Karlovy Vary. Where You Can Get Rid Of Your Physical Ailments And Rejuvenate Your Soul
In the western region of the Czech Republic, in an area known as Bohemia, lies a town of unmatched beauty. A town that over the past 100 years has become a secret hideout for hundreds of thousands of people who flock to its hot springs and natural beauty.
Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad, Carlsbad) was founded in 1370 by the then king of Bohemia Charles IV. It has been a popular tourist spot ever since, but during the 20th century it started to draw ever increasing numbers of people to its hot springs. When no other arthritis remedies worked for you, the spas of Karlovy Vary was sure to provide relief from arthritis and rheumatism.
Karlovy Vary is a favorite destination for visitors from all over Europe and even further afield. It is also a highly regarded retiring destination. The town has developed a slightly Bohemian atmosphere and many artists nowadays call it home. It also hosts the yearly Eastern European film festival. If you would like to attend this, book accommodation well in advance.
The town also plays host to numerous other musical and artistic events. To attend an open air concert in Karlovy where the orchestra plays the music of the classical masters is an experience to cherish for many days to come. And if you are more interested in rock music: I watched a performer playing an Ibanez electric guitar there last year in a way that had the audience going absolutely wild.
On the outskirts of Carlsbad you’ll find a little cog-wheel train with which you can go to the top of one of the highest hills in the vicinity. From the lookout tower you will have a stunning view of the lush hills of Bohemia stretching as far as the eye can see. Below you the baroque town, where the rivers Tepla and Ohre meet, lies hazily in the distance.
Many international films have been shot in Karlovy Vary. Two of the better known ones are the 2006 film Last Holiday with Whoopi Goldberg as lead actor and Casino Royal the James Bond movie. The well-preserved baroque architecture of the town and the even more beautiful surrounding countryside is after all the perfect spot for a film. Nearby you will also find a number of smaller, but equally picturesque towns.
During the past two decades Carlsbad has also turned into a favorite location for students who want to study the English language. The town boasts a number of good English language schools, and there are also a couple of them in the nearby towns. With Prague only 130km away and the German border even closer, it is certainly in a strategic location.