I am flying into Stuttgart to sign for a new Benz for a client then I have three days free time. Have never been to Europe before. Should I rent a car and where should I go. I understand it isnt much time to do anything. I would love to see King Ludwigs castle... but there are at least 50 things I would love to see or do. My initial thought is to drive to the Fussen area but I am open to suggestions. I also know that Baden Baden and the Black Forest are wonderful areas as well...and Switzerland and France are close as well. I know I cannot do it all but would like to hit a couple of great areas that arent total tourist traps. Does anyone familiar with the area have a few ideas or an itinery that is realistic for me.

hi there,<BR>well 3 days is not so much, so You should make a decision on one area. All depends a little on when YOu are going, but I guess it will be in the next 2 month. Right?<BR>If YOu have never been to Europe and dont wanna drive a lot by car You can do one day Stuttgart: touring Porsche or Mercedes-Benz or visit the Mercedes museum if You are in automobiles. Going up to Degerloch and "climb" the tv-tower for a fantastic view over the city. Walking around a little in town and take a look at the 2 castles, the opera, the Weissenhof architecture. End of day: Having a few beers in a typical bar or (better choise) a local wine in one of the origin "Besenwirtschaften". 2.day: Take the S-train to Esslingen and look arround there the old houses and wineyards. Take walk uphill to the old castle ruines and have lunch there. Take the s-train to Plochingen, have a look at the "Hunderwasserhaus" and the old houses. End of day like above. Instead of Esslingen in the south of Stuttgart YOu can go to the north and visit Marbach (birthpace of Friedrich Schiller), Besigheim and Bietigheim. All are nice small villages with typical half-timerbered houses. <BR>3. day: Take the train to Heidelberg, visit the castle and walk arround the town. A little touristic, but shure worth on a first visit in Europe. <BR>Going south: If You wanna see Neuschwanstein rent a car and go via Ulm (nice old town about 1 hour from Stuttgart) to Fuessen. In Ulm climb the "Muenster", highest church tower in the world and take a walk arround the "Fischerviertel" near the river Danube. In Fuessen You are near the castles, make shure to get a reservation (hotel will help). 3 day: Perhaps visit Oberstdorf, view (or train) the "Zugspitze", highest point of Germany, drive to the Lake Constanz, visit Meersburg or Lindau and going back to Stuttgart via Singen. <BR>Going west: Drive to Karlsruhe (1 hour), take a walk around the parc and the castle. Go to Baden-Baden, take a bath in the old "Friedrichsbad". Evening in the casino. Next day in Strassburg. Just walking arround, look at the Muenster, drink Alsac wine, eat "Sauerkraut", perhaps take a boat tour on the canals. 3 day: Get up early, going down to Colmar, look at the famous architecture (very touristic). Look at the area of "Kaiserstuhl" (best in harvest). Go to Freiburg (nice town to walk arround and have a beer in the "Feierling"). Drive home to Stuttgart via Tittisee, Rottweil.<BR>have fun and dont hesitate to ask for details.<BR>Gar

Hi Gar, are you from Stuttgart? Reading your itinerary makes me home-sick. I used to live in Stuttgart-Weilimdorf and miss all the castles, museums around the Stuttgart area. I especially miss the good food.

hi<BR><BR>go to the MB museum !<BR><BR>peter<BR>

hi Ute,<BR>how did You guess? Yes, I'm from Heimerdingen so I drive trough Weil im Dorf every time I go to Stuttgart. Next time I'*ll take a beer and "gschm&auml;lzte Maultaschen" at the Muckenstueble I may think about You.<BR>Gar