The holiday exhibition CMT is THE world’s largest consumer show for tourism and leisure – and it is taking place in Stuttgart RIGHT NOW! Yeah, I also wonder why you’re not there already ;-P

I love CMT for two main reasons:

• At CMT 2019 you meet representatives from over 100 countries. So you have the chance to learn about places you’ve probably never heard about before. Moreover, at some of the stands you can book special holiday fair offers!
• If you think about buying a camper van or mobile home, CMT 2019 is the right place to go look for one! You will find over 1,000 campers and uncountable camping equipment in the halls 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9. And pssst: Even if you don’t plan to buy a camper van, having a look inside different models is so much fun!! 😀

One of my personal highlights this year: there will be tiny houses on display the coming weekend in hall 10! How cool is that?!

But not only tiny houses await you this weekend at CMT 2019. There will also be a special exhibition about wellness trips and cruises.

If I’ve infected you with the CMT virus and you think about going now, too,  check out my guide How to survive CMT that I wrote last year.

Oh and one last tip: Buy your ticket online and in advance. Not only does this save you time and money, you can even use it as a ticket for the public transport in Stuttgart! S 2 and S 3 stop right at the fair, the station is called Flughafen/Messe. You can plan your trip here.

Happy vacation planning! 🙂

Transparency: As a journalist and blogger, I can enter CMT with a press ticket for free. However, I am not paid to write about the fair and the content of this article is not censored by CMT.

The post Get inspired for your next holiday at CMT 2019! appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

At CMT you can find your dream holiday and everything you need for it as well as the latest travel trends and new destinations. Get to know various countries, regions and cities, have a look at (and into) caravans and motorhomes and shop for equipment for your next vacation. Moreover numerous shows, international folklore and culinary delights from around the world await you.

I love this fair and I try to go every year. In this post I would like to share some tips that might help you plan your visit at CMT 2018 in Stuttgart:

• If you have the chance, take a day off and visit CMT 2018 in Stuttgart during the week! The fair is huge and VERY crowded on the weekend. If you have to visit on a Saturday or Sunday, make sure you arrive early and be prepared to meet many other travel enthusiasts.
• Leave your car at home and take the S-Bahn. It is the easiest way to get there as the stop Flughafen is just next to Messe Stuttgart, were the CMT is located at. You can plan your trip here.
• Make sure to take a copy of the visitor guide before you enter the fair. You find it at the information and meeting point. It includes a map and makes getting around much easier. However, for some reason it is hard to find a copy somewere on the fair. So take it with you when you enter.
• If you’re visiting the CMT for a specific reason, maybe because you want to get information about a certain country, make a plan! Check out the visitor guide a the beginning or even do some research about where the stands you’re interested in are located at on the CMT’s online exhibitor index. The CMT 2018 in Stuttgart is huge and you will not notice how time flies while you stroll through the halls. Browsing through the fair without any plan is lot’s of fun but if you want to get information about a certain topic, check out were you want to go and go there first!
• Wear comfy shoes! This might sound stupid but I can tell from own experience that it not unlikely to get blisters while walking around the CMT for the whole day when you’re wearing the wrong pair of shoes. So leave the high heels at home and choose sneakers.
• Bring a backpack. Especially when you plan to get information about a certain topic. Believe me, at CMT you will find TONS of information. And it comes in brochures. And brochures add up and become heavy. Real pros come with a trolley. Whereas I think a backpack is sufficient – but you decide for yourselves 🙂
• My last tip depends on what you prefer: If you want to save money, bring your own snacks. As food isn’t cheap at CMT 2018. However, if you want to turn your visit into a culinary highlight, bring money. You will find a lot of stands that offer either local or exotic food. It all comes with a price of course but it’s a great opportunity to try different things.

