Subotica
The city of Subotica lies on the north of the Republic of Serbia, in the Vojvodina region, along the main European transit routes and between two rivers: the Danube and the Tisa. Abundant cultural heritage with astoundingly decorated buildings, multicultural spirit of Serbian and Hungarian origin, as well as overall European charm – these are all the features that make this city worth visiting. Subotica has made its name thanks for its relaxed atmosphere, spendid food and wines of the highest quality. Festivals, events, concerts, vibrant cultural life all year long are nothing short of and are an additional reason to visit this city.
Palić, the lake and the settlement by the same name that are 8 kilometres east of Subotica offer something new, unrepeatable and unforgettable at any season for its visitors. Outstanding facilities from the beginning of the 20th century: the Water Tower, the Grand Terrace, the Women’s Lido and the Music Pavilion, the splendid park, the well-known lake, peace and silence make Palić an ideal space for rest and relaxation. At the moment Palić provides high category hotels, renowned luxury and comfortable villas in the so called “Palić style”, as well as numerous lodgings and private boarding houses.
The City Hall, the very centre and the landmark of Subotica, was built between 1908 and 1912. It is 76m high and covers an area of 5838 m². The design of the Hall was done by Komor and Jakab, the famous Budapest architects. The decorative features of Art Nouveau are combined with the pecularities of the Hungarian folklore, embelished by floral elements made of ceramics and wrought ironwork forging. The Council Hall and its splendid stained glass windows are the heart of the building. It is being used for Assembly sessions, concerts, weddings and important gatherings. Likewise in the past, the City Hall hosts city administration, the Historical archives, boutiques and banks. City Hall's 45 m high observatory attracts visitors with the unforgettable panoramic overview of Subotica and itssurroundings.
Raichle Palace: It was built in 1904 by the architect Ferenc Raichle with the intention to make his home and his design studio. Expensive materials combined with the unusual combination of colours, the variety of forms and the breath-taking interior and the backyard make this sumptuous house an exceptional example of the Art Nouveau architecture. At present, it hosts the Modern Art Gallery “Likovni susret”.
The Water Tower: The architects of the building envisaged entering the Grand Park and resort through abundantly decorated entrance – The Water Tower. It was designed in Hungarian Art Nouveau style, inspired by folk elements: handicrafts, laces and embroidery. This symbol of Palić was formally open in 1912.
The Cathedral was built in late baroque style and is dedicated to the patron saint of Subotica, St. Theresa of Avila, whose figure appears in the city’s coat-of-arms as well. It was built in 1779 and has been renovated several times since then. In 1974, the Pope awarded the church with the title of a smaller basilica.
Franciscan Church: This Church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel was erected in 1736, on the ruins of the medieval fortress dating from the 15th century. Attached to it is a friary with a chapel dedicated to the votive painting, the Black Madonna. The church, known as a neo-Romanticism building, is part of the Franciscan monastery.
Main Square: Unlike many European towns, in Subotica the City Hall dominates the Main Square instead of a church or a cathedral. The City Hall is a masterpiece of Hungarian version of Art Nouveau built in 1912. It is next to the park with a fountain and a vast square where many concerts and bazaars are held throughout the year. It is surrounded by the building of People's Theatre that is undergoing a major reconstruction. Originally it was a classic style building characterized by six Corinthian columns. On the Eastern side of the square there is a neo-baroque building of The Public Library. The two Atlases carrying one of the nicest balconies in the city make this building charming. The Emperor Jovan Nenad Monument in the middle of the square represents a controversial historical figure. He styled himself emperor and pronounced Subotica his capital in 1527, but all lasted for a very short period of time. Not far from the monument there are two fountains. The Green Fountain (1985) and the Blue Fountain (2001) are the pearls of the city centre. Both were made of Zsolnay tiles, likewise all decorative ceramics and roof tiles of the city’s Art Nouveau buildings.
Serbian Subotica-Horgoš wine region is a part of the great Pannonian sands between the rivers Danube and Tisa. Here, vineyards cover belt north of Subotica and Palić. The experience of grape growers and winemakers have resulted in the natural selection of grape varieties that proved to possess the best qualities of adaptation to the local climate and dominantly sandy terrain while at the same time capable of producing wines of the highest quality. There are quite some number of wineries, from small family wineries and cozy wine cellars to a world-class estate recognized beyond the borders of the country.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg with its population of more than 620,000 inhabitants. Stuttgart is the political center of the state, the seat of the state government of Baden-Württemberg and the state parliament, as well as the seat of numerous state authorities.
