One plan I have for this blog is to make a note of any places I find on tour – tips on where to eat well and to drink good coffee, see a physio or get a great massage etc… As I write, I am in Bad Oeyenhausen, Germany, on a 2 month contract with the GOP Variete Theatre with their new show BackSTAGE. I am here as spring is just starting to poke through the winter, so it seems to me to be a beautiful, peaceful little town.
Bad Oeynhausen it is not, shall we say, a hub of healthy and delicious food options if you have to eat out, but lucky for me I have a kitchen and there is a sweet Farmer’s Market in town. There is also the most beautiful Sauna/Spa I have ever visited, right next door to the theatre! Here are a few of the best things I have found here so far…
Farmer’s Market
Most exciting has been the discovery of a Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays! It is just near the corner of Am Kurpark and Herforder Strasse, just beside the beautiful Kurpark (which is where our spectacular theatre lives). There is a fish monger who sells fresh (not been frozen) fish, a selection of which has been line-caught of the coast of Germany and was delicious. There is also a brilliant cheese and charcuterie stand, with meats and cheeses from the local area as well as France and Spain. There’s a well stocked fruit and vegetable stand and a guy selling roasted chickens and a lady selling jams… and a local coffee roasterie set up in a really cute little caravan selling coffee as well as bags of their beans to take home. She is there from 2pm. The coffee was good (not brilliant) and the lady was really lovely.
Address: Am Kurpark 20, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Brunch at Kaiser Palace
In the Kurpark, at the theatre, there is a restaurant that does an incredible Sunday Brunch.
Address: Kaiser Place, Kurpark, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Bali Therme
This sauna/spa paradise is incredibly beautiful with intricate attention to detail in the decor. There is a gym and pool area that are both good, but it is when you pass into the Sauna space that things get incredibly peaceful. More than a dozen different sauna/steam room options and a schedule of special offerings through the day including things like salt scrubs, honey scrubs and fresh mint infusions. There are a few separate indoor lounging areas and also outdoor spaces to relax by the pools. They are open until 11pm and once it gets dark the whole place is lit by candles and pretty lamps. A totally rejuvenating and nourishing place to visit.
For people who aren’t German or familiar with German saunas, a quick note to save confusion, as no one at the front desk will explain any of this to you: The gym and pool are clothed areas. Once you go into the Sauna area, you don’t wear clothes. Mostly people lounge in bath robes. When in the saunas you take your towel with you and you should make sure that it is under you at any point where you touch the wooden seats (so if sitting you have it under your bum and also your feet, if laying down, you lay on it…). To some people this will seem like an obvious thing to explain… but I was so confused the first time I went to a german spa, so maybe this helps someone.
Address: Morsbachallee 5, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.
Casablanca
This is the best coffee in town, as far as I can tell… It’s not like getting a coffee in Melbourne… but as I am in regional Germany, I am grateful to have found them!
Address: Klosterstraße 5, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Physio / Massage
If you find yourself here and your body needs a bit of attention – Neils at the REHA-CONCEPT in the Kurpark is amazing. His specialty is Facia Release.
Address: Badehaus II, Westcorso 22, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Phone: 05731 305 2000
