Stuttgart - a tour in pictures

Famous for its vineyards and winemaking, the town is home to the famous Kessler distillery - which is the oldest producers of Sekt (German champagne, similar to Spain's Cava). A guided tour of the cellars takes place four times a day - these tours are so popular, they're booked as far as a month in advance. Don't miss the amazing fungus that grows across the ceiling of the final holding cellar, an essential part of the fermentation process, and the complimentary tasting down in the caves.

In the upper rooms, which date back to the 17th century, visitors who forgo the tour can still sip a glass of Sekt for around 2 Euros, surrounded by portraits of six generations of Kesslers. The 'Sekt in the City' nights that take place every Thursday at the distillery have proved popular with the locals, and make for a fun and social night out.
Guided tour of the cellars: Adults 7.50 Euros.

Animal attractions
A highlight for kids (and childlike adults like me) is Wilhelma, the largest zoological and botanical gardens in Europe. Give yourself at least half a day, as Wilhelma is the home to over 9,000 animals, including lions and tigers, polar bears and spider monkeys, who leap up to 12 metres in their open-air enclosure. Try to schedule in a visit during the sea lions' feeding time and the elephants' bath time.

You can also wander through the vast Moorish grounds, see exotic trees and orchids, stroll round Europe's largest magnolia grove or check out the water lily pond that measures over 1,000 square metres. There is good wheelchair access and thin parallel channels run down the stairs so pushchairs can be wheeled up and down easily.