Switzerland, France and Germany
Duration: 7 days
Highlights: Basel, Black Forest, Freiburg, Strasbourg, Colmar
A 7-day off-the-beaten-path itinerary in Switzerland, France and Germany
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Basel, Switzerland
Upon arrival you will be met by a representative and transferred to your fine hotel situated on the banks of the Rhine in the heart of the Old Town. Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon are at leisure before meeting your tour director and fellow guests for cocktails followed by a Welcome Dinner.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
Meal Plan: D
Day 2 - Basel
This morning meet our local guide and depart on a city tour; from the Tinguely Fountain head down to Münsterplatz, to the courtyard of the City Hall and through picturesque medieval streets to Schifflände on the banks of the Rhine, during which you will learn urban development, historical events and cultural and economic influences that forged this city, known as the Cultural Capital of Switzerland. Afterwards continue your tour by vintage tram before having lunch in a historic city restaurant. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure or you may wish to accompany your tour director on a guided visit to the Fondation Beyeler, one of the most famous private collections of contemporary art in the world. Dine this evening independently.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
Day 3 - Basel – Black Forest – Freiburg, Germany
Depart the hotel this morning for a full day sightseeing into the Black Forest en route to Freiburg. Your first stop is in Staufen im Breisgau; one of the town’s most famous citizens was Johann Georg Faust, the legendary alchemist and magician, who probably lived in Staufen about 500 years ago. Later proceed to Todtnau to watch a demonstration of glass-making using traditional methods followed by a lunch of regional specialties. Afterwards just outside of the town, stop at the Hangloch-Wasserfall, a magnificent mountain waterfall which is one of the most beautiful in the region. Upon arrival in Gutach visit the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof (Black Forest Open Air Museum). Farmhouses and other rural buildings from all parts of the region have been transported here from their original locations and reassembled, complete with traditional furniture, to create a living museum of Black Forest building types through the centuries. At the end of the afternoon arrive in Freiburg and check in to your hotel where you dine this evening à la carte.
ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
Depart the hotel this morning for a full day sightseeing into the Black Forest en route to Freiburg. You meet your hiking guide at the ruins of the gothic All Saints' Abbey. During today’s five-hour circular walk, experience the stunning scenery of the Black Forest first hand as you make your way from Mummelsee to the Ruhestein nature reserve. Walk through woodlands where you may get the opportunity to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat while listening to legendary stories told by your guide. The highlight of the tour is the spectacular view of the untamed waterfalls. Following this, enjoy a traditional 'Vesperbrett' snack and some Black Forest honey, washed down with a refreshing mill beer. Your driver then transfers you along the 'Schwarzwaldhochstraße', one of Germany’s most beautiful panoramic roads, to your hotel in Freiburg, where you dine this evening à la carte.
Overnight: Colombi Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 4 - Freiburg
This morning meet your local guide and depart on a city tour beginning with a visit to the magnificent Freiburger Munster (Cathedral), the town’s most famous landmark. The cathedral, took three centuries to build and towers over the medieval streets – its spire measures 380ft and you may, if you wish, climb the tower. Afterwards, in front of the Kaufhaus you can visit the daily market where a wide range of local produce is on sale. You will explore the picturesque streets of the Old Town where you will see the "Bächle", little streams running through gullies, which are one of the historic old town’s trademarks. They are thought to have been originally designed to supply the city with water, and for sewage - legend has it that those who accidentally step into one of the little streams will end up marrying a Freiburger. After lunch in a historic weinstube, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure perhaps taking a cable car to the top of Schauinsland Mountain (4210 ft). From here you may enjoy magnificent views over the town and the surrounding Black Forest. Alternatively accompany your tour director on an excursion to the largest silver mine in the Black Forest which lies beneath Schauinsland Mountain. Dine this evening at leisure.
Overnight: Colombi Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 5 - Excursion to Strasbourg, France
Today we travel north and cross the Rhine into France to visit the beautiful city of Strasbourg. Here you will enjoy a walking tour of the Petite France district with its carved, half-timbered Renaissance houses and cobbled streets. You visit the soaring gothic Cathedral, with its pink sculpted façade and 465-foot-tall spire, the Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre Dame, a fascinating collection of religious artefacts, and visit the lavish 18th century Palais Rohan, built by the prince-bishops of Rohan who once ruled the city. After a lunch of traditional Alsatian specialties, visit a wine cave situated in the medieval basements of the city hospital founded in 1395 and enjoy a tasting of some of the best quality wines in the region. Return to Freiburg at the end of the afternoon and dine this evening at leisure in Freiburg.
Overnight: Colombi Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L
Day 6 - Excursion to Colmar, France
This morning we return to France to visit the old merchants’ city of Colmar. Here we visit the Musée d’ Unterlinden and admire the stunning multi-panelled Issenheim Altarpiece, a powerful 16th century painting of mysticism and realism by the master Mathias Grünewald. Afterwards enjoy the sights of Petite Venise (Little Venice) as you take a boat trip before lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Freiburg and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner in the Dattler Schlossbergrestaurant, situated on the castle hill with views over the town.
Overnight: Colombi Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Day 7 - Depart Freiburg – Basel, Switzerland – HOME
Transfer to Basel airport this morning for your homebound flight.
Meal Plan: B
