Travel Guide Stuttgart

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1 Travel Guide Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Getting around Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels thinkstock/istock 01/12

2 02 Quick view - a brief overview, capital of Baden-Württemberg state, is a prosperous place. This is where the modern motorcar was invented, and some of the main attractions here reflect its proud automotive heritage. But despite the apparent industrial edge, it is also a big city with the friendly heart of a small town. While it may lack the stunning historical architecture of some other central European cities, what it offers instead is green spaces in abundance, which lend it a laid-back charm, and a vibrant cultural scene the locals are justly proud of. In summer, the whole place comes even more to life, when everyone moves outside and enjoys the café terrace lifestyle. General Information Country overview Once mockingly referred to as the land of schnitzels and leather pants, has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also know how to celebrate and enjoy life. Hamburg s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich s Oktoberfest is famous the world over. also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands and Alpine regions. Geography borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches from the Danish to the Polish border. The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly varied landscape. In what was once known as West, the Rhine, Bavaria and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands. River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe s most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the Danube and the Rhine. The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed. General Information 02/12

3 03 Key facts Population: 81.9 million Population Density (per sq km): 227 Capital: Berlin. Language German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German. Currency Euro (EUR; symbol ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use. Public holidays The public holidays for the January 2018 December 2019 period are listed below. Note: * In catholic regions only ** Sachsen only *** only in the New Laender (Bundesländer) 2018 New Year s Day: 1 January 2018 Epiphany: 6 January 2018* Good Friday: 30 March 2018 Easter Sunday: 1 April 2018 Easter Monday: 2 April 2018 Labour Day: 1 May 2018 Ascension Day: 10 May 2018 Whit Sunday: 20 May 2018 Whit Monday: 21 May 2018 Corpus Christi: 31 May 2018* Assumption: 15 August 2018* Day of German Unity: 3 October 2018 Day of Reformation: 31 October 2018*** All Saints Day: 1 November 2018* Repentance Day: 21 November 2018** Christmas: 25 and 26 December New Year s Day: 1 January 2019 Epiphany: 6 January 2019* Good Friday: 19 April 2019 Easter Sunday: 21 April 2019 Easter Monday: 22 April 2019 Labour Day: 1 May 2019 Ascension Day: 30 May 2019 Whit Sunday: 9 June 2019 Whit Monday: 10 June /12

4 04 Corpus Christi: 20 June 2019* Assumption: 15 August 2019* Day of German Unity: 3 October 2019 Day of Reformation: 31 October 2019*** All Saints Day: 1 November 2019* Repentance Day: 21 November 2019** Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Handshaking is customary in, and it is considered rude to address people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be observed. Before eating, it is normal to say guten Appetit to the other people at the table to which the correct reply is danke, gleichfalls ( Thank you, the same to you ). If you ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover s gift). In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a greeting, such as guten Tag (or grüß Gott in Bavaria) before saying what it is that they want; to leave without saying auf Wiedersehen or tschüss can also cause offence. Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable, but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public transportation and in most public buildings. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink There s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health (although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe to drink. Other Risks Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern ; vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for Tollwut signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures. If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it s advisable to drink and carry plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are 04/12

5 05 being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the trip. As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you re arriving during the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable even in July and August it makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand. Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk, unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich s Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7% and should therefore be treated with respect. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Dr. Künzel, Jens Airport Medical Center Terminal 1 West D Tel Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code:+49 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Getting around Getting around Public Transport s public transport network includes buses and the U-Bahn metro system. There s also a suburban S-Bahn rail network. Services are operated by the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (VVS; tel: (0711) 66060; Buy tickets from machines at stations, or from bus drivers where this is not possible. Single journey tickets are available, but day tickets and three-day tickets usually offer visitors better value. The tourist Stuttcard pass includes free public transport. 05/12

6 06 Taxis Pick up taxis from designated ranks, or call the central line Taxi Auto Zentrale (tel: (0711) ). Tipping is not necessary. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Mercedes-Benz Museum This unmissable nine-floor museum traces the history of the car from its invention by Gottlieb Daimler to the present day. The collection includes more than 160 classic and vintage vehicles. Mercedesstrasse Tel: (0711) Tues-Sun Porsche Museum Like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche also has a stunningly designed purpose-built museum tracing the development of the company from 1948 on. The museum houses 80 vehicles, as well as several thematic exhibits. Porscheplatz Tel: (0711) Tues-Sun Landesmuseum Württemberg Located in the Altes Schloss (Old Castle), the State Museum tells the history of Württemberg from prehistoric times on. On show are the crown jewels once worn by the regional royal family. Schillerplatz Tel: (0711) Tues-Sun Wilhelma Europe s largest combined zoological and botanical gardens is named after King Wilhelm I of Württemberg, who ordered them built for his personal entertainment in the 1850s. It now provides refuge to more than 10,000 animals and 5,000 exotic plant species. Wilhelmaplatz Tel: (0711) Various Schlossplatz 06/12

7 07 The large central square is a lively meeting point, the perfect place to watch the world go by. There s an ice-skating rink here in winter, while outdoor concerts are staged in summer. Schlossplatz Gottleib Daimler Memorial This memorial to the local engineer and inventor who along with partner Wilhelm Maybach developed the petrol combustion engine and the world s first motorcar, is located in a greenhouse that was once their workshop. Taubenheimstrasse Tel: (0711) Tues-Fri Sat-Sun Kunstmuseum The Art Museum is located in a striking modern building constructed in Much of the exhibition space is below ground, in two former traffic underpasses. The permanent collection includes works by local Swabian painters. Kleiner Schlossplatz Tel: (0711) Tue-Thurs and Sat-Sun Fri Schlossgarten This long-thin green corridor of parkland stretches northeast for more than 3km (1.8 miles) from the central Schlossplatz to the banks of the Neckar River. Schlossgarten Staatsgalerie Housed in three separate buildings, the State Gallery houses an important art collection that includes works from across the ages. The 20th-century wing features Picasso, Chagall and Klee, among others. Konrad-Adenauer-Strasse Tel: (0711) Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun Thurs Grabkapelle auf dem Württemberg On the eastern city outskirts, this hilltop sepulchral chapel was erected by King 07/12

8 08 Wilhelm I in memory of his wife Katharina, who died at a young age. The setting among the vineyards provides great views over and the surrounding area. Württembergstrasse Tel: (0711) Various Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas s city centre is filled with shops covering all bases in terms of styles and budgets. All the big international brands can be found on or around Königstrasse. This bustling central shopping street is pedestrianised for over one kilometre, starting near from the main station, and has department stores and chic boutiques. Markets s indoor market, the Markthalle, is an attractive Jugenstil building packed with stalls selling quality delicatessen items. You ll find traditional outdoor markets on both Marktplatz and Schillerplatz every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday come in the morning as they close early. For second-hand goods and bric-a-brac, try the Saturday morning flea market on Karlsplatz. Several Christmas markets appear in the city during December. The largest is on Schlossplatz. Shopping Centres s biggest central shopping mall is the Königsbau Passage (Königsstrasse 26), which has more than 70 shops and eateries spread over five floors. Restaurants Restaurants in is filled with great places to eat in every budget range. The international nature of the options reflects the multicultural nature of this industrial city, where the car manufacturers have long attracted immigrants from around the world. Local hearty Swabian food is also well represented. YoSH Sophisticated restaurant serving classic seasonal cuisine created by a Michelinstarred chef. Feuerbacher Weg Feuerbach Price: Expensive OLIVO Elegant Michelin-starred restaurant located on the first floor of a grand hotel. Arnulf-Klett-Platz Price: Expensive 08/12

9 09 il quinto quarto Refined Italian dining in a southern suburb, with a local reputation for great seafood. Olgastrasse 133b Price: Moderate Speisekammer West Refined German food, prepared only from local seasonal organic ingredients. Rosenbergstraße Price: Moderate SIDEWAYS Trendy living room-style bar selling traditional snacks in unusual ways think currywurst in a glass. Brahlesgasse Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in has a thriving nightlife with a great selection of bars, clubs and music venues. The hub of the action is the city s infamous Party Mile, comprised of Theodor-Heuss-Strasse,Wilhelmsplatz and Geisstrasse. More traditional German pubs are found all over the city. Sophie s Brauhaus Popular brewpub and restaurant serving beer in volume and hearty local food. Marienstraße Sonja s Biergarten im Schlossgarten Large outdoor beer garden, perfect for warm evenings, and with free live music on summer Sundays. Am Schlossgarten Laboratorium Music venue hosting international performers from a range of musical 09/12

