Black Forest Discovery

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.