‘Heidelberg’ and ‘Breuninger’ in Germany await Gulf travellers this winter with exclusive experiences

Germany’s beautiful city of ‘Heidelberg’ and high-end shopping destination ‘Breuninger’ await Gulf travellers this winter with exclusive experiences

With the continuous increase of Gulf travellers to Germany recording 1.8 million overnight stays in 2018 compared to 770,000 in 2009, the vibrant city of  ‘Heidelberg’ and luxury shopping destination ‘Breuninger’ have stepped up to the plate to attract Gulf visitors.

Heidelberg, a centuries-old but fun-loving city within the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, is a famed university city courting GCC travellers with its café-hopping, restaurant and confectionery culture combined with rich historic attractions. The city hosts the original Vetter’s Brauhaus inn, which has exported its culture of freshly brewed drinks, sausage and over-fresh pretzels worldwide. Considered a haven for foodies, Heidelberg visitors can ride the funicular up to the castle and dine in ‘Scharffs Schlossweinstube’, the elegant Michelin-starred restaurant in Heidelberg Castle with amazing views of the old town and the river.

To attract family visitors during the festive winter break, Heidelberg is underscored with an abundance of colourful season markets. Year-round, the city’s stunning, lush green landscapes are brought to life through funicular, balloon and boat rides, as well as trips to Heidelberg Zoo, which houses over 1,100 animals from 250 species.

“Heidelberg is also a member of Germany’s barrier-free concept, which has provided great access to attractions and activities for the physically challenged and the city has produced the HeidelbergCARD which offers a host of benefits and discounts to visitors,” added Nina Koch, Director Sales of Heidelberg Marketing. “For the visually impaired, we have tailor-made excursions in German and English, including the ‘Discover Heidelberg by ‘Sensing, Smelling, Feeling’ guided tour. This brings the city’s history to life by sensing the environment, feeling monuments and smelling the scents of the city.”

Luxury fashion & lifestyle shopping

Meanwhile, Breuninger one of Europe’s leading department stores, is anticipating its luxury retail experiences will attract high-end GCC shoppers to 11 stores throughout Germany. Knowing a thing or two about turning on the style for shoppers, Breuninger has been in the fashion and lifestyle business for over 135 years, offering an exclusive selection of international designer brands, aspiring new-to-market brands and outstanding services. High-end brands represented in Breuninger stores include Acqua di Parma, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Céline, Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Gucci, MCM, Sandro, Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and many more.

Breuninger’s flagship Stuttgart store offers over 40,000 square metres of shopping area with fashion, kids' fashion, beauty, accessories, shoes, sports and home & living goods. “The Stuttgart store boasts the largest variety of shoes in the upscale and high-fashion segment across more than 2,000 square metres of dedicated retail space. Furthermore,  it provides a private and exclusive personal shopping service with specially trained fashion and style consultants who put together a personal collection based on the size of the clothing, style and colour preferences of each guest,” added Christian Witt, Director, Tourism Marketing.

Extraordinary culinary offerings are common in Breuninger, where the Sansibar by Breuninger serves up all kinds of specialties, while ‘(karls) kitchen’ is the home of regional delicacies and food from all over the world. Handmade sweets like macarons, chocolate and pastries, produced by the in-house confectionary are served in the several small cafés inside the store. Other tailored services, such as the Breuninger inhouse bespoke studio, the Mercedes-Benz limousine service, tax-free shopping and free Wi-Fi, complete the unique shopping experience.

In Stuttgart, the Breuninger experience is enhanced by its presence in the “Dorotheen Quartier”, which is rich with premium brand stores including Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Steiff, Diesel, Zadig & Voltaire as well as aspirational restaurants such as OhJulia and Enso Sushi & Grill. “Breuninger is very experienced in providing the luxury, quality and value that GCC travellers expect when they go shopping,” added Witt.

About GNTB

The headquarters of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It works on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) to represent Germany as a tourist destination and is funded by the Ministry in accordance with a decision taken by the German Bundestag. The GNTB develops and communicates strategies and products to promote Germany's positive image abroad as a tourist destination and to encourage tourists to visit the country. The GNTB is currently represented in 31 countries. More information can be found at our online press centre: www.germany.travel/presse . To download press pictures, please register via: https://dam.germany.travel.

About Heidelberg Marketing GmbH

Heidelberg, one of Germany’s prime tourist destinations, attracts visitors from all over the world.

Romantic and picturesque, cosmopolitan, dynamic and up-to-date: Heidelberg is all of these. Both the impressive castle and the fairy tale setting have captivated imaginations and inspired creative hearts for centuries. But the city offers even more: in addition to hosting Germany’s oldest university, modern Heidelberg boasts international powerhouses in the fields of environmental protection, genetic engineering, and information technology as well as highest medical competence. Heidelberg (160.000 inhabitants) is located some 50 miles south of Frankfurt International Airport. Excellent rail and motorway connections assure easy access to all parts of Germany and Europe. More than 80 hotels in all categories provide nearly 8.000 beds. The Heidelberg Marketing GmbH is Heidelberg’s official institution for destination management, city marketing and all tourism related services.

The company provides a wide range of incoming services, including:

• Program suggestions for your visit to Heidelberg and for excursions
• Hotel room reservations
• Attractive package offers for individual travellers and groups
• Information and tickets for guided tours
• Excellent savings with the HeidelbergCARD
• Guided tour for groups (nearly 60 themes, 9 languages, 100 guides)
• Heidelberg souvenirs
• Transfers from and to Frankfurt International Airport

As a renowned centre for science and research, Heidelberg offers a great number of possibilities for seminars on special topics (Technical Visits) bookable through the Heidelberg Marketing GmbH. Focus lies on programmes on Heidelberg environmental and social policy.

About Breuninger

For over 135 years, fashion and lifestyle retailer Breuninger has been setting the highest standards of accuracy in design trends and customer focus. Offering an exclusive selection of international designer brands, sought-after newcomer brands and outstanding service, Breuninger is one of the leading department stores throughout Europe. The flagship stores in Stuttgart, covering more than 40,000 square metres, and in Düsseldorf, with a floor area of more than 15,000 square metres, bring together fashion, accessories, beauty and lifestyle to create a unique shopping experience that leaves no desire unfulfilled.