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Germany is an enormous country with so many regions of such diversity and contrast, that a week's driving holiday could only whet your appetite for a much longer stay.
The land that gave us Beethoven, Bach, and Goethe, the land
that spawned the Romantic Movement, Germany is also one of the most
industrialised and economically powerful countries in the world.
Apart from the wealth of cultural treasures, the variety of its
landscapes make it a wonderful country to visit. The tour we have
selected covers only a small part of the Black Forest area in the
province of Baden-Wurttemberg, as nothing should be rushed in this
incredibly beautiful area and we wanted to give you time to acquire
a taste for all its beauty. We suggest flying to Strasbourg as it
provides the simplest access to the northern Black Forest region.
Where possible we have avoided the larger cities and the autobahns,
providing an driving trip planner that focuses on the highlight of the region,
its extraordinary scenery.
Day 1
From Strasbourg airport, drive over the border to the E52 in Germany and pick up the A5 autobahn, heading north to Baden Baden, the famous spa town in the northern Black Forest region. This idyllic
town is built on a group of hills, where the healing waters have
attracted visitors through the ages, turning the town into a
fashionable tourist centre since the 19th century. As well as its
baths, Baden Baden's casinos also attracted the fashionable set in
the 19th century, and it is still possible to lose your shirt at the
remaining gambling dens. Wander through the elegant town, past its
palatial villas, tree-lined avenues and well-kept parks and gardens.
Accommodation is plentiful and there are many good restaurants and
cafes to suit every purse.
Day 2
From Baden Baden, travel south to Freudenstadt on the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse, or the B500 as it is officially named. Germany's most scenic highway, it winds its way through some of the most beautiful forests and the most stunning views. You can see parts of the Upper Rhine Valley and the Vosges Mountains in Alsace to the west. Freudenstadt may only
be 60 kms away from Baden Baden, but you could take at least a day
on this route, there is so much to see. Stop off at some of the many
lakes on the journey and hire a paddle boat on the Mummelsee, the
lake that lies at the bottom of the Hornisgrinde, the regionšs
tallest mountain. Freudenstadt is also a spa town, laid out like a
spider's web, with an enormous market square at the centre.
Day 3
Just south of Freudenstadt, take a leisurely drive on the B294, the road that follows the Kinzig Valley as far as Schiltach, a lovely little town with half-timbered houses and a market place at the foot of a steep hill. Carry on the Kinzig Valley to the village of Hausach. There is some accommodation
available here or in spots in the surrounding area.
Day 4
From Hausach, pick up the B500 again, heading south to Triberg. There are some fine museums in
Triberg and lots of cuckoo clocks. The area surrounding Triberg is
great hiking country. You can see, or even climb up to the top of,
Germany's tallest waterfall, on the Gutach River. In their
breathtaking beauty, the falls could be the subject of any number of
paintings from the Romantic era, although the less romantic, more
pragmatic traveller will appreciate the enormous amount of
electricity that they generate.
Day 5
From Triberg, take the B500 again through Schonwald to Furtwangen where you can visit the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum, the German Clock Museum, to see exhibits of watches and clocks from all over the world. Continue on the B500 to the popular lakeside twin-resort of Titisee-Neustadt. The Black Forest's oldest spa, Titisee is very crowded with tourists visiting the many shops, cafes, and restaurants. Take a walk around the lake, only 2 kms in length, or hire a rowing boat or a pedal boat. Windsurfing and sailing are also available. The less commercial twin is Neustadt, situated only 3 kms from Titisee in the Gutach Valley. You could then visit Schluchsee, a resort lake and
town, about 10 kms south of Titisee on the B500. Lots of water
sports are on offer here and you can swim in the lake. Accommodation
is plentiful in all these spots.
Day 6
Take the B500 back to Titisee and head off on the B31 to the thriving university city of Freiburg.
The city is surrounded by the forested hills of the Black Forest and
there is a wealth of historical sights to see, especially the
imposing Cathedral, which dominates the town. Check out the
stained-glass windows, the high altar and the square tower. Many
interesting old buildings, museums, restaurants, cafes, clubs and
bars abound in this lively, sociable city, making it a great place
to explore and have fun. Plenty of accommodation available. A short
distance south from Freiburg is the Schauinsland Peak, 1286 metres
high, with a great network of footpaths to walk around. Or take the
cable car to the summit for a splendid panorama of the Black Forest
region.
Day 7
On your way back to Strasbourg from Freiburg, take the B294 and make a short stop in Haslach, a small market town in the Kinzig Valley. It has a picturesque Altstadt, with some half-timbered houses and a former Capuchin monastery, now the Trachtenmuseum, which houses a fine collection of folkloric costume. From Haslach, Take the B33 north, and negotiate the junction that will get you onto the E52 autobahn that leads you back to Strasbourg and the airport.
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