Dutchland to Deutschland: Amsterdam - Black Forest - Munich

After leaving the heavily populated regions around Amsterdam and Utrecht behind, you will travel through the Dutch lowlands to the border with Germany just past Arnhem, then follow the course of the Rhine River to Cologne.Prices for a 2nd class seat start at around € 55. Unless otherwise requested, Umfulana will book a train that departs late in the morning.

Just south of Cologne you will pass Bonn, the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany and the birthplace of Beethoven. Important sites include the 11th century cathedral and Beethoven-Haus, which contains the largest Beethoven collection in the world, including the last piano owned by the composer. At Boppard south of Koblenz you should leave the motorway and take a scenic drive along the Rhine to St. Goar.

The first part of the route traces one of the most scenic sections of the Rhine from St. Goar to Bingen. You will then continue south, rejoining the Rhine at Worms, where Martin Luther was threatened with excommunication in 1521 unless he retracted his teachings. He refused and was declared an outlaw by Emperor Charles V. Important sites in Worms include the Romanesque cathedral from the 11th and 12th centuries and the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe. At the north end of the Black Forest you will pass one of the oldest German spas: Baden-Baden. Remnants of Roman baths show that the natural springs of Baden-Baden have been enjoyed by the privileged classes for over 2,000 years. From there the route follows the western edge of the Black Forest to Freiburg.

The first leg of the route crosses the width of the Black Forest from west to east. You will then take the so-called Green Road along the entire length of stunning Lake Constance. The final leg will follow the panoramic German Alpine Road, one of the most scenic stretches in Germany. In Lindenberg you may want to stop to sample the famous Lindenberg Cheese.

Much of this journey follows a scenic stretch of road that connects some of the most enchanting villages, churches and landscapes in southern Germany. A few places worth noting along the way are the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the towns of Wildsteig, Rottenbuch, Peiting, Schongau and Hohenfurch.