Destination Outbound

Gemütlich Stuttgart

A city where the old blends quite contentedly with the contemporary, the south west region of Germany charms you with its sweeping tales of lore, imposing façades, picture-perfect medieval towns and above all, its seemingly unending supply of good wine. Prost to all that and more! By Andrea Lopez

The state of Baden - Württemberg, with its capital at Stuttgart works its magic on a visitor in a slightly different way. It doesn't overwhelm them the way a metropolis does, but as they pass through its many locales, the city unravels like a ball of yarn evoking myriad first impressions.
The lush green landscapes, cobbled streets and refreshing hospitality instantly puts one at ease. Strolling down the old streets, one instantly observes how the old co-exist with the new - swanky offices and shopping centres lay beside well-preserved heritage structures, mostly palaces that have been converted into museums. The city is most famous for being the birthplace of the automobile industry, the Mercedes-Benz museum standing as a testament to this. Traditional spring and summer festivals and the much anticipated wine festival keep people occupied for most part of the year. And, to round it off, the much-talked about Christmas market with its enchanting ambience apparently never lets visitors down.

The region of Stuttgart is commonly referred to as 'swabian' and the people of this ilk are traditionally supposed to be hard workers. This is quite evident, for the landscape is dotted with innumerable vineyards that keep wine makers busy, as they in turn keep the tradition of wine drinking alive. Interestingly, only a small part of the wines produced are exported to Europe, as Germans are content drinking most of the wines themselves. The Stuttgart Weinderdorf, or the annual wine festival held in August is a haven for wine connoisseurs. Music and loud chatter blend with the taste of exquisitely brewed wines, with around 250 stalls dotting the courtyard of the old palace in the heart of the city. As wine producers heartily thump down goblets of wine before revellers, the festival which opens at 11 in the morning and stays open till midnight is a must-visit, not just to sample the wines but also to savour some authentic swabian cuisine, something you can hardly do justice to, given the size of its portions.

Unwinding in Baden-Baden

It has been rumoured that the ex-president of the US, Bill Clinton remarked that the spa town of Baden-Baden was so picturesque that it had to be said twice. Tucked away in the old part of the city, the region of Baden-Baden is home to hot springs that have curative properties; the town derives 8,00,000 litres of curative water per day from its 12 thermal springs and therefore has a few privately-owned spas.

Worth a mention in this regard is the Caracalla Therme, reputed to be one of the finest thermal baths in Europe. In operation since 1877, the spa today houses the Roman-Irish bath - Friedrichsbad, a 17-stage hot and cold water treatment. The visibility of Baden-Baden has grown thanks to these thermal springs. Says Anne-Greth Paulus, marketing director - Baden-Baden Tourism, "We are beginning to see a larger number of Middle-Eastern travellers coming to the town because of its medical aspects. For Indian travellers looking for health and wellness treatments, Baden-Baden is a good product."

Of legend and yore

Many of Germany's famed castles lie perched on Stuttgart's rolling hills, with palaces in the more habited districts of the town. Located on the precipice of a hill, the Hohenzollern castle, with its towering stone turrets, is a marvel to behold as one approaches its fortified bastions. The castle's history is rather hazy, although documented information suggests that it was first erected in the 11th century. It was rebuilt three times and the final building phase took place between 1850-1867, initiated by Prince William of Prussia. Legend has it that he was so enamored by the mythical-looking castle that he ordered its immediate restoration. The interiors of the castle speak of a bygone era and the ancestral hall decorated with the Hohenzollern family tree is a visual delight. The castle receives up to 300,000 visitors every year.

The pursuit of happiness

One of the most well-known of all German landscapes is the Black Forest. The route runs 70 kms in length and its highest peak at 1,493 metres offers a spectacular view of the alpine ravines, the Rhine valley and Alsace. The region is the birthplace of the cuckoo clock and of course, of the famed black forest cake. Today, the Drubba family which has been active in the tourism space for over 50 years keeps the flavour of the region alive with its hotels, restaurants, retail businesses and boat cruises on the Lake Titisee. The company's Black Forest Clock Centre has a collection of cuckoo clocks and for those interested in its assembly and working, live demonstrations can be arranged. The Hofgut Sternen, the hotel operated by the Drubba family caters primarily to groups and its wood-panelled rooms overlooking the dark recesses of the Black Forest are a great retreat for those seeking a bit of solitude. And yes, something that brings instant comfort; the hotel's restaurant even has an Indian chef onboard.

A visit to Stuttgart is almost incomplete without a peek into its rich history of automation and the best place to begin this discovery is at the Mercedes - Benz museum. The museum was opened to public in 2006 and has reportedly received two million visitors since then. The nine levels take one through the invention of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz - the automobile. Arranged chronologically from 1900 to 2008, visitors can obtain a glimpse of the birth and development of the automobile industry. One can spend hours here and quite literally, since the audio information provided runs for 42 hours. Worth a mention is the gallery of celebrities that has a collection of vehicles used by Princess Diana, Pope John Paul II and The Beatles, among other famed personalities.

Modern developments and technology however, have not blighted the city's romantic charm. A walk down the old town of Tübingen and Esslingen do much to lull one into a pleasant stupor. This has nothing to do with the wine of course, but the quaint alleys beckon one to explore its many meanderings past the old timber and concrete residences, the cozy bistros and coffee shops, and the market square where people converge on weekends. A boat-ride down the Neckar River in Tübingen also offers brief snatches of some of the old university buildings. The city's excellent transport system, including buses and trams make sure that distances are covered with ease.

For those looking to sample Europe's eclectic fashion, the outlet city of Metzingen has a host of factory outlets featuring the latest designer labels. For families, Europa Park, Germany's largest theme park, located in Rust is as entertaining as an amusement park can get. Privately owned by the Mack family, the park spans 85 hectares and has some 12 themed areas and more than 100 attractions and shows. The park also comes with six resort hotels, the rooms of which can be reserved in advance to allow one to spend time at the park.

India as a source market

On the list of the top 12 source markets for tourism to Stuttgart, India figures as number twelve, preceded by a large share of European visitors. The key markets include Switzerland and France because of their proximity, however, the tourism marketing office is hopeful of the visibility of the region in India improving. Germany has traditionally been associated with trade fairs and congresses, Berlin being most popular in this regard. Says Paulus, "For corporate travellers, three nights in Stuttgart as an extension of their itinerary would be suitable."

For longer duration leisure stays, she recommends a week-long stay. "Of late the thermal and mineral springs have been receiving a good response from Indian travellers. The state began engaging actively in promotions only two years ago and is therefore keen to couple and sell the destination together with bigger cities like Berlin and Munich," offers Paulus. The product still remains upmarket and is therefore priced accordingly. With Indians becoming more discerning travellers however, this may be a good time to market Stuttgart in India.