Carcalla Spa - Baden Baden

The second spa I went to in Baden Baden is the "sister spa" of Friedrichsbad.  Know as Caracalla, after the ancient Roman baths that once existed in the area, this site is totally modern.  It's also a combination clothed / unclothed spa.  But more on that below.  When you enter the glass-enclosed entrance, you take an escalator to the entrance gates, and pay your entry fee.  You then go directly into a unisex changing room.  But it's all very modest.  You enter in one side through a dressing room door, close it, change into a swimsuit in private, then exit out into a locker room area on the other side.  Because it's a combination clothed / unclothed area, be sure to wear you suit and take a towel with you.  The lower pool area is for clothed swimming and bathing.  To get to the texteilfrei section, you climb a steep spiral staircase, then walk over an elevated walkway into the sauna.  The door clearly states this is a nude area, so everyone is forewarned.  Once inside the door, there are cubby holes on both sides of you, and you're expected to strip down, then and there.  If you don't a helpful attendant will come over and remind you.  Again, there is no reason for modesty.  Everyone here - from men and women in their 20s to middle aged people, to senior citizens is in the same state of undress you are.  There's no staring, laughing, pointing, or sexual behavior.  Just equality, freedom, and a sense of relaxation.  The day I was there, there were well over 100 people enjoying it, without a care in the world.

After undressing, it's customary to walk around with a towel, while exploring the sauna landscape.  There are several indoors and out, of varying degrees of heat.  There's also a steam room, whirlpool, several footbaths, and shower areas to rinse off sweat, and dump a bucket of cold water on your head if you're ready for a shock.  Inside the sauna, you undo your towel, and sit down on it, putting it long-wide underneath you, so it's between your legs and the seat - you don't want to foul the wood with sweat!  Don't go in and out excessively, and don't talk.  That's part of the relaxation.  In the steam room, you undress before going in, so your towel doesn't get soaked.  Inside, once the steam clears enough to see, there are seats lining four walls.  There are also hoses you turn on for a quick seat rinse before you sit down and when you leave.  And buttons to push for an extra burst of steam.

Finally - there are two other areas to enjoy.  An outdoor naturist sunning area, and indoors a quiet room with strange plastic beds to relax.