Small town gems are ideal travel destinations away from the tourist crowds. It is the individual boutiques, charming cafes and the pleasant hustle and bustle in the city center that ensure memories of the city trip. If you stroll through, you will discover well over 500 years of history, special shops, creative boutiques with products that are unique. You are sure to come across regional delicacies from innkeepers who are passionate about their work. At local markets and in local factories, traditional and modern combine. Nothing is a backdrop. Everything is real - much of it is originally medieval. Only where it says museum on the label is there a museum inside. Everything else is real life. You can get chatting on the market squares and at events. The best tips come naturally from those who live here. Some favorites include a magnificent residential castle in Bad Mergentheim, a princely castle in Donaueschingen and the baroque jewel, Tettnang Castle, where on certain dates, you can get fruit cake made according to the original recipe of the Counts of Monfort on real royal porcelain in the castle hall. You can follow in medieval footsteps in Bretten, where Martin Luther's comrade Melanchthon worked and the list goes on. Experiece the small town with all of their special attributes and unique characteristics this summer.

30th Anniversary of Maulbronn Joining the UNESCO World Heritage List: In Baden-Württemberg, Maulbronn Monastery (Kloster Maulbronn) is one of Europe's most well-preserved medieval monastery complexes. It combines a multitude of architectural styles, ranging from Romanesque to late Gothic all in one place creating a unique atmosphere. This year, to mark the 30th anniversary of the inscription of the Maulbronn Monastery Complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Wuerttemberg is celebrating. In October, on the last anniversary weekend, the monastery church and retreat will shine in a mystical light in the evening, during organ and piano concerts followed by mulled wine, children's tea and monastery punch while gingerbread gets you in the mood for the holiday season.

You can now explore Maulbronn Monastery's extensive history on site with “Monument BW” – the app for your smartphone or tablet. Impressive images, videos and audios bring the history of the former Cistercian abbey to life. The 75-minute multimedia adventure tour of Maulbronn Monastery contains 24 stations with additional deep dives: visitors can listen to background information on the history of the building, view picture galleries and films, and gain intriguing insights into the cultural features and treasures of the monastery and the life of the Cistercian monks.

Urban flair, historical charm, modern architecture, traditional half-timbered, colorful street art or ancient Ice Age art: Anyone planning a city trip in Baden-Württemberg has an abundance of choices. Each of the cities of Southwest Germany has its own character and offers countless opportunities to explore local characteristics. During the summer, a great way to enjoy a city experience is to head to the rivers where festivals, concerts, fairs, food and drinks guarantee a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Around two thirds of Mannheim is made up of natural areas, and some of it is even under nature and landscape protection. Two rivers, the Rhine and Neckar, meander through the city, and there are many green oases on its banks. In Heidelberg, the official “Summer on the River” is declared in August. The “dolce vita” dominates the weekend agenda and the city moves a little closer to the River Neckar. The list of bands and artists who head to the stage at “Das Fest” in Karlsruhe is long. Close to the city and idyllically located on the Alb river in the Günther Klotz complex, the family festival combines culture and the countryside.

In Pforzheim, you can surf in the middle of the city. After seven years and many hours of volunteer work, the “Blackforestwave” has been bringing a real hang-loose feeling to the Black Forest. In Freiburg, the little streams running through the streets have become famous and are at the heart of the many festivals in spring and summer. Children float their “Bächle boats” in the clear water of the paved channels while adults wade in the cool waters often drinking a glass of wine. The Freiburg Wine Festival in July and the “Freiburg Bächle Picnic” are popular city festivals. In Stuttgart, well-known international DJs, collectives, and sound artists offer the best clubbing below the surface of the water on the weekends in the former freight tanker “Wilhelm Knipscheer.”

Just 30 minutes from Stuttgart, which has direct flights from Atlanta four times each week, Outletcity Metzingen offers an exclusive shopping experience for fashion enthusiasts and luxury lovers with an impressive selection of over 170 premium and luxury brands from the fashion, beauty, home, living, watches and jewellery sectors. Opening on June 26, “The Museum,” presents Outletcity Metzingen as part of the town's history and conveys the reciprocal relationship between the experience, the destination and the town.

The birthplace of Hugo Boss and home to the clothing company, Metzingen is known as the city of textiles. The region around Metzingen is absolutely worth seeing and rightly one of the most attractive tourist regions in Germany. At the foot of the Swabian Alb UNESCO biosphere reserve, you can not only recharge your batteries, but also enjoy active leisure activities. The fashion and lifestyle hotel Moxy Outletcity Metzingen extends the unique experience for guests since it opened in December 2023. Cultural exhibitions, events and concerts add to the whole experience.