Perhaps one of the most romantic places in Germany, Baden-Baden ('name so nice, you say it twice' as Moto-Moto says in Madagascar 2)is perfect for a wintery break. Chic and swanky (check out the fur on the snooty, evidently rich ladies! Don't forget to gawk at their egg-sized diamonds too!), the town stops just shy of being exclusive, thanks to those cavernous, fairly egalitarian, wonderfully-soothing baths. With the BlackForest at the door-step, and the "Schwarzwaldhochstrasse" (panoramic road to Freudenstadt) taking you high into the neighbouring hills, there are plenty of opportunities to ski. If, however, you can't or won't, drag yourself uphill, then slide down on traditional, wooden toboggans.
The sun might set early in these parts, but there's always deliciously heart-warming gluhwein from ridiculously pretty Christmas markets,sinfully-rich Blackforest cakes (yes, the real ones!) and, to top it all off, a gloriously gilded Casino to keep you going!
We found our lovely apartment on the www.baden-baden.de/en/tourism/ website.
Fly into Basel/Strasbourg, or take a train to Baden-Baden.
Best buys - cuckoo-clocks, Christmas kitsch.
Famous for - wonderful, warming baths, what else?!
Is this your business?