More information about:

CMT – The holiday exhibition

My visit of CMT 2013

My visit of CMT 2014

The post How to plan your visit at CMT 2018 in Stuttgart appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: CMT

If you’re following my blog for a while, you might know that Moritz and LOVE to travel. Ah, what do I say, we’re addicted! 😉 So visiting the CMT, the world’s largest public trade fair for tourism and leisure is a must. We always get great inspiration for our next trips. Plus, visiting all the stands from the different countries and enjoying shows and international food samples is a lot of fun! You can visit CMT between January 14 and 22 at Messe Stuttgart.

more about CMT

blog post about CMT from 2014

blog post about CMT from 2013

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Long Night of Museums

This is the perfect event if you want to get to know the cultural scene in Stuttgart in a short time. Last year, nearly 100 museums and cultural institutions participated. With one ticket, you have admission to all of them. The selection can be quite overwhelming so it is best to plan the night beforehand. I recommend visiting not more than four different locations, everything else gets stressful. Most of the museums offer some specials, like a band playing while you enjoy the artwork, a quiz, special tours and such. One more recommendation: try to mix well-known locations you had on your bucked list for ages with places you haven’t heard about. I promise, you will find the one or other gem. Lange Nacht der Museen will take place on March 25.

more about Long Night of Museums

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Frühlingsfest

It belongs to Stuttgart like the tv-tower: the Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest. You could call it the spring version of Oktoberfest, based at Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart. Next to the inevitable beer tents you will find a lot of fun rides and food stalls. The Frühlingsfest is on between April 15 and Mai 7.

more about Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Festival of Animated Film

The Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) is one of the most important events for animated film worldwide. It is all about current productions, including the intersections between games, architecture, art, design and comedy. They will put up a large screen at Schlossplatz where you can watch animated short films for free. Other productions will be screened at the movie theatres nearby. The festival will be in Stuttgart between May 2 and 7.

more about the Festival of Animated Film

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Knights Tournament and Market

If you’re interested in medieval times, the Knights Tournament and Market at Cannstatter Wasen might be for you. Between June 15 and 18 you can watch tournaments and shows, listen to music and shop at the medieval market.

more about the Knights Tournament and Market

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Stuttgart-Lauf

You’re a runner? Then you should sign up for THE running event in Stuttgart, the Stuttgart-Lauf. Next to several runs for kids the event has its highlight on sunday with the halfmarathon and a 7-km-run. But there’s also an event for walking and nordic walking as well as a handbike- and wheelchair-halfmarathon. The Stuttgart-Run takes place on June 18 and 19.

more about Stuttgart-Lauf

blog post about Stuttgart-Lauf from 2014

Events in Stuttgart: Heusteigviertelfest

One of my most favorite festivals and outdoor events in Stuttgart in 2017. I love the relaxed atmosphere at Heusteig quarter anyway, with all the art nouveau houses. And during the festival, it gets even lovelier. The selection of bands is great every time,  the food stands offer great snacks and drinks and everybody is very relaxed. I like! 🙂 The festival is held between July 1 and 3.

more about Heusteigviertelfest

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Colours-Dance-Festival

If I had to pick one out of all the events in Stuttgart in 2017 it would be this one: Eric Gauthier’s Colours-Dance-Festival. Dancer, choreographer and singer Eric Gauthier invented and held this festival for the first time in 2015 in Stuttgart and it was a huge success. Stuttgart was moved by colours: There was a big workshop for free at Marktplatz and several pop up events – and of course the amazing shows at Theaterhaus.

I was lucky enough to visit some of them and what can I say, I was thrilled. Dance companies from all around the world performed at Theaterhaus. Their performances were all very  different but equally brilliant. The gems of the festival were definitely the workshop where you could work with professionals like Eric himself. Well, this was 2015. And what can I say, I am so excited that the festival will come back to Stuttgart with even more companies  and events all over town! I already blocked the days between July 6 and 23 for Colours-Dance-Festival in my calendar! 🙂

more about Colours-Dance-Festival

blog post about Colours-Dance-Festival 2015

blog post about the workshop at Marktplatz 2015

blog post about the workshop “Dance for everybody” with Eric Gauthier 2015

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Hamburger Fischmarkt

If Stuttgart is missing one thing it is the ocean. But don’t worry, you will feel close to the sea when visiting Hamburg Fish Market between July 6 and 16 at Karlsplatz. While enjoying fish in all shapes and sizes you can listen to bands from Hamburg performing traditional music from the German coast, Jazz but also pieces from musicals.

more about Hamburger Fischmarkt

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Jazz-Open

Norah Jones, Jamie Cullum and Quincy Jones are just three of the great performers that will visit Stuttgart between July 7 and 24 for the legendary Jazz-Open Stuttgart. In front of the backdrop of Altes Schloss, some of the best Jazz artists of our days will perform for us. Insider tip: If you don’t get a ticket for your favorite act anymore, bring a blanket and sit down on the grass in front of the entrance and listen to the music while having a picnic.

more about Jazz-Open Stuttgart

blog post about Zaz at Jazz-Open Stuttgart 2013

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Festival of Lights

Höhenpark Killesberg is a treasure already. But when it is lit with thousands of lights on a warm summer night, it will take your breath away. Not to mention the firework! Lichterfest is truly a beautiful experience for the whole family. It is held on July 8 all over Höhenpark Killesberg.

