Stuttgart to Niort coach

Though less recognizable than other German cities like Munich or Berlin, Stuttgart is no less fascinating to visit. Plus, since it's less famous than other destinations, you might find more authentic culture and less touristy prices.

Your first stop should be Schlossplatz. This palace square is located right at the city centre, in the shadow of the Baroque New Palace and the 10th-Century Old Palace. The square is a lively area, with events hosted year-round, most notably Stuttgart's Christmas market; check out our itinerary of 10 famous Christmas markets in Germany for more.

Got a car fan in your travel party? The famed Mercedes-Benz Museum celebrates the beloved German vehicle, and the Porsche Museum showcases legendary racing cars.

The Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Garden will entice you with acres and acres of open spaces for everyone to enjoy, plus several thousands of different animal and plant species. It's on the grounds of another castle if you haven't seen enough German castles yet. Next, stop at the Markthalle to embrace your inner foodie and try a spread of international and local delicacies. The huge public market has over 33 stalls that offer all kinds of delicious goodies.

Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, and Railjet trains make it easy to reach Stuttgart from cities like Strasbourg, Zurich, and Frankfurt. Coach options abound, too, with FlixBus, Sindbad, Union Ivkoni and more providing routes in the area. Stuttgart Airport is only about 20 minutes outside of the city, so flying is definitely an option, too.

Situated in western France on the river Sèvre Niortaise, Niort was once a wealthy port town before becoming an important modern finance centre. Niort offers many museums that showcase the city's impressive past. The Museum Bernard d'Agesci displays many exhibits on the area's cultural heritage, plus natural history and fine arts collections. Le Musée du Donjon de Niort, housed in the keep of the original wall surrounding the city, educates visitors on the city's history and displays archaeological and ethnographic collections.

Contrasting the city centre's vast stone architecture, Niort lies on the eastern edge of an incredibly scenic marshland region. The Marais Poitevin is the closest part to the city, and with the nickname "green Venice," it offers a peaceful place to spend time in nature, crossing wooden footbridges over slow-moving streams.

To experience an authentic French Saturday market, visit Les Halles de Niort to wander through the many stalls selling all kinds of local and handmade products, with the opportunity to sample regional foods at one of the several cafes.

Niort's SNCF station lies on the TGV Paris- Montparnasse - La Rochelle line, and the TER line, for easy rail access to the rest of France. National and international coach services also operate from Niort. The nearest airport is about 60 kilometers away, in La Rochelle.