Karlovy Vary

A place where the stars rest

There are many excellent spas in Europe that offer treatment for all types of diseases. But not all of them can boast of the beauty of the architecture of buildings, as Karlovy Vary can.

The resort is located in the valley of the Teplá River in West Bohemia, on elevations ranging from 370 to 644 m above sea level. Some fantasy lovers may associate it with the Tolkien city of the elves - Rivendell. The terrace buildings of the spa come from the 19th century, the earlier one was burnt down (twice, in 1604 and in 1759). Tourists are especially delighted with the buildings of the post office, the theater and some of the sanatoriums - they have been restored, preserving the ornamentation and asymmetry of the Art Nouveau style. Two local promenades (Stara and Nová Louka) are also beautiful.

Many famous personalities stayed here. Goethe, Chopin, Dumas, Beethoven and Karl Marx were treated here. The beauty of Karlovy Vary was also appreciated by the Tsar of Russia, Peter the Great, and several hundred years later Hollywood stars began to come here, including Gregory Peck, Mia Farrow and Whoopie Goldberg.

Becherki with a spout

Healing water in Karlovy Vary flows under five colonnades. Mlynska Kolonada delights with high marble arcades, and Sadova - with intricately wrought iron (designed by Viennese architects). In turn, the hottest of the springs, under the Vridelni colonnade, attracts tourists with the famous geyser - every minute from a depth of almost 3,000 meters. meters, water at a temperature of 73 degrees Celsius gushes to a height of 12-15 meters.

While wandering around the spa, patients drink water from cups with a spout. This is called becherki, and owed their name to Jan Becher, a local doctor. In 1789, he analyzed the composition of the water and recommended drinking a maximum of 400 ml a day. Earlier, patients during the day drank even two liters, which caused various ailments.

Becherovka - a recipe for friendship

Everyone who comes to Karlovy Vary will also get to know Becherovka, a liqueur with an interesting history of its creation. The recipe was brought here by Christian Frobrig, the personal physician of Count Pletenberg-Mietingen. Two hundred years ago, the count stayed in the house owned by the Bechers, "Under the Three Magpies". The doctor who was bored at the resort quickly found common ground with the head of the Becher family, Jozef. Both men were interested in new methods of mixing alcohol, herbs and aromatic oils. On leaving, Frobrig left a recipe to Josef, which he had perfected. Then, in 1807, the sale of Carlsbad English Biters - the "drops" known today as Becherovka, began.

You can visit the liqueur factory - it is located at Masaryka 57. While exploring the building, we will see an exhibition devoted to the history of Becherovka and cellars with bags with a mixture of herbs and roots. There are also oak barrels, the oldest of which is a hundred years old, and the largest can hold as much as 53,000. liters. The last part of the trip is a tasting - it is best to drink Becherovka chilled to a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius.

Campings in the area

Due to the fact that this is a region that is very popular with tourists, everyone has been thought of. Accommodation is available for lovers of luxury and those who prefer to organize their stay on their own and need a place to park their motorhome. With the latter in mind, several nice campsites have been created in the vicinity of the resort. One of them is located close to the forest and 2.5 km from the spa center. This is Mini Camping (Plzenska 63, 36001 Karlovy Vary / Tuhnice), an ideal place for a family with children. Approximate price for a night stay for two people (including a motorhome pitch and access to electricity) is between 17.20-20.40 €.

On the next camp, Sasanka (30001 Sadov 7 / Karlovy Vary), we will pay from 18.40 to 21.70 € / night for the night. The campsite is fully adapted to the needs of the disabled, and the area itself is guarded around the clock. You can use the Internet here and also have a barbecue.

The Am See "Vaclav" campsite is also recommended (Všeborská ulice, 35002 Cheb / Podhrad), where two people stay for a night from 24.30 to 31.30 euro. From April to September, you can buy fresh bread here every day, and a fast-food bar and restaurant are also open during these months. There is a lake nearby where you can fish, sailing and windsurfing are also allowed - you can bring your own boat, as long as it is not more than 6 meters.

What do we know Karlovy Vary for?

The largest spa town in the Czech Republic tempts not only with its healing water springs. One of the world's oldest film festivals takes place here - the International Film Festival. His main prize is the Crystal Globe. The resort also has the oldest golf course in the Czech Republic. The center is also known for its porcelain and crystals from Moser. Visitors willingly buy Mattoni mineral water, Karlovy Vary wafers and souvenirs made of spring stone - you can learn about the process of their making while exploring the Vřídl underground.

Hilly land and kilometers of forest paths are another advantage of Karlovy Vary. Everyone will find a place to rest and feed their eyes with beautiful landscapes. And everyone will leave here relaxed and happy.