Travel authors out of their minds.

[puszysty]

I found this little snippet on an article about "15 tourist traps you should skip" on msn:

Dresden, Germany, is an ancient European capital with cobblestone streets, beautiful, centuries-old buildings and a fabulous history. Once this was the seat of Saxon monarch Augustus the Strong; bombed to oblivion in World War II, it has been lovingly reconstructed with the help of British and American philanthropic groups, and today stands as a monument to peace and reconciliation. Salzburg, Austria, is also a cobblestone-street historic capital, the home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. But Dresden is more economical, less crowded and more meaningful than Salzburg.

Ok, WHAT? Having been to both, I can honestly say that Dresden in no way shape or form compares to Salzburg Austria. For starters, Dresden was in communist territory, and it shows. If you want look at all the fabulous grey square buildings of Dresden as opposed to the bright colorful, medieval era buildings of Salzburg, be my guest.
For two, as said author mentions above, Dresden was bombed to oblivion in WW2. You can drive around Dresden and still see places they're trying to reconstruct.
For three, there aren't any castles in Dresden that I can recall.

I thought Dresden was interesting, but awfully drab. And it sure as hell ain't Salzburg.

Comments

[msktrnanny.livejournal.com]

Haven't been to Dresden and I would probably agree Salzburg is a tourist trap but it was lovely and I enjoyed by day trip there. Have a link to that article, I'd love to see what else they think should be skipped.

Always amazed at this stuff. Is the Trevi Fountain a tourist trap? No doubt. Should you still go? My mom still gets misty talking about being there. I'll bet if you asked her she wouldn't be able to tell you if other people were there or not. Sometimes that fact that it's you there overshadows everything.

[puszysty.livejournal.com]

There isn't a whole lot to Dresden besides the Zwinger. It all got destroyed or suppressed.

link (http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=15+Ways+to+Choose+the+Road+Less+Traveled&cid=msn1060853&GT1=41009) I think most of the other "go here instead" places listed are in the US.

[msktrnanny.livejournal.com]

Strawberry Fields! Are they serious???? it's a mosaic which is simple and, sure, pretty and normally covered in offerings ranging from mundane to bizarre to the 'god' John Lennon. Not to mention the assortment of people constantly there trying to commune with his spirit. So, Times Square, where you know it's loud and full of crazies or Strawberry Fields where you're expecting, how did they put it? a simple but heartfelt people’s monument to a former nearby resident, John Lennon. Simply a pathway mosaic inlaid with the word “Imagine,” it’s memorable for its spare elegance but get crazies anyway. Hmmm.

you're right. They're nuts!

[trovia.livejournal.com]

and more meaningful than Salzburg.

*snorts* For the people in Dresden maybe.

Dresden is most famous for the fact that WWII survivors will all tell you as a closed front that allied Airforce was flying all over the place while it burned, chasing running civilians for kicks.... an event that happened, but nowhere near Dresden.

Though I wouldn't exactly call Salzburg the capital of fame either. ;)

[prophetkristy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I LOVE Salzburg! I haven't been to Dresden, but Salzburg was incredible. I love old churches. *needs a Hohenzollern icon*

Also, it's extra fun now to watch "The Sound of Music" and crow, 'I've been there!"