Photo by miradrozdowski via 123RF ()
Southwest Germany is home to the famed Black Forest, the perfect place to get an elaborate cuckoo clock and go on an outdoor adventure. With its winding rivers, picturesque lakes, half-timbered houses and quaint villages, the Black Forest is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s so magical that the Brothers Grimm fairy tales are said to have been inspired by this area!
The luxurious scene
If you want to visit a city in the Black Forest, Baden-Baden is a great stop for your first day. This 19th-century city is nestled in a valley and home to thermal baths and stunning Belle Époque-era architecture. Any of the local spas are incredible and offer serious pampering, but Caracalla Spa is one of the most popular options.
Outdoor adventures
Other activities in Baden Baden include golf, tennis and hiking. There is also a casino, Hohenbaden Castle and ruins of Roman baths. If you like gardens, be sure to stop by Gönneranlage rose garden, which features over 400 varieties of flowers that bloom from May to October. Take a stroll down Sophienstrasse for a little high-end shopping or stop at Gasthaus Löwenbräu beer garden for a drink and people-watching while in the city.
If you love a good waterfall and a hike to boot, the Triberg Waterfall is perfect for the second day of your adventure. It is Germany’s highest waterfall, pouring 535 feet off of a mountain slope into the valley. The waterfall is easy to access from the city center and you can go on a 6.5 mile intermediate hike around the area on the Triberger Wasserfälle trail. Check out the Black Forest Museum by the lower entrance to the waterfalls before you leave.
What to buy
Surely no trip to the Black Forest is complete without visiting the German Clock Museum in Furtwangen, just 20 minutes from Triberg. Visit the museum to learn more about the history, art and technology that go into timekeeping. Here you’ll find over 8,000 items to admire. There are also timepieces and other instruments of clock making. Purchase an elaborate cuckoo clock while in the Black Forest or just admire the intricate craftsmanship that goes into each clock.
There’s so much to do in the Black Forest that it’s hard to narrow it down to just two days of fun. No matter what you decide to do, be it hiking, exploring the city or museum touring, you’re sure to have an incredible adventure. Get out and get moving in Germany’s Black Forest!
