My husband and I spent almost a month exploring castles, biergartens, mountains, and cities across Germany and Austria Although we loved every second of the trip some of the most touristy spots were our least favorite Here are some of the experiences in Germany and Austria we'd skip if we ever returned Our time in the Black Forest — the one believed to have inspired fairy-tales like Snow White We hiked through lush greenery to monastic ruins Many wares at the local shops felt overpriced and a lot of the food seemed less authentic than other bites we'd eaten during our trip I also didn't like that you had to pay to see the waterfalls in Triberg Although it's nice they're fairly accessible (only a short hike from the entrance) the Black Forest is filled with waterfalls you can visit for free if you're willing to drive into the foggy hills and hike a bit It truly is beautiful — but the problem is so many people know about it now What you don't see in all those Instagram photos is how horribly crowded Hallstatt can get We arrived early in the morning and were among the first in the town but it didn't take long for the tour buses to catch up with us It broke my heart to see mobs of tourists ignoring signs posted on private homes that asked visitors to be respectful and quiet We even saw tourists trespass on private property to pose for pictures in front of the charming houses my husband and I rented a motorized boat and got a view of Hallstatt from the lake This was much more relaxing — but I still would've rather visited one of the other small fairy-tale towns nearby My husband and I spent only half the time we'd allotted to Hallstatt because we were quickly over the crowds (and eager to find better food than what was offered in the town square) I'm glad we did because it allowed us to spend more time exploring the beautiful lake and swamps of the nearby Lake Gosau region Much like Central Park in New York City Berlin has a large park for urbanites to experience some nature: Tiergarten If we'd spent most of our trip in big cities most of our month in Germany and Austria was spent hiking the Black Forest and the Alps and spending time at the lake Tiergarten could not hold a candle to Germany's true wilderness escapes Berlin is a huge city with a lot to see and do a lot of those things are on everyone else's list We found ourselves walking (or taking public transportation) from one major site to the next — statues The biggest letdown might've been Checkpoint Charlie We barely had time to take it in and educate ourselves about this spot — a famous symbol of the Cold War — before we were shoved out of the way by tourists brandishing selfie sticks we spent one morning touring the impressive Salzburg Fortress which is on the hillside overlooking the town was underwhelming compared to the fortress experience that preceded it Although it was neat to learn more about the famous composer with very little interactivity and not a lot to see for the price point I also thought the exhibit consisted of too much reading while looking at replicas of artifacts If you're looking for a cool Mozart experience in Salzburg I highly recommend going to a concert at Mirabell Palace Performances take place in the stunning Marble Hall and it's a unique way to experience the local culture and we have a location right across the river in Kentucky You can get huge beers and great German food here while listening to authentic German music and it was at the top of my must-visit list in the city and the roar of everyone's conversations was so loud that we couldn't even hear the live music while we ate It was cool to say I've been to the original but biergartens we visited elsewhere throughout the country felt more like how the locals enjoy biergartens — in part because Hofbräuhaus is chain we could visit back in the US I'm also a little biased because the next day, we went to Munich's Oktoberfest and spent hours experiencing German food and beer across multiple tents It was way more enjoyable than our trip to Hofbräuhaus My husband and I recently spent almost a month exploring Germany, and three days of our trip were dedicated to its Black Forest The Black Forest is said to have famously inspired many Grimms' fairy-tales with its castle ruins and lush green landscape complete with swirling fog it's a hiker's paradise with delicious cake and famous cuckoo clocks Here's what we loved about our experience in the Black Forest — and two of the mistakes we made Our first taste of fairy-tale magic was the epic hike to All Saints' Abbey The trail starts at the parking lot for the Allerheiligen Waterfalls past a farm and a seemingly out-of-place Romanesque sculpture It was easy to imagine the structure that once stood here — and to dream of adventures our favorite fairy-tale heroes might encounter on a particularly foggy day here at the ruins I loved that the hike took us high up a mountain for spectacular views of the valley but the sour cherries and accompanying taste of the Kirschwasser (a brandy made from sour cherries) keep it from tasting too sweet I'm more of a savory guy who enjoys his pork schnitzel but the Black Forest cake ranks high on the list of things I ate while abroad Baden-Baden is a spa town on the northern edge of the Black Forest Visiting its Friedrichsbad spa was one of the most adventurous things we've ever done we had to get completely naked with a bunch of tourists and locals in order to enjoy the steam rooms Once we got over the initial strangeness of being nude with strangers We also visited the Caracalla Spa next door which seemed better for families: Everyone wears their swimsuits but you still get to enjoy the thermal waters Baden-Baden was a great starting point for our hike to the Hohenbaden Old Castle The stunning ruins are on a mountainside and overlook Baden-Baden It took us about an hour to hike from the city center to the castle We went to the city of Triberg for two reasons: to see its famous cuckoo clocks and the waterfall This was fine since we'd seen several waterfalls that morning during our hikes for free and we would've had to pay to see the one near Triberg we browsed the shops and saw some cuckoo clocks we felt like this city inside the Black Forest was mostly a tourist trap with a lot of souvenir shops It reminded us of shopping in Tennessee's Gatlinburg — definitely a fun time but not quite the authentic German experience we were hoping for We missed out on hiking southern certain trails and seeing Lake Titisee because our home base was in Baden-Baden That made it challenging to see the southern end of the forest and still make it home before dark we plan to stay in Freiburg im Breisgau to explore the southern region Whether you’re doing a deep dive into the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) or