GERMANY is not all football, frankfurters and beer. Admittedly, it is usually outstanding at all three. With the Euros starting there next week, the focus is on Der Mannschaft – as the national team is known – on the field of play.
But if you can tear yourselves from the wooden benches serving lager and sausages near the stadiums, Germany’s cultural experience away from Berlin and Munich might just surprise you. Sure, go for the footie, but once the game is over and the plastic pint cups have been cleared, these cities have a lot to stay for, as Dean Scoggins reveals. STADIUM: MHPArena (Stuttgart Arena), home of club Stuttgart in Bundesliga.
Capacity 50,000. Focus match: Scotland v Hungary, June 23. FAMOUS FOR: Being the home of Mercedes and Porsche — and most of the 660,000 residents seem to drive one.
Tours of the museums are available. BUT DON’T MISS: The vineyards. We have not deviated too far from beer, but Stuttgart is located in the Neckar Valley and is a producer of high- quality wine.
Down in the city, the beautiful Schlossplatz and Schillerplatz are main squares to enjoy the buzz of the area. Warning: There will be fan zones here during the tournament. Do not miss the Market Hall.
It is indoors and features incredible stalls that are great for lunch, including unbelievable pretzels in the city that claims to have invented them. The climate and soil here are ideal for growing and the steep hills all around city are used by small and large growers. Unusually.