The wealth of the Wettin princes and the baroque splendour of Dresden would hardly be imaginable without the lavish income from ore mining in the Erzgebirge. The art treasures and craftsmanship, the cultural landscape, the scientific institutions or even the traditions and folk art of the Erzgebirge are unique in the world. Recently this has also been recognised by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee. Get to know the toy village Seiffen on the entertaining tour through the Ore Mountains. The production of wooden toys became the main occupation in the village after the end of mining. Here, almost 80 small family businesses compete in the production of wooden art; nutcrackers, smoking men, pyramids, hooped animals and much more are still largely made by hand here. A Seiffen wood designer leads you through her workshop. On the way to Freiberg, the first Saxon mining town, stop at the Saigerhütte Olbernhau. In former times, silver was elaborately extracted from copper ore here. Today the place is part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. In Freiberg, discover the mining academy in the historical centre, the St. Marien Cathedral or the town houses at the Obermarkt. Enjoy local tastes in peace and quiet; snacks, drinks and specialities. On the return journey to Dresden, receive a short introduction to the mysterious Christmas customs of the locals. And of course all stations are embedded in a gently undulating low mountain range landscape.

Kick off  the Christmas season in style with a tour of the winter wonderland that is the Ore Mountains. Admire picture-perfect mountain towns covered in snow and bathed in twinkling lights as you make your way to your first stop, the village of Seiffen.  Here, meet a wood craftswoman who will introduce you to her traditional craft, wooden toy carvings. Pick up a unique and authentic souvenir in the form of a nut cracker or musical box.  Pay a visit to the mining town of Freiberg and learn more about the mysterious Christmas traditions of the locals. Make a stop at a smoking candle factory, where you can see how the much loved Smoking Man Christmas decorations are created. Afterward, sample some local delicacies including snacks and drinks. Later, enjoy some free time to visit the Seiffener and Freiberger Christmas markets and pick up some presents for your loved ones before making your way back to Dresden.