Hello. My husband and I will be traveling to Baden-Baden in May on the Rick Steves' GAS tour. We will have some free time that day and aren't really into the spa thing, but would love a chance to do some hiking if it's a nice day. Has anyone had any luck walking to the Burg Hohenbaden ruins from town? In researching, I have found it is easy to drive to and park near, but we will not have a car. We don't mind long walks of several hours, if there are safe trails and things to hike along rather than major roads. I haven't been successful at locating trail information and would love any tips. Thank you!
Posted by
Brewster, MA
93 posts
Tamara, My husband and I were on the GAS Sept 2014. It was a trip of a lifetime. Everyday was more exciting than the day before. When we started planning like you we planned most of our free time. We didn't want to waste a minute. I really wanted to do the baths but my husband didNOT. We arrived Baden-Baden and after hearing our tour guide talk about it so much I decided to go. I went with a few tour buddies. My husband was ready to just take a rest at hotel. We went late in the day (5:00.) It was one of the WOW moments of the trip. I would go back in a heartbeat. Like you we planned many ways to fill much of our free time. As things turned out we had a terrific guide, Rolinka, and we learnt after day two just follow her suggestions. Now that we are back and we talk to friends about the trip my husband is wishing he had done the baths. It was so out of my comfort level but I loved every minute of it. Hallstatt was another highlight of the trip. We stayed right on the water. It was early October and we had lunch on the back deck of the hotel. It was mid 70s and so about 10/12 of us had lunch together and enjoyed the afternoon just soaking up the sun and getting to know each other. Then we just walked around town. We had great plans to go to the salt mines that afternoon. Another thing we planned but never got to. In Vienna again Rolinka pulled some strings and most us went to a dinner Opera. The Opera was another WOW. If you are lucky enough to have Rolinka as your tour guide planning just goes out the window. There was no need for it Rolinka always had great suggestions and options for those who chose not to go with plan A. We did go on her suggested hike in Switzerland . The North Face hike it may have been the best day ever. We were very blessed with outstanding weather the entire trip. Only six or seven went on the north face hike with our guides. It was so nice truly a Storybook day. So many choices.. The fourteen days flew by. This year we are doing Village Italy tour. Pack light...then take a few things out..
Enjoy
Ellyn
Posted by
OP
Florida
610 posts
Thanks for your advice, Ellyn! We are very much looking forward to this trip, it sounds amazing. I love hearing about other people's successful trips! I am an over planner, mostly because reading about things and planning and dreaming help me stretch out my enjoyment of the trip, but I'll remember your advice to go with the flow!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
If you decide to hike, you'll find notes on p. 288 of Rick's Germany book, but do pick up a detailed map and advice from the local tourist office.
Posted by
Brewster, MA
93 posts
Tamara, I must add in Baden Baden after our tour of the area with our guide we had the afternoon free. My husband and I took the funicular to the summit. It was another gorgeous day. At the top we thought we would have lunch. As we walked around we noticed paragliders. We got so interested in them we forgot all about lunch. That happened to us often on the trip. We were so busy ( our own choice) unless we all stopped as a group we didn't eat lunch most days. Just a snack. I hope you have a wonderful trip. I cried when we arrived in Switzerland it was so beautiful. Do go on the North face hike if you have the chance. The hotel (Jungfrau) we stayed in had a closet/room that had ski poles guests had left behind. Several of us borrowed one for the hike. Ask at the front desk. It made for great pictures. Not sure you really need them but helpful. Our guide suggested to pack lunch or snack and water and we stopped for a picnic.
It was the best trip we have ever been on. RS knows how to plan and he does outstanding job of choosing his guides.
Ellyn