The Trip to StuttgartJun 26, 2011
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Train Ticket
The View from our Window
The Mercedes Tower
| June 27, 2011 We debarked the ship today. It is hard to believe that the cruise is over. 8 days went extremely fast! As we were the last to board the boat, we felt it was only right that we were the last to leave. It was sad to say goodbye to our new friends, Roger & Georgia, but we had a great time with them! From the ship, we took the train from Wurzburg to Stuttgart. It was interesting handling 9 suitcases, but we made it!! Luckily, the train was not crowded at any stop, and our suitcases were able to have a set of 4 seats all to themselves! From the train station, we attempted to take a taxi to the hotel, but the drivers were all nebulous about fitting our 9 suitcases! Luckily, when we told one the name of our hotel, he pointed next door! So, Dad & Peggy took the taxi with 7 of our suitcases & Mark & I walked with the other 2. We stayed at the Stuttgart Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin, a 5 star hotel, courtesy of Mercedes, and it definitely was a gorgeous place! We each had suites with a living room, enormous walk-in closet with pine closets inside, a large bedroom, and of course, bathroom. Our windows opened and looked out on part of the city & train station, but it was a beautiful view up the mountains as well. Moose & I could not resist sitting on the windowsill toasting the beautiful countryside. After dinner, I decided to go to the sauna & pool. To get there, I went down the elevator from our fifth floor to the Mezzanine level (Level Z). From there, I passed a number of “salons” (meeting rooms) until I came to the “secret elevator”. When I reached the door, I had to turn the key and then wait for the elevator. When. it arrived, I opened the secret door, and stepped into the small wooden elevator. I searched for a way to operate the buttons. Just as I found the answer, one of the concierge entered the elevator. Covering quickly, I graciously told him I was simply waiting for him to board the elevator. He then told me to insert my key & then push 5. He walked me into the dressing area showing me the pool and the sauna. It was marvelous decorated in an oriental, “zen” manner. There was dark wood, oriental statues, bamboo, and several oriental fern . It was extremely tranquil. I enjoyed about 15 minutes in the sauna before entering the pool. You did not have to tell me (or I did not have to read the signs twice) for silence. It was the most peaceful place. After swimming about 25 laps, I relaxed in the sauna again before taking a shower (that came from the ceiling in front of the glass waterfall), and then headed back down the secret elevator to go back up to my room. Probably the most incredible hotel I have ever experienced! |
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