My husband, son age 16, and I will be using public transportation for our trip, seeing some things in northern Germany before heading to the Black Forest area and then flying home from Zürich in early August. My biggest need is recommendations for where and how to best see the Alps: Switzerland? Germany? Which town or which train route / tour / chair lift place, and so on. Also recommendations for an overnight in Zürich would be helpful, your top 1-2 things to see in Zürich if we have time, and top recommendations for the Black Forest, although I have found some of that on here already. Thank you!
Posted by
🌲🌲🌲
13077 posts
My favorite place to stay in the Black Forest is Gengenbach, which is a charming town with beautiful half-timbered houses that is frequently referred to as a "chocolate-box village." It's very convenient because it is on the main train line, and with the use of the KONUS card (that me.crewe mentioned above), you can travel by train to many places in the Black Forest for free. It has a beautiful Altstadt, with quite a few restaurants and cafes to choose from. There are lots of things to do there and it's a very quick (and easy) 40 minute train ride from Strasbourg and other towns in the Alsace.
There is plenty of lodging there as well. It's popular among Germans but many Americans have never heard of it so you won't get the American tourist crowds you get in Rothenburg. It's very walkable and there is an especially nice walk you can take that will get you above the town with some absolutely beautiful views of below. The hike ends up at a church called St. Jakob auf dem Bergle that sits above town. The TIC in town will have maps showing you how to get there. The views are just lovely!.
The town church (Saint Marion) is quite beautiful, and the historic medieval gates to the city are really interesting. The Benedictine Abbey is also worth a visit, and behind it are some cloistered gardens that were a joy to wander through. This was one of my favorite places. It was peaceful and inviting and I could have stayed for hours. There were little signs of inspiration scattered around, and some children from a nearby kindergarten playing on one side. Also don't miss a walk through Engelgasse and Höllengasse streets (near the TIC). Here you will find cobblestones and half-timbered houses, flower pots and cats resting on doormats and quaint dolls in the window. I felt like I had walked back in time when I strolled through these quaint and narrow streets.
The Vogtsbauernhof (Black Forest Open Air Museum) is located a short train trip away, which is an open air museum that is definitely worth a visit, and it's easily walkable. Gengenbach is also on the scenic Black Forest Railway line (another way to ride for free with the KONUS card). This takes you through the scenic Black Forest and through some very charming small villages like Schiltach and Haslach.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
3150 posts
In the Black Forest I stay in Gengenbach but have also stayed in Titisee-Neustadt. Any number of towns would be fine.
For alps - Switzerland. The area around Interlaken has great alp areas. Top choice is Zermatt with the Matterhorn, but that’s quite a way from Zurich !
Instead of Zurich, I would stay in Luzern. Take the round trip tpur to Mt. Pilatus