Located at the foot of the hillside region Schwäbische Alb, inmidst wonderful meadows harbouring fruit trees, you will find the rural town Metzingen. But the first impression of a sleepy little place is misleading, because this small town is also the home of a flourishing outlet center where international brands like Hugo Boss (having its headquarters in Metzingen), Prade, Joop and many more. It is visited by about 3 millions of shopping fans from 185 different nations per year and thus it is one of the most important shopping centers all over Europe.

If you take a second look, though, you will see that Metzingen also belongs to a UNESCO biosphere region, harbours a viniculture tradition leading back at least hundreds, if not thousands, of years, and also there is the center of the old town with its many historical buildings, some of them dating back in the 11th century. Worth visiting besides the outlet center is the local vine museum where you can also sample the wonderful vine sold in the "Vinothek".

For further information: http://www.metzingen.de/willkommen

Photo: (c) Petra Kottmann