SouthWest Germany is one of Europe's greenest regions, with forests, rivers, rolling hills and abundant wildlife.

To take advantage of this there is a network of well-signposted hiking and biking trails.

The federal state of Baden-Württemberg is also Germany's sunniest state, with a Mediterranean-like climate on Lake Constance.

The region has attracted travellers since Roman times, and today offers the gardens of Mainau and Baden-Baden, the vineyards in Stuttgart and birdwatching on Lake Constance.

www.tourism-bw.com

www.tourism-bw.com/plan/brochures

Mainau

Mainau Island, the botanical garden on Lake Constance has a Baroque palace surrounded by parkland dating back to the 18th century.

The butterfly house is one of Germany´s largest and the arboretum has trees that are more than 150 years old.

Lending the island a During the year there are displays of tulips, rhododendrons, roses, perennials and colourful dahlias in the park and formal gardens.

In the summer months are the palms and citrus plants.

Annual highlights include :

www.mainau.de/en/events

Baden-Baden

For centuries, cosmopolitan Baden-Baden has been the 'jewel' in the Black Forest crown, with natural thermal springs and spas and gourmet restaurants.

The Kurgarten lawns welcome guests to the elegant Kurhaus casino and the 200-year-old Lichtentaler Allee offers promenading under tall chestnut, maple and oak trees, past flower beds and romantic bridges over the River Oos.

Stuttgart

Set in a natural bowl, Stuttgart is surrounded by hills, forests, orchards and vineyards and Karlshöhe ridge has a beer garden and panoramic terrace.

Overlooking vineyards, the 200-year-old Württemberg Burial Chapel is a starting point for wine-themed hikes.

Downtown Stuttgart has the Green U, a U-shaped chain of parks and gardens, stretching for five miles.

www.stuttgart-tourist.de/en

Birdwatching

Lake Constance attracts 300 species and 250,000 migrant birds during the year.

There are black-throated and red-throated loons in late autumn brings and lapwing, dunlin and curlew in witnter.

The Wollmatinger Ried nature reserve on Reichenau Island and Lake Federsee are fine bird watching locations.

www.bodensee.eu/en

Useful links

​ www.tourcomm-germany.com