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News
from: Germany Tourism
www.germany-tourism.de
(International)
www.cometogermany.com (U.S./Canada)
Source: Victoria Larson
Published: February, 2009
ABOVE: Heidelberg's castle and old bridge are
bookmarks for the city's historic center.
Southwestern Germany offers new museums, bargains, and
experiences in 2009
Baden-Württemberg, 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-Württemberg 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 opened its
doors to the public on January 31. 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 designed 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 euros. For detailed
information about the new Porsche Museum, please visit the
museum page at www.porsche.com.
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:
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.
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 come. 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.
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 per person based on
double occupancy. www.baden-baden.com
Four-poster bed and knight's armor--Be an overnight guest on 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.
Prices at such hotels are moderate. For instance, at Hotel Burg
Hornberg, an overnight stay begins at 78 euros in a single room and
at 110 euros for double occupancy.
The Castle Road has a Web site at 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 Neckar 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 was 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.
Heidelberg's Web site is at www.heidelberg-marketing.de.
Baden-Württemberg--paradise for connoisseurs
Baden-Württemberg 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-Württemberg.
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-Württemberg, please
visit www.tourism-bw.com or
www.cometogermany.com.
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