you only have time for a quick weekend trip Triberg will give you the quintessential Black Forest experience Located one and a half hours south of the larger spa town of Baden-Baden Triberg is tucked away in the iconic German forest that the Romans considered mysterious and uninhabitable But with so many places to explore in this area It is safe to say that Triberg is most well-known for the waterfall Triberger Falls These are the highest accessible falls in Germany evidenced by the fact that you can easily walk to the main entrance of the falls from the city center There are four additional entrances you can explore for different views and experiences evenings in Triberg offer a lovely sight of the falls lit up in different colors and patterns more adventure is in order at the Burggarten where you can see remains of the castle and its garden From April to October you could test your adrenaline on the High Level Rope Course The tower of “Stöcklewald” allows you to climb up to the observation deck for beautiful views where you can then sit and relax for a quick break For those wanting to take their exploring off their own feet the famous mountain railway through the forest that was lauded as an engineering feat when it was finished in 1873 photographers and others wanting a more in-depth historical experience a trip to the Nature Discovery Park is another option to get your kids out and about in this world-renown forest A trip to the Black Forest is not complete without a little cuckoo clock fun Triberg can happily claim home to the largest and smallest cuckoo clocks in the world The world’s largest cuckoo clock contains a bird that is 330 pounds and 14 feet long and the smallest clock will fit in the palm of your hand There are a number of shops worth visiting to learn more about the history and craft of cuckoo clocks where you will find the charming Tribear Family welcoming you in A few other must-sees (and must-eats) include visiting the Black Forest Museum to learn of the region’s history and traditions and the Pilgrimage Church (Wallfahrtskirche) This idyllic looking forest church was named for Mary or “Maria in der Tanne” after the water nearby was said to perform two healing miracles the quintessential Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) can be found at almost any bakery in town and for those looking for something uniquely savory try the town’s version of Black Forest Ham the Triberg Spruce Ham (Triberger Fichtenschinken)—you could even visit for the Ham Festival Is there any elite player in chess history as overlooked as Efim Bogoljubow and that made Bogoljubow persona non grata in the chess world after the war when FIDE named its first class of grandmasters they conspicuously left Bogoljubow off the list He was a good illustration of how far optimism can take a player in chess — his style is characterized by the constant taking of risks.  It's not completely clear what the impetus was for the 1920 match with Rubinstein — it may just have been that both Bogoljubow and Rubinstein loved playing chess and were a bit footloose after the war — but Bogoljubow's near-upset was a shock taking advantage of Rubinstein's relative discomfort in chaotic positions.  The players traded victories from games six to nine and then Rubinstein finally broke through in Game 11 when Bogoljubow blundered a piece.  The quality of the chess wasn't particularly high — Rubinstein seemed to struggle in general in matches; and the match featured some surprisingly basic mistakes for players of this caliber — but Bogoljubow's contribution to chess was already apparent He was fearless and very much at ease in turbulent waters In the match he found a surprising chink in Rubinstein's armor — his devotion to his variation in the Four Knights found ways to sharpen the play and won all three games in which that variation was contested The match also featured the introduction of the Bogo-Indian Defense — in a Round 10 draw.  Bogoljubow's annus mirabilis continued with his convincing victory (+3-1=0) over a slumping Aron Nimzowitsch Nimzowitsch seemed to be intent on testing out hypermodern ideas particularly in the French Advance Variation but wasn't ready to face Bogoljubow's whirlwind energy And then in 1921 Bogoljubow played a secret (likely training) match against Alexander Alekhine which ended in a tie (+1-1=2) — a result that must have impressed Alekhine and may have contributed to his decision years later to award Bogoljubow a title match.  The issue with Bogoljubow was that he could sometimes lose his sense of proportion and simply play very badly — he always seemed to be working harder in his match wins than his opponents were in theirs — but the tendency to see him as a kind of elevated club player does an injustice to his ingenuity one of the stars of the hypermodern revolution and he played always with creativity and aggression — and with his great year in 1920 forced the chess world to take him seriously as a member of the elite.  here is a game from Alekhine's six-game match with Richard Teichmann in 1921 I have no idea why this unlikely pairing occurred — again it may just be that the two were adrift in post-war Europe Alekhine won two games and appeared to be polishing off his opponent but Teichmann — always easily-underestimated — struck back to tie the match and give Alekhine one of the very few match disappointments he would experience over the course of his career.  Germany — The Black Forest gets its name from a canopy of trees so dense that the woods seem dark Mushrooms sprout across the damp forest floor Red squirrels scamper up the towering trees; streams tumble over rocks No wonder this magical place inspired so many Grimms’ fairy tales But the bleak name Black Forest — Schwarzwald in German — does not capture its beauty My family and I camped there late last summer in one of hundreds of valleys scattered across the forest’s vast The forest stretches across 2,320 miles in southwestern Germany the beds were inflated and our 3-year-old daughter had achieved her goal of muddy feet we sat and relaxed in the sunshine with cool German beers I was assigned mule duty and burdened with our small picnic rucksack carrying his daughter in a backpack on a six-hour hike There are well-maintained paths here of all types sizes and shades emerge from rotting tree stumps You mustn’t try them without expert guidance we drove an hour to medieval Schiltach and another half-hour to the town of Triberg Traditional half-timbered houses have gabled roofs and framed windows that form distinctive geometric patterns on the building facades Triberg also boasts three claims to fame: cuckoo clocks Black Forest cake and Germany’s highest waterfalls The waterfall trails were busy with visitors watching the Gutach River plunge in seven