Baden-Baden, Day 6

David and I were very excited about our full day in Baden-Baden. We planned to sleep in and skip the casino tour in the early morning, then we were going to go on a full day of shopping and sightseeing. So, we slept in, had breakfast, showered and got dressed only to see that it started pouring down rain just as we were getting ready to go out.

So, we relaxed in our room for a bit and then decided that shopping didn't really require one to get that wet, so out comes the umbrella and we headed down to the internet cafe first and then to the post office and then to the shopping mall. I bought a new purse because my old one was tearing up my clothes--the strap on it was so rough that it was leaving a "bumpy" stripe down the front and back of my shirts (I was wearing it over my shoulder) and David got a small back pack for times when we needed more than just a purse.

It had stopped raining, so we headed out to lunch where we had food that was both good and bad--the ribs were excellent, the potato dumplings awful. A little more shopping and then they skies opened up again, so we headed back to our room for a nap and more rest.

Around 4pm the skies cleared and we decided it was finally time to head up to the mountain. You can ride a funicular up to the top for some amazing views, so that we did. There is even a tower that you can climb for an even higher view--so that we did. We rode down, had dinner at a wonderful Italian place, and then wandered all around town and down the river afterwards. One of the things I really love about Europe is that it seems that the sun doesn't set in the summer until around 11pm so that gives you long afternoons to get things done. So, even though our morning was a wash, we were able to get everything we intended to get done in the afternoon.

There are hot springs in Baden-Baden and David and I did not do the spa experience. Most of the spas are clothing free, and I just wasn't comfortable with the fact that I was on tour with 24 other people who might also be using the spa...can't get the American out of me that much.

My opinion of Baden-Baden is mixed. It's a very pretty town and while we did have a very nice day relaxing and shopping, I would have rather spent it back on the Rhine or in the Alps. Perhaps that's because I did not do the spa experience, and had I, I would have seen why the town is on the tour. As it is, I don't have any strong inclinations to go back to Baden-Baden, but I have to say that my time there was fun, even in the rain.