When our tour through Thuringia brought us the first time to Bad Liebenstein, we made the typical mistake of many tourists - we were in some kind of an unnecessary rush and missed many things.

A business dinner which we had a few days later at the "Waldhotel - Am Schloßpark" was an eye opener and we decided to spend much more time here during our next visit.
We learned during dinner how people volunteered before the unification of Germany to make their country more beautiful and to save some historical buildings.
We even may even stay over night in this hotel which was built under the communist system and was mainly used by the upper class which means politicians and their friends. The prices were very reasonable and we liked everything we saw. In addition it is very close to many attractions.

The hotel has been renovated and we had a superior dinner on the patio with a great view in the surrounding forests. All politicians must have at least one thing in common, they know where to stay and to take advantage of their positions!
Elizabeth had her favorite trout and we typical Thuringian food.
Very close to the hotel is one of the major attractions of Bad Liebenstein - the "Altensteiner castle" with a marvelous park.
Many buses were parked nearby when we arrived Unfortunately the castle was destroyed by a huge fire in 1982, but the structure has already been renovated and hopefully soon the public will have access again. It should host a museum after renovation has been completed.
Nevertheless the park is really worth seeing - plan a few hours to do that!

It was too late to see more of the "Altenstein castle" and the park after our delicious meal. We did not want to rush through it and many busses with visitors were already leaving.
Consider staying in this hotel if you visit this area. Everybody was very friendly and the prices were very reasonable.
Whenever we visit something we want take memories home and not just a few pictures to demonstrate that we have been there. You cannot see all of Thuringia in a few weeks. Have fun and relax also.
To see all of Europe in five days is also something I never would do.

Bad Liebenstein was granted the title "Bad" because of the mineral water which is being used to improve health since the beginning of the 17 th century. The name Liebenstein is deviated from the name "Lybenstein", a castle from which you still can see the ruins overlooking the town.