cascades an activity which prompted a debate over whether one would suit our sitting room wall Prices range from 20 euros for the tiniest clock to more than a thousand for a large carved timepiece and the Black Forest’s culinary showstopper demanded to be tasted Triberg claims the original recipe of the famous Black Forest cherry cake which is not as sweet as variations elsewhere Other destinations in the region include spa towns such as Baden-Baden Visitors to the Black Forest can fly to Frankfurt A daily fee of 2 euros for visitors 18 and older covers free use of Black Forest trains and buses plus occasional discounts in shops and restaurants We stayed at campsite Muellerwiese in Enzklosterle (www.muellerwiese.de). You can bring your own tent or RV (RV rentals are available at the Frankfurt airport); rent a tent, cabin or apartment; or choose from a variety of hotels. the Black Forest is a magical land full of cultural traditions Here’s our guide to some of the most beautiful spots in the area or stay in the town center and enjoy the curative waters of the thermal baths including a 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail around the lake that leads up the Hochfirst Mountain Surrounded by tall pine forests on the low Titisee Lake is a place of otherworldly natural beauty Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Black Forest High Road Architectural Landmark Sahara Prince / Shutterstock Black Forest Tours Tours One of Germany’s most famously beautiful driving routes begins in Baden-Baden and carves its way through the scenic countryside of the Black Forest Far from just connecting you to many of the region’s most scenic spots traversing the Schwarzwaldhochstraße is an experience in and of itself Be sure to plan plenty of stops so you can properly appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and don’t forget to keep those eyes on the road the Triberg Falls look beautiful surrounded by snow a famous ramble along the banks of the Neckar where Heidelberg’s philosophers and professors came to contemplate their high-minded ideas © travelpeter/Shutterstock This idyllic mountain resort is made up of nine separate villages, and the recent addition of high-end hotels and bed and breakfasts serving incredible cuisine have put Baiersbronn on the map. The area boasts an incredible 12 Michelin stars in total including two restaurants with three stars So there’s no shortage of choice if you want to indulge in fine dining When you aren’t gorging on excellent cuisine or enjoying long walks through the conifer-strewn forests take a trip to the ski slopes or visit the area’s golf courses And don’t miss the nearby 12th-century monastery – the Allerheiligen ruins – hidden in a quiet © LaMiaFotografia/Shutterstock Not quite as well known as Baden-Baden, Bad Wildabad is another popular spa town and a cheaper option for a home-base in the north of the forest A tunnel cleverly diverts through traffic so that the area feels as isolated from the world as possible Bad Wildbad has beautiful views of endless pine trees and the gorge of the Enz river This town is also filled with thermal baths which naturally hover around 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) and be sure to visit the idyllic Wildsee – a small lake outside of the town center mmuenzl / Shutterstock Allerheiligen Tours The walking trails leading to All Saints Waterfalls were first created back in the 1840s The water spills dramatically for around 83m and a set of seven basins have formed naturally in the rocks creating an aesthetically pleasing set of steps for the water to trickle (or torrent) along The short but immersive trail also leads to the striking ruins of an old Gothic abbey making this off-the-beaten-path stop even more worthwhile © Sergiy Bykhunenko/Shutterstock Calw sits in the north of the Black Forest with a reputation as being one of the forest’s prettiest towns. Nobel Prize-winning novelist Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) who wrote Siddhartha among many other books The town features a museum and a statue dedicated the famous author The picturesque market square is a great place to start your tour of the city Surrounded by 18th-century half-timbered houses Calw’s square is the picture of a quintessential Black Forest town The city owes its current growth to tourism – many new bistros shops and ice cream parlors have recently opened to cater to visitors © Thomas Klee/Shutterstock Take the scenic drive along the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse from Baden-Baden to see the central Black Forest region’s quaint towns Kinzig and Gutach Valley are heavily forested areas where many traditional Black Forest customs originated visitors will feel the magical and mysterious nature of the Black Forest come to life make a stop in the brewery town of Alpirsbach and visit Schiltach to see classic examples of timber houses that burst with color and character photos2webgallery / Unsplash Just south of Freiburg is Schauinsland one of the tallest and most beautiful mountains in the Black Forest Today it’s a popular ski spot – hikers and mountain bikers flock here too – but it was once a rich seam for silver mining Take the cable car up to the top of the mountain (there is a road but that’s less romantic) to enjoy some utterly spellbinding views On a clear day you’ll not only see the Black Forest but you can also catch a glimpse at the Rhine Valley Voges Mountains and sometimes even the Swiss Alps is most beautiful in the peak of snowy season All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November Design The Most Beautiful Churches in Berlin See & Do A Guide to River Cruises in Germany: What to Know See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Art 10 Masterpieces You Can Only See in Munich See & Do The Best Weekend Trips From Heidelberg See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys and Monasteries US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Germany The Black Forest gets its name from a canopy of trees so dense that the woods seem dark No wonder this magical place inspired so many Grimms' fairy tales My family and I camped here late last summer in one of hundreds of valleys scattered across the forest's vast The forest stretches across 6,000 square kilometers (2,320 miles) in the southwest of Germany beds inflated and our 3-year-old daughter had achieved her goal of muddy feet while my partner Matthew was the heroic steed from gentle strolls to demanding long-distance hikes The region is also popular with mountain bikers sizes and shades emerge from rotting tree stumps and leaves in vivid crimsons You mustn't try them without expert guidance though; like potions in a Grimm Brothers story Traditional half-timbered houses — with gabled roofs and framed