Nestled among the rolling hills and many woods of Western Bohemia, you will find perhaps, its most famous of places, the boutique spa town of Karlovy Vary (also known as Carlsbad).  This picturesque town was founded in the 14th century by the legendary Czech king, Charles IV, remarkably enough, after his favorite dog disappeared in one of the town’s 12 thermal springs.  Since that time, Karlovy Vary has never looked back and has been the host to fantastic people like Goethe. Schiller, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven.  Why did these people come, and why do thousands flock there even today?  One simple word:  water.

Karlovy Vary, at the end of the 18th century developed into one of Europe’s full scale thermal resorts and it continues this tradition even today.  People come and then drink, bathe in and steam in the great pleasure of the thermal springs, and today’s Karlovy Vary offers the visitor any number of spa centers that are specialized in different areas of physical well-being.  But in addition, Karlovy Vary is a wealth of culure and architecture, having been greatly influenced by the Art Nouveau movement of the early 20th century and today you will still find many local artist carrying on this great tradition.

Within easy reach of the Šumava National Park, fantastic golf courses, medieval castles and the ceramics industry, Karlovy Vary is ideally situated to allow the visitor to visit the natural beauty and experience the sense of renewal and wellness that is a staple of the life in West Bohemia.

And of course, don’t forget to try copious amounts of Becherovka, the unofficial “13th Spring”  of Karlovy Vary!!