Black Forest Discovery
Holiday Highlights
- Rail via the picturesque Rhine Valley
- Stay in the charming resort of Hinterzarten
- Unlimited free travel during stay with the Konus Travel Card
- Lineside photography on the Pig’s Tail Railway
- Journey by steam on the Kander Valley and Pig’s Tail Railway
- Travel on the highly scenic Schwarzwaldbahn
- 8 days from £1,965pp
Tour Dates:
Thursday 9 June to Thursday 16 June 2022
Thursday 8 September to Thursday 15 September 2022
Hinterzarten is an excellent centre for exploring the Black Forest – a lovely resort and ideal for those who enjoy walking, with its network of marked footpaths. Enjoy trips on the Sauschwänzlebahn and Kandertalbahn and a scenic circular route from Hinterzarten to Offenburg via the Schwarzwaldbahn to Donaueschingen.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – London to Aachen
Lunchtime Eurostar from London’s St Pancras to Brussels Midi to connect to a high speed train to Aachen arriving early evening. Our hotel for the night is just a short walk from the station and we have a welcome dinner at the hotel included tonight.
Day 2 – Via the Rhine to Hinterzarten
Travel by train along the scenic route south, following the Rhine, as far as Freiburg and then continue by local train to Hinterzarten in the Black Forest - our base for 5 nights. The journey takes us on the steeply graded Hell’s Valley Railway, the steepest line in Germany, crossing the spectacular Ravenna Gorge on the 131ft high Ravenna Bridge.
Day 3 – The Pig’s Tail Railway
Transfer by private coach to Zollhaus-Blumberg, where we board the morning steam service on the Sauschwänzlebahn to Weizen on a return journey. The line is renowned for its magnificent bridges and wonderful forest scenery. In the afternoon, we follow the train with the coach for photo opportunities, before returning to Titisee.
Day 4 – Kandertalbahn
Board a late morning regional train to Haltingen via Freiburg to enjoy a return journey on the Kander Valley Railway to Kandern. The Kandertalbahn is one of only a few trains in Germany, and the only standard gauge line in Baden-Württemberg, that is operated as a museum train. The tiny steam loco and vintage carriages recreate a typical branch line of the early 20th Century.
Day 5 – Black Forest Circular Tour
Today we journey via Freiburg to Offenburg and after a break for lunch there will be time to explore the old town. The highlight of the day is a trip up the Schwarzwaldbahn to Donaueschingen. The Black Forest Railway is a 100km long electrified line, passing through 39 tunnels and over 2 impressive viaducts, and is the only true mountain railway in the region. Crossing the whole width of the forest from west to east, the line climbs via a series of hairpins with amazing views of the valley below. The return to Hinterzarten is via Neustadt.
Day 6 – Day at Leisure
In addition to the many well marked walks in the area, you also have the chance to travel further afield as the Konus Card included with your holiday gives unlimited travel on all regional trains and bus routes in the whole of the Black Forest area. The tour leader will be on hand to give suggestions or assistance with planning excursions today.
Day 7 – To Bonn
We depart Hinterzarten and the Black Forest and travel north to Bonn via Freiburg for our final night stay in Germany. Our hotel for this evening is ideally located adjacent to the station.
Day 8 – On to London
After a leisurely breakfast we take a morning departure via Cologne and then the high speed line to Brussels Midi. We connect with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, arriving mid-afternoon.
Selected Hotels
Ibis Hotel Aachen am Marschiertor, Aachen
Parkhotel Adler, Hinterzarten
InterCityHotel, Bonn
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- All rail travel as stated in standard class
- Konus Travel Card
- Excursions as listed in itinerary
- Accommodation in good, quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour
Price per person
Escorted holiday: | £1,965 |
Single room supplement: | £625 |
Deposit for this holiday: | £100 |