windows forming distinctive geometric patterns on the building facades — add to the fairytale look of the towns Black Forest cake and Germany's highest waterfalls The waterfall trails were busy with visitors watching the Gutach river plunge in seven cascades over 160 meters (525 feet) into the valley below Prices range from 20 euros for the tiniest clock to well over a thousand for a large carved timepiece we visited what is billed as the world's largest cuckoo clock which offers tours of its clockwork mechanisms for 2 euros Our tummies were rumbling and the Black Forest's culinary showstopper demanded to be tasted Other destinations in the region include spa towns like Baden Baden and the lively university city of Freiburg But we found our holiday paradise in the solitude of the woods watching our daughter collecting a bounty of nuts tasting blackberries and marveling over the mushrooms that grow amid the dark forest's shadows and dappled sunshine Daily 2-euro fee for all visitors 18 and over which covers free use of Black Forest trains and buses LODGING: We stayed at campsite Mullerwiese in Enzklosterle, http://www.muellerwiese.de/ You can bring your own tent or RV (RV rentals are available at the Frankfurt airport); rent a tent cabin or apartment; or choose from a variety of hotels Germany—a tiny town known for cascading waterfalls and a preponderance of cuckoo clocks—truly put itself on the map last week as its  mayor Gallus Strobel unveiled a new 220-spot parking lot Strobel enlisted one female and one male architect to designate 14 gender-specific parking spots according to “difficulty.” In light of ladies’ ostensible lack of finesse behind the wheel brightly lit spots near the exits were deemed “women only,” demarcated by large painted “female” symbols requiring a driver to reverse between pillars and walls were designated “male only,” graciously sparing the ladies a testosterone-demanding challenge curious visitors eager to test their spatial skills in the parking challenge have already taken the bait Despite not wanting to give Strobel the publicity he so desperately seeks the new lot got us wondering: Are women actually worse at parking than men The science is hardly as definitive as Strobel’s unequivocal proclamation. In fact, some research points to the contrary. National Car Parks, the U.K.’s largest parking lot operator, clandestinely assessed 2,500 men and women’s “parking coefficients” by scoring their performance on seven parking behaviors Not only did women have a higher average score of 13.4 out of 20 but women also excelled at the very skill considered prohibitive by Triberg’s male-designated spots: reversing Although women took an average of 21 seconds to park—5 seconds longer than men—11 percent more women chose the challenging reverse-park strategy over the “simpler” move of pulling forward into a space Those precious extra seconds don’t seem to indicate ineptitude but rather focus: Women managed to center their vehicles 53 percent of the time while men did so only 25 percent of the time while only 18,798 males failed for this reason when negative stereotypes were combated with confidence-inspiring messages It’s hardly surprising that many of us park more slowly and more frequently choke on our reverse-park driving tests after being socialized to believe that women are bad drivers Plus, regardless of who gets it right in the lot, women easily have the upper hand on the open road. When male drivers pull out of the relative safety of slow speeds, walls, and pillars and into the wild west of traffic, they face a bleaker future than their female counterparts. Male drivers are reportedly responsible for about 80 percent of all fatal and serious car accidents and were at the wheel for a total of 6.1 million crashes in 2007 compared to 4.4 million by women Although it’s true that men also drive more miles than women (which might contribute to both more frequent crashes and superior parking skills men also drive more dangerously and outnumber women 3 to 1 in DUI violations By dallasnews Administrator Germany — There were a number of fine examples of German automotive engineering available for rent at reasonable prices at Frankfurt Airport and the clerk at Sixt gave me her favorite It was a powerful Audi with six forward gears a sunroof and a comprehensive navigation system News RoundupsCatch up on the day's news you need to know GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy A sticker on the dashboard requested that the car not be driven faster than 140 mph. My destination, two hours southwest on the Autobahn at a rather more relaxed speed, was the Black Forest — birthplace of the clocks whose original clunky wooden mechanisms were the unlikely origin of Germany’s modern talent for smoothly running cogs, wheels and motors. When you follow the Clock Route, the history, culture and landscape mesh into one perfect holiday. Off the highway the roads become narrow and sinuous, winding through steep-sided valleys with wisps of mist caught in the branches of ridge-top trees. Ancient three-story wooden farmhouses — like giant cuckoo clocks, big enough to house several generations of the same family — stand amid orderly fields that become increasingly steep until they peter out into tangled forest on the hillsides. For centuries, farming families would pass the winter indoors generating extra revenue by painting the flat faces of shield clocks with elaborate patterns of flowers and fruits, and cutting the wooden cogs for their mechanisms. It was in 1738 that the first cuckoo was added, greatly boosting demand. Strolling clock-sellers walked as far as Russia, carrying their stock on their backs. At the tidy little town of Furtwangen, once the center of the clockmaking industry, I paused to visit the impressive Clock and Watch Museum. Exhibits included early wooden mechanisms with stones for weights, and a whole wall of historic cuckoo clocks with their two-tone calls sounding constantly amid displays of sundials, orreries and automata. When the first German School of Clock-Making was founded here in 1850, there was a competition to design a new cuckoo clock. The winner was the house shape familiar today, based not on farmhouses or chalets but on a signalman’s hut built for the railways that were newly beginning to penetrate the forest. The short drive along another winding valley to Triberg passes modern-day evidence of the 1850 design’s success in the form of farmhouses with more windows, built to house expanded production and provide them more light by which to work. Triberg’s main street is lined with shops belonging to individual clockmaking families, selling to those visiting Germany’s highest waterfall, the town’s main attraction. Shelves densely crowded with clocks ensure that a cuckoo calls