In the footsteps of Kurt Vonnegut - Slaughterhouse 5 Tour
In the footsteps of Kurt Vonnegut - Slaughterhouse 5 Tour
In the footsteps of Kurt Vonnegut - Slaughterhouse 5 Tour
4.5
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Full view
About
Alternative City walks in Dresden to the topics Kurt Vonnegut, Street Art Tours and the anti pub crawl Nightwalk Dresden. If would walk or bike away from the tourist paths, you are welcome to this alternative offers in Dresden.
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In the footsteps of Kurt Vonnegut - Slaughterhouse 5 Tour
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4.5
50 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
3
John S
Edwardsville, IL12 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
If you love WWII history, Kurt Vonnegut, his book Slaughterhouse 5 or any combination of those, this tour is for you. This is not a passive tour, the tour guide gets into the philosophy and reasons behind the bombings and may challenge some of your personally held beliefs, but that’s why I travel, to get different perspectives. The overall tour takes about 2.5 hours, about 45 minutes of that is the telling of the background story behind the bombing and Vonnegut’s book, the rest is walking and exploring (there’s a fair amount of walking). You get to visit places you would never see on your own. It was definitely worth the money, and my favorite activity of the day while in Dresden, just be advised this isn’t your normal guided tour.
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ivan
1 contribution
Feb 2020
Very enjoyable tour with lots of information about the book and Kurt Vonnegut. Danilo clarifies and puts into context lot of the material from the book referring to Dresden and the slaughterhouse. Danilo is very well prepared for the tour and very intense and energetic guide.
Also, it was quite easy to schedule the tour. The first day I wanted to do the tour, I contacted him through Whatsapp and very quickly received an answer that he is not in town and that the tour will not take place that day, so we rescheduled for the next day.
If fan of Slaughterhouse 5 book I definitely recommended it.
Also, it was quite easy to schedule the tour. The first day I wanted to do the tour, I contacted him through Whatsapp and very quickly received an answer that he is not in town and that the tour will not take place that day, so we rescheduled for the next day.
If fan of Slaughterhouse 5 book I definitely recommended it.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AuntieSimone
Sydney32 contributions
My partner and I both love Kurt Vonnegut's book, Slaughterhouse Five and decided to travel to Dresden just to see where it took place.
After doing hours of searching on the internet, I discovered that a small hostel had just set up a walking tour that actually goes into the slaughterhouse complex, which is now protected from development. You may imagine our excitement.
We met our guide, grit at the Theatreplatz at 2pm and were delighted and stunned to discover that we were the only 2 people on the tour.
We arrived at the complex to also discover that the people who work there don't have any idea what Slaughterhouse Five was or of it's literary and historical significance.
Apparently the only people who are interested are Australians and Americans as both these countries teach the book regularly and have a deep love and respect for the text and the author.
This 2 hour tour was certainly the highlight of our 6 week holiday.
I can't say that it was fun or uplifting, rather that it was confronting in the most wonderful way possible.
If you have the opportunity to go, take advantage of it. My guess is that as the years roll on, it will steadily become busier as more people discover this tour.
This is an absolute must for anyone wanting to understand more about the fire bombing of Dresden and an incredible experience for anyone who's ever heard of Kurt Vonnegut, let alone read Slaughterhouse Five.
So it goes.
After doing hours of searching on the internet, I discovered that a small hostel had just set up a walking tour that actually goes into the slaughterhouse complex, which is now protected from development. You may imagine our excitement.
We met our guide, grit at the Theatreplatz at 2pm and were delighted and stunned to discover that we were the only 2 people on the tour.
We arrived at the complex to also discover that the people who work there don't have any idea what Slaughterhouse Five was or of it's literary and historical significance.
Apparently the only people who are interested are Australians and Americans as both these countries teach the book regularly and have a deep love and respect for the text and the author.
This 2 hour tour was certainly the highlight of our 6 week holiday.
I can't say that it was fun or uplifting, rather that it was confronting in the most wonderful way possible.
