The Beautiful Black Forest

LeShuttle to Calais and overnight stay in northern France on a bed and breakfast basis.

The Beautiful Black Forest

We continue our journey and stay in France this evening, stopping in Luxembourg City along the way. The picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Old Town is a highlight, jam-packed with cobbled streets, charming squares and monuments.

The Beautiful Black Forest

We continue on to our hotel in Oberharmersbach, stopping en route in Strasbourg, a picturesque city of beautiful architecture, with its unique blend of French and German influences contributing to its vibrant cultural scene. cultural scene. Strasbourg boasts a lovely Old Town with quaint colourful houses and twisting alleys, the canals of Petit France and the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral. For 227 years, this imposing sandstone structure was the tallest building in the world and at its summit, the views stretch as far as the Black Forest.

The Beautiful Black Forest

We tour the hauntingly beautiful Black Forest, home to centuries of German history. Our scenic adventure begins with the oldest town in Baden-Wurttemberg, Rottweil. The name might sound like the dog breed, Rottweiler, because Rottweiler is descended from drover dogs left by the Roman Legion in Rottweil! The town has an attractive Old Town of towers, churches and fountains and is famous for its medieval centre, which has changed very little in appearance since the 16th century.

Next, we head to Triberg in the heart of the Black Forest. As you explore the town centre, you’ll find shop windows filled with Black Forest gâteau and traditional cuckoo clocks. Triberg is the birthplace of the original Black Forest Cherry cake recipe! And if that’s not impressive enough, Triberg is also famous for having the world’s largest cuckoo clock (which is the size of a two-storey building) and for having the largest waterfall in Germany, falling an impressive 163 metres in a series of cascades.

You may also like to explore exhibits on traditional crafts and the history of the Black Forest railway at the Black Forest Museum, which features an impressive collection of Black Forest clocks, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship that the region is known for.

The Beautiful Black Forest

Enjoy a day at leisure, relaxing at the hotel, exploring the little village of Oberharmersbach while admiring the views of the rolling hills or taking a leisurely walk through the surrounding countryside.

The Beautiful Black Forest

We make our way to the pretty spa town of Baden-Baden. Set against the backdrop of the luscious and enchanting Black Forest, reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm fairytales, Baden-Baden is a magical and elegant town built on thermal springs, which has made it an ideal spa getaway for centuries.

Next, we travel to Freudenstadt on the famous Black Forest High Road, one of the most spectacular forest roads in the world and featured in many advertisements and films. The town is a delight to explore, featuring the largest market square in Germany, surrounded by arcaded buildings and charming shops.

The Beautiful Black Forest

Enjoy a day at leisure or join our optional excursion to Titisee, one of the largest lakes in the region. It’s a lovely place to admire the crystal-clear glacial waters, set against beautiful scenery, and browse the numerous small stores offering handmade products and local food delicacies.

After spending time at Lake Titisee, we head to the charming medieval town of Freiburg. You’d be forgiven if you think you’ve stepped into a fairytale – a city full of beautiful, cobbled squares, colourfully painted houses, red terracotta roofs and the famous Munsterplatz, a square in the heart of the city, home to Freiburg’s famous food market and the Historisches Kaufhaus, or Merchant’s Hall. Cameras at the ready for the grand cathedral, the 11th-century Freiburger Munster which towers above the square.

The Beautiful Black Forest

Today we travel to Schiltach in the very heart of the Black Forest. This lovely destination is full of half-timbered houses, straight out of a story book. The town centre, or ‘Städtle’, offers a chance to see how this small town looked centuries in the past, while the local museum showcases local history and traditional crafts. Later, we travel to our second stop of the day, the pretty town of Gengenbach, famous for its impressive town hall which turns into a giant Advent calendar during Christmas. Wander along the river or through the Old Town, which boasts romantic half-timbered houses and charming winding streets.

The Beautiful Black Forest

We head to Colmar, a scenic town dotted with colourful houses and beautiful architecture. Visit the well-preserved Old Town, often referred to as ‘Little Venice’ due to its serene canals, or the bustling market square to enjoy local delicacies. The iconic St. Martin’s Church, a masterpiece of Gothic design, is worth a look before we continue to our overnight hotel in France, with a light evening meal included.

The Beautiful Black Forest

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Calais for our journey home on LeShuttle.

