Heidelberg bridge photo by Wowox/Wikimedia

Baden-Wuerttemberg, the sunny state situated in southwest Germany bordering France, Switzerland and
Austria, is well-known for its highlights: the Black Forest, Lake Constance and cities like Heidelberg, Baden- Baden and the state capital of Stuttgart. The state’s natural beauty is a great asset, but Baden- Wuerttemberg is also home of global brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch, Hugo Boss or Steiff Teddy bears.

Car Craze in Stuttgart: New Porsche Museum opens

With the addition of the new Porsche Museum, Stuttgart manifests its reputation as a center of the German automotive industry. Together with the Mercedes-Benz Museum, visitors to Stuttgart can gain a unique insight into the history and future of automobile industry.

The highly anticipated new Porsche Museum in Stuttgart will open its doors on January 31st to the public. The virtually floating exhibition hall, designed by the Vienna based architect Delugan Meissl, is a futuristic eye catcher next to the company’s main headquarters and factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
The Porsche Museum is an astonishing 35,000 ton building sort of floating on concrete pillars. The Museum is dedicated to connect the past, present and future of the company. It hosts about 80 Porsche sports cars ranging from historic to modern. In addition to world-famous, iconic vehicles, such as the 356, 550, 911, and 917, the exhibits include some of the outstanding technical achievements of Professor Ferdinand Porsche from the early 20th century. Admission fee to the museum will be as low as 8 Euro (appr. 11$).

The Porsche experience does not stop with a visit of the museum. Car enthusiasts can experience the power of Porsche themselves with package tours and test drives:



Photo by Masse/Wikimedia

Hockenheim just outside Stuttgart is a Mecca for car-racing fans and world famous for its racetrack, the
Hockenheimring. This Porsche-Hockenheim weekend package offers a test drive in a Porsche on the race
track and a journey through the idyllic countryside and world-famous wine regions of the Rhineland Plain
and eastern Palatinate. The weekend package includes the two-day test drive in a Porsche, driver safety
training course at the Hockenheimring, one overnight stay with breakfast, lunch on two days, dinner, travel documents and the Porsche Travel Club tour guide in German and English. Rates start at $ 1,390 per person. www.porsche.com

Baden-Baden - elegant spa resort and cultural metropolis

Having been selected to host the NATO summit in early April of 2009, Baden-Baden, the elegant and stylish resort town in the Black Forest will undoubtedly be in the focus of the international media in the months to Exciting Southwest Germany - New Deals, New Museums and Highlights. It is paradise for those who cherish life’s pleasures and wish to recharge their batteries Baden-Baden
offers two thermal baths: the modern Caracalla Spa and the historic Roman-Iris Bath, the “Friedrichsbad”.

In addition there are many exquisite spa-hotels which are very conducive to relaxation, unique wellness and various spa treatments - a perfect invitation for taking a break from the routines of daily life in “the green town of short distances.”

With its world acclaimed acoustics, the “Festspielhaus Baden-Baden”, Europe’s second largest concert and opera hall, offers over 300 musical top class performances yearly with world stars like Anne-Sophie Mutter (May 14th) and Hilary Hahn (March 22nd). The Museum Frieder Burda built by the New York architect Richard Meier is the outstanding jewel in the world-famous parks and garden “Lichtentaler Allee”. From June 27th until October 11th 2009 the unique masterpieces “The Blue Rider” from Kandinsky, Marc and other famous painters can be marvelled in the museum.

Kurhaus Baden Baden photo by Malis/Wikimedia

Baden-Baden offers the sensation of total relaxation in a in a 3-star-hotel in the city centre or in the
neighbouring Rebland. The package includes two overnights with breakfast buffet, one Spa and one Casino visit: Recharge your batteries in the modern Caracalla Spa and round off a perfect day in the famous Baden- Baden Casino. Rates begin at 144 Euros (appr. 190$) per person based on double occupancy. www.baden- baden.com

Four-Poster Bed and Knight’s Armor - Be a guest of the castles and residences along the Castle Road

Who doesn’t occasionally want to unwind from the hectic rush and daily grind? The Castle Road from
Mannheim to Prague with more than 70 castles and residences offers a wealth of opportunities to do just
that. Slip out of your routine in the very special quaint atmosphere of the castle hotels. Examples of these in the Neckar River valley between Heilbronn and Heidelberg are the Hotel Burg Hornberg, for centuries under the ownership of the barons of Gemmingen-Hornberg www.burg-hotel-hornberg.de, the Hotel Schloss Heinsheim amidst an idyllic park www.schloss-heinsheim.de and Hotel Schloss Lehen with its exquisite cuisine www.schlosslehen.de.

All prices are moderate. For instance at Hotel Burg Hornberg an overnight stay begins at 78 Euros (appr. 100$) in a single room and at 110 Euros (appr. 145$) based on double occupancy. www.castleroad.de

Heidelberg - interaction of tradition and the modern

Heidelberg is regarded as one of Germany’s most beautiful cities. The harmonious ensemble of Castle, Old Town and the river nestling amongst the hills already inspired the painters and poets of Romanticism and its fascination continues for millions of visitors from all over the world today. The city is home to Germany’s oldest university (founded in 1386) which has been awarded the title “Elite-University” in 2007.

While the romantic townscape is an event in itself, the Heidelberg Spring Concerts (March 21st - April 25th), the Castle Festival (June 26th - August 9th) and the Castle Illuminations (June 6th, July 11th, September 5th) add to its unique attraction. The Hip-Hotel Heidelberg www.hip-hotel.de offers a unique hotel ambience.

Within the historic building of the “Zum Güldenen Schaf”, which is more than 250 years old, each of the 27 rooms is named and inspired by a world famous city and has been furnished and decorated authentically. The Hip-Hotel is positioned in the Old Town of Heidelberg on the popular pedestrian zone. In its historic restaurant superior regional and seasonal cuisine is served, and of course, a regional and international wine list. Rooms start at 120 Euro (appr. 155$) for single use and 150 Euro (appr. 195$) for double occupancy.
www.heidelberg-marketing.de

Baden-Wuerttemberg - paradise for connoisseurs

Baden-Wuerttemberg is not only renowned for its culinary classics such as Spaetzle, roast beef, Maultaschen (ravioli style) and Black Forest cake. The state has also become Germany’s top address for gourmets: Well over a third of Germany’s best restaurants can be found in the southwest of the country. The reputation is not only based on its top-class restaurants, but, above all on its many high-quality, traditional restaurants. Spurred by the state’s natural landscape and pleasant climate, good food and the pleasure of eating and drinking have always been a big part of life in Baden-Wuerttemberg.

A new dimension of wine experience is offered by two of the most traditionally rich winegrowing regions in Europe: Baden in Southwest Germany and Alsace in France. Vintners and hosts on both sides of the river Rhine have joined their efforts to have a special appeal to tourists interested in wine. German and French wine-growers and tourism managers came together to create a new international, cross-cultural wine tour, offering a wide range of culinary delicacies, activities and landscape experiences. “Wine tours without borders” is an exciting, enjoyable and unique experience. www.winetourism-baden-alsace.com
For more information on the travel destination Baden-Wuerttemberg please visit www.tourism-bw.com or
www.cometogermany.com