If you have the opportunity to go, take advantage of it. My guess is that as the years roll on, it will steadily become busier as more people discover this tour.
This is an absolute must for anyone wanting to understand more about the fire bombing of Dresden and an incredible experience for anyone who's ever heard of Kurt Vonnegut, let alone read Slaughterhouse Five.
So it goes.
Written 18 November 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
runningboy13
Windham, NH4 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
I'm the son of a Slaughterhouse Five prisoner. My father and Kurt Vonnegut were friends. I have correspondence from Kurt to my dad regarding their time in the Slaughterhouse. My husband and I had the opportunity to visit Dresden while on a tour of Germany. We were fortunate to get the opportunity to see the Slaughterhouse and it's surroundings. Danilo did not disappoint. My dad survived the war and the Slaughterhouse but died when I was 18, in 1981. I had a lot of questions. I've spent the last few years gathering information about him and his Battle of the Bulge experience.
We met Danilo on a Saturday with our personal group of 7 and he led us to the Slaughterhouse complex and along the way had a lot of thoughtful discussion. When we returned home he was kind enough to send me some photographs of the actual basement of the complex. I suspect this was above and beyond because I was the son of one of the prisoners.
This tour is worth the money. Danilo is knowledgeable and hard working. Thank you Danilo for your wealth of information and hard work keeping Vonnegut’s (and the prisoner’s) memory alive. As a side note it looks like Danilo will be offering a 50th anniversary trek from Dresden to Hellendorf in 2019. I’m seriously considering this adventure.
We met Danilo on a Saturday with our personal group of 7 and he led us to the Slaughterhouse complex and along the way had a lot of thoughtful discussion. When we returned home he was kind enough to send me some photographs of the actual basement of the complex. I suspect this was above and beyond because I was the son of one of the prisoners.
This tour is worth the money. Danilo is knowledgeable and hard working. Thank you Danilo for your wealth of information and hard work keeping Vonnegut’s (and the prisoner’s) memory alive. As a side note it looks like Danilo will be offering a 50th anniversary trek from Dresden to Hellendorf in 2019. I’m seriously considering this adventure.
Written 27 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cameron K
Windsor26 contributions
Jul 2012 • Solo
I am a huge fan of Slaughterhouse Five, and so when I heard about this tour I was determined to do it. First you meet at Theaterplatz and walk to the Slaughterhouses, and on the way Danilo, the tour guide, tells you all about Kurt Vonnegut's life, his experiences in the war, and the bombing of Dresden. He is extremely knowledgeable about the subject, and it was fascinating to hear about the bombing in such detail. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the slaughterhouse complex, which is now owned by a private business - so the only way to get in is with this tour! Unfortunately the cellar where the POWs would have sheltered from the bombing has been changed significantly, but it was still a very eerie experience to know that Kurt Vonnegut was there, along with many other prisoners, sheltering from the devastation above - I was very moved. All in all the tour was a brilliant experience which I would recommend to anyone who knows the book, and it is fantastic value at only €12. Just email Danilo to sort out a time for the tour, on any weekday.
Written 27 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb B
Fernandina Beach, FL119 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We learned about this tour while reading Rick Steves' "Germany" guide book, in preparation for our two-week vacation in Germany. Since Rick Steves recommended this walking tour as a way to see "Dresden through the prism of the novel Slaughterhouse 5" (made infamous in the 1969 book by US WWII POW, Kurt Vonnegut) we thought it sounded like an interesting way to learn a bit more about the history of WWII, at least in relation to what happened in Dresden.
Our guide, Danilo, was certainly an interesting character, a former school teacher and historian. He indeed offered us extensive insight into what happened in Dresden in WWII, great insight about the war in general, and insights about the Communist take-over. You even get to go in to the actual slaughterhouse basement where the American POWs were kept (now the basement of a convention center).
