The Aristocratic Karlovy Vary – 4th day of the tour

Karlovy Vary

If someone would ask me to describe Karlovy Vary with three words, I would say that it is a picturesque, aristocratic, spa city in Czech Republic. The city is built on the base of a forest hill, while it is crossed by the Tepla River.  Beautiful buildings and luxurious hotels stand like ornaments next to the river, including spa centers and jeweler’s stores. It is no coincidence that the “Casino Royale” movie was filmed in a place like that!

Spring Museum

It is true that in Karlovy Vary there are a lot of springs and it is said that they have therapeutic abilities, each one treating a different disease (digestive problems, oncologic diseases, metabolism problems, obesity etc). Unfortunately, there is no welfare paying for a spa therapy in Karlovy Vary, the patient has to pay approximately 5.000 – 10.000 euro for a 6 week treatment. Nevertheless, there is a museum containing springs with water of 30 °C, 50 °C and 72 °C temperature, which is potable and curative. Although I didn’t taste it, because it had an egg smell, I got impressed by that museum and especially by the blower that discharges 2.000 liters of water every minute!

Spring

Blower

About the story of Karlovy Vary and how its springs were found, there is a sculptured paint showing Charles IV going for hunting on Karlovy Vary hills with his companion and hurting a deer. While the deer was running for its life, it fell into a pool with hot water. Charles IV got close to the injured animal and to his astonishment; he saw that there was no bleeding anymore. The deer left, while Charles IV went to the pool to check what had happened. He saw a spring with hot water and from that day he decided to take advantage of the springs.

Sculptured paint

Nowadays, Karlovy Vary is a very touristic area, where the visitor can do a lot of sports and get relaxed in one of the spa centers. Porcelains, Moser glassworks, the Becherovka liqueur, sweet wafers and the traditional water drinking cup are some of the souvenirs that a tourist can buy. I recommend you to taste the wafers, they are really nice.

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Prague – 3rd day of the trip

Prague Castle's View

The third day of the trip started with a 3 hour driving from Vienna to Prague. I admit that the road wasn’t very good in some spots, as it was a little bit bumpy. Nevertheless, we arrived at Prague. The tour started from the Prague Castle. Being at the top of a hill, the Prague Castle had an amazing, panoramic view of the city. Regarding this Castle, it isn’t just a simple castle, but it is a set of palaces, churches and museums representing the Gothic style of the city.

After that, we went downhill at the most famous bridge in Prague, the Charles Bridge. Nowadays, it is a very touristic, pedestrian zone, under which flows the Moldova River. A tower is standing on each end of the bridge and there are Baroque statues on its sides, including the famous statue of Saint John. It is said that if you make a wish and touch this statue, then your wish will come true. I didn’t touch the statue, but I made a wish while crossing the bridge.  I don’t know about yours, but mine acts out this period and I am very happy for that!

Saint John

Moldova River

The last sight that I visited that day was the Astronomical Clock. Don’t ask me to tell you what time it is using that clock, because only its creator probably can. The attraction of this sight is that every hour the clock clinks and the 12 Apostle come out of the clock, while trumpets sound. You shouldn’t miss that sight, but be careful of the pocket thieves while you are waiting for that clink.

Astronomical Clock

Generally speaking, Prague is like a city coming from a fairytale and this becomes even more noticeable during the night, when the light strikes its sights. 

Prague by night

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Vienna, Prague and Budapest - my first tour in 2011

Skyline

This year started with a fascinating, eight days tour in three wonderful cities of Europe – Vienna, Prague and Budapest. I departed from Athens on 02/01/2011. The flight to Vienna was pretty good and the view from the airplane was unique. I was lucky to sit close to the window and take a photo of the blue/white skyline.

Thinking of the two days that I stayed in Vienna, two things come into my mind the panoramic view of the city from the Danube Tower and the concert of classical music that I had the chance to watch. Although I will keep my impression of that city for a later post, I would like to admit that I could easily leave Greece and stay in Vienna for a couple of years.

I forgot to mention that this was my first time I traveled with a group. Generally I had a great time, but there were times that I was annoyed by the behavior of some people and especially in Prague, where the hotel’s service wasn’t very good and there was a lot of whining from the group. Nevertheless, Prague is a fairytale city and with a good company you can have wonderful moments. You will find out why I am saying that in another post.

The last city of the tour was Budapest. I have never been in such a romantic place before in my life. The cruise at Danube was marvelous and the feast with the Hungarian gypsy dancers was unforgettable. I wish I had stayed longer in that city, because two nights is a very short time.

Vienna, Prague and Budapest, a trip that I will always remember!

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