17 Dec 2013
Cool Museums for Families: Model Trains, Chocolate Planes, Bears and Bread
Nowhere else in the world can you find so many cool museums in one state! SouthWest Germany, or the state of Baden-Württemberg, is home to a number of educational and entertaining experiences. In the eastern part of the state in the town of Giengen an der Brenz, the Steiff museum covers 130 years of teddy bears. There is a new display room showcasing the company's history. Visitors can see also see the famous bears being stuffed and sewn while finished bears are sold at the adjacent store but don't forget to take a look for great prices in the factory outlet store. Just 20 minutes away, is Ulm where Einstein was born and families can visit the world's only bread museum dedicated to the 6,000-year history of bread. Another favorite is the factory and museum of Ritter Sport, the famous chocolate makers. Just south of Stuttgart, children enjoy the chocolate exhibition, the chocolate workshop while parents can peruse the owners' collection of geometric abstract art. The Museum Café offers delicious coffee and chocolate specialties with amazing views of the valley. Also close to Stuttgart is the town of Göppingen, home to Märklin, the famous maker of model trains. The museum is open throughout the year and has a wonderful shop and an enormous show of trains in action. The USA section with the wild-west theme is one of everyone's favorites.
>> Steiff
>> Bread Museum
>> Ritter Sport
>> Maerklin
Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Museums in Stuttgart are Outfitted for Kids
When Karl Benz patented the engine in Mannheim in 1886, he was on the way to changing the world. Today, just one hour from Mannheim, the Porsche and Mercedes museums in Stuttgart are cool at any age but children in particular will delight in the audio guides created especially for them as well as in the cool spaces they can see the famous cars. Mercedes-Benz even has an app that is downloadable for children and adults. Visitors can walk through the history of the car since its infancy seeing the famous cars themselves accompanied by stories about their celebrity owners. Porsche also offers a walk through history that is attractive to design lovers and children. The spectacular "museums on wheels" showcases the actual cars that were raced in the most famous Grand Prix as well as the originals designed by Ferdinand himself. A workshop for the museum's cars is a special attraction. Both museums have outstanding restaurants and shops.
The Weather May be Chilly but Heidelberg is Hot and Hip for Teens
Students delight in the city of Heidelberg in the northern part of Baden-Württemberg. Nestled in a charming valley on Germany's castle road, Heidelberg is one of Germany's oldest university cities and offers fun and entertainment for families and their children. Not only is the city teeming with energetic students, but the shopping and exploring are perfect for all ages. Children enjoy exploring the Heidelberg Castle and the gigantic wine cask and traveling the steep funicular from the town to the top. The Philosopher's Walk, following in the footsteps of Mark Twain and visiting the 500-year old student jail are perfect for rebellious 'tweens. Everyone enjoys the lively cafes and restaurants where the food is excellent and the value great. One new hotel is a perfect hit for children and parents as long as they don't mind the stairs. Hidden away in the middle of old town is the new-ish Hotel Seppl that has great rooms at reasonable prices. The top floor has charming views over the red roofs of the city.
>> Heidelberg
At full Tilt in the Black Forest: Families on the Feldberg
The Black Forest may be synonymous with Christmas, Carnival and Cuckoo Clocks, but winter means skiing, sledding and snowboarding. Just outside of Freiburg in the Black Forest is one of Germany's top skiing centers: Feldberg Mountain, home to Olympic ski jumpers Dieter Thoma and Sven Hannawald. A closely linked network of ski-lifts (31 lifts in the Feldberg Lift Association), can all be used with just one ticket. The mountain and region are a perfect destination for families as they can choose from many gentle runs to the more challenging FIS World Cup run. There are 22 ski-jumps, free-ride and powder runs and more than 120 kilometers of cross-county ski-tracks. Sunny slopes, two kindergartens, a snowboard fun park, free-ride runs and a choice of restaurants make a family's day within the Feldberg ski lift network a memorable experience. Snowboarding courses are offered for beginners as well as for advanced learners and experts. Every person can avail themselves of the Upper Black Forest card which includes two overnights at approximately 280 different hotels and free entry to most ski lifts and regional attractions! The Feldberg Hof Hotel at the bottom of the mountain's lift is an ideal location for all skiers.
>> Feldberg
Winter and Wellness: Snow-Shoeing and Spa-ing in the Black Forest
Close to the Feldberg and just below Freiburg is the Belchen Mountain which creates a fabulous holiday by combining snow shoeing with relaxing spa treatments. One package combines winter and wellness at the Berghotel Wiedener-Eck with three nights starting at 349 euros per person for double rooms. Breakfast, a four-course meal, and a piece of Black Forest cake are included, along with round-trip transportation on the Belchen aerial cable car, snowshoe and pole rental, and a winter trail map for the region. Many trails are cleared and well-signposted so you can enjoy the landscape without the stress.
For interactive maps and more information on cultural eventsand destinations in Southwest Germany and to start planning your trip, please go to SouthWest Germany and please click here for >> press photos and images.
Victoria Larson
Press Representative, US and Canada
SouthWest Germany
917-678-7689
victoria@vklarsoncommunications.com
www.vklarsoncommunications.com
Katharina Mariko Kress
Marketing and Sales Manager, Overseas
State Tourist Board Baden-Württemberg
