On the Road Again – Cruising the Rhine – Baden Baden

September 23

Today we’re headed to Baden Baden for a spa experience. Baden means bath so Baden Baden is bath bath; so nice you need to name it twice! I’m guessing the folks that live there are clean clean!

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to board the busses for our chosen excursions. On the way our guide regales us with some history and fun facts about the area most of which was immediately forgotten. My brain may or may not be exploding with useless information.

In the 19th century the Roman baths were rediscovered and it became a summer capital of Europe with all the movers and shakers of the time coming for the healing waters. The town has 50,000 inhabitants with lots of glamorous activities like theatre, horse racing and other things to do often not found in such small cities.

Sadly the historic spa above the Roman baths that has been closed in recognition of its UNESCO status but the thermal pools, aromatic steam room and fiery hot and icy cold plunge pools work their magic nonetheless.

After returning to the boat, we had a nice lunch followed by some down time before an early dinner; there’s a lot of drinking and eating on this cruise! Tonight we are having a private concert at the Baroque Palace of Rastatt, one of the most magnificent historic venues in the region so it’s back on the bus for the short ride to the castle.

This palace is oldest baroque residence in the Rhine Valley built between 1700 and 1705 in the style of Versailles; the home of the Margraves – famous warlords. The town of Rastatt (currently 50,000 residents) was built around the same time with the palace in the middle. All streets lead to the palace.

The castle is built along the same pattern as Versailles with a big courtyard and beautiful sweeping staircases. Commissioned Italian architect and craftsmen to build the brick palace painted rose. Sadly it was dark when we arrived so we couldn’t get a good sense of the exterior or see the golden statue of Jupiter throwing lightning bolts at French neighbours on top of palace is (a copy on the roof/original inside).

We headed into the Garden Hall for a welcome drink and we’re then set loose for a bit to explore the palace and the beautiful state apartments before taking our seats in the big hall for our concert. The Palace has remarkable stucco and frescos.

The two operatic singers gave fantastic performances especially the female lead which was amazingly expressive. A beautiful evening in a fabulous setting.

Back to the bus and the boat for an early ish night.

Tomorrow is another day. Luxurious adventures await …