For many combining hiking with wellness and relaxation is the ultimate holiday, and where better to go than the Black Forest region of Germany, which is fast becoming the place to be. Any tourist visiting the Black Forest in Germany can enjoy health applications from around the world, which include beauty and wellness programmes which implement relaxation techniques. Together with the use of sun-beds, saunas and thermal baths. Thermal baths have been known to ease aches and pains, and help people with stress and nervous tension. It is also thought that these baths can be used to strength a persons immune system.

I travelled to the black forest region of Germany last year and stayed in Feldberg which is the highest mountain range situated within the Black Forest. Feldberg is also the biggest winter skiing resort in Germany. In 1907 the first ski lift ever was built in Feldberg. Its main business is the ski business, so its inhabitants are usually from the communities which surround Feldberg. Feldberg’s main business is tourism, primarily people go the Feldberg and the Black forest to ski, but in this day and age people are looking for more. Like me, many people have a busy life, often stressful and look for something which is relaxing and can bring their stress levels down.

I stayed in two separate hotels whilst in Feldberg both were located on the outskirts of Templin, also known as ‘city of lakes and forests’, one of them (The Hotel Feldberg) was located on the bank of lake Fährsee which is well known for its beautiful bays and islands. The other which I stayed was called the Hotel Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and was situated within the forested hills of the Black Forest and overlooked the deep valleys. The view from the balcony was breathtaking.

Most mornings I would go on an early morning walk, after a couple of hours go back for a cooked breakfast, and then enjoy a long leisurely swim, followed by a sauna. After a break in the afternoon I would enjoy a massage from one of the highly qualified therapists. Which were always on hand to sort out any muscle aches gained from walking or skiing.

I also enjoyed two tours whilst in the Black Forest region of Germany, one of them was the Trail of the Red Deer tour. It took us through the woodland and nature reserves of the Northern Black Forest. We got to see the Mummelsee Lake which is the largest lake in the area and dates back to the ice age. The other tour I joined was a walk around Feldberg, which included walking to the highest peak in the Black Forest (the Feldberg) and ascending to the summit of the Belchen which offered breathtaking views. The walk ended on the shores of the Titisee, which is the finest natural lake in the Black Forest. A trip to the Feldberg area of the Black Forest is definitely a must for anyone who is considering a trip to Germany.