some thoughts...

- Baden-Baden: Just yesterday I was there for a 40th birthday (of a good friend who grew up there). First we went by a mountain train - something on a cable up to the Merkur - where we had no sight at all because of the fog :-( But normally you should be able to have a wonderful view over Baden-Baden. This view is even better since about one year ago we had a horrible storm called Lothar (every bad or good weather period gets a name) which killed a lot of trees. You will see the effects all over the black forest and also on some areas in France. The father of my friend guided us (really!) thru Baden-Baden after- wards. Some hints: On going down from the ground station of the Merkurbahn (which is also already on some hill) there was (to the right) something like water games - perhaps good for the children? In Baden-Baden we talked about the old and new baths - don't know if this would be ideal for children, I'd say it's more for relaxing and curing... Nice for walking of course the Lichtenthaler Allee (alley for more than 2 km with nearly no other traffic than walking). All in all of course the ambiance is quite elegant and luxurious.

- Mont St. Michel: You can go just to the island by car. On the dam before it you have parking lots where you will be guided at (can't remember the prices now). I'm afraid but I hadn't the time to visit the monasteries up the hill (I was there in October and it closes quite early - was simply too late...). The roads leading up the hill are full of restaurants and shops - a bit too touristy for me. Therefore I went up the walls - on the stairs, believe me :-) and walked around part of the island on the walls. There you also have some restaurants and shops, but quite few. And I liked the views from there. And in the end I sat there, read a book and watched the doves and other birds...

Baerbel.