Weather sunny and warm! Left Berlin for the short ride to Dresden, arriving at 10:30. Following a short talking tour of the altstadt by Noel, we had a few hours on our own. We walked across the Augustus bridge to neustadt ("new city", new being a relative term). Saw gold status of Augustus the Strong, then walked up Hauptstrasse, a broad tree-lined pedestrian mall. At Albertzplatz ("Albert's plaza"), we admired the water fountains then continued walking on Alaunstrasse, a trendy and edgy artsy neighborhood. Back at Hauptstrasse, we had lunch at an outdoor café. On the bridge back to altstadt, we admired the Bruhl Terrace that runs its length along the Elbe river. This is known as the "balcony of Europe". We walked past the art school on the terrace, and along cobblestone streets lined with busking musicians. Got a group photo in front of the Semper opera house using Bob's camera timer. Went through the Gemäldegalerie Alter Meister (gallery of old masters) museum in the Zwinger complex, which including many Reubens, a room of Rembrandts and one Vermeer. Several floors of priceless art. While waiting for the bus afterward, Nancy dangled her feet in the cooling waters of a fountain. Rode the bus to Kim Inn, which despite the name was actually a neat place. It was built on the site of a countryside castle that was destroyed by Hitler because it reminded him of an English castle. We had a fine dinner then walked the grounds with their view of the Elbe valley and downtown Dresden in the distance. Nancy, Bob and Andy talked to their mothers. We saw highlights of the Tour de France on TV. This was available everywhere we went, albeit in German. The only English speaking channel was CNN international.