Some of the largest and prettiest cities in Germany are found in the region around Sachsenring racetrack. They are brimming with extraordinary places of interest and are closely linked with such famous names as Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. Dresden is known as the Florence on the Elbe, the former merchant town of Leipzig is now a vibrant, forward-thinking city, and Chemnitz enjoys a reputation as "Saxony's Bayreuth".Chemnitz
Chemnitz is Saxony's third-largest city, boasting impressive art treasures, an eclectic cultural scene, magnificent Art Nouveau architecture, historic industrial heritage and idyllic scenery. With its successful Wagner performances, the opera house has earned Chemnitz its reputation as the "Saxon Bayreuth". The art collections with their acclaimed special exhibitions are always popular, and in the Industrial Museum you can look back on 200 years of industrial history in Saxony. Leipzig
Leipzig has been an important influence in European commercial and intellectual life for centuries, and its sights are all part of the Leipzig experience. Historical shopping arcades, lovingly restored, are typical of the architecture in the city centre. There are great shops, a vibrant cultural scene and lively bars that stay open till the small hours, all within a relatively small area. No trip to Leipzig is complete without a visit to the Auerbach Keller restaurant, where you can follow in the footsteps of Goethe's Faust. Dresden
The city's cultural scene blends the traditional and the modern. The Elbe Valley around Dresden, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts lush meadows, magnificent villas and majestic palaces. A highlight of any visit to Dresden is the recently restored Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). The theatre square is graced by the opulent Semper Opera House, the Residenz Palace with its stables and colossal "Procession of Dukes" mosaic, the cathedral and the Zwinger Palace, which is the most important late-baroque building in Germany.