For centuries many of the world’s rich and famous have come to the Black Forest for rest and relaxation. But, the Black Forest is a pretty big place; so I guess I should be more precise. They came to places like Bühlertal (right to the southwest of posh Baden-Baden); just as they still do.
You’ll find this health resort town in the northern part of the Schwarzwald just about where it turns into the Upper Rhine Valley (from mountains to flat land, I’d say).
Bühlertal was once a big agricultural kind of town where fields of tobacco (cigar making was once big business), strawberries, and plum trees stretched as far as the eye could see.
Tobacco cultivation might not be as big as it once was, as the fields have been replaced with grapes. You know what that means, wine; lots and lots of wine.
Oh, I feel better already. ;-)
I do have to tell you there are a few activities that you might prefer to wait on drinking the vino, since your coordination might be a bit off. Tennis at one of Bühlertal’s tennis courts is one, wintertime skiing is another.
Also in the winter is a fantastic outdoor ice skating rink to glide on. Yeah, better wait on the wine drinking until after you’re done here, too.
I really like the heated outdoor swimming pool, just as I know you will.
Bühlertal has a super fun BMX track complete with jump ramps; and there’s a large sports center with a restaurant in case you get hungry running, jumping, and playing.
Running can be fun, which is why every July there’s the Hornisgrinde Marathon. You don’t have to actually run the marathon, just come to cheer on the runner.
Watching all those runners can make you hungry, so why not find one of the many BBQ pits (grill huts as they’re also called) for a nice picnic.
Now with sufficient nourishment you’ve got the energy to see Bühlertal’s local history museum and craft village with exhibits on blacksmithing and the area’s history.
Hmm, how can you rest and relax with all these activities to do? I guess you’ll need a vacation from your vacation. A few glasses of wine from Bühlertal could accomplish that. :-)
