Stunning Stuttgart (part 2)

As I mentioned in my previous post, I loved Stuttgart. I found it to be extremely internationally friendly and there was plenty to do and see. I suppose being there for a longer period also helped. This meant I was able to see a lot more and did not have to try cram everything into a couple of days.

For the three weeks that I studied at Hohenheim University, my routine consisted of taking the U-Bahn to University every morning with my fellow students, spending the day in the most interesting lecturers and practicals on campus, and then spending the afternoon/evening experiencing all that Stuttgart had to offer. Each Saturday a group of us headed off to another city in Germany, with me visiting Dusseldorf alone before flying home from there.

As I previously mentioned, the great thing about Germany in summer is all the different festivals. This provided such a great opportunity to hang out and experience the culture... not to mention the trying of different foods (and beer). There was always good music and even better conversation. It was wonderful to be able to stay out late and not be too worried about getting home because it was so safe. Plus, the fact that the sun went down so late made late evening expeditions more entertaining. Going to the center of Stuttgart later in the evening while it was still light and then returning home in the early hours of the morning to a beautiful sunrise was a strange, but wonderful experience.

 (I didn't have a camera with me, so the above photos were taken by friends.)

The Mercedes museum is a must see. It is extremely good value for money, as I think it cost about 10 Euros. For that you get entrance into the multi-level museum, an audio-tour and a really cool lanyard to take home with you. It is worth every cent. Take time to saunter around, take pictures and marvel at the history of this incredible make of car of which Germany is so proud. Even the outside of the museum has a certain wow factor and is amazing to look at. I suggest visiting this museum on a Sunday, as unlike most places in Germany it is actually open*. Whilst I did not get the chance to visit it, the Porsche museum is apparently also amazing and comes very highly recommended.

One of my favourite places in Stuttgart was the Ritter Sport Chocolate Factory. Ritter Sport is one of the most delicious brands of German chocolate (my mouth is watering just writing about it), and if you are anything like me, a trip to the factory is definitely in order. I will freely admit that I am quite the chocoholic, and thus I was in my element at the factory. You can do a self-tour around a museum that shows you the history of Ritter Sport (and even watch a movie about it) and then head downstairs to the factory shop where you can buy the chocolate at ridiculously low prices. Why not buy gifts for friends and family here as I did. Highly recommend a visit to this little known gem.

I also really enjoyed visiting the Wilhelma Zoo and botanical gardens. It is an awe-strikingly beautiful place, and made me slightly nostalgic for home. It was interesting for me to note how much more I knew about animals and how much more comfortable I was around them. I suppose this is because I have grown up in country and area where you grow up seeing animals in the wild (or at least in reserves). The Stuttgart TV Tower is also a must see, and I recommend visiting it at sunset if possible. You can see the whole of Stuttgart from it and it is breathtaking to see it first in the light and then at night when Stuttgart is all lit up. Moreover, the sunset itself is one of a kind.

I had so many more wonderful experiences in Stuttgart and enough memories to last a lifetime, but so many of them were purely made while roaming around Stuttgart, visiting the public pool or the many beautiful parks that Stuttgart has to offer. I could not possibly begin to explain them all. I realised in Stuttgart, that while travelling alone has its benefits (as I experienced during the rest of my travels) exploring with friends is something completely different. So often the memory or experience has less to do with where you are, and more to do with whom you are with.

Much love, laughter and sunshine.

*It is important to note that most places in Germany are not open on a Sunday. This means that most museums and the likes, as well as any stores are closed. So, if you are cooking for yourself or planning to do a little shopping, make sure to do this on a weekday or Saturday. Shops at the stations and airports will however be open and places like cinemas are too.