MOST people know Stuttgart as the hometown of car brands like Mercedes- Benz and Porsche.
But it is also the base of many famous small and medium- sized brands like WMF, whose cutlery is used in top restaurants worldwide.
According to Mr Berthold Trenkel, 42, CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, a travel management company, the German city is famous for its advanced technology.
He jokes: "We know everything but the only thing we don't know is how to speak German."
Most of the 594,000 people in Stuttgart speak a German dialect known as Swaebicsh.
Mr Trenkel moved to Singapore in 2005 with his wife and two daughters.
Here are his six suggestions for having a good time in Stuttgart.
1. Try a maultashchen
This is similar to a Chinese mantou, a steamed bun, except that it is more squarish in shape. It has meat and spring onions inside. You can order it at any restaurant that serves local cuisine.
The price varies depending on whether you order it with a soup or potato salad.
2. Attend the Das Stuttgart Ballet
Founded in 1759, this is one of the top-notch dance companies in the world. Mr Trenkel says all the best dancers in the world apply to be part of the ballet troupe.
One of its most noted performances is an adaptation of Romeo And Juliet.
Ticket prices range from $17 to $264.
3. Visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Learn more about the latest in research, design, development and production of cars.
You can go for guided tours of the Motorenwerk Unterturkheim facility where engines, transmissions and axles are made. This is definitely a must-visit for those who like fast cars.
The museum has also received much attention for its futuristic architecture.
Admission starts from $16.80 for adults and $8.40 for students.
You can get there by train (S-Bahn) from the Stuttgart main station and alight at Gottlieb- Daimler Stadium. Follow the signs to the museum.
4. Visit Planetarium Stuttgart
Fulfil your space travel dreams here where high-performance computers allow you to view celestial bodies as seen from other planets in the solar system.
You can feel what it's like to land on the moon and even Mars.
Admission is around $10.50 for adults and free for students and children.
5. Relive your childhood at the Fairy-Tale Garden
Meet German fairy tale characters such as Hansel and Gretel at this theme park where more than 30 fairy tale scenes have been re-created.
It is located in the city of Ludwigsburg, 12km from Stuttgart.
Get there by taking the S-Bahn from Hauptbahnhof.
6. Visit Stuttgart in late September
German city Munich has Oktoberfest but few people know that Stuttgart has its very own beer festival too.
It is held at Cannstatter Wasen from late September to early October for two weeks. Unlike Oktoberfest, the tents which are set up are not as crowded. Apart from guzzling beer, families can also go on roller- coaster rides set up there.
xuelingh@sph.com.sg
Top photo: The Mercedes-Benz Museum is perfect for anyone into speed, says Mr Berthold Trenkel.
