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MORNING Kick-start your morning over a locally roasted espresso at Kaffeesack cafe before setting out to explore the beautiful surroundings. Take a leisurely stroll along the snow-covered Lichtentaler Allee gardens on the Oos riverbank. Here you’ll find the Museum Frieder Burda, an unmissable gallery and home to high-caliber modern and contemporary artists — think Picasso and Pollock. Or take the funicular railway up to the summit of Merkur Mountain. At 2,191 ft tall, it is the perfect place to find hiking trails for all abilities, to encounter local wildlife such as deer, and to take in breathtaking views far and wide across the Black Forest hills. AFTERNOON Discover Baden-Baden’s raison d’être, where an early afternoon dip in the hot springs is a rite of passage. The slick, glass-fronted Caracalla Spa has a myriad of indoor and outdoor pools, grottos and hydrotherapy channels. But if you’re after something more traditional, head instead for the ornately domed Friedrichsbad, which has been welcoming guests since 1877; the Roman-Irish baths are a must. For a light lunch, visit the elegant, traditional Café König (which was often frequented by Tolstoy and Liszt) for the daily special or a slice of Black Forest gateau. Or choose the sun-drenched conservatory of Restaurant Wintergarten at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa. Overlooking

Lichtentaler Allee park and gardens, this is where fine dining marries the best local ingredients with a modern twist. EVENING As dusk falls over Baden-Baden, make your way to the Kurhaus — the town’s historic heart. In front of the illuminated Corinthian columns, the traditional Christkindelsmarkt Christmas market feels as though it is straight out of a winter fairy tale. Sip on a cup of mulled wine and wander past the numerous seasonally decorated huts and stalls offering handicrafts and start ticking off your Christmas shopping list. For a spot of grandeur and culture, visit the palatial Casino Baden-Baden; dubbed by Marlene Dietrich as the world’s most beautiful. Or get dressed up for an evening at the Festival Hall, Germany’s largest opera house. Finish off the night sampling some of the best French cuisine at the Michelin-starred Le Jardin de France. Alternatively, opt for the tucked-away Weinstube im Baldreit, where regional and Alsatian dishes such as Flammkuchen and braised pork cheeks are matched with local wines from the nearby vineyards. CONTACT Baden-Baden Tourism Board, +49 7221 275 200, info@baden-baden.com, baden-baden.com

MAGICAL WINTER WONDERLAND IN BADEN-BADEN BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY

On the northern cusp of the Black Forest, Baden-Baden is a sanctuary. Gaining Unesco World Heritage status in 2021 as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe, this hilly town is the ideal destination for those looking to spend an extraordinary day.

Museum Frieder Burda

The traditional Christkindelsmarkt

Caracalla Spa

Photos Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH