“Thank you for another wonderful trip. The area was so beautiful and the people so friendly. You picked just the right location. Chuches, cities, gardens, winery, shopping, beer garden….. everything was perfect.” ♦ J. Howard
“What a great trip – best one yet! Can’t wait to see what’s coming up. Thanks loads! ♦ S. Compangna
“Thank you so very much for the wonderful trip. I enjoyed it all and am so happy I went. I think it is my favorite. Such a beautiful area.” ♦ L. Jones
“With many thanks for a lovely trip, planned by lovely people! ♦ M. Waters
Itinerary
Tuesday, April 23rd
We meet in the afternoon as a group at the Euro-Airport Basel-Mulhouse and travel by bus to our hotel in Waldau. There is time to unpack und unwind before meeting for dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Wednesday, April 24th
On our first day we stay close and first explore the neighboring town Titisee-Neustadt-for some strolling & shopping and possible luncheon. Afterwards a short drive will bring us to the Wutach gorge and the Restaurant “Schattenmuehle” for afternoon refreshments or even a beer in their picturesque beer garden.
Thursday, April 25th
Today we want to delve into the Black Forest’s rich culture and history and head to the Open Air museum Vogtsbauernhof (English language audio guides available), and along the way we may stop in Triberg to see the world’s largest cuckoo clock. For lunch and the afternoon, we will visit the glass manufacture Dorotheenhuette Wolfach to learn about and watch some glass blowing and browse their beautiful shops. They even have a Christmas village set up 365 days a year.
Friday, April 26th
Enough of sweeping vistas and enchanting woods for a day. Today we are heading into Freiburg (im Breisgau) to discover this ancient town and its world-famous cathedral -called a Minster-. Freiburg’s shops, alleys and historic buildings invite us to explore and enjoy. But before we get there we must get through the ‘Höllental’ first which means literally Hell’s valley. Some stretches of this historic highway will soon explain the unusual name and you might almost expect to see Highway robbers jump out from behind some gnarly trees to hold up our coach. It is the ‘Black’ Forest, after all.
Saturday, April 27th
Another change of scenery for us today as we put on our walking shoes to visit the iconic Black forest valley, the Glottertal. It is home to numerous vineyards all growing their famous red grape “Roter Bur”. We will go on a scenic and easy 5 ½-mile hike through some vineyards with spectacular vistas and then reward ourselves with a wine tasting at the local vintner’s co-op.
Sunday, April 28th
Today we are in for a treat as our bus brings us out of the Black Forest and south-east to the Lake Constance to Mainau, also lovingly called the ‘Flower Island’. This private island in the Lake is family-owned and has been dedicated entirely to everything flowering since 1932. But it is not just flowers, their butterfly house is quite spectacular as well; and last but not least their restaurant in the Palmhouse. This is a destination that will appeal not only to gardeners.
Monday, April 29th
We start the new week bright and early with a daytour to the Haut-Rhin and finish in the Alsace! Starting with a brief visit to Breisach we continue to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site. Neuf-Brisach is the last fortified town built by the famous French military engineer de Vauban. Built under order of Louis XIV it was designed as a strategic stopover for the safety of Alsace and is unique in Europe. And since we are more than halfway there anyway, why not skip across the Rhine and visit the picturesque town of Riquewihr and marvel at its timber-framed Renaissance architecture. Riquewihr lies at the foot of the Vosges mountains and is not only renowned for its Riesling wine but is also listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Tuesday, April 30th
Today we are back on German soil and back to Lake Constance. Having had only a glimpse of it on Saturday we are now traveling along the North shore of the Lake. After a visit to the famous Rokoko church in Birnau and some Lunch we continue to a special open-air museum in Unteruhldingen of the Bronze Age. The reconstructed huts sitting on stilts in the water show everyday life as it was some 25,000 years ago and prove that this region has been settled for a very long time indeed. Their importance is underlined by the registration as another UNESCO World Heritage site.
Wednesday, May 1st
We reserve one last highlight for this last day of our tour and will visit the Rhine falls of Schaffhausen, the largest water falls in Europe that has awed and inspired travelers for centuries. Whether some of us want to brave the torrents and take a boat ride or are content with watching from the vantage points above the falls this will be an impressive experience either way. After some lunch we continue to visit Rheinau Abbey, a former Benedictine Abbey founded in 778 AD perched on an island in the Rhine and which baroque church is said to be one of the most significant sacred buildings in Switzerland.
We can’t top this and return to our hotel with enough time to pack our bags before enjoying our last dinner together.
Thursday, May 2nd
Nothing for us but to check out and board the bus back to the airport.
This exceptional tour includes 9 nights at the idyllic country Hotel Sonne-Post, all breakfasts and dinners, airport transfers, local transportation and most entrance fees. The price is $2,695 per person based on double occupancy. Single room surcharge is $75.
Airfare, luncheons, alcohol (except for wine tasting tour), and bus driver gratuity not included in the price.