Head to the Black Forest in Germany this March, to celebrate a decadent cake that many expats in Germany – including Europesure Travel Insurance customers - could tuck into every single day.
This is, of course, the Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, but did you know that March 28 is National Black Forest Cake Day, dedicated to this sweet delicacy of chocolate sponge, cream, cherries and, if it is to be the genuine article, cherry liqueur.
Some first-class cake shops serving this treat include Café König in Baden-Baden, the oldest café in the town, located on Lichtentaler Straẞe. Then there is Café Konditorei in Todtmoos, or Café am Eck in Baiersbronn, where the cake is made to a four-generation-old recipe. At Café Schmidt in Freiburg, you can also enjoy their own speciality of handpicked Black Forest cherries, soaked in kirsch and coated with fondant and dark chocolate.
Meanwhile, at the “Landgasthof Lilie”, Wallfahrtstr. 3 in Triberg, pre-booked groups of up to 10 people can experience a 10-minute demonstration of how to make the cake. Triberg is seen as the spiritual home of Black Forest Gateau, which was first devised by Josef Keller in 1915, but brought to Triberg, where its renown grew, in 1929.
Black Forest delights on the doorstep of expats in Germany
The Black Forest is probably one of the areas UK and European travellers, and British expats across Europe, underexplore. Expats in Germany, on the other hand, have it on their doorstep and can take full advantage of a region with stunning scenery and wonderful hiking and trekking opportunities.
Hiking trails can be found around the Black Forest, or Schwarzwald as locals know it, which lies in the south west of Germany. If you do decide that its time you headed to some of these, just check the wording of your travel insurance policy, which will advise of any terms applying to hiking activity. With Europesure Travel Insurance, hiking or walking to an altitude of up to 1500 metres, on recognised footpaths or hiking trails, is covered automatically.
Places to visit in the Black Forest
Baden-Baden is not only a great stop-off for Black Forest cake but a wonderfully atmospheric German spa town built around 12 thermal springs. Located to the east of the Black Forest, it is close to the border with France and a must-visit spot for spa and relaxation seekers, walkers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. Those not wanting to hit the trails can unwind by strolling along the Rhine Promenade or maybe head off for a bit a sunbathing at Pond Solmssee, above the famous Baden-Baden Casino.
If you wish to explore the latter, guided tours are available, allowing anyone to breathe in the Belle Epoque atmosphere, marvel at the ornate décor and furnishings and step back in time.
Heading to the 16-pillared Pump Room, or Trinkhalle, is another must, with a 90-metre walkway offering you the chance to admire 14 murals. Other things to do include taking the funicular up Merkur Mountain, becoming a race-goer at one of the Baden-Baden racetrack’s three yearly meetings, or taking in the ancient Roman-Irish bathhouse at Friedrichsbad. For a modern spa experience, there is Caracalla Therme, offering spas and pools, both indoor and out. Beautiful parks abound in Baden-Baden and there is also a free-entry arboretum to explore.
Head to Friedrichsturm for a great view over Baden-Baden, once you have climbed 145 steps to reach a viewing platform and a further 23 to arrive at the dome. Perhaps spend the evening at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, one of Europe’s largest opera houses.
Visiting Triberg
The Black Forest is known not just for cake but for other culinary delights such as Black Forest ham and the quaint adornment that is a cuckoo clock. Just outside the town of Triberg, two cuckoo clocks compete to be the world’s largest. Within Triberg, at the Black Forest Museum, you can see numerous variations on the theme of cuckoo clocks, as well as traditional costumes, barrel organs and examples of everyday living in the Black Forest of the past.
Triberg is probably most known for the 160-metre Triberg Falls, found above the main village. These Falls have seven stages and there are three different routes to follow, to reach them. An entrance fee applies but they are the highest to be found in Germany, so something to tick off your bucket list.
Lakes and cycle trails
Stunning lakes can also be found in the Black Forest, including Mummelsee above Seebach. In the High Black Forest, you will find Titisee, a real honeypot location for independent travellers and tour groups and a place to hop on a rented boat, take a cruise around the lake, or just relax on the shore.
In the northern Black Forest, Baiersbronn is an absolute hiking haven, with around 550km of trails at the walking enthusiast’s disposal. However, it also a bike rider’s nirvana with kilometres of trails at their disposal too. If you plan on taking your cycle to the Black Forest (and why wouldn’t you), Europesure Travel Insurance has a special add-on policy that can keep cycles and sports equipment well protected.
On the other hand, if planning on hiring a car and driving the 60km B500 route between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt, perhaps Europesure’s car hire excess insurance add-on will be just the ticket, to help save you a heap of money at the car hire desk.
Exploring Freiburg
No guide to what to see in the Black Forest would be complete without mention of Freiburg, an absolute gem located close to the French border, which celebrated its 900th birthday in 2020. The Old Town is defined by its atmospheric, attractive streets and café culture, with independent shops to tempt the wallet and purse and iconic buildings such as the Freiburg Münster (cathedral). Districts such as ‘Little Venice’ (or actually Schneckencorstadt) whisper of Freiburg’s past as a town of tanners and dyers.
Breathtaking views of the city and its red-tile rooftops await those climbing the spire of the Münster, whilst more stunning vistas await those taking the nearby Schauinsland cable car, which allows the whole valley to come into view.
Other things to see include the market square and stalls, the Rathaus, with its 12 coats of arms of sister cities to Freiburg, and the Schwabentor clock tower. Climbing uphill from the latter allows you to reach Schlossberg, where more great Freiburg views await. Europa-Park, Germany’s biggest theme park, is not far away for those wanting roller-coaster action, and another place to which to head for a day trip might well be Ravenna Gorge.
Freiburg also proves that Black Forest cake is not the only fruit for those with a sweet tooth. At the acclaimed Stefans Käsekuchen, the cheesecake is to die for.
Advice for expats and European travellers to the Black Forest
Expat travel insurance customers of Europesure in Germany can probably provide many more tips but ours is simple. Do not travel across European borders believing that the EHIC or GHIC health cards will suffice when it comes to healthcare cost protection. Always remember that these cards do not cover any form of private care, which you may find yourself receiving, and that there is absolutely no cover for medical repatriation or any services that may need to airlift you from a trail and get you to a medical facility.
Buy single trip or annual travel insurance cover from Europesure, whether you are an expat living in Germany or another European country, a European resident wanting a policy in English, or a UK traveller. With policies for those living in the EU, EEA, UK, Monaco and Gibraltar, we have the needs of the majority of European travellers covered.
For more Europesure blogs about German travel, click here and here.
