We decided to take a weekend trip to visit Baden-Baden, a spa city in the Black Forest in western Germany for some rest and relaxation. Baden-Baden is a small city with a big international flavor.
Taking the scenic route in the Mini, a two-hour drive on country roads took us through quaint small villages. We stopped in the village of Bad Herrenalb in the Black Forest for a bit of refreshment and souvenir shopping.
We passed a number of stops along the road with access to a network of trails that connect villages across the region. Joining hikers and bikers, we stopped and stretched our legs with a short walk through the forest, admiring the views. Once back at the car, we enjoyed a picnic lunch before continuing our drive.
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden has been a major European vacation spot since the late 1800’s, with visitors including royalty and movie stars. There’s an old world charm to the grand buildings throughout Old Town, and we were pleasantly surprised to see so many international restaurants.
We highly recommend staying at Hotel Merkur, right at one edge of Old Town. It’s close enough to be a short walk to everything, but tucked off on a side street so it’s nice and quiet. We both had fabulous massages at the hotel’s wellness center, and the breakfast included was perfect.
Thermal Baths
The Romans discovered the thermal springs in this area and were easing painful joints in the mineral-rich waters as of the 2nd century. Soaking in the thermal baths is said to offer all kinds of health benefits, from relief for joint and muscle pains, increased circulation, and overall relaxation.
We visited Caracalla Spa , and for three hours we enjoyed the thermal pools under the beautiful Romanesque dome. Pools range from small to large, at various temperatures, both inside and outside. There are several grottos with waterfalls, and even a cold plunge.
Time at the spa definitely left us relaxed and invigorated!
International cuisines
The international food scene in Baden-Baden is exceptional. We saw almost as many international restaurants as we heard languages spoken as we walked through town.
For dinner our first night, we chose Georgian food at Nani. Their Khinkalis are excellent, and we had a fun time remembering when we made these delicious meat dumplings in Tbilisi last year.
On Saturday, after our relaxing morning at the baths, we found a table in the shade for lunch at Bistro PomoD’oro. We shared an exceptional cheeseburger meal and a fantastic grilled calamari with vegetables. The entire meal was outstanding.
And, we found that it was a perfect day for splitting an ice-cream sundae.
In the evening, we strolled around the corner from our hotel to the local Irish pub, Griffin’s Pub. We found a warm welcome there, and enjoyed a pint while listening to the nearby music festival.
For dinner, we were tempted by some great looking Asian restaurants, but then saw a spot offering authentic Mexican food. This is definitely something we don’t get in Germany, and we quickly jumped onto the last table available on the patio.
With an owner from Mexico, and a waiter from France, this restaurant in Germany treated us to some fantastic authentic Mexican food along with excellent service. Horacio Tacos is turning out freshly made tortilla chips, empanadas, tacos, and dips. We were in heaven. This was, without a doubt, one of the best meals we’ve had in Germany.
We wanted a quick road trip get-away, and our expectations were certainly exceeded. Between the thermal baths and all the wonderful food, what a perfect weekend in Baden-Baden.
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