p.1 #1 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
Hi everyone,
I am planning a mid-June road trip through southern Germany, Switzerland, and eastern France, starting and ending in Frankfurt, and I would really appreciate photography-focused location advice from those familiar with this region.
Current route (flexible except flights):
Frankfurt --> Würzburg --> Rothenburg ob der Tauber --> Tübingen --> Freudenstadt --> Colmar --> Riquewihr --> Ribeauvillé --> Kaysersberg --> Colmar --> Triberg Waterfalls --> Gutach Valley --> Gengenbach --> Bingen --> Sankt Goar --> Ferry --> Sankt Goarshausen --> Loreley --> Frankfurt
The trip will be moderately paced, so I should have some flexibility to time locations for better light (golden/blue hour where possible), though it won’t be a slow, tripod-heavy trip.
What I am hoping to get help with:
- Are there any must-see or easily missed photo spots on or very close to this route that I should not skip?
- Any small detours or towns that are especially photogenic and worth swapping in?
- Places where timing matters most (e.g., early morning vs evening)?
- Any add/remove suggestions to improve flow or photographic value?
My goal is to avoid that feeling of “="I didn’t realize this great place was right there" while keeping the trip realistic and enjoyable. Nothing is set in stone yet except flying in and out of Frankfurt, so I am very open to suggestions.
Thanks in advance, really looking forward to learning from your experiences.
p.1 #2 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
abhisheks77 wrote:
Hi everyone,
I am planning a mid-June road trip through southern Germany, Switzerland, and eastern France, starting and ending in Frankfurt, and I would really appreciate photography-focused location advice from those familiar with this region.
Current route (flexible except flights):
Frankfurt --> Würzburg --> Rothenburg ob der Tauber --> Tübingen --> Freudenstadt --> Colmar --> Riquewihr --> Ribeauvillé --> Kaysersberg --> Colmar --> Triberg Waterfalls --> Gutach Valley --> Gengenbach --> Bingen --> Sankt Goar --> Ferry --> Sankt Goarshausen --> Loreley --> Frankfurt
The trip will be moderately paced, so I should have some flexibility to time locations for better light (golden/blue hour where possible), though it won’t be a slow, tripod-heavy trip.
What I am hoping to get help with:
- Are there any must-see or easily missed photo spots on or very close to this route that I should not skip?
- Any small detours or towns that are especially photogenic and worth swapping in?
- Places where timing matters most (e.g., early morning vs evening)?
- Any add/remove suggestions to improve flow or photographic value?
My goal is to avoid that feeling of “="I didn’t realize this great place was right there" while keeping the trip realistic and enjoyable. Nothing is set in stone yet except flying in and out of Frankfurt, so I am very open to suggestions.
Thanks in advance, really looking forward to learning from your experiences....Show more →
I wasn’t going to reply since it is perhaps hard to translate my experience (a lot of time around Heidelberg, some time elsewhere in Germany, and a visit to Alsace a year ago. But since no one else has replied:
We drove down from Heidelberg to spend a few days in the “ Riquewihr --> Ribeauvillé --> Kaysersberg --> Colmar -->” near the beginning of December in 2024. I suspect things will be quite different when you are there — the number of tourists seems a bit lower in winter and more likely includes Europeans, the weather is (A LOT) different, and the Christmas/Holiday decorations are gone. However, this area, in my memory, is a combination of quaint villages (some of which you have listed) and a vibrant wine-making/vineyard economy. (We stayed in a place along the fringe of Riquewihr with a vineyard right across the street.)
Photographically, at least for me, the highlights were the vineyard country and the quaint villages. One we visited isn’t on your list, but we thought it was interesting: Eguisheim.
p.1 #3 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
gdanmitchell wrote:
I wasn’t going to reply since it is perhaps hard to translate my experience (a lot of time around Heidelberg, some time elsewhere in Germany, and a visit to Alsace a year ago. But since no one else has replied:
We drove down from Heidelberg to spend a few days in the “ Riquewihr --> Ribeauvillé --> Kaysersberg --> Colmar -->” near the beginning of December in 2024. I suspect things will be quite different when you are there — the number of tourists seems a bit lower in winter and more likely includes Europeans, the weather is (A LOT) different, and the Christmas/Holiday decorations are gone. However, this area, in my memory, is a combination of quaint villages (some of which you have listed) and a vibrant wine-making/vineyard economy. (We stayed in a place along the fringe of Riquewihr with a vineyard right across the street.)
