Stuttgart

Baden-Württemberg's elegant capital, Stuttgart blends old-world Swabian charm with industrial verve. The city rests in a rolling valley carved by the Neckar that winds its way up to lush hills dotted with vineyards. Consistently ranked among Europe's top cities, Stuttgart is an economic powerhouse that is home to world-famous auto and engineering companies like Daimler AG and Porsche as well a number of vineyards, publishers, and communications industries. With its prehistoric roots and Roman legacy, the city's origins can be traced back thousands of years. A large part of the city was destroyed in World War II; however, historic buildings like the 13th-century Altes Schloss, imposing Romanesque Stiftskirche, Wilhelma Gardens and the majestic Schlossplatz remain to tell the tale of the city's glorious achievements.