Exploring outside the city centre of Warsaw.....

 I decided to check out Lazienki Palace, the Royal Baths......about 30 minutes from the hotel, walking!

On my return walk I noticed an abandoned unrestored home.......which looks as though it had been beautiful before the war......

I decided I needed to check out some museums.....

The Zacheta for contemporary art.....

..and the Museum of Modern Art.......

with its superb view of the Soviet built Palace of Culture and Science.........

I tried to visit the Chopin museum which was supposed to have concerts each day...temporarily closed!!

A weekend in Warsaw.....

 I was supposed to go to Warsaw last year but got stuck an extra 3 days in Greenland because of weather  and so missed my flight there. So I had to make up for that this year! No problem getting there this year but I did take an early morning flight!

 

I had chosen the Indigo IHG hotel because of its location and it didn't disappoint!

It was close to the Nowy Swiat (New World) street which was on the Royal Route with the other end at the Old Town.

As I had arrived early I had time to walk this route which is about 1.5 kms .......

Past the Bristol hotel ..... which didn't get destroyed in the war....

Even past the Presidential Palace........

Finally arriving at the Old Town, Stare Miasto....

St. John's Cathedral.....

with an amazing door..........

I finally arrived at the Old Town Market Square.......to U Fukiera, my lunch destination!

Great location on the square......

...and good food!

There were many very beautiful homes around the square....

Then watched a little dancing en route back to hotel!

Dresden and Leipzig........a visit to what had been East Germany

 Dresden is an easy 2 hour train ride from Berlin. So we decided to check it out!

We had an amazing view from our hotel windows........ the Frauenkirke

We were in the center so exploring was easy....... first stop the interior of the Frauenkirke

It was close by!!

Then on to the Furstenzug......amazing!

Then a visit to the historic Stallhof......the stables.......

Then the Opera House

before going in to the Zwinger......

It is a huge area!

We needed a little rest afterwards and so took a short cruise down the Elbe........

We needed a drink when we returned! Lots of places to choose from in the market square.... and we had some music!

Our evening meal was in the more expensive Tashenbergpalais  hotel

There was a lot of interesting architecture... albeit a lot of Baroque!

Then on to Leipzig... a short train ride away!

The market square with the Town Hall........

We visited the Thomas Kirke...... where Bach had played the organ and is buried!

There were lots of churches........

Then back to Berlin where they were celebrating the World Cup!