Alsace and the Black Forest

After breakfast, we begin our Alsace tour. First, we head to Strasbourg and start exploring the city. Throughout history, Strasbourg has hosted many philosophers and scientists. Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press; German writer Goethe; and the Dutch philosopher Erasmus, known as the father of humanism, all lived here at one time. Our tour of Strasbourg starts at Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Rohan Palace, and houses unique to Alsace. Afterward, we will visit the European Parliament and the Human Rights Court before leaving Strasbourg and continuing our journey accompanied by breathtaking views. Our first stop along the way will be the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle, one of France’s most important monuments, built in the 12th century atop a hill 700 meters high. After leaving the castle, we'll head to Ribeauville, where we'll have the chance to taste the region's famous wines. Our next stop is Riquewihr, the jewel of the vineyards and one of France’s most beautiful villages. After seeing typical Alsace houses, the ramparts, and wine cellars, we move on to the medieval town of Eguisheim. Following Eguisheim, our next stop will be Kayserberg, where Alsace’s finest grapes are grown.

After completing the tour of villages and small towns, we proceed to Colmar, our final destination in Alsace, famous for its enchanting 14th-century sugar-like houses. After exploring the town, we set out for Hinterzarten, a town that will serve as the base for our walks, and settle into our hotel. After a short rest, we gather for dinner in the evening.

After breakfast, we begin our first walk in the Black Forest. This walk leads to Titisee, one of Germany's most beautiful lakes. The easy trail runs entirely through forest and lasts 3-4 hours depending on the group's pace. After making our way through pine forests and forest berries to Titisee, we take a lunch break and taste Black Forest cake. Afterwards, those who wish can return to Hinterzarten by train, while others may opt for another forest walk.

After breakfast, our hike begins by ascending from the hills of Hinterzarten up to the stunning forest lake, Feldsee. Along the way, we pass through beautiful black pine forests and see various farms. We rest at one of these farms before continuing towards the Feldberg summit. On clear days, Feldberg—Germany's highest mountain peak entirely within its borders—offers views of the Alps. At the end of our walk, we descend to the ski resort for lunch and relaxation, then return to our village.

After breakfast, we set off for the Heimatpfad Hochschwarzwald tour. Our route, a total of 10 kilometers, will start and end in Hinterzarten. Along the way, we will encounter many fascinating sites such as mills, bridges, small waterfalls, a rope factory, a stone bridge, and a glass factory. After completing our walk, we collect our belongings from the hotel and head towards Basel. Upon arrival in Basel, we check into our hotel. After a short rest, we meet again for dinner. Following the meal, you can explore Basel, which boasts a lively nightlife.

After breakfast, our Basel city tour begins. First, we head to the city's main square, Marktplatz. Afterwards, we see the impressive red Rathaus Government Building, Basel Cathedral, and the oldest bridge in the city, the Middle Bridge. We then start exploring the historic city center located between Spalentor, the gate of Basel, and the Rhine River. After seeing medieval structures, churches, stone streets, and old houses that have been preserved to this day, we set off towards Basel Airport and bid farewell until we meet again on another BUKLATUR trip.