Tour suggestion
Day 1: Arrival in Frankfurt
Welcome to Germany! You’ll be greeted by your tour guide and bus driver at the airport, and they’ll immediately take you on a short tour of the city of Frankfurt am Main. You’ll see the historic old city sites, Roemerberg and Kaiserdom, as well as the finance and banking district. The skyscrapers here are among the highest in Europe, which is the reason why the city has been given the nickname “Mainhattan.” You’ll then be driven to the Heidelberg/Mannheim region for your first overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Heidelberg
Today you explore Heidelberg. The city is not only home to a prestigious university, but also to one of the most famous sights in Germany: Heidelberg Castle. After its destruction, it was only partially rebuilt, and today the castle ruins dominate the image of the old city. Your guide will show you the most beautiful parts of the picturesque old city and the secrets of the castle ruins. Afterwards, you’ll have time to let the flair of the city take its effect on you. In the afternoon we continue on to the region of Baden-Baden/Rastatt. Dinner and overnight at a hotel are included.
Day 3: Schwarzwaldhochstrasse and ham tasting
Off into the Black Forest! We’ll drive along the famous "Schwarzwaldhochstrasse" (Black Forest Overpass) towards Freudenstadt and enjoy a beautiful view of the mountains and valleys. Along the way we will stop at several smokehouses, where you’ll be introduced to the secrets of ham-smoking, and of course you’ll also get to taste the original Black Forest ham. Your trip will then continue through forests, lakes and hills to the Offenburg/Durbach/Strasbourg region. Dinner and overnight at a hotel are included.
Day 4: Black Forest museum and cherry cake
Today will take you to the middle of the Black Forest. The Highlight of the day is the Schwarzwaelder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof (Black Forest Open Air Museum). Here, you will take a journey to the past and experience how people lived and worked in the Black Forest over the past 400 years. After a guided tour you’ll enjoy lunch, however, first you must churn your own butter! Guten Appetit! In the afternoon, you’ll be let in on another one of the Black Forest secrets. You will learn how to make the original Black Forest Cherry Cake… and of course get the chance to eat some of your delicious creation! In the evening, you will check into your hotel in Freiburg where you’ll spend the next few days exploring. You will be welcomed with a delicious buffet of Black Forest specialties!
Day 5: Kaiserstuhl and Freiburg
Today you'll take a day trip to the region of Kaiserstuhl. This low mountain range is situated between the Black Forest and the Vogesen mountains. It is bordered by the Rhine river and is the sunniest region in Germany. During this tour, you will enjoy the beautiful volcanic landscape, with its unique terraced vineyards. Since this region is dominated by wine, we cannot miss the opportunity to visit a wine cellar and experience local wine tasting. There will also be a hearty supper with specialty cuisine from the region. Afterwards, there is time to go for a walk through the vineyards and enjoy the atmosphere. In the afternoon, you will be driven to Freiburg in Breisgau. This is one of the sunniest cities in Germany and it is also an internationally recognized university city. This guided tour takes you to the cathedral, along the "Baechle" and to historic houses and sights. Return to your hotel in the Freiburg region. Dinne in a restaurant or the hotel.
Day 6: Water and clocks
Today you'll start in Freiburg and travel to the heart of the Black Forest. The Triberger Wasserfaelle are Germany's highest waterfalls, which stretch over a total of 163 meters high in 7 steps. You`ll arrive at the falls via well-developed paths, stairs and footbridges and still have time to enjoy nature along the way. In the afternoon, we will go to the German clock museum. After a short tour, you can decide if you would like to create your own cuckoo clock in a 3-hour workshop. Of course, you’ll also have the chance to buy a cuckoo clock. Then free time in Freiburg. Dinner in a restaurant.
Day 7: Honey and craftsmanship
The day begins with a guided hike along a country trail in the Breitnau region. This trail inspires you to explore and discover old black forest craftsmanship. The historic cable-car, the Großjockenhof mill and a glass-blower are only a few of the traditional businesses that you’ll pass along this country trail. A trip to the beekeeping museum is planned for the afternoon. Here you’ll learn about the significance of bees and how honey is produced. Of course you’ll have the chance to try some honey and mead. At the end of the day, a typical black forest evening is planned at your hotel.
Day 8: Sauschwaenzlebahn and Tuebingen
Before leaving the Black Forest today, you’ll enjoy a historic train ride through the beautiful countryside. "The Sauschwaenzlebahn" is a train museum with historic steam locomotives and wagons. The route runs 25 kilometers from Weizen to Blumberg. It runs over four bridges and through six tunnels. You will enjoy the beautiful views of the valleys, gorges and the Black Forest. We will then continue further north by bus. The next stop is the Swabian university city of Tuebingen. During a guided tour of the city, you can explore the medieval town center with its half-timbered houses and the impressive market square with its picturesque Neckar front. You can walk through the narrow streets and enjoy the flair of this young, cosmopolitan city. After this stop, the trip continues toward Stuttgart. Dinner and overnight stay in the Stuttgart area.
Day 9: Mercedes Benz museum and Ludwigsburg
Our first trip today is to the Mercedes Benz museum. This unique museum, with its 1500 exhibits, shows the 125 year history of the automobile industry. It is an exciting trip into the past, which is expertly presented using modern technology. In contrast to that, you’ll go to the residential castle of Ludwigsburg in the afternoon. The castle is one of the largest remaining original baroque buildings in Europe. In a guided tour, you’ll walk through two centuries of royal state rooms and learn several chambermaids’ secrets. In the late afternoon we’ll continue to the region of Frankfurt for your last overnight. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 10: Trip home starting in Frankfurt
Copyright Program and Pictures: © APPINA TRAVEL GmbH
