From Görliwood to Grützwurst

After a relatively early breakfast, Sanjay and I hit the road to explore more of Eastern Saxony. Our destination for today: the beautiful town of Görlitz.

Tucked right on the border with Poland, Görlitz is often called Germany’s most beautiful town you’ve never heard of. Its immaculately preserved old town showcases over 500 years of architectural history—from Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque and Art Nouveau—and it’s no surprise that it's been used as the backdrop for many films.

After a short one-hour drive, we arrived and immediately began a self-guided walking tour through the historic city center. We passed the impressive City Hall, the towering St. Peter’s Church, and the legendary Historic Kaufhaus—a stunning department store that famously served as the Grand Budapest Hotel in Wes Anderson’s film.

Along the way, we stopped at a cozy local bakery where Sanjay tried a slice of Eierschecke, a regional cake layered with custard and quark. Sweet, creamy, and totally unique!

After two hours of strolling, we continued to Löbau to climb the Gusseiserner Turm—Europe’s only surviving cast iron viewing tower. Though the skies were a bit overcast, the panoramic views over Löbau and the rolling hills beyond were still well worth the climb.

We wrapped up our little road trip and returned to Wittichenau for the classic afternoon ritual: Kaffee und Kuchen with the family. By now, more relatives had arrived, and the house was officially full—just in time for a hearty regional dinner.

On the menu: Schlachteplatte, a true local tradition. A rustic feast of sausages like Grützwurst and Semmelwurst, tender boiled pork (Wellfleisch), tangy sauerkraut, hearty bread, spicy mustard, and of course—beer. Farm-fresh and full of flavor, just the way it should be.Läs mer