Activities in Baden Württemberg
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A
Caracalla-Therme
The modern Caracalla-Therme, which opened in 1985 and is named for a Roman emperor, has more than 900 square metres of outdoor and indoor pools, hot and cold water grottoes, various whirlpools, therapeutic water massages, a surge channel and a range of saunas, including a new log-cabin sauna. Bathing suits (available for purchase) must be worn everywhere except in the upstairs sauna; towels can be rented. Children are admitted from age three.
reviewed
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Stuttgarter Weinwanderweg
The Stuttgarter Weinwanderweg is the name given to two walking trails that head through vineyards so lush and pastoral that you'll hardly believe that some of the world's most advanced motorcar factories are just over the hill.
One begins 3km due north of the Hauptbahnhof at the Pragsattel light rail station (on the U5 or U6 line) and goes northeast to the Max-Eyth-See. The other is a circuit that takes you from the Obertürkheim train station (on the S1), 6km east of the Hauptbahnhof, via Uhlbach (served by buses 62 and 65 from Obertürkheim) to Untertürkheim (also on the S1) and, if you like, back to Obertürkheim.
reviewed
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B
Friedrichsbad
If it's the body of Venus and the complexion of Cleopatra you desire, take the waters in the sumptuous 19th-century Friedrichsbad. As Mark Twain put it: 'after 10 minutes you forget time; after 20 minutes, the world'. Modesty, rheumatic aches and the nudity of fellow bathers are soon forgotten as you slip into the regime of steaming, scrubbing, hot-cold bathing and dunking in the Roman-Irish Bath. With its cupola, mosaics and column-ringed pool, the bathhouse is the vision of a neo-Renaissance palace.
reviewed
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C
Philosophenweg
A stroll along the Philosophenweg, on the hillside north of the Neckar River, provides a welcome respite from the tourist hordes. Leading through steep vineyards and orchards, the path offers those great views of the Altstadt and the castle that were such an inspiration to the German philosopher Hegel. It's a well-known lovers' haunt, and many a young local is said to have lost their heart (and virginity) along the walkway.
reviewed
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Europa-Park
Germany's largest theme park, 35km north of Freiburg near Rust, is Europe in miniature. Get soaked fjord-rafting in Scandinavia before nipping across to Atlantis in Greece. Thrill-seekers are hurtled from zero to 100km in 2.5 seconds on the new adrenalin-loaded Blue Fire roller-coaster in Iceland, while Welt der Kinder pleases tots with gentle rides. Europa-Park even has its own mousy mascot, Euromaus.
reviewed
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D
Rhein-Neckar Fahrgastschifffahrt
Runs cruises on the Neckar. Boats dock on the south bank of the Neckar about midway between the two bridges. It's a nice daytrip upriver to Neckarsteinach and its four castles, built by four brothers between 1100 and 1250 as a result of a family feud. Also offers other excursions to towns on the Neckar and Rhine.
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Taxi Tour
Many people highly recommend taking a 2.5-hour taxi tour (in English, French, Spanish or German) with Anselm Vogt-Moykopf, a knowledgeable and easy-going fellow who really loves the city, its architecture and taking people to beautiful, out-of-the-way spots.
reviewed
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E
Neckar-Käpt'n
From early May to late October, Neckar-Käpt'n runs boat excursions on the Neckar River (from €8), departing from its dock at Wilhelma in Bad Cannstatt on the U14.
reviewed
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City-Besen
Stuttgart-area Besenwirtschaften that open annually include the central City-Besen, an atmospheric vaulted cellar serving home-grown wines.
reviewed
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F
Bootsverleih Simon
A leisurely way to see the sights is to hire a pedalo at Bootsverleih Simon, on the north shore of the Neckar by Theodor-Heuss-Brücke.
reviewed
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G
Solarschiff
Runs cruises on the Neckar. An ultramodern, glass-topped sightseeing boat whose 50-minute excursions begin next to the Alte Brücke.
reviewed
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H
Guided Tours
The tourist office runs English-language guided tours that depart from the Löwenbrunnen (Lions Fountain) at Universtätsplatz.
reviewed
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Sportiv Touren
Sportiv Touren runs 2½-hour Kanutouren (canoe tours) from various points on the Danube and Iller Rivers.
reviewed
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MS Donau
The 20m-long MS Donau cruises the Danube daily. The docks are on the Ulm side, just south of the Metzgerturm.
reviewed