Photographically, at least for me, the highlights were the vineyard country and the quaint villages. One we visited isn’t on your list, but we thought it was interesting: Eguisheim. ...Show more →
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.
Your description of the Alsace villages and vineyard landscapes is good for me, even though I know mid-June will feel very different from December. Eguisheim is a great call. It is near to Alsace loop, so I would see that as well.
p.1 #4 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
I'm a little biased but I wouldn't miss out on Strasbourg. If you base yourself in Colmar for a few nights then it's an easy day trip.
It's hard to critique your itinerary too much without knowing where and for how long you're planning on staying overnight. One thing I would say, though, is that some of these places, while fabulous, are very small. For example, I like Riquewihr very much but would struggle to spend much more than an hour there. It's basically one steep street. I'm not that fussed on Ribeauvillé - it feels a bit more like a town than a quaint village. Kaysersberg is nice.
p.1 #5 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
KuduBiltong wrote:
I'm a little biased but I wouldn't miss out on Strasbourg. If you base yourself in Colmar for a few nights then it's an easy day trip.
It's hard to critique your itinerary too much without knowing where and for how long you're planning on staying overnight. One thing I would say, though, is that some of these places, while fabulous, are very small. For example, I like Riquewihr very much but would struggle to spend much more than an hour there. It's basically one steep street. I'm not that fussed on Ribeauvillé - it feels a bit more like a town than a quaint village. Kaysersberg is nice. ...Show more →
Thanks for your reply and suggestions.
Here is what I drafted, based on some internet search and forum search on these places.
It is not hard set photographic trip, as I am going with family, but I will try to spend time wherever I can.
Rothenburg is little out of way, but I saw many nice pictures, especially late evening and night.
Baden-Baden and Schiltach are optional or short stay.
For Alsace village, there are three villages not so far from each other. Based on what you will advice, I can make it.
Day-5/6 is drive to Rhine Valley. I can stay there overnight or at Wissembourg or Strasbourg.
p.1 #6 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
KuduBiltong wrote:
I'm a little biased but I wouldn't miss out on Strasbourg. If you base yourself in Colmar for a few nights then it's an easy day trip.
It's hard to critique your itinerary too much without knowing where and for how long you're planning on staying overnight. One thing I would say, though, is that some of these places, while fabulous, are very small. For example, I like Riquewihr very much but would struggle to spend much more than an hour there. It's basically one steep street. I'm not that fussed on Ribeauvillé - it feels a bit more like a town than a quaint village. Kaysersberg is nice. ...Show more →
Based on my experience (less than yours) I agree with your point about some of the places being “very small.” While we did stay at Riquewihr and enjoy the place, it isn’t big. If you are into dining, there are some special options that can add some extra interest.
For us, Riquewihr was our base for visiting many o fthe other villages/towns mentioned — and most of those, while fascinating, also were worth mostly a few hours of our time. In fact, on some days we visited more than one of them.
One caveat: If your goal is primarily photography, as we know it is possible to spend a lot more time in small places looking for the ideal subjects and light. (For example, I photographed Riquewihr both in the daytime and at night and I also photographed some of the surrounding countryside.)
p.1 #7 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
You should be fine. I'd have been more worried if you were coming for much longer and were planning on overnighting at each of the locations you listed.
FWIW, I rather like Baden Baden and Gengenbach. If you find yourself pushed for time, then I found the Triberg waterfalls underwhelming but YMMV. I know Alsace pretty well but don't really know the other places you mentioned in Germany so can't judge.
p.1 #8 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
KuduBiltong wrote:
You should be fine. I'd have been more worried if you were coming for much longer and were planning on overnighting at each of the locations you listed.
FWIW, I rather like Baden Baden and Gengenbach. If you find yourself pushed for time, then I found the Triberg waterfalls underwhelming but YMMV. I know Alsace pretty well but don't really know the other places you mentioned in Germany so can't judge.
As you are well aware of Alsace area, would you suggest to spend all my time and evening/late evening in these villages (Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg), or would reduce here and spend some time outside this loop, or any specific suggestions ?
From pictures, I have good impression of Gengenbach too.
p.1 #9 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
I should mention that Gengenbach is another of those places that's very nice but only for a short time. A couple of hours and you'd be done.
I think that, if you throw in Eguisheim, which was a good shout, then you have a busy day and evening exploring the villages around Colmar. If you find yourself running short of time, then maybe cut out Ribeauvillé.
Personally I like driving along the Wine Route and just stopping wherever I feel. If you had another whole day based in Colmar, then it would be nice to take the motorway up to Obernai (coincidentally twinned with Gengenbach) and then drive back the slow way, seeing whatever villages take your fancy and going for a stroll through the vineyards every now and then. There's no one outstanding village along the way that would be a must-see; it's just a case of exploring a bit and discovering one that appeals to you.