Art, culture, sport or architecture - the state capital of Baden-Württemberg offers something for everyone. The range of events and attractions is vastand includes the following:
Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart: Visit the only place in the world that can present the history of automobile history from day one: the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Go on a time travel and head to the elevator at 34 meters high - back to the year 1886. Here starts the myth with the groundbreaking invention of Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz - the automobile. Hardly any other invention has shaped mankind to this day to this extent. Two interconnected tours lead you through the eventful history of the Mercedes-Benz brand in the architecturally spectacular building - combined with exciting themes of the times, past supersports cars, silver pillars and wing-doors. Both routes lead to one goal: the innovations of the present. Here, in the field of fascination technology, there are insights into current topics from research, design, development and production. Nine levels present 16,500 square feet of 160 stunning vehicles and more than 1,500 exhibitions. The exhibition is divided into myth and collection rooms. The myth rooms tell the story of the Mercedes-Benz brand and divide them into themes and epochs. The collection rooms show thematically arranged abundance and variety of the vehicles of the brand.
Großcomburg Swabian Hall - former monastery of the Benedictine monks: Großcomburg in Swabian Hall, a former Benedictine monastery, was founded in 1078. The castle-like structure with its walls, towers, chapels and buildings experienced its first flowering during the Staufer period. At the end of the 15th century, it was transformed into a choir house. The outdoor complex of Großcomburg is freely accessible and the 420 m long walkway offers wonderful views of the town of Swabian Hall and the Blickberg Einhorn (510 m high).
Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg: The Ludwigsburg Palace is one of the largest remaining baroque castles in Europe, and it is also one of the largest cultural centers with three new museum pieces - the Baroque Gallery, the Fashion and the Ceramics Museum. But it is not just the size and the new brilliance that justify the international popularity of this building. It is also unique for its princely apartments from the times of the Baroque, Rococo and the Empire that are preserved as a unity of space, together with wall decoration and rich furniture. Three generations of rulers, builders, artists and craftsmen have designed the rooms. The richness of creative ideas, which were realized in the style of that time, will make your visit to the castle an unforgettable journey.
The Tomb Chapel on the Wirttemberg (die Grabkapelle auf dem Württemberg) in Stuttgart was built by King William I as an eternal proof of love for his newly deceased wife Katharina. The architectural monument with its charming architecture is therefore regarded by many as the most romantic place in the country - with a magnificent view over Stuttgart. The Tomb Chapel lies in an exposed position above the Neckar valley and was built between 1820 and 1824. King Wilhelm deliberately chose the location of the former tribal castle of the dukes of Württemberg for his memorial. It was one of the favorite places of his late queen.
"Love never ceases" - The inscription above the main entrance is a promise which King William I made with the construction of the tomb chapel. After the sudden death of his wife, Queen Katharina, on January 9, 1819, King Wilhelm opened a competition for the construction of the chapel. He chose the design of the court architect Giovanni Salucci. Later the king and his older daughter Marie Friederike Charlotte of Württemberg also found their final rest here.
The Blühende Barock Ludwigsburg: Around the Residenzschloss, the Blühende Barock offers around 30 hectares a unique park landscape. Splendid gardening of different epochs and regions awaits visitors. From roses to the pharmacy garden, from the Japanese to the award-winning Sardinian garden - refined arrangements catch your eye at every corner. The colorful flower and gravel coils in the south of the complex invite you to a leisurely stroll. In addition, constantly changing exhibitions and flower displays are interesting highlights, especially the pumpkin exhibition in autumn. Even the little ones will not be bored: the fantastic magic world in the fairytale garden with its countless attractions is a fascinating place for children.
The Urach waterfall: The Urach waterfall, probably the most beautiful waterfall of the Swabian Alb, is situated in the beautiful Cornish valley on the outskirts of Bad Urach. The karst spring falls here from 37m height in the free fall into the depth and flows another 50m over a steep sloping. Particularly nice at the Urach waterfall is that you can look at it from different perspectives. From below you can see how the waterfall first falls 37 meters into the depth and then flows in cascades further down into the valley. As you climb the steep steps on the side of the falls, you will always get new impressions of this nature play.