Driving and wine tasting don’t mix — you are going to need a chauffeur. One that works with your schedule, picks you up straight from your hotel and takes you through the vineyards of Emilia-Romagna. Explore an authentic local winery and enjoy three signature wines, like Malvasia, Lambrusco and Trebbiano. Of course, a selection of delicacies will complement the wine, as will the sweeping country views.

Wilhelma is Stuttgart’s unique zoological and botanical garden, set in a 19th-century Moorish-style palace complex built for King Wilhelm I. It’s the only place in Germany that combines a zoo and botanical garden, with around 11,000 animals from roughly 1,200 species, and about 8,500 plant species from all over the world. The grounds are a mix of historic architecture, greenhouses, and themed enclosures like the new Terra Australis area, home to koalas and other Australian species.

Numerous small and big companies offer guided tours that focus on the savoury and salty richness of Parmigiano cheese and Parma ham. Most operators will bring you to a cheese factory tour just outside the city, let you try differently aged samples (most likely 1, 2 and 3-year cheeses). Similarly, don't miss a chance to see a Parma ham factory and taste the thinnest melt-in-your-mouth slices. Pick a tour that best matches your budget, interests and time frame. The most important variable in choosing the best tour is traveller reviews.

Completed in 1956, the Stuttgart TV Tower was the world’s first television tower built with reinforced concrete and remains a model for others globally. Standing at 216.61 metres, it offers stunning views from its observation decks and is home to a rotating restaurant and café.