Karlovy Vary / Carlsbad

Our last stop in the Czech Republic was the well known spa town of Karlovy Vary (formerly known as Carlsbad). It is famous for its hot springs (13 main springs and about 300 smaller ones!) and became a popular tourist destination in the 19th century, especially amongst celebrities, for spa treatments.

The city is also known for its International Film Festival, and whilst we were there the 46th edition of the festival was just kicking off! Got to see the red carpet, but sadly no film stars. And last but not least, that extremely popular Czech liqueur, Becherovka, originates from Karlovy Vary. Flavoured with aniseed and cinnamon, amongst 32 different other herbs, Becherovka is supposed to be a magic cure for everything. In many former Eastern bloc countries it is still used as a home remedy for arthritis ! We did try its curative powers a few times whilst there, but hard to say if it has had any lasting effect ;-)

We did also do as the locals (and just about everyone else who visits Karlovy Vary), and bought one of the funny looking ceramic cups (with drinking spout) and tasted the water from various hot springs! There is one main boulevard where, from memory, about 6 hot springs can be found under the cover of a beautiful neo-Renaissance colonnade. Temperatures of the water varied from around 60C to 75C and is not really something I would drink on a regular basis - it is saturated with carbonic acid, minerals, and about 40 other elements and it tasted pretty horrible, as you can see from the look on Jeroen's face in one of the photos below !

Whilst there we also visited the Imperial Spa. Built in 1895, and since 1918 known as Spa I, it's an imposing building and was among THE most luxurious and modern spa complexes of its time. In addition to the modern spa cabins with private changing rooms, bathrooms, shower and tubs for peat and mineral baths, the Imperial Spa was equipped with a spacious gym with 64 exercise devices powered by electricity! Sadly however, the building has been derelict for a number of years and the main hall (what used to be the gym) is only open to the public during large social events, such as the Film Festival. Luckily a complete renovation is currently being planned, and once the building is restored to its former glory will house a spa museum and a history of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

Oh and the last 8 photos are of the "bustling" village of Radosov, where our campsite was located. Apart from the unusual covered wooden bridge there was absolutely nothing to see in Radosov. The one and only supermarket was only open until 12.00 noon each day and there never seemed to be anyone out and about on the streets. We did however eat a meal a couple of times in the restaurant of our campsite, and THAT was an experience! Huge servings of hearty, traditional Czech cuisine for almost nothing, whilst dining in what looked like a hunting lodge from the 1900s - with hundreds (and yes, literally hundreds!) of stuffed animal heads on the wood panelled walls (everything from a huge moose, to deer, to wild pigs) :-)

Alli xxx

Prague - the city of 100 spires

The photos say it all really !

Alli xxx