Magnificent buildings, distinguished people and hot springs –
I'm in Baden-Baden, on Germany's southwestern border, at the edge of the Black Forest.
Since the 19th century, the city has been one of the most important spa resorts in Europe
and attracts guests from all over the world.
Although there are many spas and spa resorts here, the Friedrichsbad is particularly splendid.
Even today, the spa architecture of 'Europe's summer capital', as it's known,
reflects the glory of the Belle Époque at the turn of the 20th century.
Splendor and luxury make Baden-Baden a destination for rich people from all over the world.
I will mix with the tourists and take a look at the new but also at the old Baden-Baden.
Luxury, wellness and high culture - is that something interesting for young people?
Well, I'm going to find out.
I'll start off my tour with a classic carriage ride around town.
Good morning!
Good morning, Valeria Casagrandi.
Lukas Stege! Shall we?
A warm welcome to Baden-Baden!
Thank you!
Italian city guide Valeria Casagrandi made Baden-Baden her new home 19 years ago,
and now she knows every inch of the town.
Where are we?
Now, we're on Lichtentaler Allee.
This was the place to be in the 19th century, when Baden-Baden was so well known and cosmopolitan.
And it's still a hotspot - our strolling avenue - our arts and culture spot.
You might say the rich and the beautiful stroll along here?
Precisely - along with people just like us who love life in Baden-Baden.
To see and be seen?
To see and be seen - to this day.
Hot spots, lots of international guests - it's really a place for relaxation on one hand,
but also for excitement on the other.
What does Baden-Baden have to offer younger people?
We have in-clubs.
The Club Bernstein in the casino, for example, where international DJs spin discs on the weekend,
and we have a new concept for a bar and restaurant: casual fine dining, or Roomers Rooftop Bar and Pool.
So, there's something for the hipsters, too.
It all sounds a bit exclusive. You need cash, don't you?
I'd say, it is exclusive, but there's something here or every budget.
The Roomers Design Hotel, which opened here in 2016, is very popular with young people,
but it's not cheap.
Executive cars are lined up in front.
The lobby is huge.
Jars are stuffed with free candy.
And sparkling wine comes with the room.
The Rooftop Bar offers a panoramic view of the town.
It's popular with the younger crowd,
so I'd like them to tell me what they think Baden-Baden has to offer for the millennial generation.
It's grown quite a bit in recent years.
And I think Roomers has a completely new spa concept to offer, especially for young people.
I've been here once before and taken in the natural surroundings, the Battert Rocks, the Castle and so on.
It's really good for fitness enthusiasts.
The view offers some great photo opportunities.
I like that the people are very kind and also sometime as young people you want to come
somewhere quiet and chill here that’s it.
Relaxation, nature and luxury never seem to age.
But let's see what else the area has to offer.
My next stop is the casino!
To view it in the morning, you don't have to observe the dresscode.
But to gamble, you have to be at least 21 years old, show an ID and wear a dress shirt and sport jacket.
The casino's housed in the classical-style spa palace. It's really posh!
It's almost 200 years old, numbers among Europe's best known casinos.
and has one of the richest traditions.
Inside, as well, the casino is a feast for the eyes.
What fabulous architecture!
The splendid halls are modeled on ancient Roman buildings.
But enough sightseeing - now I want to gamble!
There's poker and Black Jack, slot machines and roulette.
The games begin at two p.m. - no cameras allowed.
So I've arranged a private chat with croupier Ian Ripalda.
Since I've never gambled in a casino before, he explains the rules first.
Roulette has 37 numbers from zero up to 36 on the wheelhead and here on the layout,
where you place your bets.
The outside has better odds - always covering 18 numbers, one to 18, or 19 to 36,
or red and black, or even and odd, or blocks of numbers.
Here, the payout would be one to one.
Today's my lucky day, so I'm going to place a proper bet on red.
Ok, good luck!
May the game begin. Will I win?
That's a big win,right?
Absolutely!
I have to ask: I felt really, really happy just now - that must be pretty addictive, right?
I'm sure gambling addiction is a really big problem.
Of course, it's a very, very big issue for us.
Here at the Baden-Baden Casino and our other two companies Stuttgart Casino and
Constance Casino, the Baden-Württemberg casinos, we have a social concept.
If guests make statements to the effect that they're gambling money away
they can't afford to lose, we try to urge them to play more moderately.
And if that doesn't work, sometimes the last resort is to ban that guest
to protect them from themselves.
In Germany, gambling is lawful, but strictly regulated.
16, red
Well, the sun doesn't shine every day, Mr. Croupier!
And what about art?
The Frieder Burda Museum on Lichtentaler Allee is especially interesting - designed by
famous architect Richard Meyer - it is flooded with light to house Frieder Burda's art collection.
Burda, a publisher and wealthy heir, is also a major art collector.
There are around 1000 objects of modernist and contemporary here,
making Burda's collection one of the most important private art collections in Europe.
The works are often rearranged for temporary exhibitions or used to
supplement exhibitions on solo artists.
If you tavel to Baden-Baden, it's worth taking a little time to explore the countryside.
The town lies at the edge of the northern Black Forest.
There are great places to go hiking and enjoy some wonderful scenery.
And it's all free of charge - something of a relief after the expensive Baden-Baden.
Luxury, wellness, culture, nature – Baden-Baden offers all of that.
So, it's just the perfect place for a relaxed vacation.
Most offers are aimed at an older audience, I would say, but,
if you're young, money is not a problem for you, and you just want to be pampered,
then you are in good hands here in Baden-Baden.