September 19-20, 2012; October 2, 2012:
During this time in September in Western Germany, we went to a spa in Baden-Baden, visited castles in the Mosel and Rhine Valleys, toured Cologne (Köln) Cathedral; and lastly on October 2nd toured the town of Trier.
Baden-Baden:
The Friedrichsbad Baths, located in Baden-Baden Germany, is an elegant bathing complex that originally opened in 1877 as one of the most modern bathing establishments in Europe. Originally catering to European aristocracy, this beautiful neo-Renaissance style bathing house is still open to all looking to soak in the curative mineral waters or just enjoy a quiet few hours of relaxation. We spent a couple of hours here, doing the full treatment (no photos inside)…
Friedrichsbad Baths – Photo: independenttravelcats.com
Castles in the Mosel and Rhine Valleys:
Magnificently situated castles, fairytale castles, enchanted ruins and colossal Roman buildings – with over 2.000 years of history the castles of the Mosel/Rhine Valleys magically attract visitors.
Castles in the Mosel/Rhine Valleys
River Cruise Ships
Town of Cochem
Swan
Cologne (Köln) Cathedral:
This cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and of the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is Germany’s most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year. At 157 m (515 ft), the cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster, and the third tallest church of any kind in the world.
Cathedral exterior
Cathedral interior
Trier:
Founded by the Romans in the late 1st century BC as Augusta Treverorum (“The City of Augustus among the Treveri”), Trier is considered Germany’s oldest city.
Porte Nigra
Basilica of Constantine
Imperial Baths
Roman Amphitheater
Trier
St. Peter’s Cathedral
Church of Our Lady
Electoral Palace