Germany's southwest covers the state of Baden-Württemberg. The Black-Forest as part of Baden-Württemberg is one of Europe's top-ranked holiday regions offering half-timbered villages, crystal clear lakes and vibrant cities like Freiburg and Baden-Baden. At Lake Constance (Bodensee) you can enjoy a warm climate and the stunning Alpine background.
Highlights on this trip: Stuttgart, the home of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz offers cultural experiences as well as fine cuisine and remarkable wines; visit one of the most beautiful baroque palaces at Ludwigsburg; discover Germany's medieval history at cities like Schwäbsich Hall and Ulm; experience the religious past at the most beautiful monasteries and churches on the Swabian Baroque Route; enjoy beautiful views and untouched nature at Lake Constance and the Black Forest and get to know the most vibrant towns like Tübingen, Freiburg, Baden-Baden and Heidelberg.
+ Guaranteed departure: daily departure starting from 1 traveller
+ You decide: on private tours you decide when to start your day, where to stop and what to do.
+ All included: private tour guide & driver, hotel nights with breakfast, all mentioned visits including entrance fees, ...
+ Private tour: tailor-made itinerary available.
+ Tour extensions available
Day 1 – Stuttgart:
Arrive at Stuttgart International Airport (STR). Transfer airport Stuttgart – hotel city centre.
Discover Stuttgart on a private guided tour (approx. 2,5 hours). Visit the historic and modern city centre of Stuttgart on a panoramic walking tour including the new castle at Schlossplatz, the old castle at Schillerplatz and the market square. Drive to the Mercedes-Benz museum and discover the automotive history of Germany on a private guided museum tour.
Day 2 – Ludwigsburg & Schwäbisch Hall:
Drive from Stuttgart to Ludwigsburg. Visit the baroque palace of Ludwigsburg on a private guided tour (approx. 2 hours). Visit the most interesting of the 452 amazing rooms in 18 buildings. Later drive on to Schwäbisch Hall crossing the Baden-Württemberg wine country next to Heilbronn. Schwäbisch Hall is built in tiers up the steep flank of the Kocher Valley. The town's well-preserved half-timbered houses and tranquillity make it a pleasant stopping point. Visit the city centre on a private guided walking tour (approx. 1,5 hours) and discover the Celtic history of Schwäbisch Hall. On the way back to Stuttgart stop at the Benedictine Abbey of Grosscomburg dating from 1130.
Day 3 – Tübingen & Ulm:
Drive from Stuttgart to Tübingen. On a private guided walking tour (approx. 1,5 hours) you will discover the historic town centre of the university city of Tübingen. Tübingen escaped World War II with nary a shrapnel wound and is therefore a 3D history textbook from the Middle Ages to the 19C. Afterwards you will drive up the mountain range of the Schwäbische Alb towards Ulm. The royal palace of Hulma recorded for the first time in 854, was one of Europe's most important medieval cities. Blessed with an exceptional cathedral and walks along the Danube river, the old city delights visitors. On a private guided walking tour (approx. 1,5 hours) you will visit the most important sights of the city including the cathedral.
Day 4 – Swabian Baroque Route - Zwiefalten, Bad Schussenried, Weingarten & Lindau:
Next to Ulm you find the town of Zwiefalten. Visit the church Zwiefalten Abbey which was a Benedictine monastery. The monastery was founded in 1089.The present buildings were constructed in German Baroque style from 1739–47 under the direction of Johann Michael Fischer. The interior is considered a model of Baroque design.
The next stop is at Bad Schussenried. Visit Schussenried Monastery which was founded in 1183. Today, the monastery unites architecture and works of art from the late Romanesque era to the Rococo. The highlight of Zimmermann’s design is the library in the central part of the three wing complex. Flooded with natural light, the ornately decorated room is one of the most significant architectural examples of southern German Rococo.
In Weingarten we will visit the St. Martin's Abbey. In 1056, Welf I, Duke of Bavaria, founded a Benedictine monastery on the Martinsberg. The current church was built between 1715 and 1724 in the Italian-German Baroque style according to plans by Franz Beer. The church is the second largest church in Germany. Within the church is the famous Gabler Organ, a church organ that was built between 1735 and 1750 by Joseph Gabler. The greatest treasure of Weingarten was its famous relic of the Precious Blood, still preserved in the church of Weingarten.
Later this afternoon we arrive at Lindau at Lake Constance (Bodensee). The town of Lindau is located on an island on the eastern side of Lake Constance, the largest freshwater lake in Germany called Bodensee. Discover the town of Lindau on your own and have dinner at one of the restaurants located at the lake shore.
