The state of Baden Württemberg is the home of the Black Forest, a vast, unspoilt area of pine woods, mountains, lakes – and glorious fresh air. A land of tradition, it is famous for its cuckoo clocks, folk costumes and of course, Black Forest gâteaux. It has elegant spas and health resorts such as Baden-Baden and Triberg, lakeside towns like Schluchsee, and Titisee-Neustadt, which is both a heath resort and water-sports centre.

Stuttgart, the capital of Baden Württemberg, is world-famous for its ballet, and Heidelberg, the oldest university town in the country, is still redolent of German romanticism. Another ancient university town is Tübingen, with its lovely unspoilt Old Town, while the imperial glories of Heilbronn, virtually destroyed in the Second World War, have been lovingly restored. The last four towns lie along the beautiful River Neckar, one of the most picturesque in Southern Germany.

To the southwest lies Freiburg, with its glorious cathedral. Finally, to the south lies Lake Constance, the “Inland Sea” of Central Europe, with its exquisite lakeside towns, lush orchards and vineyards, and its gentle climate and almost Mediterranean atmosphere.