Dresden

Dresden is arguably the finest Baroque city in Europe, now fully rebuilt after the devastation of World War II. The city is fast becoming one of Germany's highlights and the riverside terraces are on UNESCO's World Heritage List. In Bradt's new guide, the author delves into the city's musical heritage (many of Richard Strauss' operas were premiered here) and its art treasures (including some of the greatest works of the Italian Renaissance).

Visitor figures show a 12 per cent increase year on year, with 35,000 visiting from the UK alone.