Just south of Dresden, the Elbe river cuts through a world of sandstone — towers, canyons and deep forests that painters have been drawn to for two centuries. This small-group day trip covers the best of it, on both sides of the Czech–German border, with every detail taken care of.

The day starts with pickup at your Dresden hotel. First stop: the Bastei Bridge, standing high above the Elbe canyon — morning light on the stone towers, the river far below, and time to take it in.

Next, the Wild Gorge. A forest path winds down to the water, where a ferryman waits with his gondola-style boat. The ride drifts between sheer, moss-covered sandstone walls — a place cars can't reach and most visitors never see.

After a traditional Czech lunch in a village restaurant, the afternoon belongs to the Tisa Rocks: a natural labyrinth of stone towers and narrow passages where scenes of The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed. The most playful walk of the day — paths weave between, under and around the rocks.

A local guide who grew up in the region leads the whole day and takes care of the rest: hotel pickup and drop-off, tickets, lunch, snacks and water. One day, two national parks, nothing to plan.