Black Forest, Germany

The Black Forest or the Schwarzwald in the south west corner of Germany has been a major attraction amongst tourists for ages. It is a large natural reserve that is more than two hundred kilometers long and around sixty kilometers wide and is an absolute delight for nature lovers.  The black forest offers panoramic views from sunny peaks, vineyards, river valleys, spas and great cuisine.

The Black Forest area offers great diversity while the Northern part is densely forested, the central part is sparsely forested and the southern part which leads to the river Rhine is mountainous. It is great for family vacations, group outings because one can take part in various activities like mountain biking, hiking, cycling, Nordic walking, golf and horse riding amongst others.  It is a great place for those interested in wine as there are several regions in the area that boast of fine regional wines like Markgräflerland, Tuniberg, Baden and others.

The villages and cities along the landscape are a part of the attraction of the region.  These villages and cities are known for their unique culture and one can shop in these places or enjoy relaxing spas to rejuvenate themselves and carry on with the trip. There are many tours conducted from Freiburg.

While the Black Forest is the biggest natural park of Germany and known for its great natural beauty, it has a rich cultural heritage as well. There are folk drama festivals in Ötigheim; the stage at Ötigheim is the largest open air stadium of Germany. There are various music festivals like the Black Forest music festival in Schwarzwald. The region also has many museums like the German clock museum in Furtwangen which has an amazing collection of Black Forest cuckoo clock and one can know more about these clocks, exhibitions some exhibiting crafts of a bygone era, cathedrals amongst other cultural experience.

One can have an excellent culinary experience in the black forest region and one can come here just to experience its amazing variety of delicious local produce. The most famous culinary item is the black forest ham which usually takes three months to prepare and has an amazing flavor and taste because it has been smoked or dried for three months. The black forest ham prominently appears on most menus in the region. The black forest gateau, rustic schnapps and refined brandies are also world famous.

The black forest holiday region offers great variety and the Black Forest Card can give one discounts at various attractions. The card is valid for three days and it provides free admission and many other benefits. The card is really beneficial for those who plan to indulge in a lot of sightseeing and other attractions while at the Black Forest. There is a large variety of accommodations available in the area and they can be easily booked online.