UK to Stuttgart
March 27th, 2009 by Tom Martens, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Travelers to Stuttgart can avail themselves of convenient flights from London, Birmingham and Manchester, each location offering dozens of budget flight opportunities, and both direct and connecting flights. UK travelers may also fly into Frankfurt International Airport and take a two-hour train from Frankfurt to Stuttgart. In 2007, almost four million tourists visited Stuttgart from around the world.
Located in Germany’s southwest corner, Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Wrttemberg. It is Germany’s sixth largest metropolitan area with a population approaching 600,000. Stuttgart is convenient to two of Germany?s most popular tourist attractions, Lake Constance and the Black Forest. The city is subdivided into a total of 23 districts or Bezirk, which include five central city districts and 18 outer districts.
Stuttgart, like most cities in Germany, has a continental climate. Winters extend from early December into March. The coldest month is January. There are always winter snows. The summers are warm or even hot, especially in the months of July and August. Summer warmth lasts from May until September. The milder spring and autumn seasons are more pleasant for visiting the city.
Stuttgart is famed as the headquarters of both Mercedes Benz and Porsche, although the actual assembly plants are located elsewhere. Automotive design and management contributes heavily to the local economy. The Mercedes-Benz Museum is Stuttgart’s most popular museum, visited by nearly half a million people each year. The Porsche Museum was reopened in 2008. It displays the very first prototypes of the Volkswagen Beetle designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself.
IBM and Hewlett Packard have European headquarters in the Stuttgart, contributing to its role as a technology center.
During the Cold War years, Stuttgart was chosen to be home to the Joint Command of US military forces in Europe, the north Atlantic, and Africa, known as EUCOM. EUCOM is still headquartered in Stuttgart today.
Like almost all other German cities, Stuttgart suffered heavy bombing damage during the World War II, but almost all its structures were rebuilt, particularly the historic buildings. Stuttgart also is home to a large number of museums and palaces. The city maintains an expanse of green space, known as Green U. providing recreational opportunities for cyclists and hikers. Astronomy fans can find the Stuttgart planetarium in Green U.
Stuttgart takes pride in its strong cultural heritage, especially the State Theater and State Gallery. The State Theater is home to the State opera and three smaller theatres. Productions include operas, ballets, plays and concerts.
Stuttgart is not the best known city in Germany, but a visit to Stuttgart does not disappoint. It offers plenty of activities, including art, architecture, cycling, festivals, and outdoor parties. Consider Stuttgart on your next trip to Germany.
Stuttgart might not be as well known as other Germany cities, but visitors will not be disappointed. Stuttgart offers a variety of activities for travelers, including famous art architecture, parks, cycling and plenty of festivals and other outdoor parties. Consider Stuttgart when planning your next vacation, especially if you are already planning to visit Germany.