every few seconds. Klaus Herr showed me around the small clock factory founded by his grandfather Hubert in 1918. “But the father of my grandfather and his grandfather were also making cuckoo clocks in a factory about one mile from here,” he said. “So I’m generation number five.” Behind his showroom, craftspeople mount tiny cogs and levers onto armatures using tweezers. Piles of figurines await the mechanisms that bring them to life, and rows of completed clocks are mounted on the walls for testing. In addition to cuckoo clocks with animated figures of woodsmen chopping, drinkers raising their beers, or sweeps popping out of chimneys, others are elaborately carved with forest-related still life: cuckoos, hunting rifles and braces of dead rabbits. The richness of the carving is what most affects the final price, but the new generation wants to tinker with computers, not clockwork, and the carving and painting skills are drying up. The modern center of clockmaking is sleepy Schonach, a short drive away down another pretty green valley. If the new design of 1850 revolutionized the industry, here a second revolution is taking place. The showroom of Rombach and Haas has the traditional carved designs on display, but also plain house-shaped cuckoo clocks in shocking pink, lime green and other startling colors, sometimes stenciled with forest motifs. These are clearly descendants of the traditional clock yet something brand-new. Some are just simple cubes or resemble old-fashioned radios. Some have “free” cuckoos perched permanently on the top of glass-fronted boxes that reveal the clock’s interior workings. “For some years people thought we were crazy,” said Ingolf Haas, fourth-generation clockmaker. “They became angry against us. When we exhibited somewhere people came and said, ‘You cannot do that. It is not a cuckoo clock.’” “The cuckoo clock is part of Germany much more than other items such as beer, or cars,” he added. “You can buy cars from everywhere, but cuckoo clocks come only from Germany, and every mechanical cuckoo clock comes from the Black Forest.” Despite the outrage, Haas’ striking designs were widely copied and now make up 80 percent of his business and 20 percent of the cuckoo clock industry’s production as a whole. The Germans themselves are buying again, while the rapidly growing Asian tourist market has increased demand for traditional designs. And Haas’ wife, Connie, still preserves one of the oldest traditions: hand-painting cheerful floral designs onto the flat, white faces of shield clocks. Schonach is also home to the world’s largest cuckoo clock. Josef Dold, now 79 but still producing 15 or 16 traditional clocks a year, spent three years building one 50 times normal size. The giant, ponderous wooden mechanism can be seen at work inside a little half-timbered house brightened with geranium-filled window boxes. The rear wall is dominated by the giant clock face, and the albatross-size cuckoo is suitably deep-voiced. Modern clock mechanisms are all brass and steel, materials adopted by Germany after techniques for rolling and punching brass were invented in the United States, where the first clock production line began to undercut German prices. The Junghans company of Schramberg sent a family member to work in an American factory and copy designs, and by the early 20th-century Junghans became the biggest clock factory in the world. Many smaller factories supplied parts, and though the advent of microelectronics took manufacturing to Asia, some still survive making parts for cars. The link between the engineering skills required for clocks and cars is also celebrated at Schramberg’s Car and Clock World, an immense and varied collection of vehicles on multiple floors in a former clock factory. The vast space with wooden pillars and creaking floors has part of the original wooden production line mechanism still in place. The 13th-century town still shows evidence of the Junghans company’s success, with lines of managers’ residences and workers’ cottages clearly visible from the hilltop Villa Junghans, built for the company’s owner in the late 1800s and now an eight-room hotel. The vast wood-paneled pile, with fine ironwork and stained-glass windows and elaborate gardens, has elegantly furnished rooms offering sweeping views of the city. A chandelier-hung restaurant specializes in local delicacies, including hors d’oeuvres and dumplings, and satisfyingly hearty roasted meat dishes, fit for a clock baron. “How did it go?” asked the clerk at Sixt when I returned to Frankfurt a few days later. Thank you for reading. We welcome your thoughts on this topic. Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines Please read the guidelines before participating Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, a classic chocolate, whipped cream and cherry cake, is staging a comeback in the Black Forest, a wedge of southwest Germany where the dessert was invented in a humble confectioner's kitchen almost a century ago. Correction: A previous version of this article provided an incorrect translation for the phrase Kaffee und Kuchen. This has been fixed. 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Why we should treat food like medicineMore people than ever are expected to suffer from diet-related illnesses. the Black Forest invites relaxation and reconnection with nature Discover the best things to do in Germany’s Black Forest region Gorge on Black Forest cake in local bakeries Cafe Rowing out to the centre of Titisee’s glacial lake to cast a line or enjoy a few moments of solitude can be a blissful experience consider walking the 90-minute trail that circles the water or hiking to the top of Hochfirst mountain for a bird’s-eye-view Hop on a bike and tackle more than 8,000km (4,971mi) of mountain trail until the blue beauty of the water beckons you back import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_1"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Baden-Baden Thermal Baths Spa mind and spirit through a 17-station circuit be sure to scope out the preserved ruins to see how the Romans rocked their spa sessions Marc St / Unsplash Mummelsee Tours At the foot of the Hornisgrinde mountain sits Lake Mummelsee conveniently located on the Black Forest High Road Legend insists that mermaids call these waters home though you’re much more likely to find visitors enjoying a morning cup of coffee as they head out on the trail up Hornisgrinde Water activities such as renting a pedalo are ideal for warmer months Visiting when the area becomes a winter wonderland Plan a walk on the pathway around the lake and take in the snowy mountain views import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_2"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Glam it up at the casino in Baden-Baden