(Drivebycuriosity) - My wife and I are visiting Europe again. An Air France flight brought us to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. The night flight was pleasant, even that it was 2 hours delayed. But the arrival wasn´t. Unfortunately one of our 3 suitcase was missing, apparently stolen from the belt. The suitcase contained everything I will need in the coming weeks, so we will have to replace the items in the coming days. Waiting for - and then complaining - about the missing suitcase cost another 2 hours, so we were even more delayed and could just manage to catch the train (with reserved seats) which brought us from Paris to Aachen, our first stay. Fortunately the train ride with Thalys, a private company, was fast & pleasant (2 hours 40).
Aachen is a quite German town on the border to Belgium & Netherlands. The city has a lot tradition. Wikipedia writes:"Aachen developed from a Roman settlement and thermae (bath complex), subsequently becoming the preferred medieval Imperial residence of Emperor Charlemagne of the Frankish Empire, and, from 936 to 1531, the place where 31 Holy Roman Emperors were crowned Kings of the Germans ( wikipedia).
A contemporary bath complex, the Carolus Therme with a lot saunas & pools, which we have enjoyed some years ago, was the reason for our new visit in Aachen (3 nights). Many of these saunas are heated to 90 C (194 Fahrenheit). They have in their middle ovens with very hot stones. At given times the staff performs an "Aufguss" (infusion) by pouring water on the heated stones. The water is mixed alternatively with herbs, peppermint, coconut or other materials. So the "Aufguss" creates a very hot and scented steam which makes the heat even more challenging.
At one "Aufguss" we got salt handed out and rubbed it in our skin. The Terme has also have steams bath, were the temperature isn`t quite as high, but the air is satisfied with vaporized water. In one of these steam baths happened a honey session. The participants got two small potties with honey, which they smeared on their skins (surrounded by a thick fog) - a very special experience. There are lots of cold showers (including some shockers with barrels) and a nice outdoor pool to clean & to refresh.
It seems that the Aachen Cathedral is the main tourist attraction. The church was erected on the orders of Charlemagne. Construction began c. AD 796, Agand it was, on completion c. 798, the largest cathedral north of the Alps.
At the Cathedral and around there a funny sculptures.
The city has also a medieval "Rathaus" (city hall) and other historical buildings. These and the narrow alleys, which are often pedestrian areas, make the city a pleasant place.
Above you can see a traditional inn, a shop for Aachener Printen, a local sweets, and a Maibaum (May Tree). There is a tradition to put a fancy decorated on - or besides - a house were a pretty young girl lives.
In the heart of the city we enjoyed a very generous German breakfast with scrambled eggs, lots of "Brötchen" (ball shaped breads), sausages, cheese, yoghurt, coffee, orange juice & Sekt (German champagne). Germany seems to be the world leader in breads, there are so many different variations available.
To be continued.
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