On a recent trip to Germany, I spent a night in Baden-Baden, where European culture is vibrant for all to see. One thing you may not know about Baden-Baden is that it is home to Europe’s second-largest concert hall and opera house. This, combined with the museums of the cultural mile, makes the city a fantastic cultural retreat.

In addition to this and the reasoning behind the town’s name, Baden-Baden plays host to two thermal baths and many wellness hotels, not to mention the oldest casino in Germany, Casino ‘Royal’, described by Marlene Dietrich as "The most beautiful casino in the world". If a flutter is not your thing, you can enjoy tours of this fascinating place to learn about its history as a destination for the social elite.

From the casino and spas to boutique shopping and quaint restaurants, all of which are surrounded by the unrivalled beauty of the Black Forest, this is a perfect destination for a relaxing retreat or for the beginning of an exploratory trip of the region.