Baden Baden

Baden-Baden, Germany, in the northern part of the Black Forest, is a small town, population 53,000, that became well known in the time of the roman for their "healing" thermal springs. The first bathing houses were built around 47 a.d. It became a popular gambling town for French and Russian visitors for whom gambling was illegal in their own countries. It's a very "poshy-hootsy-tootsy" town with boutiques from Chanel, Hermes, etc. lining the road. Not one sleazy street vendor in sight.

Here is the city's website, in English.

There were a few big attractions we didn't get to hit (mostly some nice gardens, the two castles (one from the 12th century, one from the 15th century, and some of the neat churches and cemeteries) But we did get to see a lot, and we left feeling so pampered and so lucky.

We stayed at the Hotel Quellenhof, a 4 star hotel, in a room with 2 twin beds for only 95 Euros a night. I thought that was a pretty good deal. The hotel was in a very nice super convenient location, just steps away from the baths and a short direct walk to the major pedestrian areas, the casino, and the park. However, we also got to snoop around in the hotel Dorint, right next door to the casino; this is a 5 star hotel and its' soooo posh. I had found a special deal there for less than 150 Euros a night, and it also has its own private spa/bath. Definitely worth a splurge if you really want to feel rich and pampered but can't afford the ridiculous 600 euro a night rooms at the Brenner.