Decisions, Decisions...Black Forest or Lake Constance
 

Dear Folks,

I'm planning a summer of '04 trip to Germany and Switzerland. After spending several days along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, I'd like to spend a few days in either the Black Forest or around Lake Constance. Following this, it'll be on to Switzerland. Given the Forest or Constance, which would you choose, and why? My main travel interests include museums, historic sites, and photographing the German countryside. Any suggestions concerning accommodations and must-see sites would be appreciated. Also welcomed would be any anecdotes regarding these regions.

Thanks in advance.

A couple of weeks ago I stayed two nights in Gengenbach/Black Forest en route to Switzerland. Maybe my trip report is of some help:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34448796

In general I'd say Black Forest is for mid-range mountains and landscape, Lake Constance is for (mostly) Baroque architecture and lake views.

Both places are beautiful and offer unique experiences.
My suggestion is Lake Constance(Bodensee). WE spent a lot tof time in Meersburg. This village is situated right on the water similar to Itlay's Lake district where the town slopes down like terraces to the water.
We stayed at a hotel where from the terrace you had a terrific view of Germany's oldest in tact castle.
The name of the hotel is 3Stuben Hotel. They have great web site,, I will try to find it for you. It has a great restaurant and beiatiful hotel rooms.
There are great museums here regarding ancient weapons, etc..
This area has mild climate and parts have a view of the alps.
Great photo opportunites around the Lake, castles, architecture, etc...
Oh, and one of my favorites - Insel Mainau. It is somewhat tropical and offers a rich history, unbeleivable gardesn,and an ancient castle....
Have fun!!!!!

The web site for the above mentioned hotel is - www.3stuben.de.

Also, for clarification the area I mentioned called Insel Mainau is an island in the Bodensee. You take a boat to it and it si accessable from city of Konstance. One can easily spend a whole day there. They have rose bushes form Josephine Bonaparte that are about20 ft high, etc...

I can't speak for the Black Forest, not having done more than skirt it on our recent trip, but Meersburg on Lake Constance is marvelous. If you'd like to see some images of the town and the isle of Mainau, the link to my album at DotPhoto.com is below.

http://www.dotphoto.com/GuestViewAlbum.asp?AID=1051212

We stayed at Gasthof Zum Bären, on the third floor, in a room with an Oriel with a fabulous view. Staying at that hotel really added to the enjoyment of our stay in Meersburg.

By the way, the link to Gasthof Zum Bären in Meersburg is:
http://www.meersburg.de/baeren/seite3.htm

I can highly recommend Lindau on Bodensee. Small town on an island with a lovely Lake Promenade. Several nice hotels right on the lake front.

http://www.tompgalvin.com/places/de/bayern/lindau.htm

Folks,

Thanks to one and all who responded to my query. The thoughful, detailed information is most impressive and appreciated.

I'm currently leaning toward a few nights' stay in Meersburg. It strikes me as an ideal base to explore the Bodensee, nearby Konstanz, Mainau, the zeppelin museum, along with a northerly excursion to Weingarten.

Once again, thank you.

I just got back from spending 3 days in Bodensee. You can spend two days exploring Lindau Insel (old town, promenade), Friedrichshafen (Zepplin Museum, promenade), Meersburg (old town, promenade), hop on a ferry in Meersburg to go to Konstanz or continue along the water to the next town of Birnau to see the Baroque church, then to Uberlingen to see the old town.

You can spend one day exploring the other side of the lake by driving along the water to visit towns in Austria and Switzerland.

DavidD:
Sorry, But my vote is for the Black Forest! Gengenbach is a delightful medieval town which rivals Rothenburg (but without such crowds). Titisee is a lovely laketown with walls of fir trees on all sides (a bit touristy, but worth an excursion). Triberg is for cuckoo-clock afficenados. By far though, my favorite base is Staufen im Breisgau, under 20 minutes from the small-medium-sized city of Freiburg--itself full of museums and historic sites! Staufen is a great junping-off spot for hikes within the forest proper (excellent connecting bus service). Both Staufen and Freiburg have delightful Baechle--channels along the sidewalks for mountain run-off water, meant to cool the town in summer...delicious for tootsie-dipping (though all will know you're a tourist!!) And did I mention? Staufen has a world-renowned Schnapps distillery?

rach,

You've re-energized my interest in the Black Forest. Your tips sound delightful, especially the distillery. (Naturally, of course, my interest there would be of a historic/cultural nature, nothing more.)

Needless to say, both the Bodensee and Black Forest regions have much to offer. My indecision has re-appeared.

Should I opt for the Bodensee, any sense as to the driving time between the Mosel, say around Trier, and Meersburg?

Hi David,

According to www.viamichelin.com, driving distance between Trier and Meersburg would be a little over 4 1/2 hours.

DavidD:
Please check out
www.tourismus-baden-wuerttemberg.de
Click on 'english please' and go from there for beautiful pictorials and descriptions of both the Black Forest (Click on cities/small towns) AND Lake Constance. Perhaps this site will sway you to one area more than the other.
I am going to Gengenbach myself next Fall, crossing the border to France and Alsace-Lorraine for the wine-tastings!!Spending five nights in a vacation apartment. Haven't yet decided on my second town in the general area for the other five nights...

DavidD:
Isn't planning more than half the fun?
Another great site to check out on the Black Forest:
www.schwarzwald-tourist-info.de/
click on english.
I really could not find a nice site on Lake Constance/Konstanz/Bodensee in english, only in german.....Perhaps someone else knows of one?
I forgot to mention a nice-looking 'open-air museum' near Gutach in the BF---www.vogtsbauernhof.org/
available in english...Its a collection of several 'typical' Schwarzwald dwellings, dating back to 1525? If you've ever been to Ballenberg Open Air Museum in Sw. (which by the way is great--been there 4 times), this is similar, though I believe smaller (I will visit it myself next fall for the first time).

www.frommers.com/destinations click 'Konstanz' for a bit of info on Lake Konstanz

rach,

Thanks so very much for the almost encyclopedic background on the Black Forest. Make no mistake about it, planning a holiday is at least half the pleasure of the actual trip, perhaps more.

I spent a wonderful, memorable two-plus weeks in Bavaria and Austria last summer, and I'm constantly drawn to perusing travel books concerning these regions and beyond. Indeed, it's increasingly hard to focus on the "daily grind", especially considering my prospective trip to Germany and Switzerland next summer.

Thanks again for the feedback. I'll make a point of following-up on your suggestions.

After making a decision on L. Constance or the B. Forest, it'll be on to points south and Switzerland. At this time, I'm considering a few days in western, French-speaking Switzerland (perhaps Murten, Bern, Chillon), followed by four days in the Berner Oberland, concluding the trip with a couple days around Zurich, perhaps south in Luzern.

DavidD:
LOVED Berne and Murten.
My favoritest Berner Oberland townis Brienz....read all about 'em!

I agree with rach and would opt for the Black Forest. He has made many great suggestions.

I lived there once for three years (not far from Gengenbach, actually) and it is indeed a beautiful and interesting part of Germany. Freiburg is one of my favorite European cities, and there are many picturesque towns and villages, either up in the hills or along the Rhine valley. One that stands out in my memory is Glottertal, with many fine inns and restaurants. Hinterzarten and St. Peter are lovely resort villages up in the mountains.

You are also very close (just across the Rhine) to Alsace, one of the most charming regions of France with the great city of Strasbourg. In fact, you could easily spend your whole time there.

It's a difficult choice because the Bodensee is also a very pretty area, but for me the Black Forest would win hands down.