Top Reasons to Go to The Black Forest

Healing waters: More than 30 spas with a wide range of treatments await to make visitors feel whole again, but nothing beats the 3½-hour session at the Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden.

Freiburg Münster: One of the most beautiful sandstone churches in southern Germany, the Cathedral of Freiburg survived the war unscathed. The view from the bell tower is stunning.

Libations at Kaiserstuhl: Enjoy a local wine in the wine-maker's yard or cellar with Black Forest ham and dark bread. It's especially nice when the grapes are being harvested.

Cuisine in Baiersbronn: Put aside all those worries about calories and plunge into the work of creative cooks in the heart of the Black Forest.

Going cuckoo: Look for a cuckoo clock from Triberg (or a nice watch from Pforzheim).