Casino Whether climbing to the lookout or enjoying its 300-year construction effort from the Munstermarkt farmers’ market just outside the cathedral’s door the Freiburger Münster deserves a moment of reflection and reverence from every visitor import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_3"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); The Black Forest Museum Bruno Kelzer / Unsplash View Tours The small town of Triberg is a key destination for most Black Forest travellers The Erste weltgrößte Kuckucksuhr giant cuckoo clock and Schwarzwaldmuseum of Black Forest culture are great photo ops but all else in the town plays second fiddle to the Triberg Falls These falls are the tallest in Germany and can be admired from multiple angles via a nearby pathway Instead of an about-face after snapping pictures of the falls follow the trail for a fantastic hike into the mountains Schwarzwald Hochstrasse Natural Feature Aurélien Faux / Unsplash View Tours Worn out from all of the Black Forest’s hiking trails Rest up without missing out on the views by enjoying a drive along the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse This popular 60km (37mi) stretch of roadway is open to vehicles which means you’ll be sharing the unobstructed views with other visitors the stunning vistas present more than enough photo ops to go around Don’t try to tackle all 60km like a race; the small towns and nature trails are worth every generous pitstop the most obvious thing to do in a forest is to walk in it virgin coniferous forests and deep valleys with the most untamed section (some 100 square km (39 square miles)) in the north between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt You can drive through on the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse but the experience will be so much more magical on foot Also advisable with a car, this spot some 4 km (2.5 miles) south of the Kinzig Valley is the home of the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum a reconstruction of an early-17th-century farmstead The museum showcases original farmhouses that have been brought piece by piece to the museum site and painstakingly reconstructed not to mention demonstrations on how to smoke meat and fish © Dorotheenhutte Glassworks Dorotheenhütte Glassworks challenges you to create your own Black Forest souvenir The art and history of glassblowing are on full display at this museum and workspace Visitors even get the chance to blow their own glass vase to take home Don’t worry about blowing countless vases for family and friends – much better to stop by the year-round Dorotheenhütte Christmas Village and pick up a few stocking stuffers that won’t exhaust your budget or your lungs import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_9"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); German Clock Museum Museum Matthias Münning / Unsplash How can you earn one of the best views of the Black Forest A two-way cable car offers an instant trip to the top of the Schauinsland though there’s also a roadway that cars and motorcycles can climb to reach this mountain’s summit and Voges Mountains are visible from the mountain side and there’s no better way to take in these magnificent views than taking the time to appreciate them on a long This treacherous road to Hollental was originally named for its treacherous terrain but navigating it is a far less frightening ordeal these days A surprisingly spacious highway and a railway both provide a smooth and safe ride for sightseeing in the Valley of Hell Badeparadies Schwarzwald is a little slice of Caribbean paradise in Titisee-Neustadt Renewed vitality awaits in the textile-free Palais Vital-themed sauna; while pina coladas mai tais and white Russians loosen every muscle in the Palm Oasis While the intrepid children are orbiting 23 slides in the Galaxy Schwarzwald parents are free to indulge in a Black Forest Mist steam bath that’s out of this world Lace up a pair of comfortable hiking shoes for this exciting trek through the Black Forest Over the river valleys and through the forests to Wehraschlucht’s gorge the full Schluchtensteig trail runs for just under 120km (75mi) reaching an airy 3,000m (9,843ft) above sea level The majestic gorges are well worth the six-stage hike Along the southern edge of the Black Forest is the town of Nagold peacefully surrounded by woodlands and offering the chance of a stroll through a Stone Age settlement Nagold itself is a pretty town with a handful of shops With trails along the Nagold River and the Schwarzwald Nature Park nearby this small town is an ideal place to rest tired feet and replenish supplies for yet another hike through the Black Forest Explorers who want to conquer the Black Forest cannot claim victory without taking on Hornisgrinde Though not the most challenging hike in Germany but the sheep-lined mountain sides are too picturesque to resist Hornisgrinde’s observation deck offers a unique view for every season and its sunsets cannot be missed What better way to experience the Black Forest than a stroll among the treetops Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald in Bad Wildbad takes visitors on a 1,250-m (4,101-ft) walk alongside the trees Although the walkway does stretch up to 20m (66ft) high the mild grade allows strollers and wheelchairs to easily climb towards the sky Skip the treetop walk and opt for a ride on the Sommerbergbahn funicular railway or wind up the spiralling observation tower for an unbeatable view With an Adventure Forest playground and educational activity stations throughout the park Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald is a family-friendly way to enjoy the Black Forest without trekking too far is a drive along the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse from Baden-Baden through the picture-perfect villages in the Kinzig and Gutach Valley Plan a stop in the brewery town of Alpirsbach and get your Instagram ready for the half-timbered houses in Schiltach and Calw Somewhat surprisingly, the group of nine villages known as Baiersbronn is something of a foodie hotspot with no less than three Michelin-starred restaurants embracing the magic of the ancient forest to produce something truly supernatural on the plate but it’s worth making a night out here the focal point of a trip to the Black Forest Stop giggling – it’s pronounced ‘titty-zay’ This 2 km (1.2 mile)- long lake was carved straight out of a glacier which makes the water a special green blue colour Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. it lies delightfully close to a number of must-see attractions that are perfect for day trips you will find something exciting near Stuttgart Here is our pick of the best day trips in the area The romantic college town of Heidelberg