From Stuttgart to the Black Forest

Target: Discover the secrets of Central Europe's most famous forest

Duration: 4 days, at a leisurely pace

Itinerary: from Stuttgart to Ludwigsburg, then to Tübingen and Lake Titisee and back, about 435 kilometres

Equipment: a selfie-stick to immortalise the beautiful postcard views, sunscreen for the boat ride, and a blanket for a picnic by the lake

Greenery, history and delicious food. The itinerary takes us from the combination of old and new in Stuttgart to baroque Ludwigsburg, then through the medieval atmosphere of Tübingen, and the picturesque castle of Hohenzollern, before reaching the famous Black Forest where culinary specialties and rowing boat excursions await. Get on your Vespa and head to the heart of Stuttgart and park near Castle Square, an area of the city buzzing with people around the clock. Admire the scenery here over a beer of coffee.

In the square, among ancient and modern architecture, a giant glass cube stands out: it is the Kunst Museum or the Museum of Modern Art – well worth a visit. (https://www.ku nstmuseum-stuttgart.de/). If you've worked up an appetite touring the museum's installations, paintings and interactive works, stop at the Grand Café Planie (http://www.grandcafeplanie.de/) across the square, behind the castle. It is definitely the right place to indulge in a sweet treat, like a slice of traditional cake.

Once refreshed, continue the city tour. Wander past the shop windows, maybe visit other museums, and head back to your hotel and get ready for the next day. Tip: The Hotel Studierenden (https://www.studierendenhotel-stuttgart.de/en/), with its Nordic minimalist design, serve a great breakfast. The next morning, order a double coffee and fill up your Vespa. The next stop is Ludwigsburg, approximately an hour north of Stuttgart. The scenery here is completely different: no more modern architecture, but a small village around the baroque castle, the former residence of the Dukes (and later Kings) of Württemberg.

Book a guided tour and discover the King and Queen’s room with stuccos, mirrors and amazing paintings – this is one of the best preserved baroque castles in Germany. Before leaving the residence, stroll through the majestic park, a 30-hectare space with vegetation, flowers, lakes and the fairy-tale park. Don’t hesitate to take a boat ride on its waters. For dinner, head towards the centre and stop in one of the typical restaurants offering German cuisine; Rossknecht, Käsespatzle or Schnitzel dish? Pair the meal with a good local beer.

Time for a good night’s sleep; Spend the night at the Nestor, a bread factory turned hotel.

Continue your trip southbound, passing through Stuttgart towards the small town of Tübingen. Though ancient, Tübingen enjoys a youthful vibe thanks to its University. Drive your Vespa through the narrow streets to reach the Hotel Am Schloss, a typically German, colourful timbered house. Like most reputable medieval villages, the heart of Tübingen is the market square with a frescoed Town Hall. Check your watch: at the stroke of the hour, the ancient astronomical clock chimes, and is worth the wait. Nearby, is the Neckar river where you can rent a personal boat or choose from numerous organised tours. At sunset, have a beer along the river – a romantic and relaxing end to the day.

Start the next morning reenergised and visit a picturesque castle: the Hohenzollern Castle, about an hour from Tübingen. Bend after bend, you can see it overlooking the valley from the top of the eponymous mountain – just what people imagine when thinking of the Black Forest and its magical castles. Park the Vespa and begin climbing the road to the neo-Gothic Style Castle dating back to the 11th century. Once at the top, immortalise the beautiful surroundings with your selfie-stick. Join the guided tour: the castle contains 140 rooms, but you won’t be able to see them all in just 45 minutes. Before getting back on your Vespa, enjoy a typical dish in the Castle restaurant.

Ready to immerse yourselves in the heart of the Black Forest? A few hours away is Lake Titisee, but along the way keep your eyes open: lakes and waterfalls, in addition to the dense sequence of trees. A typical black forest. Once you are at Lake Titisee, book a room at the Park Hotel Waldeck. Around here, people have dinner early and you should adapt to local customs before ending up on an empty stomach. Have a nice dinner and visit the lake in the morning.

After breakfast, choose your boat and be prepared to row. It may be tiring, but its good exercise and with some luck, you might get a tan. Return the boat and explore the area on foot. In the small town, you can shop for local products, like black forest honey and cherry-based delicacies, sweets and liqueurs. Don’t leave without tasting the most traditional dessert of the area, the legendary Black Forest cake. Whipped cream, chocolate and cherries create one of Germany's best known and most imitated desserts. Order a slice at the lake side Café Becker (https://www.becker-titisee.cafe/). Finally, get on your Vespa and return to Stuttgart with a happy stomach and a heart full of joy.