Day 5 – Meersburg, Konstanz, Rhine Waterfall & Titisee (Lake Constance – Black Forest):
The Lake Constance region (Bodensee Region) is a famous holiday destination due to its location next to the Alps of Switzerland and Austria. From spring to autumn (April to October) you will take the ship from Lindau to Meersburg on the Lake Constance or you can discover the Island of Mainau, a "flowering island" notable for its parks and gardens. In winter time you will discover the Island of Lindau on a private guided walking tour and drive along the panoramic coastline of Lake Constance to Meersburg. From Meersburg you will cross the lake by ferry boat to Konstanz. Have lunch at the city of Meersburg or Konstanz and visit the cities on your own. Later the day you will cross the border to Switzerland to visit the Rhine Fall, the largest plain waterfall in Europe. From the castle of Laufen you have access to an observation deck next to the Rhine Fall.
From there drive along the panoramic Black Forest Road B500 via Waldshut-Tiengen, the Schluchsee to Titisee. The lake and town named after the Roman emperor Titus are located in a beautiful landscape, characteristic of the Black Forest.
Day 6 – Freiburg, Vogtsbauernhof, Schiltach & Baden-Baden (Black Forest):
In the morning enjoy a boat ride on the Titisee (subject to climatic conditions). From Titisee to Freiburg im Breisgau take the Höllental road (Valley of Hell) – a road hemmed in by towering cliffs.
Freiburg is located between the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest and is one of the most attractive cities in southern Germany. Its 500 year old university, the old town's cobbled lanes lined by half-timbered houses, a majestic cathedral and a easy going flair make it a perfect place to be. Discover the historic city centre on a private guided walking tour.
From Freiburg drive back into the Black Forest to Gutach. There you will visit the open-air museum "Vogtsbauernhof". Culture and history come to life in the open-air museum. We will find out how people have lived and worked in Black Forest farmhouses over the last 400 years (visit from April to October).
The next stop is Schiltach, a postcard-pretty town. Its beautifully restored half-timbered houses and its scenic location at the confluence of the Schiltach and Kinzig rivers make it a idyllic place. Discover the town your own on a walk across the historic city centre. From October to April discover the town on a private guided walking tour.
From Schiltach it is a 1,5 hours ride to Baden-Baden. The spa resort of Baden-Baden has long been a favourite playground of the wealthy, famous and powerful. In Baden-Baden you can find hot mineral springs, a riverside promenade, superb cultural institutions and one of the most famous casinos of Germany. Enjoy the city on your own on a evening walk and a high class dinner at one of the upper class restaurants.
Day 7 – Baden-Baden, Bruchsal, Heidelberg:
From Baden-Baden drive along the Rhine Valley to Bruchsal. Visit the palace of Bruchsal on a private guided museum tour: Bruchsal Palace was constructed in 1720 as a residence for the Prince-Bishops of Speyer. Most notable is the staircase built by Balthasar Neumann in 1731, a true Rococo masterpiece and a collection of original furnishings, silver, porcelain and portraits.
From Bruchsal it is a short ride to Heidelberg. On a guided visit discover Heidelberg's historic city centre and the Heidelberg castle. A former residence of the Electorate of the Palatinate, Heidelberg is the location of Heidelberg University, well known far beyond Germany's borders. Heidelberg is a popular destination due to its romantic and picturesque cityscape, including Heidelberg Castle and the baroque style Old Town.
Day 8 – Heidelberg, Maulbronn & Stuttgart:
Drive from Heidelberg to Maulbronn passing the picturesque city of Hirschhorn am Neckar and the Dilsberg Castle. Stop at Hirschhorn or Dilsberg and discover the city on your own. Arrive at Maulbronn. Maulbronn Monastery (Kloster Maulbronn) is the best preserved medieval Cistercian monastery complex in Europe. It is situated on the outskirts of Maulbronn and is separated from the town by fortifications. Since 1993 the monastery is part of the Unesco World Heritage. Get to know the monastery complex on a private guided tour.
From Maulbronn drive to Stuttgart. We hope that you enjoyed your Baden-Württemberg tour.
Departure daily starting from 1 person.
Included services - Highlights of Southern Germany tour:
+ private driver-guide (English speaking) on all days
+ transportation by private car (modern and comfortable first class car including all kilometres, gasoline, road tolls, parking fees)
+ all visits including entrance fees as mentioned in itinerary
+ accommodation in 4* hotels including breakfast
+ welcome dinner on day 1 and farewell lunch on day 7
Stuttgart Travel is your local full service tour operator and travel agency in Stuttgart, Germany.
We offer the best luxury journeys for leisure and business travellers in southern Germany.
Transportation services are operated by - Beförderungsunternehmen gem. § 2 Abs. 5a PBefG: Der kleine Stuttgarter GmbH & Co. KG, Kauffmannstraße 15, 70195 Stuttgart