The Black Forest, Germany

square_bear

Hi
Does anyone have any experience of holidays in the Black Forest area of Germany?

I'm thinking of going in August this year and wondered what temperatures would be like?
What attractions and what type of accommodation would suit a Brit family travelling in that area?

Thanks

square_bear

Any advice anyone?

joerugby

We went in the winter and stayed here.

The facilities were excellent and our kids loved it.

http://www.feldberger-hof.de/en/startpage/startpage.html?utm_expid=13756270-0.qwWlo5SITjGDU-7xDxTcfg.0&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.feldberger-hof.de%2F

square_bear

joerugby wrote: »

We went in the winter and stayed here.

The facilities were excellent and our kids loved it.

http://www.feldberger-hof.de/en/startpage/startpage.html?utm_expid=13756270-0.qwWlo5SITjGDU-7xDxTcfg.0&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.feldberger-hof.de%2F

Thanks for the reply.
I have sent for a quote.

skint_chick

I've been several times, temperatures are usually mid 20s with bright sunny days, although you might get the odd shower. We usually stay at a campsite or holiday park - the facilities are usually spotless and there are on site activities. Most people speak English - although I speak fluent German - and there is lots to do. Where are you flying into? Or are you driving from the ferry?

Depending on your family ages Europa park makes a great day out, driving the main forest road you can stop at the Mummelsee and hire a pedal to go out on the lake. We went to a wild animal park near Pforzheim, there's Stuttgart - with plenty of park and ride options- and Baden-Baden and Freiburg to look around. I really enjoyed the trip to Maulbronn monastery, and lots of walking and hiking.

square_bear

skint_chick wrote: »

I've been several times, temperatures are usually mid 20s with bright sunny days, although you might get the odd shower. We usually stay at a campsite or holiday park - the facilities are usually spotless and there are on site activities. Most people speak English - although I speak fluent German - and there is lots to do. Where are you flying into? Or are you driving from the ferry?

Depending on your family ages Europa park makes a great day out, driving the main forest road you can stop at the Mummelsee and hire a pedal to go out on the lake. We went to a wild animal park near Pforzheim, there's Stuttgart - with plenty of park and ride options- and Baden-Baden and Freiburg to look around. I really enjoyed the trip to Maulbronn monastery, and lots of walking and hiking.

Thanks for the reply.
I think we will be flying into Stuttgart because Europa Park is one of the top items on our list. We are thinking of staying somewhere between the Erding Waterpark and Rust.
I've never driven in Europe and plan to get around using public transport. Which type would you recommend and can I get a weekly pass or something to make it convenient and cheaper?

Also, what is the cost of living like over in that region, too.
Thanks!

skint_chick

If you can get a flight to Basel from your local airport price it too as I fly there regularly and you can get the bus to Freiburg directly from the airport. I have never used public transport in the Black Forest because the buses aren't regular enough and it is so much easier with a car. It's usually my OH that drives abroad, I drove a hire car in Switzerland Austria and Germany a few months ago and it was fine after I got used to the gearstick being on the other side. Strangely everything seemed easier- especially roundabouts - so I would look into it. If you're flying into Basel the hire car is from the French side if you're going to Germany, I've never hired a car from Stuttgart airport. I've also hired a car from Baden Baden airport - it's literally a hut in the middle of the countryside - and flights there can be cheap and it's an easy airport to start off with a hire car from as you have smaller roads coming out of the airport. To get the best out of the region you need a car really - you didn't say how many of you there were?

Cost of living is around the same as the UK, maybe slightly cheaper if you're camping and buying your own groceries.

http://www.tourism-bw.com

this website has some info about what to do/see

abacab

We had a holiday in the Black forest area at a time when cash was in short supply.
Flights Stanstead-Baden Baden were 1p each with Ryanair(them were the days)
Hire car supplied by Avis paid for with Tesco clubcard vouchers,and we stayed in little pensions for about £10 a night.
Some nights we would sit in Lidl's car park eating cheese and ham!
Still had a lovely time though,it,s a magical place.
Black forest is an easy area to drive in.

square_bear

Thanks skint_chick, you've been really helpful.
If I could thank you ten times, I would!

We are only at planning stage so I will post again when we book.

agrinnall

I use Weather Underground to check weather at the time of year I want to travel, the Almanac facility allows you to look at a day/week/month in previous years as far back as it has records.

Katiehound

Don't know if this would interest you- the open air museum- fascinating typical black forest farm houses- here's the write up from tripadviser:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1825958-d190955-Reviews-Black_Forest_Open_Air_Museum_Vogtsbauernhof-Gutach_im_Schwarzwald_Baden_Wurttembe.html

one of the reviewers suggests this is great fror children but maybe not teenagers!!