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| Baden-Baden is a spa town with natural springs. Its picturesque setting is enhanced by the hills of the Black Forest. |
For river cruisers who are starting or ending a journey in Basel, Switzerland, we suggest tacking on an extra three days to explore Baden-Baden, a wellness paradise at the foothills of Germany’s Black Forest.
Baden-Baden is just an hour and a half by ICE high-speed trains from Basel. Trains run approximately every two hours. Note: The same high-speed train service operates between Frankfurt Airport and Baden-Baden. We suggest flying in or out of Frankfurt to make the transition easiest.
Tip: Book your VIP clients a room at the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, one of The Leading Hotels of the World. We suggest putting your clients up in one of the Superior or Deluxe Suites, with a lounge, separate sleeping area and a balcony overlooking the private park.
The first day in Baden-Baden must include lunch at Rizzi WineBistro & Restaurant, the “in-restaurant” in town, which serves alfresco Mediterranean cuisine and overlooks Lichtentaler Allee, a historical park and garden.
Get acclimated to the city with a guided walking tour through the town. We suggest hitting all of the highlights, from the thermal baths to Kurhaus, the Casino Baden-Baden and more. A guided tour lasts approximately an hour and a half. Walking tours can be arranged through the Baden-Baden Convention & Visitors Office. Luxury travel advisors should reach out to Anne-Greth Paulus ([email protected]; 011-49-0-72-21-275-269). Note: Paulus can help arrange any and all outings in Baden-Baden.
For dinner, book your A-listers at the world famous Kurhaus Bistro Baden-Baden for a three-course feast. Kurhaus is the meeting point in town, which sits in the middle of the Kurpark Garden. We love the vibe of this restaurant, which serves traditional cuisine in a setting ripe with history.
After a fantastic night sleep, well-rested clients are ready to soak up the culture and thermal remedies that Baden-Baden has to offer. We suggest spending the morning taking a ride in a horse carriage along Lichtentaler Allee. Your art aficionados will love a visit to the Museum Frieder Burda or the State Art Gallery. Museum Frieder Burda is known for its Classical Modernism and contemporary art, while the State Art Gallery is known for modern contemporary and international pieces. Note: You won’t have to walk far to hit both museums, as they are connected to each other.
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| The Rose Garden, on a lovely spot Beutig Hill, is open daily from June to September. |
History buffs will flip over the 2,000-year-old Roman Bath Ruins, as well as The Baden-Baden Museum, which showcases Baden-Baden’s wellness history.
For lunch, look no further than Le Jardin de France, or the SpaRestaurant inside the modern Caracalla Spa.
Be sure to devote the afternoon to pampering at one of the city’s modern spas. The Caracalla Spa is one of the most luxurious in the city (think marble columns and turquoise blue pools). This 32,000-square-foot bathers’ paradise has an indoor pool with massage jets, neck shower jets, water mushroom (intrigued yet?), bubble seats and beds; two outdoor pools with water current channel, waterfall and another water mushroom; hot and cold water grotto; aroma steam baths; brine inhalation room; solarium; and relaxation loungers. Tip: Carve out two hours for a full experience at Caracalla.
For something a little more unconventional, we suggest the historical Roman-Irish Bath Friedrichsbad, which dates back to 1877. This “temple of well-being” has 17 stations designed to enhance physical and mental health. Be sure to ask about the ideal route between the stations. Slate approximately three hours to fully enjoy Friedrichsbad.
After a day of satisfying body and mind, traveling gourmets will love a dinner at Baldreit, a cozy wine tavern with terrace and courtyard.
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| Summernights in Baden-Baden, a series of evening concerts, is hosted at the Kurgarten-spa. |
Night owls must visit the Casino Baden-Baden, which gives off the vibe of a French royal palace. Note: Guests will need to show a valid ID or passport to enter the casino. Men must don a jacket and a tie.
Leave the last day in Baden-Baden for a day trip to one of the nearby sites, such as the Black Forest (grab a cuckoo clock if you can), or the Mummelsee lake, a 40-minute drive from the city center. Nature lovers can explore the extensive hiking and biking trails around the lake.
Your clients with a need for speed will love the Mercedes-Benz Museum or the Porsche Museum, both showcasing the history and diversity of these world-class automobiles. The museums are in Stuttgart, an hour drive from Baden-Baden.
Less than five miles from Baden-Baden’s city centers is the Rebland, a haven for wine enthusiasts with views over the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest. We hear this is one of Germany’s most popular Riesling areas. This is a must for your gourmand VIPs. Steinbach, Varnhalt and Neuweier—the three villages of the Rebland wine region—have cozy wine taverns, restaurants and wineries that make for a full day of epicurean adventures.