From deep beneath the cobbled streets of Baden-Baden, some , liters of mineral-infused thermal waters bubble up daily, a distinctive feature of life in this southwestern German town. There were even spa areas reserved for horses. The nude spa which segregates men and women on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday but otherwise offers co-ed bathing is located within a Renaissance-style building dating from After a shower beneath jets of thermal water, spa goers relax on warm wooden beds in a hot air room beneath a ceiling of hand-painted 19th-century majolica tiles.
Next comes a circuit of 17 thermal steam, bubble, and soaking pools of varying temperatures. Outside, two large marble pools feature waterfalls and jets and are surrounded by a broad, sunny lawn. The outdoor pools are particularly popular in winter, offering a warm contrast to the crisp air and surroundings of pure white snow.
Additional features at Caracalla include an indoor rock grotto with hot and cool water pools, a sauna, a steam room, and a brine inhalation room. Swimwear is worn in all areas of Caracalla except the sauna. Furnished entirely of Dead Sea and Himalaya sea salt and creatively lit to cast the space in a pale salmon-colored glow, the grotto is divided into three distinct salt caverns. An adults-only cave caters to those looking for a peaceful environment and deep relaxation.
A second cave welcomes families and children, with space to dig and play in loose salt while inhaling the healthful salty air. A third cavern is the site for Ayurvedic massage and salt peelings.
An avid explorer of Germany since she was a teenager, Amy Eckert has been writing about her home away from home for nearly as long. A Celebration of Spa Culture. Amy Eckert An avid explorer of Germany since she was a teenager, Amy Eckert has been writing about her home away from home for nearly as long. Mail Web.
