Black Forest secrets and Rhine legends (Germany/Switzerland)

DAY 1: OFFENBURG

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

Individual arrival in Offenburg (Germany). Check-in at your hotel.
Free time to explore this city in the Rhine Valley, at the foot of the Black Forest.
Stroll through the pedestrianized streets of the city center and sample the Baden gastronomy.
Overnight at hotel in Offenburg.

DAY 2: OFFENBURG - CONSTANCE (Black Forest Railway)

From Offenburg, you set off on the picturesque Schwarzwaldbahn (Black Forest Railway). In a fairytale setting, dotted with delightful hamlets with houses worthy of Hansel and Gretel, you cross the mythical Black Forest in the Baden-Württemberg region. The section from Hornberg to Donaueschingen, via Triberg, is particularly fascinating, with its twists and turns, breathtaking mountain views and 36 tunnels.
Arrive in Singen at the end of the day, where the Black Forest Line ends.

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

Check-in at your hotel.
Overnight in a hotel in Constance

DAY 3: CONSTANCE

Day at leisure to explore the city and Lake Constance. In the foothills of the Alps, Lake Constance (Bodensee in German) is the 3rd largest lake in Western Europe. It marks the border between Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The town of Constance enjoys an exceptional location on the southern shore of the lake. It's an ideal place for a stroll, with its old town, winding streets, magnificent cathedral, harbour and the wonderful “flower island” of Mainau.
Overnight in a hotel in Constance. (B)

DAY 4: CONSTANCE - SCHAFFHOUSE (Untersee - Rhine river cruise)

Departure for Europe's most beautiful river cruise: the Untersee - Rhine.

You leave Konstanz by boat on the lake and travel upriver to Schaffhausen, Switzerland, to the Rhine Falls. The crossing takes around 4 hours and stretches over 50km, during which you first admire the island of Reichenau, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Château d'Arenberg, a Napoleonic residence, then the unspoilt landscapes of the wild Rhine and the picturesque villages along its banks, including the historic covered bridge at Diessenhofen, and the town of Stein am Rhein.

RQ: The river link runs 4 times a day, so you'll have the option of stopping at any point along the way, and catching the next ship 1 or 2 hours later.

Arrival in Schaffhausen.

Settle into your hotel and enjoy some free time to visit the town and admire the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfalls in terms of the quantity of water discharged. Schaffhausen, one of Switzerland's most charming towns, is dominated by the imposing Munot fortress. Its old town is made up of Baroque bourgeois and merchant houses with painted facades that give it a lot of character. The many pedestrian streets are bustling with activity, particularly in the Vordergrasse, the heart of the town (you can reach the Rhine Falls from the town center either by a 3km walk or by taking the train from Schaffhausen station to the “Neuhansen am Rheinfall” stop in 3 minutes).
Overnight at hotel in Schaffhausen (B)

DAY 5: SCHAFFHOUSE - ZURICH (Train)

Morning at leisure in Schaffhausen.

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

Check-in at your hotel and free time to explore the city.

Ranked as one of the world's “best cities in which to live”, Zurich is a metropolis with a particular respect for its natural setting. Crossed by several rivers and canals, and set on the shores of a lake, Zurich is distinguished by its “badis”, numerous landscaped bathing areas. A stroll through the narrow streets of Zurich's old town to the Lindenhof Park is a delightful experience, ending on one of the terraces of the impressive Sechselautenplatz.

From the Old Town, a funicular takes you up to Polyterrasse in 2 minutes, for the best view of the city center. And don't miss the ascent to Uetliberg, an 871m peak overlooking the city, the lake and the Limmat valley as far as the Alps (accessible by local train in just a few minutes).
Overnight at hotel in Zurich (B)

DAY 6: SWISS MOUNTAINS EXCURSION (rack railway + boat)

Depart for the Swiss mountains for a day trip to Lucerne and Mount Rigi.

Take the train from central Zurich for a 40-minute drive through lush green countryside along Lake Lucerne to Lucerne. By boat, you reach the charming seaside town of Weggis, which you have plenty of time to explore. Then take a cable car up to 1200 m for a splendid view of Lake Lucerne.

From here, Europe's first cogwheel railway takes you to the summit of Mount Rigi, where you can enjoy a variety of hiking trails (including traditional Swiss dishes). The cogwheel train also takes you down to the picturesque village of Vitznau, where you can relax by the lake.
You then take a boat to Lucerne for a cruise on the lake, before taking a free stroll to explore Lucerne's old town.

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

DAY 7: ZURICH

Free morning in Zurich. End of your trip Germany Switzerland (B)

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

TRAINS - TRIP GERMANY SWITZERLAND

This tour takes you on regular trains and a cog railway:

• Black Forest regular train (Schwarzwaldbahn)
  Offenburg > Constance (2h17)
  Boat (Untersee - Rhine river cruise): Constance > Schaffhausen (4h)

• Regular train
  Schaffhausen > Zurich (between 36 min and 1h)
  Zurich > Lucerne (40 min)
  Boat (cruise on Lake Lucerne) : Lucerne > Weggis (41 min)

• Rack train
  Weggis > Rigi > Vitznau (40 min)
  Boat (cruise on Lake Lucerne) : Vitzinau > Lucerne (58 min)

• Regular train
  Lucerne > Zurich (40 min)

PRICE INCLUDES

• 2nd-class train tickets according to program
• Accommodation in the chosen category of hotel in the city center, based on double room occupancy
• Breakfast in hotels (DDP)
• Swiss Travel Pass
• Cruise from Konstanz to Schaffhausen
• Day trip to Rigi-Kulm
• Assistance from Discovery Trains teams throughout your itinerary
• Electronic version of the travel guide

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International transport
• Train supplement 1st class: €213 per person
• Lunch and dinner
• Transfers between stations and hotels (hotels fairly close to stations)
• Any travel insurance
• Tourist taxes in Switzerland
• Printed travel diary sent by post (+ €12)