10D9N GERMANY BLACK FOREST BAVARIA AND ALPS

10D9N Germany: Black Forest Bavaria and Alps

On arrival at Frankfurt International Airport, head to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town and once the capital of the Palatinate, a historical region of Germany. Thanks to its picturesque riverside location and its beautiful old structures including a massive castle that overlook the town centre, Heidelberg is a very compelling destination for travellers wishing to appreciate the scenic beauty of the old-town architecture and castles of Germany’s Rhineland. With its numerous historic sites and attractions as well as excellent dining experiences, it is no wonder that the city ranks among the top destinations in Germany. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in and enjoying Heidelberg.

Day 02 – HEIDELBERG – BADEN-BADEN  [B]

Depart Heidelberg and head to the world-renown spa town of Baden-Baden in the Black Forest. Thanks to its relatively mild climate and mineral-rich hot springs, Baden-Baden has been a popular spa destination since Roman times. Its historic spas and ancient architecture has earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from its famous spas, the town is also a popular destination for sports enthusiasts – like hiking in summer and Nordic skiing in winter. Enjoy Baden-Baden at your own leisure. 

Day 03 – BADEN-BADEN: GENGENBACH & SCHILTACH  [B]

Located in the south-western state of Baden-Wurttemberg, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) is a large forested mountain range, measuring about 160km, north to south, and up to 50km, west to east, with its highest peak – Feldberg – at about 1,500m. So called the Black Forest, thanks to its famous black fir trees and thick tree canopy, the region attracts visitors loving its beautiful rolling landscapes, its picturesque villages with half-timbered buildings, its iconic cuckoo clocks and no less its outdoor recreational activities.  Gengenbach is a very beautiful medieval town on the western edge of the Black Forest famous for its towering medieval spires, a bustling farmer’s market in a cobblestone town square and a little chapel on a hill overlooking the town and surrounded by lush vineyards.  It is the proud owner of the world’s biggest Advent Calendar – the 24 windows of the 18th century town hall represent the 24 “windows” of an Advent Calendar.  Situated on the eastern side of the Black Forest is the very quaint and highly picturesque town of Schiltach – historically referred to as the “Town of half-timbered houses, raftsmen and tanners”.  Surrounded by woodlands and located at the junction of three rivers, Schiltach, thanks to its strategic location, has been the home of craftsmen and tanners and also the Black Forest’s centre for timber rafting.

Day 04 – BADEN-BADEN – FREIBURG  [B]

Depart Baden-Baden and head to Freiburg, a vibrant university town popularly regarded as the “Jewel of the Black Forest”. A stroll through the old town overlooked by the 116m tall spire of the stunning church – one of Germany’s most beautiful religious buildings and a Gothic architectural masterpiece – is a must.  Surrounding the church is a cobblestone pedestrian square, ringed by historic monuments and scene of a market that trades every day of the week except Sundays. One of the square’s key attractions is the Historical Merchants’ Hall from 1532 with its deep-red facade and colourful corner towers. The other major square in the old town is Augustinerplatz.  Overlooked by an Augustinian abbey and the remains of the city wall, this is a popular rendezvous point for locals, which probably has something to do with the stone steps that flank one side – somewhat reminiscent of the Spanish Steps in Rome. Freiburg is a place for foodies with its hearty Baden dishes, locally brewed beer and outstanding regional wines (one of Europe’s best wine-growing regions thanks to the climate and terroir of the area). Enjoy Freiburg at your own leisure.

Day 05 – FREIBURG: TRIBERG  [B]

Triberg is famous for Germany’s highest waterfalls with an overall drop of 163m over 7 cascades – a highly spectacular sight! A walking path climbs through the steep Triberg forest, stopping at 7 viewpoints overlooking the river as it plunges down from pool to pool in a constant white froth. And it’s worth going all the way to the top for the views down into the rocky ravine. Triberg is also famous for its finely crafted woodcarvings and cuckoo clocks, the signature feature of the cuckoo clocks being that regardless of size or complexity, a little bird will pop out and say “cuckoo” on the hour.

Day 06 – FREIBURG – MUNICH  [B]

Depart Freiburg and head to Munich, the capital of Bavaria, and home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums.  Munich is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589.  In the Old Town (“Altstadt”) is Marienplatz, a central square with landmarks such as the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall) with the Rathaus Glockenspiel (reputed to be the most extravagant clock in the world). And in the days leading up to Christmas, the entire old town of Munich is one huge Christmas Market!

Day 07 – MUNICH: ZUGSPITZE  [B]

Join a guided tour to Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany with a 2,962m summit accessed by cogwheel train and cable car.  Zugspitze has three glaciers and it is Germany’s highest ski resort with more than 20km of ski pistes covered with natural snow for about six months of the year.  At the top, enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the German and Austrian alps (on a clear day, you can see more than 400 mountain peaks in four countries!).

Day 08 – MUNICH: NEUSCHWANSTEIN LINDERHOF AND OBERAMMERGAU  [B]

Join a guided tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace (the only palace of King Ludwig II that was completed before his death) and Oberammergau. From a bridge near Neuschwanstein Castle, enjoy the picture-perfect iconic views of this 19th century masterpiece, the fairy-tale – “Sleeping Beauty“ – castle of King Ludwig II.  Oberammergau is a beautiful alpine village renowned for its woodcarving industry and its once-a-decade Passion Plays (for the last 380 years) attracting visitors from all over the world.

Day 09 – MUNICH  [B]

Enjoy Munich today at your own pace.

Day 10 – DEPART MUNICH  [B]

Free time until your transfer to Munich Airport for your departure flight.

Optionals:
(1) Possibility to extend one night in Munich to go Outlet shopping.
(2) Possibility to extend at any of the destinations simply because there is so much more to see and appreciate.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.