Baden Baden: R & R

So nice, they named it twice! If we're going with the straight translation here, it means Bathing Bathing. Located on the thermal springs of the Black Forest, Baden Baden is a trendy spa town in Germany. It's close to both France and Switzerland. Many tourists visit for the R & R along with the healing powers of the water. And cause it's wicked cool.

The Carcalla Therme is the modern Baden Baden bath house. And by bath house I mean house of giant indoor/outdoor pools, whirlpools, waterfalls, cold plunges, steam rooms, heat lamps, and saunas. It requires you to wear your "bath costume" in the pools but just upstairs in the sauna all that can be forgotten.  Except the memory. Of all the naked people. Disclaimer: I actually didn't go upstairs. I've been twice; the first time with my friend Lindsey who opened the doors, gasped and then closed them as I walked into her from behind (circa 2010). The second time I was just hungover and napped under the heat lamps (a week and a half ago). Nudity really isn't a thing for Europeans.  They don't giggle at naked parts. Outwardly, anyways. But being mature doesn't have to keep you away, just downstairs. 

The town is super cute and easy enough to wander about. It's mostly upscale boutiques, cafes and souvenir shops. There's a fancy casino, opera house and biergarten. I cant speak to the casino or opera house (didn't go) but to the Lowenbrau biergarten I say, "Prost!". Germany is all about the meat and cheese dishes and here at the biergarten there was no difference. Large and in charge meat platters. It's hard to keep your hands off those wieners.

Rest up. Eat up. Yup. Yup.

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