#fresch start

In Croatia we got used to organized NYE parties on the main city square (along with bad music and huge fireworks). This year we decided to check out Stuttgart's Schlossplatz expecting the same thing. Boy, we were wrong.

No music, no countdown, no nothing. Except bombs everywhere.

Seemed like a battlefield. That kind of firing power would be enough to take down goverments in some countries. Rockets flew everywhere, some of them found their way to the stars, some of them managed to break a couple of windows. First fireworks in our lives that weren't fun at all. We headed back to our kitchen, to eat and drink and celebrate with friends.

Doesn't matter where you are, it's about who are you with.

If you are a sucker for Christmas and everything christmasy - you have to come to Germany. When Advent comes (4 weeks prior to Christmas) - Weihnachtsmarkt takes over squares, villages and cities to celebrate coming of Christ.

We visited the one in Esslingen - and instantly fell in love with the place. If you're in Stuttgart you should take the S1 S-bahn and go there to have some apple gluhwein, bread on a stick that tastes like pizza, marzipan-flavored candy and all kinds of oh-so-yummy goodness.

In the stands you can find a perfect handcrafted gifts for your family and friends - but everything looks so good that you want to keep it for yourself. Buy at least two of everything.

Even if you are a Grinch or a Scrooge - Esslingen will change your mind.

Let's be realistic - if you are a guy, upon entering the Museum you'll feel like all your childhood dreams came true.

Cars everywhere. You also get a "walkman-like" device that is your audio guide. It's cool in the beginning but then it becomes a hassle to use it everywhere. I just wandered around, mesmerized, bumping into groups of people.

And Gullwing was there. I finally saw Gullwing live. Maaaaan, I don't like cars that much, but she's a beauty (I think I should refer to it as a "she" since they did it that way in "Gone in 60 seconds").

Other than cars, you also get a history lesson on most important world events in 20th century (also few years before and few years later). Loved that part.

Don't bother paying 4 euros and waiting in line for at least half an hour to get into the "Mercedes driving simulator". It looks cool, but it's not a "simulator" at all. You get in, you see a short movie about the racing history of Mercedes vehicles, the steering wheel turns left and right on its own and it's not that fun as you imagined it to be.

Museum is closed every Monday. Other than that - it's closed only four more times. On Christmas' Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. If you find yourself in Stuttgart on a holiday or Sunday with nothing to do - Mercedes Benz Museum is the place to go.

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm

Ticket for adults is 8€, and if you are a student it's 4€.

Random fact: Mercedes is named after a daughter of one of the first "gentleman racers" Emil Jelinek.

Achtung: if your girl is coming with you, promise her ice cream after the museum since girls don't find cars that fascinating. There are a lot of cars there. Really. Even if you are in shape, you'll get tired by the end of the tour. And if you're tired - imagine how she feels. Ice cream! Or chocolate.

When world-famous artist go on european tour - Germany is one of their favorite stops. 

Acts like Macklemore&Ryan Lewis, Ollie Murs, Ryan Leslie, Keith Sweat and 112 have visited Stuttgart in the last couple of months, and soon Sepulptura, Cradle of Filth, 30 Seconds to Mars and One Republic will also be here, collecting bras from their stage. Future looks bright for the mainstream consumer. 

And you can also look for gigs in other cities such as Köln (Justin Timberlake sold out Lanxess Arena twice - and the concert is next year!!!), Frankfurt, Münich, Hamburg and Berlin. We were at Jay Z's concert in Lanxess Arena located in Köln and it was awesome sauce - world class production. You should spend your money on experiences, not on things.

We had issues with the first version of the site we did, not content-wise but functionality-wise. Now everything is backed up, and looks the same as the old one, it's just that we (as content-creators) are more satisfied with the final outcome. You could call this a fresch start (ba dum tss).

Our neighbor has this dinosaur bike “bell”, that makes me wanna buy a bike.

Stuttgart is spread across a lot of hills, and some of them are quite steep. Riding downhill is a challenge (and uphill, for the ones lacking stamina). Really good workout, though. Two of our friends fell down while doing it. Let me just say, no make up helps when you fall on your face.