Wednesday morning and we packed the camper van with some basic supplies, a change of clothes and set off – destination Baden Baden. Baden Baden is noted as a Spa and Bathing town as well as a media, art and international festival city.

The city is located some six miles from the French border and the river Rhine, in the North Western corner of the Black Forest.

The Romans made use of the hot thermal springs and in 2021 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the category “Great Spa Towns of Europe”.

Our journey to Baden Baden took us through Freiburg and then north on the Autobahn. At least for some of the way as there were significant hold-ups which Google managed to Navigate around. We arrived around 1pm at a Stellplatz north of the City and not far away from the Railway station. Room for a couple of dozen campervans, the site was close to bus routes and cost 12 Euros for the night. With the 12 Euros came the usual Black Forest guest pass, allowing free transport on trains and buses within the Black Forest. We already had one from the Campsite at Schluchsee so we used that to catch the bus into town. Bus stops are a 100m or so away from the Stellplatz and take twenty minutes to travel into the city centre.

Shortly after boarding the bus, the heavens opened with a powerful electrical lightning storm coupled with torrential rain which persisted for an hour or so after our arrival in the centre. Thereafter, it was a lovely afternoon and evening.

We walked around the old town and visited the church and the “new” castle. Entry was not permitted to the castle and it is not worth the walk up the hill!

Much of the wealth of the city is down to the building below.

Baden Baden casino is the oldest Casino in Germany and is is reputed to be the most beautiful casino outside of Monaco. Unfortunately they operate a dress code somewhat different to the UK and we weren’t able enter.

What was also spectacular, was the funicular railway – the Merkur Funicular Railway. The railway ascends the Merkur mountain (some 668.3m) high above the city and with spectacular views of the city and suburbs below. There’s a cafe and bar at the top and if we had had a little more time, we would have walked the 4.5km back down the mountain.

After the storm, the evening continued to be walm and barmy and we enjoyed a beer and meal at the Lowenbrau bierhouse, before catching the bus back to our camping area.