31 days in Lower Saxony, Dresden & Berlin Itinerary

A land with a strong sense of tradition, Lower Saxony is the country's second largest state by area. It was created in 1946 out of a patchwork of bustling urban districts and quiet rural retreats. Most of its current territory once thrived as an independent kingdom. It was inhabited from about 1000 CE by Old Saxons (hence the name). Named somewhat confusingly, the area actually lies to the north of "Upper" Saxony. Lower Saxony boasts its own distinct character, complete with age-old culinary traditions, folk festivals, unusual local sports, and colorful ethnic costumes. Most of the region's major cities and economic hubs are in the urbanized central and southern sections, where much of the local tourism industry concentrates. The less-developed northeast remains the largest uncultivated area in the country. Large tracts of land designated as nature preserves are great for sightseeing tours of the outdoors. Don't miss a chance to vacation in the so-called Old Country: this bucolic land just south of the Elba River is noted for being one of the country’s largest fruit-farming districts.