Stuttgart

On the Neckar River, the capital of SouthWest Germany (Baden-Württemberg) has it all, from grand palaces overlooking equally imperial squares to leading-edge architecture and funky museums.

But this year, the excitement is all about the 125th birthday of the car, born here in SouthWest Germany. Explore two of the world’s finest automobile museums in the city that gave us Mercedes and Porsche. Not forgetting great opera, classical concerts and excellent shopping! But the big surprise for visitors is that the city is surrounded by vineyards … just minutes away.

Highlights

• The Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum: Glamorous museums tell the story of two of the world’s most glamorous motor companies. Perfect for the petrol head.
• Königstrasse: Nearly a mile (1,200 m) long, Germany’s longest pedestrianized shopping street is also one of the best.
• The Stuttgart Art Museum (Kunstmuseum Stuttgart): This giant glass cube is as eye-catching as the modern art inside.
• The Old Town: Schiller Square (Schillerplatz) is the historic heart of the city, with its church, castle, and palace.
• The Old Castle (Altes Schloss): Summer concerts are held in the grand Renaissance courtyard of this 16th-century palace
• The State Gallery/Fine Arts Gallery (Staatsgalerie): Inside is one of Germany’s great collections, from Rubens and Rembrandt to Old German Masters.