Planning Your Time

The lively, student-driven city of Freiburg, Germany's "greenest" town, is the largest, most obvious base from which to explore the Black Forest, but you may do well to stay in one of the smaller nearby villages in Kaiserstuhl or Titisee, where the accommodations are nicer and the scenery more breathtaking. Don't miss "taking the waters" at a spa in Baden-Baden, a charming place with loads of cultural offerings and luxury to spare. Bear in mind that the winding, often steep Black Forest highways can make for slow driving, so you may want to consider adding overnight stays at other locations. Freudenstadt's vast market square lends it a uniquely pleasant atmosphere, and Triberg's mountain location is picturesque. Baiersbronn has gained a reputation as one of the country's leading high-end resort towns, with good reason. If there is one place in the region to go out of your way to get a beer, head to Alpirsbach.