I knew Josh and I would have some extra time before and after Christmas to do some traveling (if we wanted). I had, on a whim, decided to look into Baden-Baden for the weekend before Christmas. For those who don't know, Baden-Baden is a somewhat famous spa resort town. Back in the day it was a destination for the rich and famous to come gamble at the casino and enjoy the Roman baths. After hosting for a bunch of people at Thanksgiving, doing something completely relaxing sounded like heaven. A girl I work with has frequented Baden-Baden many times for spa weekends and had lots of advice for me. In the end I booked us a hotel for a relaxing "spa weekend" to enjoy before Christmas. Best idea I've had yet.
I found a hotel which was in walking distance of everything (which, it turns out in Baden-Baden isn't that hard to do. It's a small area). But our hotel did have its own hot tub, sauna, pool, and spa facilities. My idea was we could go to the Roman baths... or we could never even leave the hotel. I normally have a laundry list of things I want to do and see... but this time my plan was to do nothing. Absolutely nothing.
We arrived Saturday afternoon, checked into our hotel, and then wandered around. We discovered the Christmas Market where I had the absolute best apple strudel ever. Ever. Ohhhh my goodness so amazing and delicious I wanted to lick my plate. After a bit more wandering and sight-seeing (which took up a total of about an hour) we went back to the hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon in the hot tub. Later on we had to peel ourselves off the bed and force ourselves to go out for dinner (tough life eh?).
We ate at a beer hall which was completely and crazily decorated for Christmas. Germans definitely go all out, I will give them that. It is so beautiful to see.
After soaking in the hot tub for so long during the day, we were quite tired. We went to bed early and slept like the dead.
In the morning we took our time lazing around before we went to the Friedrichsbad. Baden-Baden has two Roman baths, and there are two main differences between them: one is older and nude, and the other one is more modern and requires swimming suits. Friedrichsbad is the naked bath. My friend had really stressed (and assured me) that this was the bath to go to and the experience would be wonderful. I really wasn't worried about the naked part as far as other people looking at me (because why would they? And if they did... um... more power to them). I was more concerned that I would be so self conscious I wouldn't enjoy myself or wouldn't be able to relax. However, the weird and awkward feelings I had melted away within a few minutes.
The Roman bathing ritual, as they refer to it, occurs in a process. You follow the signs through 17 different rooms - through saunas, steam rooms, and various mineral water pools while showering at different times in between. At the very end you dry off, slather yourself in lotion, and then get wrapped up in a towel and blanket cocoon to "relax" for 30 minutes in a dark room. After this you go relax in a warm chair with a cup of tea and read a magazine for 30 minutes before getting dressed. Seriously. It is wonderful. Your mind clears, your muscles release, the warm air/water feels amazing, and you just find yourself completely relaxing. I'm pretty positive my skin is glowing, but that could be the amazing lotion they have. I bought three bottles (relax, I'm giving two away as presents) and I'm pretty sure I'm now obsessed with it. The inside of the baths is absolutely beautiful - full of marble, pillars, and statues. My family got the biggest kick out of the idea of us going to a naked spa, but the naked part was not at all a big deal. No one is looking at anyone, and nobody cares that anyone is naked. It's actually kind of freeing.
After our "bath," we found some lunch and then came back to the hotel. After being borderline comatose for an hour, we went to the hotel pool. Josh swam, I sat in a lounge chair and read. Later we went out for dinner, but made our way back to the hotel in short order.
Basically all we did all weekend long was lay around, sit in hot tubs (in various forms), and eat. It was fabulous. We are both quite relaxed and recharged. I can't wait to go back to Baden-Baden for another "spa" weekend. I will need a refill on my amazing lotion after all.
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