As part of the LCC Headquarters team, I, Luisa dos Anjos Bastos, had the pleasure of accompanying an international group of travel professionals on a three-day FAM trip from Frankfurt to Baden-Baden and the Black Forest. I was looking forward to discovering inspiring hotels, regional highlights and authentic experiences, and the journey certainly lived up to these expectations. Within just three days, we experienced an impressive variety of highlights – from Frankfurt’s vibrant city atmosphere to the elegance of Baden-Baden and the traditions of the Black Forest. The programme combined hotel inspections, culinary experiences, self-drive elements and authentic regional culture.
Day 1 - Frankfurt
After meeting in Seeheim-Jugenheim, we travelled together to Frankfurt Airport, where we collected our rental cars from Enterprise. This marked the beginning of our self-drive journey and gave us the flexibility to explore the destination at our own pace. From the airport, we continued into the city and made our first stop at Gekko House, where our Frankfurt experience officially began.
We were welcomed with a refreshing drink and had the opportunity to explore the hotel during an initial site inspection. Gekko House immediately introduced us to Frankfurt’s modern boutique-hotel scene, combining contemporary design with a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The property made a strong first impression and offered plenty of inspiration for our work in the travel industry, particularly for clients looking for a stylish and individual stay.
After lunch, we visited Roomers Park View, an exciting new hotel development in Frankfurt. The inspection provided further insight into the city’s growing hospitality landscape and allowed us to discover another distinctive hotel concept.
In the afternoon, we checked in at Roomers Frankfurt Central. After a busy first part of the day, we had some time to relax, settle into our rooms or explore the surrounding area independently. At 17:30, we met again for another inspection of the hotel, gaining a deeper understanding of the Roomers concept and its individual approach to design, service and hospitality.
The day ended with dinner at Burbank Restaurant, where we enjoyed a stylish evening together and reflected on our first impressions of Frankfurt. The city offered an energetic and inspiring start to the trip, combining innovative hotel concepts, excellent food and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Our accommodation at Roomers Frankfurt Central was sponsored by Marriott, whose support contributed significantly to the success of the FAM trip.
Day 2 – Baden-Baden and the Black Forest
After breakfast, we left Frankfurt and drove south towards Baden-Baden in our Enterprise rental cars. As the urban scenery gradually gave way to greener landscapes, we began to experience a completely different side of Germany. At around 11:00, we arrived at Roomers Baden-Baden, sponsored by Marriott, where we were welcomed for a site inspection followed by a light lunch. Visiting a second Roomers property allowed us to discover its individual character and compare it with our experience in Frankfurt.
After lunch, we left the rental cars at the hotel and continued through the Black Forest by minibus. Our first stop with LCC Reisebüro Wüst was the Vogtsbauernhof Open Air Museum in Gutach. During the guided tour, we explored traditional farmhouses and historic barns and learned more about rural life, regional customs and craftsmanship over the past 400 years. The authentic setting, with its gardens, animals and historic buildings, made the region’s history come to life.
A particularly enjoyable highlight was the live preparation of the famous Black Forest Cherry Cake, or Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. We discovered more about the origins of this regional speciality before watching the different layers of chocolate sponge cake, cherries, cream and cherry brandy being carefully assembled. The tasting with coffee and tea was the perfect way to complete the visit.
Later that day, we continued to the charming town of Gengenbach, where an English-speaking city tour took us through the historic old town and its picturesque half-timbered streets. We ended the evening with dinner at Restaurant Winzerstüble before returning to Baden-Baden by minibus. It was a full and memorable day, combining nature, history, culinary traditions and authentic regional experiences – all of which provided valuable inspiration for our future clients.
Day 3 – Departure
After breakfast at Roomers Baden-Baden, the participants departed in smaller groups according to their flight times. The Enterprise rental cars were returned at Frankfurt Airport before everyone continued their journey home. The farewell was brief but warm, with many shared impressions and new connections to take home.
The journey offered a wonderful combination of professional insight and authentic experiences. We discovered distinctive hotels, enjoyed regional cuisine, explored historic towns and gained a deeper understanding of the culture and landscapes that make this part of Germany so special.
For me, the trip once again showed how valuable it is to experience a destination first-hand. Sharing these moments with international colleagues and travel professionals created meaningful exchanges and provided inspiration that will stay with us long after the journey home.
I returned to Frankfurt with many positive memories, new connections and a stronger appreciation for the diversity of the region – along with a lasting fondness for Black Forest Cherry Cake.
A big thanks to Rafael Ramos (LCC Cosmos Turismo), Oleksandra Dolynna (Aquavita), Elaxi Parshotam (LCC International Travel), Chayaphat Songsaengchan (LCC World Surprise Travel), Yujia (Cissy) Zhai (LCC DTG Global), Evelyn Rosario Mata Acevedo (LCC Nilen Travel), Kelly Annelise Klassen (LCC Turismo D Klassen), Paula Gonzalez (LCC Andromeda Viajes), Andressa Gusmão (LCC TT Operador), Estefania Medina (LCC Pan Alliance), Janaina Skonetzky (LCC Socaltur Turismo), Egle Jaugiene (West Express), Danika Kober (LCC Reisebüro Wüst) and Carsten Wüst for making this trip unforgettable.