annetti

I will have a Euro pass this summer and would like to visit the Black Forest. I'll be coming from Frankfurt. Any suggestions for a place to base myself for some local sightseeing, short hikes, pretty scenery and perhaps a museum or two. Might like to visit a spa if it is not too expensive. Would welcome something less touristy if I can get there by train. I've never been in this region, so any suggestions would be welcome. I'm thinking 3 -5 days. Thanks.

srice_53098

We live in Germany (Bonn - we're Americans) and I've found this place which looks like it's in a great area. Haven't actually been there but that's where we'll stay when we're able to get down there. Check out their view!

http://www.hotel-alemannenhof.de/ah_...tel/index.html

We've been to the Wolfach glass blowing factory (http://www.dorotheenhuette.de/) and also visited the big waterfall in Triberg. Then we were staying near Heidelberg.

Hope this helps with a few ideas. Probably didn't answer your question.

Sarah

annetti

Thanks Sarah. Anybody else out there with some suggestions?

Russ

Titisee and Neustadt are sister towns along a train route that from Freiburg cuts west to east through the most scenic part of the Black Forest. This is an ideal spot for small daytrips by train. Titisee is set on a gorgeous lake of the same name and is the more touristy of the two towns, but it is not a zoo - even in high season, it remains a precious little place. When I was there last, I stayed at HI hostels. The one in Titisee is in a beautiful old farmhouse adjacent to the lake (but a couple of km out of town.) Neustadt is just a couple of km further along. Neustadt's hostel is more modern but very nice - a somewhat lengthy uphill walk from the train station at the edge of town. There are also many B&B type places at reasonable prices in the area. You can read about the hiking, spa, and other opportunities here:

http://www.titisee.de/servlet/PB/men..._l2/index.html

annetti

Russ, Thank you. Do I need to make reservations now for the summer or can I wait until I arrive in Germany, say a couple of days before I decide to go?

jeffwill4you

We stayed in Hornberg, which is in the middle of the Black Forest. Triberg,
Gutach, and Wolfach are all right there.
75 miles from Zurich for a day trip less
for strasbourg and others. It was so beautiful and friendly plus the only tourist we saw were at the house of a 1000 clocks.

WilDersh

Annetti, I would stay in Freiburg. Using the trains, you can easily visit the Titisee area, Heidelberg, and Basel Switzerland. With a car you can visit Triberg, Baden Baden area (spas) and Colmar, France. Not to mention the fact that Freiburg itself is a good place to visit.

We stayed there for 3 weeks and made frequent trips to the areas mentioned and others not mentioned.

Wil

Russ

Here's the e-mail address for the Titisee-Neustadt tourist office. Simone Reith is listed as the accommodations booking contact person on the German pages of the website I gave you. If you read a little German and want to get an idea of accommodations in the area, you can go to the homepage and search by looking under "Unterkunft". I peeked at some of the private B&B options which seem to run around 20 Euros per night. There are upper scale options available as well. I'm pretty sure they can send you a brochure - probably in English - that covers all the possiblilities in town.

[email protected]

Russ

Titisee is popular, especially if you will be there in July or August. I'd reserve in advance.

Freiburg, as Will suggests, is also a good option. It's a very pleasant city with plenty of options if you are looking for something more city-like. But it is well removed from the Black Forest atmosphere that most people think of when they hear that name. Titisee-Neustadt are in the heart of the upper Black Forest.

BTilke

You don't need a car to stay in Baden-Baden. ICE and other trains serve the Baden Oos station; from there, it's an easy and short bus or taxi ride right into the heart of Baden-Baden. There is some good hiking (and rock climbing if that interests you) right around Baden-Baden, plus the spas of course (the traditional Irish-Roman spa, the Caracalla modern spa and a few hotel spas), the casino, the outdoor concert hall, and excellent restaurants and shopping. But it can get crowded in the summer, especially on week-ends when the day trippers pile in. We love Baden-Baden but prefer to go there off season (October-April).

LarryJ

I stayed in Freiburg last month to visit the Christmas Market there. Great little city, nice setting on edge of Black Forest and very good train connections from there. Really liked the Novatel Hotel there. Great view of town and forest from rooms on 6th floor.

Larry J

annetti

Thanks, everyone for your help. It helped to narrow the choices for me.