The

Train Seats Travel On all legs of the journey you have reserved seat and carriage numbers which are shown clearly on your ticket. Passports Please ensure your 10 year British Passport is not out of date and is valid for a full three months beyond the duration of your visit. EU, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino or Switzerland Baggage valid national identification cards are also acceptable for travel to Germany. As with most trains, passengers are responsible for carrying baggage onto and off the train. Baggage can be stored on overhead shelves or at the entrance to the carriages. Trollies are available at St Visas Pancras and Paris, but bags do need to be carried British and EU passport holders are not required to on to the platform. Porters are sometimes but not have a visa. always available at St Pancras.

Travel Editions recommends a luggage delivery For all other passport holders please check the visa service called thebaggageman, where your suitcase requirements with the appropriate embassy. can be picked up from your home before departure

and delivered straight to your hotel; therefore German Embassy: 23 Belgrave Square, London removing the worry about carrying your cases onto SW1X 8PZ. and off the trains. Tel: (020) 7824 1300. Fax: (020) 7824 1435. For further information: Web site: http://www.german-embassy.org.uk. http://www.thebaggageman.com Consulate: Tel: 09065-508 922 (£1 per minute) or

(020) 7824 1465/6. Fax: (0171) 824 1449. Opening hours: 0900-1130 Monday to Friday. Labels

Please use the luggage labels provided. It is useful

to have your home address located inside your suitcase should the label go astray. Tickets You will be issued with a return train ticket. Transfers Please take care not to lose your tickets and please On arrival, transfer by coach to Uhlingen- check that the details on your tickets are accurate. Birkendorf (approx. 2 hours) and Hotel Sonnenhof Your ticket is non-transferable and non-refundable. and Sonnhalde. No refund can be given for non-used portions.

Standard Premier on Eurostar tickets is indicated by Special Requests two asterisks in the class type section in the top If you haven’t already, please notify Travel Editions right hand corner. A light meal will be served to of any special requests as soon as possible to allow passengers travelling Standard Premier on Eurostar. sufficient time to make the necessary Standard class Eurostar tickets do not include any arrangements. food or drink on board, although there is a buffet car serving drinks and snacks.

TGV tickets do not include any food or drink on board, although a buffet car is available.

Accommodation

Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde usually consists of a boiled egg, cold cuts, cheese The 3-star Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde is set in a slices, jam, honey and a large variety of bread rolls. peaceful and idyllic location on the edge of the Black Forest town of Uhlingen-Birkendorf. This rustic family-run hotel offers simple but comfortable accommodation in a tranquil and Drink beautiful setting. Facilities include an indoor The national drink is beer in its many forms. swimming pool, a restaurant serving local food, a Regional flavours vary from light pilsner-type lagers bar, a solarium and good sized, simple rooms with to heavy stouts. Locally produced in the Black private bathroom, hairdryer, TV, telephone and wi- Forest region, the Pils and Hefeweizen of the fi. Please note that rooms do not include coffee/tea Rothaus Brauerei are popular. Or for a lighter, making facilities, so we suggest you bring a travel refreshing drink, why not try a Radler, mixture of kettle if required. beer and lemonade.

For more information visit their website German wines are among the finest in the world. In http://www.sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de/ the Black Forest region, Riesling whites and Spätburgunder reds are popular.

Kirschwasser, cherry schnapps, used in the famous Food black forest cake, is most often served cold, in a Home to a third of Germany’s Michelin-starred small glass, as an aperitif. restaurants, the Black forest area is famous for its delicious food. Simple Gasthof or café also serve Waiter or waitress service is normal although self- excellent set 3-course menu meals at a more service restaurants are available. Bars can either modest price (available from €10). A soup (typically have table service and/or counter service, although potato) is the most popular starter. The main meal customers will often find that the drinks bought are consists of vegetables or salad, with potatoes or simply marked down on a beer mat to be paid for Knöpfle (or Spätzle – flour and egg based pasta), on leaving. It is customary to tip bar and restaurant and meat with gravy. Schwarzwälder Schinken staff, with an average 5-10%, rounding up the bill. (smoked ham) is a traditional choice for the Black Please note that it is not typical to leave the tip on Forest region. For puddings there is often a sweet the table after paying the bill. More common is to such as a blancmange, fruit or ice cream. tell the amount including tip you want to pay before Cakes and pastries, such as Strudel with the paying (via cash or credit card). traditional apple filling, or the famous Black forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) are normally Meals included in the price of your holiday are: reserved for the afternoon with Kaffee und Kuchen (‘coffee and cakes’) taken at home or in a café. Breakfast – daily

The typical German snack, grilled, fried or boiled Dinner – daily 4-course set menu sausages (Bratwurst) with a crusty bread roll or potato salad, are available from snack bars (Wurststand), butcher shops, bakers and cafes. Bread rolls filled with sausage slices, hot meat filling (such as Leberkäse), pickled herring, gherkins and onion rings or cheese are also popular.

