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The Stuttgart Zoo, Wilhelma, one of the most beloved zoos in Germany



The Stuttgart zoo is one of the largest and well-known zoos within Germany, it draws in over 2.1 million visitors every year. The park covers an area of almost 70 acres, about the size of 40 football fields and is bordered by the Neckar river and the suburb of Bad Cannstatt.

Founded in the 19th century by King Wilhelm the first, the kings vision was truly one of a kind. A private botanical garden, all with a stunning oriental flair, that was in style at the time. And an orange garden; that was a must have for every fashionable ruler back then. The architect tasked with the job, Karl Ludwig Zanth, oriented himself on the Moorish architecture in Spain. Since Alhambra in Grenada Spain had spectacular buildings, the architect decided to copy those and designed a stunning recreation of Alhambra, at the Neckar river. The park next to the castle, with its mineral rich springs, was turning more and more into a vision of Arabian nights, and was named after its creator, Wilhelm.

The 5th season in Germany



You may have noticed that stores are setting up party items, costumes and streamers. No, Germany is not having a blow out on Halloween costumes, but is preparing the high season of Karneval, Fasching or as Americans may know it, Mardi Grass. You probably didn’t even know that the so called 5th season started all the way back in November, on the 11th of November to be exact, right at 11:11 am. Clubs and avid partiers have since been meeting, planning and working on the highlights of the season. Unless you are member of a Karneval club, you normally don’t sit in through meetings and the important voting of the local Fasching royalty. A Prince pair is elected each year to lead the campaign. They get to attend all the events and parties and dress up in fancy dresses.

“Zum Brückle” a nice Restaurant near Kelley Barracks



For someone like me who has lived in the Stuttgart area for over 20 years it is possible to miss out on some great local restaurants.

Last Sunday, my family and I visited a restaurant that we’ve always known about, driven passed, but never stopped to have a meal. Big mistake! The “Zum Brückle” is one of those overlooked treasures located on a side street in the town of Stuttgart Plieningen, near Kelley Barracks.

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