The Black Forest

Our first weekend trip that we took after getting to Germany was actually on the third weekend we were here. For our first real trip, we decided to go to the Black Forest area of Germany, to a town called Baden-Baden. After reading a description of the town in our guide book and online, plus knowing that was an area of Germany that we wanted to visit, we decided to go. The town used to be the “playground of Europe’s high-rolling elite” and aristocrats from all over would come to gamble in the casino and relax in one of the many saunas and spas that the town has to offer. We couldn’t resist joining in the tradition of going to Baden-Baden, although the hotel we booked ended up being in a nearby town called Bad Herrenalb.

To get to the Black Forest region, which is in southwestern Germany, we decided to drive. The trip took us just under 3 hours, although I must say that if we had to drive the speeds that we would have had to drive back home it would have taken us much longer. It was our first real experience driving on our own on the autobahn, except for a few short trips around the area we live. It was definitely our first experience driving on the part of the autobahn where there are no speed limits. It was a little crazy to look at the speedometer, do a little math, and realize that you were driving at over 100 mph. And we were still getting passed, although we were doing a fair amount of passing, too. It didn't feel as fast as going 100 mph back home would feel, though, since everyone around you was going that fast as well.

Before we got to the town of Bad Herrenalb, we thought that it would just be a town to sleep in and we would want to spend all of our time in Baden-Baden. But Bad Herrenalb turned out to be a cute little town that we could have spent a lot of time exploring on its own. There were lots of trails in the mountains surrounding the town that we could have hiked in and several spas that we could have relaxed in and gotten massages at. We didn't have a chance to do any of that, but we did walk around the town, witness a wedding in the center park, and take a few pictures while we were there.

Our hotel

The stream running through Bad Herrenalb

Ruins of an old church in the center of town

We drove to Bad Herrenalb Friday after Darren got off of work, and then headed to Baden-Baden on Saturday morning after breakfast. It was a beautiful drive. The way that we chose to go wound through the forest and through some very cute little mountain towns.



We stopped for some coffee at a little place along side the road that had a lot of motorcycles parked in front of it. We thought we could get something to go for the drive, but ended up with china cups so we had to stay and drink the coffee and enjoy the view of the valley below. The pastry had what tasted like huckleberries on it!

And then we were in Baden-Baden. We really enjoyed the town, although we didn’t get to go to any of the spas in town, since we didn’t have anyone to watch Mikayla while we were there. We walked all over the old part of town and also hiked up to a view point so we could see over the city.

Baden-Baden

A view over the city

The Weidmans in Baden-Baden

Large pots in front of the Roman-Irish baths, which have been in operation for 120 years.

Thermal springs

Old town Baden-Baden

The Trinkhall, where you can have a free glass of mineral water that is rumored to have healing properties. It is a bit salty, but not too bad.

There was a chess tournament being played in the portico of the Trinkhall when we were there.


Darren in Baden-Baden

The interior of a church in Baden-Baden

Mikayla wanted to walk up the whole set of stairs by herself...

And she made it!

We did get to see the opulent casino, although not during gambling hours. They offer guided tours before the casino opens so that people can see inside, although the tour was in German so we didn’t get much out of it besides getting to see the scenery. We thought about coming back during the regular hours, but Darren didn’t have a coat or a tie with him, both of which are required attire for gentlemen who wish to try their luck at the tables there.

The interior of one of the rooms of the casino

More casino...

Darren pretending to play Roulette while the tour drones on in German behind us...

On Sunday, before we left to head back home, we decided to go back to Baden-Baden and hike around the old castle that sits above the city. It was beautiful and we enjoyed the hike.

The castle viewed from below

Looking back out over Baden-Baden

It was a wonderful trip and we definitely enjoyed the Black Forest of Germany!