Students can witness the reconstruction of the Frauenkirche, destroyed in the fire-bombing of Dresden in 1945. The “Florence on the Elbe” has dedicated itself to a remarkable program of historic preservation and reconstruction. Our guide for the weekend, Dr. Helmut Franz, interweaves his expertise in Saxon history, politics, and culture with his own memories of growing up in Dresden, and explains what moved him to leave in the late 1950s. Highlights include visits to the baroque Zwinger and the unique collections in das Grüne Gewölbe. We usually stay overnight in Dresden-Neustadt, the university district, where students can enjoy the many cafes and bookstores.