The cuckoo clock has become a symbol for both Baden-Württemberg and the Black Forest — and a popular souvenir. Its origins date back to the 17th century. You can find the largest examples of these clocks in the towns of Schonach and Triberg, where they can be more than 15 meters (about 50 feet) tall.

The Black Forest, with around 23 million overnight stays every year, is Baden-Württemberg's most visited region. Its highest peak, the Feldberg, is 1,500 meters (almost a mile) high. It's also home to the state's largest nature reserve and offers something for all seasons, from hiking to skiing.

The idyllic town of Freiburg is surrounded by forested hills and home to almost 230,000 inhabitants. The Gothic cathedral and the pretty old town are definitely worth a visit. The city also has many cafes and pubs offering excellent food. Recent environmental protection projects have also earned the city the title of being the German capital for ecological friendliness.

The inhabitants of Baden-Württemberg are fond of good cuisine, and love Spätzle noodles, Maultaschen stuffed pasta and delicious wine. Top wines are cultivated in the wine-growing regions of Württemberg and Baden, from the Neckar to the Rhine rivers. The Kaiserstuhl (photo) is the sunniest and warmest vineyard area in Germany.

With more than 600,000 inhabitants, Stuttgart is the biggest city in Baden-Württemberg. The city center lies in a valley nestled between vineyards, offering a daily physical challenge for locals who must climb or descend the more than 400 steep flights of steps around the city. One of the many attractions in the town center is the New Castle, a former residence of the kings of Württemberg.

Stuttgart is known as the home of inventors and innovators. With his universal combustion engine, Gottlieb Daimler created the basis for the automobile. Today, the Mercedes-Benz museum traces the history of the automobile, from the early days to current prototypes and test vehicles. And if sports cars are more your thing, be sure to head to the Porsche Museum.

Many artists have immortalized this city, among them Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and American author Mark Twain. Heidelberg Castle, the city's landmark, once served as the residence of rulers. It still towers above the old town center and the Neckar River today. Heidelberg University has also left its mark on the city. Founded in 1386, it's Germany's oldest university.

With an area of more than 500 square kilometers (some 190 square miles), Lake Constance is the third largest lake in Central Europe. Baden-Württemberg shares its shores with Bavaria, Switzerland and Austria. The climate here is so mild that palm trees and hibiscus flourish. The flower island of Mainau (photo), where over a million flowers bloom every year, is particularly worth seeing.

Baden-Württemberg's Rheinau wetlands feature floodplain forests, vast meadows and a network of intertwined rivers, where the Rhine still flows unrestrained through nature. The ever-changing water level is the lifeblood for rare animal and plant species. These are best seen from a flat barge, a boat used by local fishermen to navigate the ancient Rhine tributaries.

Hohenzollern Castle is located in the foothills of the Swabian Alps. With its many turrets, battlements and vaults, it's seen as a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture. The castle still belongs to the Hohenzollern family, the former German imperial house, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Stuttgart is a top destination for car fanatics. Although subject to opinion, it is widely accepted that the first automobile was invented by Karl Benz in Stuttgart in 1886. Visitors can learn about the inception and development of the car in the Mercedes-Benz Museum, and the Porsche Museum takes guests on a journey through the history of the brand.

The kings of Württemberg once ruled in Stuttgart, and the many palaces in the area bear witness to this time. The New Palace is in the city center, and during summer the square is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike. The building is now used by the state ministries of finance and education.

The buildings of Stuttgart's Weissenhof Estate are a feat of architecture. They were designed by the famous architects Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1927 as an exhibition on modern living. Both buildings by Le Corbusier (pictured) were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2016, together with several of his other works in seven different countries.

Stuttgart's theaters have something for everyone. There are six large, private theaters, around 20 smaller establishments and the multiple award-winning Stuttgart State Theater with opera, ballet and drama productions.

The city boasts 11 large museums, plus 30 smaller exhibition buildings and special collections. The Schweine Museum, for example, is about the art and cultural history of the pig. Among the classics is the Staatsgalerie with paintings and sculptures from the 14th to the 21st century. The architecture is a wonder in itself — a postmodern building combined with traditional building elements.

Stuttgart lies in a valley surrounded by vineyards. The winemaking industry has more presence here than in any other big German city, and a number of hiking trails take visitors through the vineyards. The tradition dates back 1,000 years, and the wine-growing museum (Weinbaumuseum) provides information about viticultural and oenological history.

A glass of Swabian wine goes hand in hand with some hearty Swabian food. Maultaschen, for example, are pasta pockets filled with minced meat, spinach and parsley. Visitors can sample Swabian cuisine in one of Stuttgart's many restaurants or in a "Besenwirtschaft" — traditional Swabian wine taverns that operate without a license for a maximum of four months a year.

The ingredients for a traditional Swabian meal can be found in all their forms at Stuttgart Markthalle. Even the most discerning foodies will be in their element here, and top chefs also come here to buy their produce. It's worth a visit just to see the Art Nouveau architecture, which is now listed as a historical monument.

The people of Stuttgart certainly know how to eat and drink … and party! The Cannstatter Volksfest, which normally takes place twice a year in spring and fall, is a huge festival with tents, stalls and fairground rides. This year, both events were canceled due to the coronavirus restrictions.

The best place to view this "Swabian paradise" is from the TV tower. It soars 217 meters (712 feet) above the houses and vineyards, and on a good day you can see the mountains of the Swabian Jura. Looking out from the tower at sunset, it's easy to understand why many people still see Stuttgart as paradise on Earth.