Rhine River Cruise – Shore Excursion Black Forest

Many of the Rhine River Cruises offer shore excursions to the Black Forest or Alsace region from the ports in Basel, Breisach or Strasbourg. But instead of joining the regular bus tours run by the cruise ship company taking you to the ‘Cuckoo Clock Village’ (which is set-up just for the cruise ship company), many people prefer a (private) guided tour. The advantages of a private shore excursion to the Black Forest: you get to do and see things large bus groups can’t. You can void the most touristy places – if you want to. With us you can get off-the-beaten path and go where the locals go. And you can ask me as many questions as you like.

Meeting Point

Our driver/guide meets you at the cruise ship port in Breisach. Some of the Rhine River Cruises also stop in Basel and Strasbourg and tour the Black Forest from there. Our tours all start at the port in Breisach.

How long is the tour?

Depending on your cruise ship’s departure time in the evening a 6 hour tour might be ideal. But no matter how many hours you can spend in our area, we try to create the perfect day for you.

How many people can your bring along?

We have different vehicles depending on the size of the group. We either tour in a standard car (example Volvo XC90 SUV), a minivan (example Mercedes bus) or a 18 seater bus.

• The minimum number of people in your private group is 2
• The maximum number you can bring is 14.

The larger the vehicle the more limited we are on roads we can take or places we can visit (for example – some local restaurants or cabins are not able to accommodate a party of 14).

What’s included?

• Private Black Forest tour with a guide, driver & vehicle
• Our driver meets you at your cruise ship in Breisach.
• Our Guides: Professional, English-speaking, Certified by the Black Forest Park Association, Members of the German National Tourist Guide Association (BVGD)
• Our Vehicles: Safe and Clean Vehicles, all vehicles pass strict mechanical inspection by the German TÜV (Technical Security Association), special passenger transport insurance, air-conditioning, non-smoking, mobile phone charger on board, umbrellas on board, bottled water on board, parking fees included, tolls and other road fees included, distance & fuel costs included

What’s not included?

• Lunch costs
• Entrance fees to attractions
• Misc personal items (e.g. souvenirs)

Is there a list of stops or activities I can choose from?

You get to pick and choose the stops to cover during your private tour of the Black Forest. We will provide itinerary suggestions. But we are completely open and flexible. We listen to your wants and needs – and then decide on the itinerary together with you.

Here are some examples of things to do and see during your private tour from Breisach:

• Visit to a waterfall
• Visit to Freiburg- Germany’s sunniest city
• Walk across a hanging bridge providing gorgeous views of the Black Forest
• Shop for a cuckoo clock and take a picture at one of World’s Largest cuckoo clocks
• Try an authentic piece of Black Forest cake at a local cake maker
• Enjoy the day like a local: Visit a real beergarden
• Shop like a local at the farmer’s market
• Visit a working farm
• Step into one o the most beautiful monastery churches in the region
• Take a boat ride on a lake
• Souvenir Shopping!
• Go for a hike
• Visit a cute Black Forest town
• See what a Schnaps Fountain is all about
• Taste the local wine
• Climb up to a castle ruin
• Ttend a cake baking or cooking workshop
• Scenery scenery scenery!
• Take a cable car ride up the mountain
• Eat at a local restaurant

Sample itineraries:

Freiburg & Lake Titisee. A short drive will take you to Freiburg where you get to visit the famous farmers market. Our guide will show you some hidden places in the old town before you hop in the car again. A scenic drive on the Panorama Road will take you to the oldest monastery church in the area. From here it is a short drive to Lake Titisee where you have time to go for a boat ride, do some souvenir shopping. Or taste an authentic piece of Black Forest cake.

Freiburg, Lake & Hike. This tour provides you with a lot of options: We will show you Lake Titisee where you have the option to do some shopping or just enjoy time at the lake. Then you get active on a hike through beautiful Ravenna Gorge. We end in Freiburg where you get to spend time at a beergarden – or in town. This itinerary will require an additional hour of touring.

5 Mile Hike through a Gorge. Our driver will pick you up at your cruise ship and drive you to the Black Forest mountains. This is where our guide will wait for you to take you on a beautiful hike. This is one of our most popular hikes because you really get it all: Besides the classic, dark Black Forest gorge hike next to waterfalls, you get a lot of Black Forest history, a few touristy things, the oldest chapel in the Black Forest, the areas largest cuckoo clock. The guided hike takes you down into a valley famous for its ancient mills that once made everything from rope to spoons. You will see how people thrived hundreds of years ago. Your local guide has lots of stories to tell. You are in for a real treat!

Town, Waterfall & Scenery. We will take you on a 1 hour scenic drive up into Black Forest mountains. Here you get to walk across a bridge above the treetops. You also get to spend time at a beautiful waterfall – one of the must-see falls in the Southern Black Forest. The walk to the waterfall can be easy (flat walk in) or more challenging – the guide will adjust to your fitness level. If you are adventurous we will bring you to a mountain coaster next – the longest one in Germany! On the way back to Breisach we will stop in a pretty Black Forest town which is often overlooked by tourist – experience like a local! Taste some of the best Black Forest cakes available in the region. Or taste local wine and a specialty.

Triberg Cuckoo Clock area. It is a bit of a drive to the centre of clock making but it can be done! You will have a chance to shop for an authentic cuckoo clock and visit the Triberg waterfalls – Germany’s highest falls. We will take you to one of World’s Largest cuckoo clocks and the Black Forest museum. No worries – the clocks will be shipped, you do not need to take them with you. Please note that visits to clock makers are not possible any longer. But our guide knows all about cuckoo clocks and can demonstrate them for you.

Don’t see an itinerary you like?

If you have anything specific in mind you don’t see covered in our regular tours talk to us! We know the Black Forest region like noone else and can most likely put a customized half day tour together for you covering exactly what you want to see.