Getting Oriented

These three states cover the southeastern part of the former East Germany. You will still see old, dirty, and depressing industrial towns that recall the Communist past but some of Germany's most historic cities are here, too, and 20 years of reconstruction programs have slowly restored them. Dresden is promoting its reputation as "the Florence on the Elbe," and just downstream Meissen has undergone an impressive face-lift. Weimar, one of the continent's old cultural centers, and Leipzig, in particular, have washed off their grime and almost completely restored their historic city centers. Görlitz, Germany's easternmost city, benefited from an infusion of cash and is consistently lauded as one of the country's 10 most beautiful cities.