Hello, everyone. I’m hoping someone will give me a little push in the direction of a decision.

I land in Frankfurt on May 16. I had originally intended to proceed from Stuttgart to Vienna, but wanted first to spend some quiet jet-lag recovery time between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. I selected Bad Wimpfen for that reason, and reserved at a small B&B. I was intrigued by Bad Wimpfen’s small town beauty, and the fact that there is a small spa there to facilitate resting up from the long plane ride.

However, my travel plans have since changed, and instead of Vienna, I’m going by train on to Dresden, a 6.5-hour train ride from Bad Wimpfen. In my search for another perhaps equally restful, yet more convenient, layover spot, I stumbled across some information about Wiesbaden.

As you probably know, there’s a large spa in Wiesbaden, and it’s much closer to Frankfurt and the fast train connection to Dresden. However, it *is* much larger than Bad Wimpfen, and in the middle of a number of US military bases. (I’m American – or is it ‘Vespuccian’ -- a miltary veteran myself, and aware of how money generated by a US military base can alter the area around it.)

So, as you see: there are pro’s and con’s about both. Does Bad Wimpfen’s charm justify backtracking from there to get to Dresden? Do the attractions and convenience of Wiesbaden give sufficient reason for staying a couple nights there, instead? Can any of you think of a strong reason to select one over the other?

Many thanks!

Fritzrl

I would choose Wiesbaden. The old town is very nice and offers almost "small town" atmosphere. The "Kurbezirk" (spa district) is right next to the old town and with its parks, gardens, impressive old architecture, spas offers good options for jet-lag recovery.

I am glad your plans have changed. Enjoy your time in my home town, Dresden!

Thanks, Ingo.

Yes, I'm really looking forward to Dresden, as well as the lovely train travel between Hesse and Sachsen.

Fritzrl

I've been to Wiesbaden a number of times. It's rather large. I didn't find it particularly peaceful or charming.

The train connections I looked at between Bad Wimpfen and Dresden required about 5.5 hours via Wuerzburg and Fulda and do not involve backtracking to Stuttgart.

Just north of Wiesbaden, the town of Ruedesheim might work for you. It's a scenic little place with narrow, tangled, cobblestoned streets situated on the Rhine. There's a chairlift to a lookout over the Rhine Valley - from there, you can do some walking through vineyards on more scenic footpaths. The river boats stop there and proceed north into the Rhine Gorge, stopping at other small towns along the way. Ruedesheim can be busy with visitors in summer and on weekends, but it's still very pleasant when busy as it's essentially a pedestrians-only kind of place. The town survives off tourism, but it's a tourism of a pretty benign, almost adorable sort.

Russ and Ingo -- thank you for your responses.

Wiesbaden won the toss -- I figured after an 18-hour flight from Seattle to Frankfurt, sitting on a train for any length of time would be intolerable. Wiebaden is close, it has what seems to be a wonderful Bad, as well as a number of really comfortable 2-star hotels where my travel-weary self can recover for a day or two.

The other towns you mentioned sound intriguing, and may feature on a future trip.

Danke und Tschuss!

Fritzrl

Sounds like you've already decided on Wiesbaden so this is just further confirmation on it being a very nice town to wander around in. Be sure and check out either the Thermalbad by the Park or the old baths in town near the Pedestrian platz. The old baths - Friedrich? just got renovated and are beautiful - but "textile free" so be sure you bring a towel/robe or are comfortable walking around naked!

You may also want to put in Wiesbaden as a search term - there is also a local website - www.wiesbaden.de that lists activities in English.

Thanks, 'leahinsc'. Yes I have spent some time on the Wiesbaden website, and am actually looking forward to visiting the city -- and not viewing it merely as a necessary jet-lag recovery spot.

Glad to hear the old Kurhaus has been renovated. I'll look forward to the steam, warm water, and maybe even a massage.

Social nudity has never been a problem for me, whenever the context more or less requires it. Both the Japanese and Germans seem far less neurotic about the undraped human form than most Americans. In fact, had I worn trunks or a towel to some of the spas I visited in Japan, I am certain I would have felt far weirder than merely joining everyone else in being nude. My experience: after the first 2 minutes, the initial awkwardness is completely forgotten.

Fritzrl

Fritz - Kurhaus and the baths are two different places. You'll remember maybe that the Kurhaus is in the park where they have the band shell and the concerts. They have a casino, shops and a restaurant there and it is very nice. The Kaiser Fredrich baths are just a little walk away in the pedestrian zone. The Thermal bad is about a 10-15 minute walk through the park from Kurhaus - uphill toward Sonnenberg.

Quite right! That's what I get for going online prior to finishing that all-important second cup of coffee.

As long as I find the right place when I'm actually in Wiesbaden, I'll be happy. Of course, I *will* be jet-lagged. I just hope I don't mistakenly drop the towel in the wrong building!

Fritzrl

...and you'll find out that Tuesdays are Frau/Fraulein days at the Kaiser F. baths downtown..

Oh, Drat. Tuesdays are ladies-only. Hm, that would be the only full day in Wiesbaden for me.

However, I did find a reference on the Wiesbaden 'home' page to another Spa -- looks like a modern one. And *their* women-only day is Monday, I believe. So I could visit there on Tuesday, instead. No mention of textile-free on the website, though, so best take the baggy trunks with me.

If I'm not too tired, I suppose I could do the Kaiser Friedrich spa on Monday evening.

Hm...wonder if my travel-weary frame could possibly handle two spa visits in as many days?

Thanks again.

Fritzrl