Upon our arrival in Stuttgart, we had not adequately explored the Christmas market.
During our first day, we experienced a combination of snow and rain, forcing us to depart shortly after arriving at the markets (my footwear was soaked and frigid).
The following day, after a lengthy exploration of the city, I found myself too fatigued to engage in an in-depth exploration of the market.
This evening, however, fueled by some exceptionally delightful gin, I deemed it imperative to finally visit the Stuttgart Christmas market, and we proceeded to do just that!
We began by visiting the ice rink (which coincidentally, was when the snowy rain commenced on our previous visit), later venturing deeper into the market in search of gluhwein and currywursts.
We then dedicated the subsequent hours to perusing the markets, purchasing caramelized nuts (which I insisted on taking home in abundance) and exploring the antiques found in the alternative section of the Christmas markets.
The allure of Christmas markets renders time an elusive entity as you savor the flavors and sights available at every turn.
Having departed the Christmas market completely satisfied and content with our acquired treats, we concluded our evening there.
The subsequent morning marked our last in Stuttgart, and there was one location I was determined to visit—the Mercedes Benz Museum.
Although I may not classify myself as a car enthusiast (there are individuals capable of disassembling and reassembling a vehicle), I do have a profound appreciation for well-crafted automobiles. Therefore, as our final destination before heading to the airport, we made our way to the Mercedes Benz Museum.
Upon entry, it felt as though we had stepped into a futuristic dystopian realm, characterized by innovative lift pods and stark concrete walls.
While I could have taken the stairs, I was unwilling to pass up the experience of riding one of those innovative pods!
Reaching the pinnacle, we opted to navigate the museum from top to bottom, commencing with the original creations developed by the company’s founder.
It is truly captivating to witness the evolution of today’s modern vehicles; however, I must confess that several of the early designs piqued my interest to the point where I wished to find a contemporary version to own.
As a side note, perhaps not this model pictured above resembling a bicycle. Interestingly, the engine underneath was designed to heat the seat, resulting in an uncomfortably warm experience for riders, often prompting them to stand for the duration of their journey.
We navigated through the core of the museum, admiring the designs, longing for specific elegant models, and sometimes finding ourselves incredulous at certain awkward-looking designs.
Ultimately, our visit to Stuttgart had been wonderfully enriching, providing an opportunity to appreciate aspects outside of the city, highlighting the time we spent in Germany positively.
Until next time Stuttgart—Auf Wiedersehen… for now.
