Area around Stuttgart and Frieburg
 

Any suggestions of must see places around Stuttgart and around Frieburg. Will be houseswapping in both places the end of May. I am particularly interested in scenery, historical sites and FOOD. <BR> <BR>Thanks to everyone who gave good advice about my Biarritz houseswapping trip.

Sydney, from Stuttgart, Heidelberg is to the NorthWest; Schwabisch Hall and Rothenbug are to the NorthEast. Tubingen is to the South. The whole region of Alsace is to the SouthWest. Baden-Baden is to the West. And Fussen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen is to the SouthEast. Freiburg is near Colmar at the southern end of the Alsace region and is close to Titisee, Schaffhausen, the northern part of Switzerland and also within reach of Fussen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The whole area is rich in scenery and food, especially in Alsace.

Sydney: Everything in both areas should be in full swing. <BR> <BR>In Stuttgart, you'll be in a great location as far as day trips are concerned. You can take a river cruise on the Neckar River. you could travel to nearby Heidelburg and see the castle and the city. You can head to nearby Ulm and see the Ulm Munster which is the world's tallest church spires. You can day trip to Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl, or south to Meersburg on Lake Constance or even Neuschwanstein. There are loads of lovely villages which are very close, such as the little heard of Swabisch Gmund. You could go east to Regensburg and Augsburg. You won't have to worry about what to see and do. <BR> <BR>In Freiburg, you will be right in the Black Forest. There are numerous quaint villages throughout the area and you will be in fairly close proximity to Baden Baden, Zurich, Lucerne and Basel. This area has some of the most beautiful countryside and farmlands that you could imagine. <BR> <BR>This should certainly be a great trip. Have fun!

As someone else mentioned, Alsace is very close. Strasbourg is about 1 to 1/2 hrs depending on the train. One of the tallest cathedrals is there on a nice square. Lots of food around the cathedral. Bern, Switzerland would also be fairly close by train (about 2 hours). I consider Bern to be similar to Freiburg but more beautiful. However, Freiburg's cathedral is more attractive. You could even go into the Alps around Interlaken for a day. It would be a long trip though. Interlaken is reachable in 3 hours, and throw in another 1/2 hr to 45 minutes to get into the Jungfrau area. It depends on what you want to see, but why not spend time in three countries, considering where Freiburg is located? You can see the main sites in Freiburg in one long day, but do allow some time for just wandering around and mixing with the locals at some of the beer gardens.

As someone else mentioned, Alsace is very close. Strasbourg is about 1 to 1/2 hrs depending on the train. One of the tallest cathedrals is there on a nice square. Lots of food around the cathedral. Bern, Switzerland would also be fairly close by train (about 2 hours). I consider Bern to be similar to Freiburg but more beautiful. However, Freiburg's cathedral is more attractive. You could even go into the Alps around Interlaken for a day. It would be a long trip though. Interlaken is reachable in 3 hours, and throw in another 1/2 hr to 45 minutes to get into the Jungfrau area. It depends on what you want to see, but why not spend time in three countries, considering where Freiburg is located? You can see the main sites in Freiburg in one long day, but do allow some time for just wandering around and mixing with the locals at some of the beer gardens.

We lived in Stuttgart while in the Army. The previous recommendations are very good. Rothenburg is a favorite of ours and we get back frequently. Nuremberg is also interesting for the old city and the site of Hitler's Nazi parades. Viewing stand is still there plus speaker's platform where Hitler stood. Very close to Stuttgart is Ludwigsburg (N of town) It has a great castle to visit with nice grounds. Mercedes also located in Stuttgart and has a museum along with Porsche. Downtown Stuttgart also nice with good department stores. The town of Triberg south has a lot of cuckoo stores. All is all you are in a great location to go east west north or south. Plenty to do. <BR>

All the above are accurate. Find yourself a copy of the Michelin Green Guide to Germany. Shows all sorts of places you can visit. One not mentioned above is the Belchen, a high mountain east of Freiburg, where you can see forever on a clear day. Good restaurant up there, too. Our favorite is Colmar, to the west, across the Rhine in France. Only a short drive.

I agree with Bob, Ludwigsburg is a small town very close to Stuttgart, but its castle and parks are really worth to spend at least a day there. Especially in summer, when there are millions of flowers, parks around the castle are beautifull. If you'll be with children, the tale park will be something for them. <BR> <BR>If you'll be able to make longer trips from Stuttgart, I'd advice you to visit Munich, which (unlike Stuttgart) has fully saved its historicall gothic center during the war. And bavarian beer is fantastic there too :-)