mike1728

Hello...........We are spending two weeks+ (May 2010) in France/Germany starting with 6 nights in Alsace (apartment in Andlau) then two nights near Stuttgart, followed by six nights in Bamberg (apartment) and two nights in Creglingen. We will have a car and will be taking day trips everyday. I would love to visit the Czech Republic as a day trip from Bamberg. Does anyone know of a nice area of Czech within a two hour drive from Bamberg...Prague is just too far as day trip...Tachov and Cheb are at about two hours ..are they worth the trip?......just looking for a quaint town to experience the Czech culture...thanks in advance,

Mikek

Ingo

Definitely NOT Cheb. Don't know about Tachov. Marianske Lazne would be my favourite, an elegant spa town. Frantiskovy Lazne is similar, just smaller and not as fancy. A really picturesque small Czech town with nice castle would be Loket, a few miles before Karlovy Vary.

Honestly, though, I don't think it is worth the effort. Too much to see in the surroundings in Bamberg.

wobbers

Actually, Prague IS within 2 hours of Czech border, but if you want to make it I suggest at least an overnight trip (2 nights better)

Ingo

wobbers, the OP asked for a Czech town within two hours drive of Bamberg, not the Czech border.

robbydee

Prague is 3 1/2 hours driving time from Bamberg, but you should do it anyway. Or better yet, stay in Bamberg and drink more rauchbier. Much of the Czech Republic is uninspiring.

mike1728

Thanks for the replies......I was hoping there would be a beautiful old town/village where we could enjoy the day. My reason for wanting to travel into the Czech Republic is because although we have travelled thru most of Europe, we have never been to the Czech and dont know if we will be in driving distance to the country in the future. But as INGO said....there will be plenty to keep us busy in Franken/Bavaria.

Thanks,

Mikek

pef1234

mike1728 ;

Consider Karlova Vary. Its just a bit beyond Cheb (not a good choice) off the same route E48 going toward Prague. We visit Karlova whenever in that area of CZ, last time was late December past. Karlova is a small spa resort city/town, with loads of aristocratic charm. The architectural theme of practically the entire town is sort of Victorian Russian if there is such a thing! There are lots of botiques, charming restaurants, both budget and pricey, and resort type attractions that will provide you a great taste of the CZ culture from a broad perspective. Further, Karlova is unique in that it is a favorite destination of Russian tourists and you'll get that flavor as a bonus. Much of the signage is indeed in both CZ and Russian and you'll find shops and restaurants catering in that direction.

Karlova is situated in a very narrow valley with a small river running right the length of the downtown area where the shops, spas and attractions are located. There is a large parking ramp as well as other public parking areas at both ends of town. The length of the town is only about 1 KM and can easily be walked. Of major significance is the Grandhotel Pupp,www.pupp.cz which is indeed 'grand' and well deserving of a 'walk-through' of at least its lobby. The Pupp was the setting for the Queen Latifah film 'Last Holiday' as well as the James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006. This Wikipedia site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandhotel_Pupp will provide an overview plus links RE Karlova Vary. I think it meets your criteria quite well. Driving time from Bamberg to Karlova in snow this past December was exactly 2 hours per our journal! If you have any questions I'll try to answer as best I can.

mike1728

BINGO pef1234!!
Just what I was looking for, that's what I love about this forum, there's always someone out there to answer your travel questions....Karlova it is. As I advised, we may never travel this close to the CZ, so we would hate to miss out on an opportunity to experience another country and culture, if only for a day trip. Germany is one of our favorites....6 times and counting, but to be within 2 hours to the CZ, we cant pass this up...thanks again for all the info and web site info, I love the fact that there is a river running thru the city, and that we will see Russian language on the signs...a first for us....sounds like a great day trip!

Best,
Mikek

Brooke_Herron

pef1728 have you done any of the spas in Karlova? Quite tough to get simple info online without having to book many many nights at each place and wondering if you have tried any of the spots there for just a 1-2 night stay

I'm in Prague for this month and am venturing out on some 1-2 day trips. Will be heading to Cesky Krumlov this Sat with a rental car, then to Bamberg (thanks to this forum) for 2 days/2 nights next week and then also Moravia next weekend if my budget holds up (on very limited budget)

Cheers

Brooke