Over the past ten years, I have spent a lot of time in Germany visiting relatives and dear friends.

I love so many things about this country: the food, the beer, the music, the people, and the absolutely stunning countryside.

One of my favorite places in Germany is the Black Forest where my dear friend Rita lives with her husband Slawik and little girl Emma.

Last year I was able to spend nearly two weeks with them, and we had such fun taking day trips up into the mountains and to neighboring villages.

One day Slawik came home early and took us for a sunset drive through acres of vineyards and up into the hills for some rather spectacular vistas.

Black Forest vineyards

We explored several picturesque ruined castles perched atop imposing cliffs (I’ll show you those another day), wandered along forested paths and leaned out over parapets and stone walls to peer down into the valley.

German family

 

On one side were rolling hills looking like they were carpeted with fine lines of grapevines that curved around red-roofed villages.

 

German vineyards

 

On the other the hills remained covered with acres and acres of dense forest, stretching far off to the horizon.

 

Black Forest Germany

 

As the sun disappeared behind those hills, we got back in our car and drove down curving mountain roads, stopping to get a closer look at the vineyards, admiring the succulent clusters of plump grapes.

 

Black Forest wine country

It was the perfect ending to a beautiful day in the Black Forest.

Have you ever been to Germany? If so, what is your favorite part?