Secrets of the Black Forest and Legends of the Rhine (Germany/Switzerland)

Travel to Offenburg available on request.
(By train with one connection: Paris > Offenburg = 2h30; Lyon > Offenburg = 4h20)

Individual arrival in Offenburg (Germany). Hotel check-in.
Free time to explore this town located in the Rhine valley at the foot of the Black Forest.
Stroll through the fully pedestrianized city center streets and taste the cuisine of Baden.
Overnight at a hotel in Offenburg. (BB)

From Offenburg, you depart on the picturesque Black Forest line (Schwarzwaldbahn). In a fairy-tale setting dotted with charming hamlets and houses straight out of Hansel and Gretel, you cross the legendary Black Forest in the Baden-Württemberg region. The section from Hornberg to Donaueschingen, passing through Triberg, is especially fascinating, with its twists and turns, breathtaking mountain views, and 36 tunnels.
Arrive in the late afternoon at Singen, where the Black Forest Line ends.

A 30-minute connecting train finally takes you to Constance, on the lake of the same name.

Hotel check-in.
Overnight at a hotel in Constance (BB)

Free day to explore the city and Lake Constance. At the foothills of the Alps, Lake Constance (Bodensee in German) is the third largest lake in Western Europe. It marks the border point between Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The city of Constance enjoys an exceptional location on the southern shore of the lake. It’s an ideal place for a stroll, with an old town full of winding alleys, a magnificent cathedral, a harbor, and the wonderful “flower island” of Mainau.
Overnight at a hotel in Constance. (BB)

Departure for Europe’s most beautiful river cruise: the Untersee – Rhine.

You leave Constance by boat on the lake, heading to Switzerland, sailing up the river to the Rhine Falls, at Schaffhausen. The crossing takes about 4 hours and covers 50 km, during which you’ll first admire Reichenau Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Arenberg Castle, a Napoleonic residence, then the untouched landscapes of the wild Rhine and the picturesque villages lining its banks, including the historic covered bridge of Diessenhofen and the town of Stein am Rhein.

Note: The river connection operates 4 times a day, so you have the option to stop at any place along the route and catch the next boat 1 or 2 hours later.

Arrival at Schaffhausen.

Check in at the hotel and enjoy free time to visit the city and admire the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest by volume of water. The city of Schaffhausen, one of Switzerland’s most charming, is dominated by the imposing Munot fortress. Its old town features baroque-era bourgeois and merchant houses with painted facades that give it lots of character. The many pedestrian streets are lively, especially in the Vordergrasse, the city’s core (from the city center you can access the Rhine Falls via a 3 km hike or take a train from Schaffhausen station, which gets to the “Neuhansen am Rheinfall” stop in 3 minutes).
Overnight at a hotel in Schaffhausen. (BB)

Morning at leisure in Schaffhausen.

Your journey by train in Switzerland begins: direct train to Zurich in the morning (arrival around noon).

Hotel check-in and free time to explore the city.

Zurich, ranked among the cities “with the highest quality of life in the world” is a metropolis particularly noted for respecting the natural environment in which it is set. Crossed by several rivers and canals and located on a lake, Zurich stands out for its “badis”, numerous swimming areas. Strolling through the narrow alleys of the old town to Lindenhof Park is very pleasant, finishing on a terrace at the impressive Sechselautenplatz square.

From the old town, a funicular takes you in 2 minutes to the Polyterrasse, to enjoy the best views over the center. Don’t miss the ascent to Uetliberg as well, an 871 m peak overlooking the city, lake, and the Limmat valley all the way to the Alps (reachable by local train in a few minutes).
Overnight at a hotel in Zurich. (BB)

Departure to the Swiss mountains for a full-day excursion to Lucerne and Mount Rigi.

You take the train from central Zurich for a 40-minute ride through the lush countryside along Lake Lucerne, arriving in Lucerne. By boat, you reach the charming lakeside town of Weggis, which you have time to explore. You then take a cable car up to 1,200 m and enjoy a splendid view of Lake Lucerne.

From there, Europe’s first cogwheel train takes you to the summit of Mount Rigi, where you have a choice of hiking trails (also a great opportunity to enjoy traditional Swiss cuisine). The descent is also by cogwheel train, leading to the picturesque village of Vitznau, for some relaxation by the lake.
You then return to Lucerne by boat, enjoying a cruise on the lake, before free time to explore Lucerne’s old town.

Return to Zurich at the end of the day.
Overnight at a hotel in Zurich. (BB)

Morning at leisure in Zurich. End of your Germany-Switzerland trip. (BB)

Extra night, flight or return train from Zurich available on request.
(By train: Zurich > Paris = 4h)