Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other

Tripoto
8th Nov 2014
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 1/9 by Ketan Joshi
Victoria in Karlovy Vary
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 2/9 by Ketan Joshi
Local Paintings
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 3/9 by Ketan Joshi
Hotels in Karlovy Vary
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 4/9 by Ketan Joshi
Ceramic cups for hot medicinal water
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 5/9 by Ketan Joshi
Hot Spring Colonnade
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 6/9 by Ketan Joshi
Magnificent historic buildings
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 7/9 by Ketan Joshi
Take a Horse Cart ride for a day trip
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 8/9 by Ketan Joshi
Gushing Spring water in Hot Spring Pavilion
Photo of Karlovy Vary - A Spa Town like no other 9/9 by Ketan Joshi
Bird's eye view from funicular and hilltop

I was fortunate enough to spend 2 weeks in Prague, Czech Republic on a business trip. On a weekend, I visited Karlovy Vary aka Carlsbad, serene spa town situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic. It is historically famous for curative hot springs. It has 15 springs on 7 colonnades and I visited them all. The most popular is Hot Spring colonnade. The geyser of the Hot Spring is in a separate pavilion and it gushes to a height of up to 12 meters. The Grandhotel Pupp is displayed in various films like Casino Royale, Last Holiday, Shanghai Knights and The Ring. Finally I took a funicular to hill top, where I enjoyed marvelous bird’s eye view of the town; it appeared like watching a miniature city. Karlovy Vary also hosts International Film Festival. One can also visit glass factory and buy souvenirs.

Referred as Europe's favorite spa town and yes it is "Spa town like no other". With magnificent historic buildings lined up along the hot springs, built by renowned Czech and Viennese architects in 18th century, a number of souvenir shops and restaurants providing gastronomic treat. You can choose from a number of walking tours or ride a Victoria. There are number of spas where one can take curative treatment or visit for leisure. It is perfect for a day trip or a weekend. One can ride a bus from Prague, Florenc bus station to Karlovy Vary (CZK 350 return)