10 10 backgrounds. Wagenburgstraße Ultra-chic upmarket lounge bar below a Michelin-starred restaurant. Bolzstraße Muttermilch One of the largest clubs on the Party Mile, the place to head for house and electro. Theodor-Heuss-Straße Calendar of events Calendar of events Spring Festival The er Fruehlingsfest ( Spring Festival) is a long established event aimed at providing a fun day out for families. The event is characterised by a funfair rides, rollercoasters and entertainment in beer tents. In recent years an increasing number of visitors to the Spring Festival have worn the Tracht (traditional costumes) of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The festival tents sell beer and the festive evening atmosphere is comparable to the Oktoberfest. 21 April - 13 May 2018 stuttgarter-fruehlingsfest.de/de/home/ Venue: Cannstatter Wasen Hamburg Fish Market The famous jaunty atmosphere of the Hamburg Fish Market makes an annual appearance in every summer. The market takes the form of a fish and food festival, accompanied by live music. For gastronomes who enjoy fish dishes and people watching, s Hamburg Fish Market is definitely worth a look July Venue: Karlsplatz Jazz Open The city enjoys a major summer music festival that attracts names such as BB King and Chicago. Open air performances are given on Schlossplatz and at the Mercedes-Benz Museum and indoor, at the BIX Jazzclub and Lounge. The 10/12

11 11 atmosphere is buoyant and the top performers are world class July Venue: Schlossplatz Summer Festival The er Sommerfest ( Summerfestival) is held in the heart of the city over four nights, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy good food, drinks and live entertainment. Tents are erected and a party atmosphere reigns. In total more than 120 hours of live music, ranging from jazz to Latin American to light classical, are performed for free. 2-5 August Venue: Schlossplatz Wine Village More than 600 regional wines are on offer here, served by the glass to a backdrop of live music. The relaxed, festive atmosphere is best enjoyed on the market places around the Old Castle. Swabian foods such as Maultaschen (filled pasta) and Käsespätzle (pasta in cheese) are sold to accompany the wines. 29 August - 9 September Venue: Schillerplatz, Kirchstraße, Marktplatz Beer Festival The Cannstatter Volksfest ( Beer Festival) is the world s second biggest beer festival (after the Munich Oktoberfest) and takes place around a 26m-high (85ft) Fruchtsaeule (fruit column) which is a reference to the origins of the event, as a harvest festival. Some visitors come for the rides of the funfair, but many more come to enjoy a beer and to sing, dance and make merry within the 5000-seat festival tents. 28 September - 14 October Venue: Cannstatter Wasen Christmas Market s popular city centre Advent markets attract more than three million visitors a year. Over 270 traders operate seasonally decorated wooden stalls selling a wide range of wares, from Christmas decorations to handcrafted gifts. The busy markets around the Old and New Castles draw locals and visitors from overseas. They provide a great opportunity to sample spiced seasonal foodstuffs and warming drinks and to shop for presents and souvenirs. November - December /12

12 12 Venue: City centre Hotels Hotels in s accommodation covers all bases from guesthouses to luxury retreats, but places at the lower end of the budget spectrum are thin on the ground in the centre.book well ahead during popular periods, such as in December during the Christmas market. Le Méridien Central modern luxury chain accommodation overlooking Schlossgarten Park. Willy-Brandt-Strasse Category: Expensive Althoff am Schlossgarten Luxurious spacious rooms in the perfect central location. Schillerstrasse Category: Expensive Kronenhotel Friendly design hotel with modern comforts, close to the city centre. Kronenstrasse Category: Moderate Waldhotel Quietly situated design hotel by a forest on the outskirts of, close to transport links. Guts-Muths-Weg Category: Moderate Riedsee Gasthof Rustic family-run guesthouse in a quiet southern suburb, with good transport links. Elfenstrasse Category: Cheap 12/12