Photo credit: in.Stuttgart / Isabell Munck

more about Lichterfest

Events in Stuttgart: Summer Festival of Cultures

Stuttgart has become a melting pot of cultures. This is most visible at Sommerfestival der Kulturen, when participants from all around the world express their cultural background in shows, with food and artwork. Between July 11 and 16 you can join the festival at Marktplatz.

more about Sommerfestival der Kulturen

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Bohnenviertelfest

At Bohnenviertel you get an idea of how Stuttgart looked like in older days. It is the last remaining part of the historical old town of Stuttgart and a cozy place with all its old houses and narrow streets. Fun fact: the Bohnenviertel, which translates into bean quarter, got its name from the beans that the inhabitants planted in their front yards, centuries ago. 🙂 During Bohnenviertelfest, between July 20 and 22, the quarter comes to live and local shop owners, artists, craftsman and restaurants move their products outside. You can stroll through the historic streets, shop a bit here and have a bite there. Definitely a festival with a lot of flair.

more about Bohnenviertelfest

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Stuttgarter Sommerfest

Not my most favorite festival amongst all the events in Stuttgart in 2017 but still worth mentioning it because of its location: The Stuttgart Summer Festival is located around Ecksee, right in front of the opera house in Schlosspark. Quite an outstanding location. In my opinion it is a bit posh and overpriced but nevertheless a nice place to hang out and have a cocktail while listening to live music on a hot summer evening. It is held between August 3 and 6 this year.

more about Stuttgarter Sommerfest

blog post about Stuttgarter Sommerfest 2013

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Stuttgart Wine Festival

Stuttgart is a mecca for wine lovers. Not only because of all the vineyards spread around the city, also because of the annual Stuttgarter Weindorf. 28 open-air restaurants, the typical “Weinlauben“, offer 500 local wines and local food. The relaxed festival for food and wine lovers is held between August 30 and September 10 in the city center.

more about Stuttgarter Weindorf

blog post about Stuttgarter Weindorf 2015

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Cannstatter Volksfest

Forget crowded Oktoberfest, visit Cannstatter Volksfest! 😉 Fun rides, food stalls and of course beer tents await you between September 22 and October 8 at Cannstatter Wasen. 

more about Cannstatter Volksfest

blog post about Cannstatter Volksfest 2012

Events in Stuttgart in 2017: Weltweihnachtszirkus

Fun for the young and the young at hearts 😉 World Christmas Circus has a long tradition here in Stuttgart. Top artists from all around the world perform in the big tent at Cannstatter Wasen between December 7 and January 7.

more about Weltweihnachtszirkus

So these are my favorite events in Stuttgart in 2017. What are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments.

The post Fun events in Stuttgart in 2017 appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

Moritz and I went today. We go there every year and collect ideas and magazines about the countries we would love to travel next. This year, we were mainly into the US, Australia and New Zealand .

But of course, there are many, many more places to explore. And of course, the region of Stuttgart is also present:

Definitely worth a visit when you want to find out what Stuttgart has to offer.

My personal highlight every year is checking out the camper vans, trailers and caravans. You’ll find them in every sizes on the CMT, from small…

to huge…

… and every year, there’s something new to explore, like this boat/trailer:

Next to getting information about every corner of the world, you’ll find entertainment around every corner:

You can try out several things, like this bike for example…

…or you take off your shoes and enjoy this bare foot path:

Whatever you feel like and look for, you’ll have a good time on the CMT. And if you’re hungry, I recommend visiting Weingut Zaiß in hall 5, one of my favourite wineries.

Moritz and I carried home two backpacks full of magazines and information for our next trips so we’re looking forward to a relaxing Sunday on the couch, planning holidays!

More information about:

CMT 2014

The post CMT 2014 – Inspiration for your next holiday appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.

