I'm just starting to plan a solo trip for August/Sept 2018 that will include Austria, Switzerland and Germany and need advice regarding heading to Germany from Geneva. I'm going to be on a tour that ends in Geneva (coming from Salzburg) and would like to go from there up into Germany to see parts of the Black Forest, a quick stop in Bad Mergentheim (to see a colleague), then time on the Rhine (preferably staying in Boppard or Bacharach). I can plan to fly home from Frankfurt. I will be using public transportation and expect that I'll have about 9 days. I prefer smaller towns/villages for my places to stay and enjoy seeing castles, nature, local museums, tasting wine and beer, and don't mind a touristy attraction here and there for fun (like world's largest cuckoo clock). Any advice regarding itinerary and/or travel is very much appreciated.
Posted by
Paradise
7108 posts
Gengenbach is a good travel base over a few days for the Black Forest towns as well as Freiburg and Strasbourg. The KONUS card, a perk that comes with staying in Gengenbach (and other participating towns,) gets you on the scenic Black Forest Railway and all the other railways around the region for free.
Boppard is a very good base for 3-5 days to explore the Rhine/Mosel region. Day passes like the Rheinland-Pfalz Ticket and the VRM day ticket cover your rail transport (and some ferry crossings) inexpensively there. Marksburg, Rheinfels and Burg Eltz Castles are all worth visiting.
Hope you'll return with specific questions as your planning moves forward.
Posted by
OP
Corvallis,OR, USA
119 posts
Thank you, Russ - I appreciate any ideas of places to stay for the best sightseeing. I was trying to decide whether to just take off for Germany right away (which looks to be a pretty long train ride) - or make a stop somewhere between Geneva and the Black Forest. Hoping to find more good tips in the near future. Thanks again.