On this day, we had Danilo ALL to ourselves, so we were free to ask as many and as varied questions as we wished. Danilo didn't hesitate to answer anything, at least from his own personal perspective. As long as you put THAT into perspective, whether you are a WWII history buff, an avid reader, or just somewhat familiar with the book, you should appreciate this tour. We highly recommend it.
Our guide, Danilo, was certainly an interesting character, a former school teacher and historian. He indeed offered us extensive insight into what happened in Dresden in WWII, great insight about the war in general, and insights about the Communist take-over. You even get to go in to the actual slaughterhouse basement where the American POWs were kept (now the basement of a convention center).
On this day, we had Danilo ALL to ourselves, so we were free to ask as many and as varied questions as we wished. Danilo didn't hesitate to answer anything, at least from his own personal perspective. As long as you put THAT into perspective, whether you are a WWII history buff, an avid reader, or just somewhat familiar with the book, you should appreciate this tour. We highly recommend it.
Written 9 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa D
Munich, Germany52 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
This tour was the highlight of my time in Dresden, because Slaughterhouse Five was why I was there in the first place. The bombing of Dresden is a highly politicised and debatable subject. If you're coming just for a few facts and not being challenged to think about what actually happened and the nuances of how history is covered, perhaps this isn't the tour for you. I found Danilo personable and knowledgeable. While it seems some may have been put off by his opinions and politics, this is what made the tour unique for us. He's clearly done his research and you'll start off looking through some photos and getting information on Dresden during the war. Then it's about a 15-20 minute walk to the Slaughterhouse complex. As mentioned, it's now a conference facility but there is a nice memorial in the basement to Vonnegut and Dresden. My boyfriend and I were the only people on the tour that day, and it lasted about two hours. I've re-read Slaughterhouse Five since and feel the tour really helps put the book into context of the war. I'd highly recommend this tour, and just keep an open mind with Danilo - it's always good to meet people whose opinions might challenge your own.
Written 1 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rocki47
The Villages, FL24 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
This tour is excellent, but requires 2 hours of walking, so be prepared! Our guide is well versed on Vonnegut and WWII. The tour was informative and fun. There were 6 in our group.
Written 23 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer R
Phoenix, AZ39 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
First, I am a history geek who loves all things Vonnegut. I was prepared to be disappointed by the tour but instead it was extremely interesting and fun. Our guide, Danilo was very good at bringing the history of Dresden to life, drawing parallels between the past and present, and telling the tale of Vonnegut, Billy Pilgrim, and the bombing of Dresden. I LOVED being able to learn more about Dresden, the people of Dresden before and after the war, Kurt Vonnegut's actual experiences, and being in the actual Slaugherhouse referenced by the POW's. The walk along the river, the historical documents presented, and the storytelling made me so glad I followed my instinct and took the tour which fed and satisfied my literary fantasy... Poo Tee Weet!
Written 5 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Authentic
Oldham, UK103 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
You don't have to be a fan of the book to enjoy this tour although of course it helps. It is quite a long time to be walking so wear good shoes. Our guide, Danilo had a refreshingly honest view of history and modern Germany. We spent a good 2 hours of more walking and talking. The Slaughterhouse is now a music venue but you can go inside and get a real sense of how Vonnegut managed to survive the firestorm. Excellent value for money and I would recommend it.
Written 15 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are these tours available in English?
Written 16 February 2019
I would like to book a tour for 2 people on August 25 who do I contact for this?
Written 10 August 2015
boofer97
Dresden, Germany
Hey,
Sorry, that I answer so late of your request, but it is not so often, that guests use this way.
If you would use this offer, please send me a mail direct to info (at) kurtvonnegut -tour - com .
The tour start at 11 am Mo until Fr.
Let me know, when are would use this offer.
Kind regards
D.Hommel
Written 2 June 2015
On Wed. April 1 we will be in Dresden for a ballet at night. We have a window of time between 1 and 4 pm and I am
Inquiring about the possibility of a tour and the logistics. Thank you. There are 3 of us.
Written 29 March 2015
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