The favorite hang out spot of Europe’s royal authorities in the 1800s, Baden-Baden is arguably Germany’s most popular resort town smack in the middle-west of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), attracting thousands and thousands of tourists every year that come to bathe and relax.
Built on a series of hills in the state of Baden-Württemberg, close to Karslruhe, the area is full of green parks, towering architecture, and concert halls. And it owns an impressive collection of marble spas and fresh mineral water along with steam baths and massage parlors.
In addition, it comes lush with vineyards and ancient type settings which makes it an ideal wine region.
In order to get to this town by plane, you usually must take commuter flights from larger cities like Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin (unless you own your own plane). Or some direct flights are offered through certain low-cost airlines from Rome, London, Dublin, and other major European cities to the local Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport [FKB].
Traveling by train? Any major metropolitan center dispatches trains to and from Baden-Baden on the house.
When it comes to nightlife and shopping, it all starts with the 150 year old Baden-Baden Casino. It is Germany’s oldest gambling establishment and looks familiar to the Palace of Versailles. And as an upper scale casino, it requires actual suits and ties — something even Las Vegas and Atlantic City don’t ask of its patrons!
In addition, there are plenty of bars to choose from. The town also comes with nice boutiques and stylish shops, especially on Lange Straße and Lichtentaller Straße where popular brands like Chanel and Prada have set up shops. Side streets also come with cozy shops that sell antiques, arts & crafts, and jewelry.
But this spot is most renowned for its spas and bathing programs. Males and females are also separate, and spas come equipped with attendants that pamper you to the fullest. There are two major spas, the Caracalla spa and the Roman Irish spa in the Friedrichsbad.
The Caracalla spa is rumored to be the ex-bathing place of the Roman Emperor Caracalla and comes with 12 natural springs rising from depths of 2,000 m (6,500 ft). Included are whirlpools and waterfalls along with massage water jets that would turn a construction worker’s body soft. Both spas won’t put a dent on your wallet as their prices are very reasonable.
All in all, the Baden-Baden resort town at the border to the Black Forest should excite you, too. :-)
