When you arrive to this border city Karlovy Vary, maybe better known as Karlsbad (German name), it might be a disappointment at the first sight, but look for the tower from the Thermal hotel, pass the hotel and the city changes just at once. Karlovy Vary is one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic.

Karlovy Vary is named after Bohemia's most beloved king Charles IV, which according to the history books was the person, who found the hot springs, or more precise, his dog found them. Charles IV´s dog was hunting a deer and fell down in one of the hot springs, where Charles IV found it very burned. Different baths were built and like many thermal cities Karlovy Vary had its high peak in the period 1800-1920. The rich and royal came, built houses, parks, sanatoriums, hotels and theatres etceteras to experience the healing powers of the water. Underground thousands of warm mineral springs exists, and the best place to try the water is probably at the modern building, which is situated beside the statue of Jurij Gagarin, which is impossible to avoid. The spring goes 20 meters up in the air and is one of the biggest of the hot springs. Taste the water (the temperatures varies from 30-75 degrees). The water is free but it is a good idea to buy one of the special cups when you drink the water. The taste is very special and it is said to have a fantastic influence on the body. Two other things worth noticing in Karlovy Vary is Bohemian Crystal and Becherovka. Becherovka (a kind of liqueur) is named after its inventor, a chemist. Most people do not like the taste the first time and love it the second time. Do not exaggerate, or you might not drink anything else the rest of your live.

How to get there? Busses depart several times a day from the bus station Florenc and takes about 2,5 hours, or order a guided tour at Andel 3W Tourist Service.