I get the impression you've done your research and you should probably stick with the places you've already found for yourself. Only if you're stuck for something to do should you start considering anywhere else like Obernai or Strasbourg.
p.1 #10 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
KuduBiltong wrote:
I should mention that Gengenbach is another of those places that's very nice but only for a short time. A couple of hours and you'd be done.
I think that, if you throw in Eguisheim, which was a good shout, then you have a busy day and evening exploring the villages around Colmar. If you find yourself running short of time, then maybe cut out Ribeauvillé.
Personally I like driving along the Wine Route and just stopping wherever I feel. If you had another whole day based in Colmar, then it would be nice to take the motorway up to Obernai (coincidentally twinned with Gengenbach) and then drive back the slow way, seeing whatever villages take your fancy and going for a stroll through the vineyards every now and then. There's no one outstanding village along the way that would be a must-see; it's just a case of exploring a bit and discovering one that appeals to you.
I get the impression you've done your research and you should probably stick with the places you've already found for yourself. Only if you're stuck for something to do should you start considering anywhere else like Obernai or Strasbourg....Show more →
This is really helpful, thank you.
My route is indeed based mostly on research and photo scouting from blogs/forums, so it’s great to sanity-check that against local experience. Good to know about Gengenbach being more of a short stop, I can probably treat it as a late-afternoon/pass-through stop rather than a full overnight and see how the light works out?
One thing I am still a bit unsure about: from a photography point of view, would you personally prioritize the Rhine Valley stretch (Bingen-St. Goar-Loreley) over adding more time around Alsace villages and other place? I am getting mixed impression, in comparison to other areas I am visiting. I am trying to avoid overlap in "look and feel" if one area ends up being a weaker photographic payoff than the other.
p.1 #11 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
I can't really offer any relative advice as I've never been to that Rhine Valley area you mention. I don't go to Germany that often as the traffic is frequently infuriating. Driving along the Black Forest High Road can be a good way to see the villages but roads are often closed and you can find yourself on a long diversion (note the word Umleitung, you'll see it a lot).
Hopefully someone with more knowledge of the German places on your itinerary will be along soon.
p.1 #12 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
There's an interesting small but put together, impressive collection, of WWII material focused on the Colmar Pocket in Turckheim, near Colmar. It was on one of the optional day excursions on our Rhine cruise. We only saw part of Turckheim, that between the parking area near the wall (shops and restaurants now with gates and towers, etc. Not sure how it compares to other local sights as we were mostly in town for the museum and back but seems interesting and picturesque. A possibility if in the area? We had some time and an overnight at Rudesheim and the Rudesheim/Bingen area has a lot to see. We were, on the river at that point, for the trip through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz.
p.1 #13 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
Craig Gillette wrote:
There's an interesting small but put together, impressive collection, of WWII material focused on the Colmar Pocket in Turckheim, near Colmar. It was on one of the optional day excursions on our Rhine cruise. We only saw part of Turckheim, that between the parking area near the wall (shops and restaurants now with gates and towers, etc. Not sure how it compares to other local sights as we were mostly in town for the museum and back but seems interesting and picturesque. A possibility if in the area? We had some time and an overnight at Rudesheim and the Rudesheim/Bingen area has a lot to see. We were, on the river at that point, for the trip through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz....Show more →
Turckheim is not a place I had on my radar at all, so I appreciate the mention. Good to hear your perspective on the Rüdesheim / Bingen stretch as well. I’ve mostly been thinking of that part of the trip in terms of scenery and river views, so it’s reassuring to hear that it felt like an area with plenty to see rather than just a transit section. Thank you for your suggestion
p.1 #14 · Bavaria, Alsace, Black Forest trip suggestion
I think I need to say "but well put together" for the museum. Bingen and Rudesheim, are kind of the entry point for the heavily castled stretch of the Middle Rhine as you move down river/north but it's a notable wine area, connections to St. Hildegard von Bingen (one of the most accomplished people of her time), the Niederwald monument (German: Niederwalddenkmal) is on the crest of the mountains, panoramic views overlooking the river, forest behind and vineyards ranging down to the town and river, walking routes and cable lifts from Rudesheim and Assmanhausen can take you up to the panoramic views and more trails,a couple of museums, etc.
We just had a late afternoon arrival and left in the morning but I'd think, depending on ones interests, worth considering spending some time there.