Explore Strasbourg’s La Petite France, where canals curve past flower-decked, half-timbered houses. Cross stone bridges to the square dominated by Strasbourg Cathedral and marvel at its soaring spire of pink Vosges sandstone.

Learn how this border city blends French flair and German craftsmanship, expressed in winstubs, guild houses and Gothic detail. The cathedral was the world’s tallest building for 227 years, a testament to medieval ambition and enduring artistry.

Amble the canals of Little Venice in Colmar, where pastel facades, geranium-filled window boxes and wooden galleries reflect in the water. Step into the lanes around St. Martin’s Church to admire Gothic stonework and lively market squares.

Absorb Alsatian charm shaped by centuries of French-German exchange—wine merchants’ houses, cobbles worn smooth, and cozy winstubs. Photographers relish storybook streets and bridges that frame the town’s prettiest waterside views.

Stroll the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, famed for thermal waters since Roman times. See the neo-classical Trinkhalle colonnade, the opulent Kurhaus and Casino, and amble the leafy Lichtentaler Allee beside the Oos River.

Hear how 19th-century aristocrats and artists made this a European rendezvous, leaving grand villas and manicured parks. Enjoy Belle Époque architecture, café terraces and the refined calm of a resort built for restorative pleasures and unhurried promenades.

Travel the Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße), a ridge-top route with vistas across the Upper Rhine and Vosges. Wind between dark firs and misty mountain passes, with opportunities to pause for photos and reflection at scenic lookouts.

Arrive in Freudenstadt to explore Germany’s largest market square, framed by arcaded houses and fountains. Learn how Renaissance planning shaped its generous grid, then browse boutiques and cafés that animate this lively upland town.

Wander riverside Schiltach, where steep cobbled lanes climb past rows of half-timbered houses to the compact Städtle old centre. Wooden balconies, slate roofs and murmuring streams create a quietly romantic Black Forest scene.

In nearby Gengenbach, admire its baroque streets and the famed Gengenbach Town Hall, whose windows become a giant Advent calendar each December. Explore winding medieval lanes, artisan shops and sun-dappled squares set against wooded hills.

Discover the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Luxembourg City, a hilltop maze of ramparts, squares and graceful facades. Amble past the Grand Ducal Palace and cafés on Place d’Armes toward the celebrated Chemin de la Corniche.

Gaze from the “most beautiful balcony in Europe” across the Alzette gorge to terraced gardens and ancient walls. Hear stories of the Bock Casemates and the fortress that once made this small capital a giant of European defense.

Enjoy entertainment one evening at your Black Forest base, a relaxed gathering that might feature live music, regional folk tunes or convivial dancing. Share a drink with new friends in the warm glow of the bar.

This sociable night adds local flavour and companionship to the journey, inviting you to unwind after a day of exploration and savour the easy rhythm of village life under forested hills.

Discover university-spirited Freiburg, where the red-sandstone Freiburger Munster rises above Munsterplatz market and babbling Bächle run along cobbled streets. Browse arcaded lanes and colourful facades that embody Baden’s sunny, eco-minded capital.

At Lake Titisee, admire crystal-clear glacial waters backed by dark forest and browse lakeside boutiques for cuckoo clocks and regional treats. This experience is at additional cost (£19pp, bookable on tour) and pairs cultural browsing with tranquil alpine scenery.

Explore the Black Forest Scenic Tour, taking in the medieval charm of Rottweil, the oldest town in Baden-Wurttemberg. Stroll lanes lined with oriel-windowed houses and medieval towers, and hear how Roman drover dogs gave rise to the Rottweiler’s name.

In Triberg, browse cuckoo-clock workshops and taste Black Forest gâteau before walking to the Triberg Waterfalls—Germany’s highest series of cascades, tumbling 163 metres through spruce woods. Pause for the region’s storybook atmosphere and crisp forest air.

Meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers over a convivial welcome drink in the heart of Oberharmersbach. Settle into a forest-fringed valley village of timbered inns and church spires, where the pace slows and local hospitality shines. Hear practical tips and the shape of the days ahead so you can make the most of the region.

Gain an insider’s feel for Black Forest culture—farmhouse traditions, hearty cuisine and woodcarving—while getting answers to any questions. This relaxed start builds camaraderie and sets the tone for a journey of soaring woodland slopes and storybook towns.