The Heart of Europe Adventure — between the Vosges, Black Forest & Swiss Alps

This tour takes you through one of Europe’s most beautiful border‑regions — the heart of the area where France, Germany and Switzerland meet. From the forests and hills of the Vosges, through the dense woodlands of the Black Forest, up to the alpine peaks in Switzerland, participants get a taste of the varied landscapes, cultures, and histories of all three countries.

The Heart of Europe Adventure welcomes both young and older explorers. We travel in small groups, guided by a qualified outdoor instructor with deep knowledge of the region. The journey is designed to be hands‑on: expect hiking, walks in forests, visits to villages or towns, time by rivers or lakes, and opportunities to experience everyday life in different European countries.

It’s not a luxury tour — the beauty lies in authenticity, in the landscapes, in shared meals, in simple accommodations, in swapping stories under starlit skies, and in discovering Europe quietly and genuinely. This is an opportunity to step outside mainstream travel, reconnect with nature, meet new people, and create memories grounded in real places and real moments.

Starting your minibus journey (fully air conditioned VW Transporter) in the Heart of England - in Birmingham* -  you will be travelling all the way to the Heart of Europe, the place where France, Germany and Switzerland meet. 

*Other collection points can be arranged along the road for participants outside of Birmingham.

*Fly-in option available in the package selection

Meet Your Experienced Guide: Max Widrig

Your adventure will be led by Max Widrig, a qualified mountain leader and first aider with extensive experience in guiding treks, hiking, and outdoor activities for people of all ages. Max's passion for the mountains and his commitment to safety ensure that you'll have an unforgettable experience.

Prioritizing Safety and Risk Management

Your safety is our top priority. All locations visited during your adventure undergo a thorough dynamic risk assessment to identify and mitigate potential hazards.

Nature enthusiast, Max, founded MellowJourneys to share his love for the outdoors with others. A qualified Mountain Leader, Max is an experienced outdoor learning instructor, sparking children's, as well as adults' curiosity about the natural world and different cultures through exciting outdoor adventures. 

Learn More About Max:  To delve deeper into Max's journey and what inspires him, visit: https://www.mellowjourneys.com/my-journey/

You can choose a date from the suggested departure dates in the 'Departures' section.

The journey will normally start on a Sunday and finish on the following Sunday. 

If you cannot find a suitable date, please get in touch to arrange an alternative date, MellowJourneys will try to accommodate your wishes where possible. 

Use one of the following codes at checkout:

• RETURN: Enjoy a 10% discount as a returning customer.

• EARLYBIRD: Book by December 31st and receive a 10% discount.

• CHILD: Enjoy 30% off for children aged 10 and under

Please check the following links for more independent reviews:

 

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/mellowjourneys.com

Google Reviews: Click Here

• Lake swimming and forest walks;

• Overnight stay in a traditional Ferme Auberge in the Vosges;

• Treks in the Vosges including to the ‘Grand Ballon’ (1424m);

• Visit a reconstructed medieval village ‘Écomusée d'Alsace’;

• Visit to the ‘Hartmannswillerkopf’ – an important battlefield dating back to World War 1.

• Trekking / Exploring in Bannalp including using a cable cart;

• Luzern City Tour including lake swimming in the Lake Luzern;

• Overnight Stay in a Hotel in Luzern;

• Trek up to the Bächlital glacier and spend one night at high altitude in the Bächlitalhütte if visiting between 15th Jun to 15th Oct / or Trek up to the Berggasthaus Stäfeli if visiting from 1st May to 15th Jun  

• Learn more about the Alpine lifestyle of the local people

• Experience the German way of life in person
• Explore parts of the Black Forest 
• Visit to the 'Schauinsland', a mountain within the Black Forest (1284m) using the cable cart
• Daily refreshing river fun in the 'Dreisam' River, a clean watercourse that runs through Freiburg
• Freiburg City Tour including a visit to the famous 'Freiburger Munster' - an ancient Cathedral that took over three centuries to built
• Shopping opportunities in the town center