The main meal of the day in Germany tends to be lunch with a light snack eaten at about seven in the evening. Breakfast served in homes and hotels

Destination

Steeped in ancient legend and unique cultural Basel heritage, the Black Forest region is a spectacular The city of Basel sits on Switzerland's juncture with expanse of wooded mountains in Germany's Germany and France. The city has an illustrious southwest corner. Soak up the timeless history, littered with notable names ranging from atmosphere, exploring some of the Forest's Erasmus to Holbein to Nietzsche and its patronage fascinating old towns and charming lakeside resorts, can be seen today in the form of many world-class enjoy the colourful fresco decoration of traditional museums and galleries including the Historisches architecture, experience rural life in the open-air Museum and the Fondation Beyeler. Basel old town museums and take in the stunning scenery of is packed with heritage sites, the spectacular 13th Germany’s black forest, a thick canopy of century Münster and its atmospheric cloisters and evergreens, interspersed with turquoise lakes, the Münsterplatz being of particular note. medieval towns, tranquil farmsteads and fragrant vineyards. For more information about Basel: https://www.basel.com/en Places of interest included in the tour: , Schwarzwälder Freiburg and Lake Titisee Freilichtmuseum & Triberg One of Germany's most beautiful and historic cities, Schiltach, in the upper valley is a stop on Freiburg is a vibrant university town based around a Germany's 'Half-Timbered House Road', thanks to magnificent Gothic Münster (cathedral) built in red the beautiful examples in its medieval inner city. sandstone. With its lovely compact historic centre, There is no better way to get a glimpse into Black fanning out from the cathedral, other sights include Forest life than the Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum the university quarter, Rathausplatz and the old (the Black Forest Open Air Museum)! Here there are town market square and morning market. six traditional farm houses to explore as well as The relaxed mountain spa town of Titisee sits on the exhibitions and demonstrations of crafts, customs clear waters of the lake of the same name. The and lifestyle. waterfront promenade is the perfect place for a Triberg is perhaps best known for cuckoo clocks, stroll. especially as it is home to the world's largest. Visit the clock shops as well as the Schwarzwaldmuseum For more information about Freiburg: (Black Forest Museum) which is full of local http://www.freiburg.de/pb/,Len/226394.html artefacts.

Konstanz, Lake Constance & Meersburg For more information about Schiltach: The huge expanse of water that is Lake Constance http://www.schiltach.de/en/Home (Bodensee) on the River is backed by a row of For more information about the Freilichtmusuem: spectacular peaks of the Swiss Alps. http://en.vogtsbauernhof.de/ Konstanz is located on the lake's western shore, For more information about Triberg: right on the Swiss border. A university city, it has a http://www.triberg.de/index.php?id=150 delightful old town dominated by a Cathedral, and many winding alleys to explore as well as historic buildings and three towers of an ancient city wall. A charming medieval city on Lake Constance, Rheinfall and Stein am Rhein Meersburg’s upper and lower towns are The Rheinfall is Europe's largest plain waterfall, pedestrianized, allowing you to wander amongst located on the Upper Rhine in Switzerland, and the half-timbered houses, medieval tower gates provides a truly spectacular sight that has and two castles with ease. captivated tourists for centuries, including JMW Turner and Mary Shelley. For more information about Konstanz: Stein am Rhein, also located on Switzerland's Upper http://www.constance-lake-constance.com/start.html Rhine, has a compact but superb and well preserved medieval centre that still retains an ancient street plan. Perfectly adding to the old world atmosphere, the area is now pedestrianized and many of the buildings boast beautiful frescoes.

For more information about the Rhine falls: http://www.rheinfall.ch/Home

Travel books to read Schulte-Kellinghaus & Spiegelhalter & Meisen, Journey through the Black Forest

Tour manager Your tour manager will be on hand throughout the tour to ensure that everything operated according to plan. If you have any problems or questions please see him or her immediately – it is often possible to resolve complaints or problems very quickly on the spot, and do everything to help you enjoy your holiday.

The Basics Electricity – 220 volt, two-pin continental plug. We Climate – The weather in the Black Forest at this advise you take a continental adaptor with you. time of year is likely to be pleasant, but evenings can be quite cool and there is the chance of the odd Drinking water – Tap water is safe to drink. Please shower. Our best advice is to come prepared. note that ordering tap water in a restaurant or bar is considered rude – bottle still or sparkling water is common.

Shops and museums – Shops can regulate their own opening hours within these times 0600-2000 Monday to Friday; 0600-1600 Saturday. Smaller shops may close 1200-1430 for lunch. Please note than some museums close on Mondays.

