I will be visiting Baden-Baden and Trier in February as part of a longer visit to Germany.
Baden-Baden has two spas. Is there on you would recommend over the other?
In Trier, I want to do an afternoon hike into the hills above the Mosel. There are a number of trails to choose. Is there one that you recommend?
For the spas, it comes down to the experience you are looking for and comfort with nudity.
The Friedrichsbad bath is more traditional, the routine more regimented, all nude, separate mens and womens sides (except at the end) Many who go, comment as much on the building as the experience.
The Caracalla baths are Modern, most of the area is a series of warm and cool pools, with water jets, a lazy river, some saunas; this area requires swimsuits, and is mixed sex, so you can be together. It is a bit like a modern water park but relaxed. Upstairs they have a spa area with various saunas and steamrooms, this area is also mixed, and nude, you walk in and shuck your suit, stowing it in a cubby hole. It is completely unstructured, you do as you please, spend as much time on anything, skip what does not appeal.
While both are relaxing, provide essentially the same basic thing (warm and cool pools, saunas, steam, etc.) they really are different experiences. People have their preference, but really, you have to make the choice yourself. My only advice is do not be put off by nudity, it really is a non-issue once your there.
Thanks for the perspective. I'm fine with Germany's textile-free spa culture.
Friedrichsbad Bath is mixed the entire time I was there. Separate changing rooms at beginning and end. Otherwise no clothes. They have about 14 stations you proceed through. Cold baths, showers, hot pools, etc. Follow the signs.
As for hiking trails, you can easily hike up into the forest right from downtown Baden Baden. The main trail encircles the entire city. Look it up on AllTrails.
There is a funicular that takes you up. Or walk the trails. At the top is a nice restaurant where you can have a beer and a Black Forest cake and look out over the town. There were mountain bikers up there and paragliders.
If you walk the trail up from nearby the spa you can go up to an abandoned castle and check it out. Lots of walls, towers and rooms. All abandoned.
I used my maps.me app for using the trails.
We went to the Friedrichsbad spa since it was right by our hotel. As already stated, it was mixed gender, all adult, clothing free. I know nothing about the other one.
Soaking It Up in Europe’s Best Spas
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/best-spas-europe