enjoys an idyllic setting by the River Neckar and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country The magnificent ruins of the Heidelberg Castle are the most important sight of this town And a visit is not complete without a stop at Heidelberg University—the oldest university in Germany and one of the most sought-after in Europe This UNESCO City of Literature has an astounding number of bookshops Distance from Stuttgart: Approximately 120 km (74.5 mi) © Jim Trodel / Flickr Hohenzollern Castle crowning the lush green Mount Hohenzollern is the kind of sight that makes you forget that fairy tales are make believe the castle resembles something conjured with a magic wand rather than human hands more than 350,000 visitors live out their childhood dreams as they wander among its palatial interiors and chapels.Distance from Stuttgart: Approximately 68 kilometers (42.2 miles) Lichtenstein Castle Museum © DJDStuttgart / Pixabay Lichtenstein Castle is yet another stunning Gothic Revival-style structure that never fails to drop jaws appears to have risen out of the rugged cliffs [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Tübingen Tübingen is a quintessential German university town perched between River Neckar and River Ammer lively pubs and a medieval center steeped in history The most popular landmarks in town are Hohentübingen Castle don’t miss taking a leisurely ride in the special Tübingen boat known as the Stocherkahn the town hosts a spectacular chocolate festival.Distance from Stuttgart: Approximately 45 km (27.9 mi) Become a Culture Tripper © ptwo / Flickr Bad Wildbad is a bewitchingly beautiful town in the Black Forest best known for its medicinal spas Its most popular attraction is the treetop walk which promises a close interaction with nature and great views Another fun thing to do while in Bad Wildbad is to take the funicular rail to Sommerberg Mountain which towers over the town.Distance from Stuttgart: Approximately 57 km (35.4 mi) Ulm Bridge the town hosts one of the most charming Christmas markets in all of Germany.Distance from Stuttgart: Approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) Bad Urach Ruins The country’s natural wonders, combined with cold war history, fairytale castles and great cities make it a prime destination for our readers. Decent beer, tooEnter next week’s competition and you could win a £200 hotel voucher Photograph: AlamyFrom 23 September to 9 October 2016 visit the amazing Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart It is one of the biggest funfairs in Europe and a perfect family holiday experience Get there for the first Sunday of the festival to witness the Volksfest parade with horse-drawn brewery wagons the food is incredible and the beer is superb.ID9101043 Neuschwanstein castle Photograph: AlamyKing Ludwig II’s fairytale castles (Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau) in Fussen will leave you with magical memories I spent the day on a guided tour of the castles’ opulent interiors learning about King Ludwig’s fascinating life then rounded the evening off with a concert at the Musical Theatre with a spectacular view of the castle across the water Neuschwanstein was the setting for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and was also in the Great Escape An almost perfect day was only slightly marred when I ordered what ought to have been a vegetarian pea soup to find it came with two large sausages plonked in it.ID585406 Photograph: AlamyIn the depths of the Grunewald forest on the outskirts of Berlin (where wild boar are often seen) is an abandoned cold war relic turned street art haven 12 million cubic metres of war rubble was dumped on top of a Nazi military college This formed the tallest hill in Berlin known as Teufelsberg (Devil’s mountain) Perched on top of this mountain is an abandoned US National Security Agency spy station amid abundant street art on the crumbling walls and canvas radomes Climb the imposing 80-metre domed towers for the best views of the Berlin skyline Several companies offer tours.georgiasharp Read on to find out why Black Forest should be your next family getaway Children have a blast catching the candy thrown from the parade Remember that Black Forest carnival parades are known for their (harmless) pranks If you are someone who might be offended at being doused in confetti or teased with a pig bladder Black Forest carnival | © deutschonline / Pixabay © Marvball / Pixabay Triberg Waterfall is Germany’s highest waterfall and one of the top attractions of Black Forest A pathway leads to the top of the waterfall through the forest with several viewing platforms en route to enjoy the beautiful Spotting squirrels and birds on the way adds to the excitement of curious kids Triberg Waterfall hike is a great way to bond with nature and channel some of the endless energy kids seem to be blessed with [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Vogelpark Steinen Forest Vogelpark Steinen (Bird Park) is a destination that your kids will talk about for months afterwards The highlight of the park is the fascinating Birds of Prey show where trained birds await to amaze you with their tricks The park also has barbecue areas and playgrounds making sure that families have a well-rounded day out where families can revel in endless fun amid beautiful nature The most popular toboggan run in Black Forest is Seewald Leisure Park which houses South Germany’s longest toboggan run (1500 meters) along with many other fun activities for the family Hesenhorn coaster | © Miraculix3 / Wikimedia Commons It’s an argument that’s been around for as long as the motor car – so in a bid to settle the debate once and for all We put a selection of male and female drivers head-to-head to see which sex is better at manoeuvring an average-sized car into an average-sized space Our contest was prompted by Gallus Strobel mayor of Triberg in Germany’s Black Forest Mayor Strobel allocated ‘easier’ parking spaces in Triberg specifically for women and justified the move by saying men are better at parking than women we enlisted the help of the British School of Motoring and headed to Welcome Break’s London Gateway services on the M1 BSM driving instructor Gary Lamb has seen it all So he was the perfect person to judge our contestants as they tried to park a Kia Cee’d in a bay no more than four feet longer than the car itself.Cardboard boxes marked the edges of the bay while a white line represented the kerb – we didn’t want any wayward parkers to damage our Kia’s bodywork or scratch its alloy wheels Gary gave each contestant a score out of 10 for their parking performance if they touched one of the boxes or crossed the white line while the total score would be used in the event of a tiebreak Icon could be reborn with a little help from Volkswagen New Renault 4 2025 review: as good as the Renault 5 with the bonus of extra space New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645 Our marketing claims explained. Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote Illustrations are based on personal contract hire Auto Express "Find A Car" is managed by Carwow Ltd Auto Express "Find A Car" is a trading style of Carwow Studio Limited which is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Carwow Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance distribution activities (firm reference number 767155) Carwow Ltd may introduce you to Carwow Leasey Limited (trading as Carwow Leasey) Carwow Leasey Limited is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking (firm reference number: 313486) Carwow Ltd and Carwow Leasey Limited are each credit brokers and not lenders Carwow Ltd and Carwow Leasey Limited may receive a fee from retailers advertising finance and may receive a commission from partners (including dealers) for introducing customers All finance offers and monthly payments shown are subject to application and status If you’re unhappy with Auto Express or Carwow’s service you may be able to contact the Financial Ombudsman (please see www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk for more information) 13601174) and Carwow Studio Ltd (company no 13018565) are limited companies registered in England with their registered offices at Verde Building Carwow Studio Limited and Carwow Leasey Limited are wholly owned subsidiaries of Carwow Ltd Carwow Studio Limited is part of the Carwow Group wider parking bays for female motoristsThe largest city and capital of South Korea is spending around $100 million to make the metropolis more female-friendly including the creation of parking spaces reserved exclusively for women As part of Korea's big-budget push to make Seoul more welcoming for women 7000 new female-only toilets are being installed around the city and many pedestrian walkways are being resurfaced with a slightly spongy material to aid those wearing high heels Made clearly visible via bright pink painted outlines and skirted female iconography the special parking spots are wider and longer than regular ones are also better lit and closer to vital shopping infrastructure It's not clear if male drivers who park in the spots will incur a fine In conversation with the Korea Times newspaper the Assistant Mayor for Women and Family Affairs Cho Eun-hee stated: "It is like adding a female touch to a universal design and make things more comfortable for women" Korea is not the first country to offer female-only parking spots Car parks reserved for women are already seen in China Some Australian car parks and shopping malls have 'family' parking spots designed for parents with infants often designated with the symbol of a pram In 2012 the German town of Triberg announced male and female designated car spots The male car parking spots were hemmed in by concrete pillars and could only be reversed into He told Germany's Spiegel magazine he was accused of "male pig-headedness" by one critic and that he "never expected this reaction" and it looks like we've hit a raw nerve in society It's been a great marketing gimmick," he said "Women can come here and prove me wrong and while they're at it they can see the town's attractions," said the Triberg mayor Do you think gender-based parking spots are a good idea Have your say in the comments section below The mayor of the Black Forest town of Triberg says women would find it difficult to park there because drivers need to back in diagonally without hitting a pillar and a wall. Gallus Strobel noted that 12 places in the 220-capacity car park are reserved for women. Many German cities designate a small number of parking spaces, usually near exits, for women concerned about their personal safety in poorly-lit garages. Strobel said on Thursday that he had received overwhelmingly positive reactions from men who feel discriminated against by "women only" parking. But the Triberg mayor says some "humourless people" had criticized the move. Let us know your thoughts and opinions by commenting on our Facebook Page, in our Twitter account, or newly added LinkedIn Group! This box contains embedded content from YouTube that wants to read or write cookies. You did not give permission for this. PoliticsLuxembourg lawmakers divided over Israel-EU relationsAttempt to find unified position on extension of EU-Israel trade agreement failed during divisive committee meeting World of workJob market last year grew at slowest pace since financial crisisLuxembourg created fewer new jobs in 2024 than any year since the 2008-9 banking crisis Public administrationGovernment to create administration overseeing housing aidNew office aims to improve access to housing support and reduce delays AustraliaAustralians mark election day with 'democracy sausages' and in 'budgy smugglers'Australians fired up barbecues and wore tight-fit swim trunks called "budgy smugglers" to voting centers as they welcomed election day on Saturday (3 May) with some unique and quirky traditions. GrantsEU to propose €500m package to attract researchersPlan to double grant amount by 2025 and continue support in 2026 and 2027 Costs of six million eurosPremiumBus drivers unable to drive cost Luxembourg firm €6m annually Some given odd jobs or are idle, but could soon be employed by municipal councils World of workSpain to move ahead with plan to cut work week to 37.5 hoursThe bill is set to face a lengthy approval process in Parliament, where it’s uncertain to have enough backing from lawmakers Innovation and educationLuxembourg opens drone school to boost safetyEducation ministry has launched a civilian drone school, where pilots can hone their skills and share ideas Advertiser contentTreat yourself to a stress-free holidayDreaming of a worry-free trip What if the secret to a smooth getaway was simply good preparation and the right protection Advertiser contentReal estate: Why should you take advantage of the start of 2025 to begin your real estate project?The main things we remember about the housing sector over the past 12 months are the rise in interest rates and the fall in property prices Advertiser contentProperty: I've decided to invest!The various forms of government support for investment Advertiser contentThe Luxembourg Times BusinessRun is happening again on 18th September!On Thursday 18th September with the starting gun of the 11th Luxembourg Times BusinessRun fired at the Coque at 7 pm Share this with instagramShare this with facebookShare this with linkedinSections Luxurylaunches.com is an award winning premium lifestyle website It features the latest and the best from the world of extravagance and opulence