Berlin or Stuttgart
 

I have two itineraries with Delta. One is for Atlanta to Stuttgart and the other Atlanta to Berlin via LaGuardia. Does anyone have recommendations for either destination. I am ultimately trying to get to Athens Greece for a cruise but this was the best I could do with FF miles. Thank you.

Are you sure it is through LGA? They only handle domestic flights and leave the int'l ones to EWR and JFK (except Canada precleared). How many days are you staying in either Berlin or Stuttgart? That will help with the decision making process.

I have certain doubts about LGA either. However, I would certainly prefer Berlin if I had the choice between the two. Stuttgart can be a little be boring...

Oops
 

Yes, the itinerary is ATl-JFK-Berlin.

Berlin is much more interesting compared to Stuttgart - especially if have a longer stay.

Though I've not been to Stuttgart, I'd also choose Berlin.

But is there anything at all to see in Stuttgart? I have a flight out of there in September, and would only have at most the day before, but could make a few hours available if there's something that merits it.

I lived in greater Stuttgart area for almost 20 years. tell me what you like and I find you something worth to stay some more hours ...

Well, I'd probably only be able to devote a Saturday evening to Stuttgart, and I'm not much of a bar-hopper, so the fact that it's Saturday evening probably won't help much. But if there were a tour of a Mercedes plant that is open late, that would be interesting. I also like art museums, but I'm not aware of a significant one in Stuttgart.

The date will be Sept. 22, and if there's a festival of some type or a concert, that could also be worth planning for.

How about...
 

First day of Oktoberfest is September 22nd. It's in Munich which is a 2 hour train ride away. A bit inconvenient but when else will you be able to experience it? I'll be there, will be taking the last 11pm train to Stuttgart arriving 1am, and will be sleeping in the airport before my 7am flight on the 23rd.

Famous Stuttgart museums: http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/ENG/leisure/museen.htm

No weekend or evening factory tours at Mercedes or Porsche plants available.

Stuttgart has one of the best ballets in the world. there should be something at the Grosse Haus. or Variété at Friedrichsbau? if you're into sport, the World Athletic Finals are on Sept22. at the Daimlerstadion ... there's so much to do at Stgt. or make a short hop to ZRH (2h by train) and have fun at the ZRH DO with some FTer :)

Both the Staatsgalerie and the new modern collection are actually quite interesting not just for the exhibits but also architecturally. Also, if you are into modern architecture and don't get in too late, there are guided tours to the Weissenhofsiedlung which is a major landmark of Bauhaus architecture at 3 pm Saturdays (no link at hand but google will get you there). No reservation necesssary in theory but a very good idea indeed in practice. And as argued in a previous post, the Stuttgart opera is definitely worth checking out (but not easy to get tickets for!)

Anyone there on a weekday and interested in shopping, don't overlook Metzingen, the nearby hometown of Hugo Boss and the (quality) outlet shopping capital of Southern Germany. A very short drive from STR and a favorite destination of many flight crews (apparently including flight crews into FRA on many occasions, even though it is a much longer drive from there). Lots of options for women as well.

I've visited both cities and would choose Berlin over Stuttgart in a heartbeat.

Berlin in a heartbeat... to me its the new center of Europe

I try to go twice a year and there is always so much going on.

PM me if you want traveling on a budget tips...

First day of the 162. Cannstatter Volksfest ( Wasen ) is September 28th. It's quite central in Stuttgart, so no 2 hour train ride is necessary!

http://www.cannstatter-volksfest.de/