An old inn in the Black Forest and the brilliant idea of “Holidays for All”
Actually we had completely different plans...
but first things first...
I'm a true Black Forest native, but my dream was to live in England. While I was still studying to become a business IT specialist, I spent several internships abroad on the island of my dreams. At some point I met Charles there, we liked each other immediately and as the saying goes - the rest is history...
I finished my studies in Germany.
With my degree in my pocket, I packed my belongings in the car and drove to England. A year later, Charles and I were married and shortly after that we were the proud parents of two children.
Imogen and Jasper are two lively characters and our joy, but they were both born with disabilities. After Jasper's birth it became increasingly difficult in England
to get the best possible care for both children and then we heard about " the Alter Hirsch"…. and slowly a wonderful thought formed….
We are now the proud owners of a historic inn in the middle of one of the most beautiful areas in Germany, and share our lovingly renovated rooms with tourists and hikers, salespeople and workers and people with disabilities.
Due to our experiences with our children, the latter is particularly important to us.
Want a quick short vacation? For Adults and children with disabilities
the logistical effort is often enormous.
What is advertised as wheelchair accessible or barrier-free usually looks completely different in reality. Understandable, because if you don't know the hurdles and difficulties, you don't know what to pay attention to.
That is different at "Alter Hirsch".
We know the frustrations of traveling all too well and at "Alter Hirsch" we got rid off those obstacles .
We have everything a guest with special needs requires to have a relaxed holiday.
The "Alter Hirsch" wants to give people and guests with disabilities the freedom to travel again - without any compromises. Because traveling means not only physical freedom, but also emotional freedom.
We also welcome dogs.
The extensive outdoor areas and surrounding walking paths offer wonderful opportunities to explore nature together and create valuable memories.
Then there’s only one thing left for us to say – welcome!
The " Alter Hirsch" family
May I introduce?
This is us - the four of the "Alter Hirsch": the Steward family
On the far left, that's me, Svenja next to my husband Charles. I look after the guests of the Alter Hirsch. In addition to German, I speak fluent British English and rush around the house from early in the morning until late at night, making sure everything runs smoothly. I play the clarinet and when I get around to it - far too rarely - I'm passionate about baking.
Charles is a molecular genomicist in real life and works from home. Like me, he has a passion for historic sites and history and is a fan of football, rugby and cricket. He can also sing and play music wonderfully.
My daughter Imogen is the cheerful one in the family. She sings in the children's choir, loves parties and her favourite television series is clearly: “Friends.”
Her brother Jasper is the second man in the house and loves “watching cars”. From his seat he can watch the road for hours and is always discovering new, exciting things.