany to visit Therme Erding, the largest thermal spa in the world. We are beyond excited, not just because it is a cousin to one of our favorite places, Therme Bucuresti, but because we get to share it with our two daughters.
After several days of pampering (and possibly turning into human prunes), the four of us are off to Munich to meet up with some friends, see the sights, and tour the Neuschwanstein Castle.
After that, Steve and I will spend three months in the Balkans, including stops in Belgrade and Subotica, Serbia, and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Then, back to the Schengen Zone for a couple of months before hopping on the MSC Seaside for a 19-day cruise back to the U.S. This year, we plan to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with our girls, which makes my heart very happy.
Until Next Time
Thanks for following along on our adventures. As always, we appreciate you being part of our journey—whether we are getting lost in a taxi or finding treasures in unexpected places.
If you enjoy Wind and Whim, why not share it with a friend? The more, the merrier!
Happy traveling,
Linda