We visit the CMT each year. There is always something new to explore and as we love travelling, we are always looking for new destinations and inspiration. 😉

This year, we are planning our honeymoon. We want to spend it in Australia and have already had contact to various travel agencies. One of them is Boomerang Reisen in Stuttgart and as they have sent us a very interesting offer, we went to their stand first to ask some more questions.

We already got some good advice when we asked for an offer via email and our experience at their stand was equally convincing. Very helpful and professional. So maybe we found our partner for the big trip… 🙂

After Boomerang Reisen, we went to SK Touristik. They are experts when it comes to Canada and Alaska and we have already booked two trips with them in the last years. You might ask now why we visited their stand when we have already decided to go to Australia this year… Well, Moritz is just such a great fan of Canada in general and of SK Touristik  that he cannot attend a CMT without going and seeing what’s up at their stand… and taking some brochures… and discussing some destinations with the staff… and whispering to the guy behind the counter that he “has to go to Australia this year” – maybe there was even an “unfortunately” involved, but I am not sure… 😉

But as we think about going to Alaska in 2014, we got some useful information for the future and didn’t carry all those brochures he took for nothing. 🙂

When we left SK, we could put a tick behind the two main points that brought us to the CMT and were free to stroll around and see what else is there.

I like how the different regions and countries present themselves. The area of the black forest (Schwarzwald) was decorated with a huge Bollenhut, a traditional hat of the region which consists of a hat out of straw and some red wool balls on top of it.

Egypt did a great job as well by putting up the huge statue of a Pharaoh.

If you don’t mind the high prices, you can also sent your taste buds on a journey as some countries also offer typical food and drinks. We saw cocktails from the Caribbean, two beer gardens, fruit cocktails and smoothies and  much more.

We kept on walking and passed a well-known sight: A hut from the Cannstatter Volksfest, which takes place every year in Stuttgart!

When we came to the stand of Delta Airlines I couldn’t resist and tried their new Business Elite seats where you can turn the seat into a flat bed.

Very comfy indeed. I would have loved to take a little nap there… 😉 But time was ticking and there was still so much to see, like these two ladies for example…

… and to try, like the Sagway parcours:

Another “I like” goes to this fake Mercedes (which suits me just fine, I think… 😉 ):

But a huge “I don’t like” goes to the things, people try to smuggle into Europe. Shocking what the customs had on display at their stand…

Disgusting!

After a quick break…

(sorry, I HAD TO put up this picture, I think it’s hilarious!! :-D) we checked out some shops like this African one…

… this Mexican jewellery shop called URBANIA…

(I liked their really creative necklaces. All their jewellery is designed in Mexico, in Taxco to be more precise… I could hardly resist!)

…and some shops where they had backpacks and other travel related stuff.

The great thing about a fair is, that most of the exhibitors offer interesting discounts. Some of these backpacks were 50 percent off.

For Moritz and me, one of the highlights of every CMT are the caravans. Not that we think about buying one, no, but we love looking at the newest models, stepping into some campers as big as trucks and discussing which one we would buy IF we would buy one… 😉 Does this sound strange??

Hmmm, could this be something for us IF we would look for a camper?? 🙂 Oh, and that’s a nice model for our next trip to the Arctic…

But I am not sure if this one offers enough space for us… I mean, who want’s to take only the Smart when going camping?? 😀

OK, at the end of the day, we had to face the sad truth that THIS is the only model that suits our wallets…

…but at least it doesn’t need too much fuel… 😉

Last but not least we had a look at tents. There is this company called “3 DOG camping” which we found last year already and they have these tent trailers and rooftop tents which I think are just awesome!

You put them up within seconds – and the same is true for putting them down again. Well, maybe… one day… 🙂

We had a great day at the CMT and will go again next year for sure. But let me give you one last piece of advice: Do wear comfy shoes! Even though they don’t go well with the rest of your outfit! The trade fair is HUGE and you will walk miles and miles and miles. Even though I was in my tracking shoes, my feed hurt at the end of the day…

More information about:

CMT

Boomerang Reisen

SK Touristik

Delta Business Elite Seating

Cannstatter Volksfest

Urbania

3 DOG camping

The post Tourism fair CMT in Stuttgart – The whole world in one day appeared first on Living in Stuttgart.