A Trip to Baden Baden: World Famous City of Spas
Baden Baden: A beautiful, picturesque city in the Black Forest. Twelve natural springs well up from a depth of 2000 metres, supplying thermal spas with 68C hot spring water to pamper visitors from around the world clear back to Roman times.
My Hal and I had waited with anticipation for this year’s vacation. We are flying to Germany and planning to take a trip with my sister Friedl and her husband Georg to the Black Forest, the beautiful city of Baden Baden. We will meet our dear friends, while there, Kurt and Ruth Pieper, who lived in the United States for over forty years, working for Boeing airplane manufacturing company in Seattle, Washington. After Kurt retired, they came back to Germany to live. They now live outside the city of Karlsruhe not far from Baden Baden.
We had purchased tickets for all six of us for a concert at the Festival Hall, with a capacity of 2500 seats, one of the largest classical music venues in Europe. Guest conductor will be Claudio Abbado, the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, who has died in 2013 at the age of 80. Sounds exhilarating and food for the soul.
Speaking of food: After we arrived and met with Kurt and Ruth, we had reservations in a wonderful restaurant. There was an attractive and picturesque courtyard outside all glass front of the dining room. In the center was a large fountain, white crushed rock around it with numerous flowerpots, that showed off all different color, beautiful Rhododendrons and blooming Azaelia’s and garden art. Tables were set very festive, music playing softly in the background and the guests could choose to be served inside or in this paradise outside. We were seated by the fountain and the lovely music made this very idyllic and relaxing. We started our lunch with lively conversation and a bottle of bubbly. The Pieper’s, of course, wanted to know anything new about Seattle and the State of Washington and I thought for a moment I recognized some longing and nostalgia, at least from Kurt, regretting a little that they left.
The waiter came to our table to discuss the chef’s delicious choices for today. Very intrigued we were about one of the appetizers: The chef, from fresh foie gras had prepared a smooth, like velvet, warm mousse and served with little wedges of brioche bread. The mousse was very rich but was served in small ramekins. The main course was just as delicious and special. Veal tenderloins, filled with walnuts, cranberries and apple finely chopped in a béchamel sauce, served with white asparagus, heated in clarified butter with fresh dill. My Hal and George ordered the wine, a beautiful crisp German Riesling and it was heaven! No one could even think of dessert, so we ended this feast with an espresso, one sugar cube and a curl of orange rind. We had several hours until the concert, so we started to walk along the tree-lined main street, through the park and to the Festival Hall. The most beautiful ground about this stately building. Flood lights were already shining on this old building, and it looked impressive! Hal took a lot of pictures we will enjoy looking at once we are home again and want to bring our memories back to this wonderful journey.
The evening was unforgettable in a stately old place with a lot of history. A first-rate orchestra and a great guest conductor, Claudia Abbado. When he entered the stage, the whole Festive Hall erupted in applause and standing ovation. The music was touching, mesmerizing and one did not want this evening to end. Beethoven’s fifth symphony had the audience on their feet. It was a once in a lifetime experience and will stay in my heart and memory for ever. I have, in thought only, a little idiosyncrasy on keeping and storing all wonderful journeys, depending on beauty, importance, lasting power and endearment. The way to store them, and to save them to peek at them now and then.
This journey is worthy of the finest and most beautiful box, awesome ribbon and much tenderness and gratitude for ownership of this lovely experience. It shall always be in my heart and mind.
Ilona’s stories often make me want to travel, and this one is a prime example. The setting of Baden Baden in the Black Forest sounds stunning, along with the courtyard, Al Fresco fine dining by the fountain, and beautiful music. Add to this the company of good friends and dear relatives, and a Beethoven concert, and you have a very memorable evening. Many thanks to Ilona and Marcie for sharing this wonderful story.
I love this story and the beautiful pictures that Ilona sent to include. It is yet another beautiful place Ilona has visited, and yet another amazing meal she experienced and has described so well that her readers get hungry!
Marcie
I should never read Ilona’s post when I’m hungry! I only become more so! Yes, this is a story treasure –“This journey is worthy of the finest and most beautiful box, awesome ribbon and much tenderness and gratitude for ownership of this lovely experience. It shall always be in my heart and mind.” I love the details of the concert and the beautiful dining setting that held a special conversation amongst beloved friends and family. Now it is part of our hearts and minds too. Thank you for including us!