Time – GMT +2 hours (Summer time Apr-Oct); GMT Clothes –You may like to bring a warm sweater for + 1 (Standard time Nov-Mar). cool evenings. Light rain wear for the occasional Language – German. storm and good walking shoes are recommended. Religion – Protestant (34%), Roman Catholic (34%). Camera – bring plenty of memory cards/film and National holidays – New Year’s day (01 Jan); any spare camera batteries as these are not always Epiphany (06 Jan); Good Friday; Easter Monday; available. Please check with your guide before Labour day (01 May); Ascension day; Whit Monday; photographing people. Corpus Christi; German Unity day (03 Oct); All Saints’ day (01 Nov); Christmas day (25 Dec); St Shoes – we suggest good grip/flat walking shoes for Stephens day (26 Dec). walking on excursions.

Currency – Germany – Euro. €1 = 100 cents. Notes Bath plugs – The hotel has plugs for basins, but it is are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 useful to carry a ‘universal’ one with you. and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Telephones/mobiles – You should be able to use Switzerland – Franc. 1CHF = 100 cents. Notes are in your mobile phone in France, depending on your denominations of 1000, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 CHF. operator and contract. Coins are in denominations of 5, 2, 1 CHF and 50, 20, 10, 5 cents. Tipping –To keep our tours affordable, we do not increase the tour price by adding in tips. However, Banks – Cashpoints compatible with international in the tourism industry, there is a certain level of banking networks are located in all towns and cities, expectation that when receiving a good service, one as well as airports, major train stations and other does award with a tip. Tour Managers, spots. They usually offer an attractive exchange Representatives, Guides and Drivers appreciate a rate. Those banks that still exchange foreign tip at the end of their involvement with the tour, currencies into local money will always charge a but this is entirely at your discretion. We believe in transaction fee, so withdrawing money from an allowing you to tip according to your level of ATM usually represents the most logical means of satisfaction with their services, but for your obtaining euros. guidance about £2-3 per person per day for the tour manager is the norm. We would like to reiterate Credit cards – American Express, Diners Club, that tipping is an entirely optional payment and this MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted across the information is given purely to answer any questions country. If you’re eating at a restaurant, check prior you may have about it. to the meal that your card will be an acceptable form of payment. Even in cities, it’s advisable to carry a supply of cash with you at all times. Varying amounts of commission can be charged.

Health

Doctor/Dentist/Chemist Please talk to your tour manager if you are feeling Insurance unwell and they will organise for you to see a To be covered under your Travel Insurance Policy, doctor. if you become ill, it is essential that you contact a Keep receipts for insurance claims. local doctor and also telephone the emergency number of you insurance company. You will NOT be covered for any claim unless this procedure is carried out. Your insurance company will then Hospital decide on the best course of medical attention. Your tour manager/hotel reception will arrange hospital transport. Keep receipts for insurance claims. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) The EHIC replaced the old E111 in 2006. Valid in all EEA countries, the card lets you get state General Health Advice healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for We suggest you take a good supply of your own free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed individual medicines with you and always keep to allow you to continue your stay until your some in your hand luggage in case you get delayed planned return. It also covers the treatment of or your luggage goes astray. General-purpose pre-existing medical conditions. supplies for bites, stings, or scratches, and your Please note that the EHIC is not an alternative to usual medication for headaches, or stomach travel insurance. It will not cover any private upsets are always recommended. Oral re- medical healthcare or costs such as being flown hydration sachets are excellent for topping up salt back to the UK, or lost or stolen property. and glucose levels. Therefore, it is important to have both an EHIC and Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for more a valid private travel insurance policy. It is also generally information specific to the country you important to note that each country’s healthcare are visiting – www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk system is slightly different, so the EHIC might not cover everything that would be generally free on the NHS. Sun Protection We strongly recommend that you take out an Always ensure you take sufficient sun protection appropriate travel insurance policy when you and moisturiser. A sun hat and sunglasses are also travel abroad. advisable. For more information about the EHIC please visit: https://www.ehic.org.uk Inoculations You should check with your own doctor and take their advice as to which inoculations are required for the country you are visiting, as only they know your medical history and recommendations are liable to change at short notice.

Emergencies Should an emergency arise, please call our offices on: 00 44 20 7251 0045 Outside office hours (Mon-Fri 0900-1700), telephone our emergency staff on: 00 44 20 7431 8201 or 00 44 7899 796542 or 00 44 7831 133079 or 00 44 1235 850720 PLEASE USE THESE NUMBERS ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A GENUINE EMERGENCY.

If you find that you are in need of consular assistance during your holiday:

British Consulate-General Munich Möhlstrasse 5 81675 München Germany Tel: +49 (0) 89 211090 Email: [email protected]

Open Mon-Thu 0900-1200 and 1300-1700 and Fri 0900-1200 and 1300-1530

Travel Editions 69-85 Tabernacle Street, London EC2A 4BD Tel: 020 7251 0045 Email: [email protected] www.traveleditions.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. IT IS MEANT AS A GUIDE ONLY AND WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS OR SUBSEQUENT CHANGES.