Karlovy Vary Suggestions
 

My partner and I are going to spend a night and day in Karlovy Vary in September....any suggestions?

I'm sure a massage and the waters will be high on the list.

Resturants?
Cafes?
Bars?
Must Sees?

Tony, I am also planning a day trip to KV in Sept. and there really has not been a plethora of information on these boards about it. It sounds like the bus trip is fun and it is advised by the guide books not to drive yourself. I plan on swimming in the Thermal Hotel, drinking the famous mineral water (but knowing in advance where the bathrooms are!) and soaking up the elegant architectural atmosphere. Can anyone recommend a good day spa to take a treatment or a massage that would offer something different?

Sibelius, seems like we're kinda on our own here. We did actually hire a car to drive us to KV, the price was reasonable and with neither of us having to deal with driving or navigating we'll just sit back and enjoy the ride!

We're also going to take part in the healing waters and spa treatments while there. Hopefully we won't need to run off to the bathrooms during any point! Bon Voyage!

Tony, there are beautiful photos of Karlovy Vary on their website as well as other information. If you are more than one person, hiring a car is brilliant. I had also read previously that the bus to KV has comfortable seats, movies, etc. Could somebody please verify that? When you get back, please post a review so I can benefit from that. Not going until around Sept 22nd. Steve

Steve -
I think having a driver take us there will be really nice, and no distractions with movies playing. After my day yesterday here at work I'm needing this holiday!

I am really looking forward to hearing about both of your trips to Karlovy Vary. I will be taking a side trip there in 2009 on my honeymoon and can't wait. I first heard of KV while watching a movie with a friend...Last Holiday with Queen Latifa in it...it was actually kind of funny believe it or not. But the movie was filmed in KV mainly at the hotel Pupp and I have been obsessed with going there ever since! It was such a beautiful place in the movie. Please let me know how your trips went.

Yes, heartofthesouth. I remember Queen Latifah saying "Hotel Poop?" and the beautiful scenery while they were trekking in the snow or shopping in town. It seems that even the silliest of movies are worth seeing just for the scenery. You can catch decent shots of Prague in the beginning of Bangkok Dangerous and also the beginning of the latest Mission Impossible movie.

LOL Sibelius...the movie was the exact reason I have been wanting to go to Karlovy Vary. Hope you enjoy your trip

While it is a pretty town it definitely is not a highlight on my trips to the Czech Republic. I far more enjoy other places. But then I am not a spa person, either! :) Everyone is different, thankfully.

Driving/navigating in the CR is very easy compared to many countries. Not sure what else is on your itinerary but renting a car is the way to go if you go outside of Prague, Karlovy Vary, etc. Hope you have a lovely time...:)

We loved just walking down the street next to the river that runs through Karlovy Vary. Wandering around to see all of the baths (I think there are four major ones in town, each with a different personality) was also fun even though we had no interest in actually doing the bath, massage, etc. treatments. The waters can be hot and very distasteful but interesting. The town attracts a large wealthy Russian clientele which makes for interesting people watching. By all means check out the GH Pupp even if you don't stay there. We enjoyed dining at the restaurants of the Promenada hotel and of the Embassy Hotel. Have a great time.

I may get kicked off these boards, but I actually enjoyed my day in Karlovy Vary even more than the obligatory Cesky Krumlov. I can't believe how many people either don't know about this town or who don't go there due to it's not being a priority. If you don't go into one shop, museum, or spa, it wouldn't make a difference. Just strolling by the river, the colonnades, and through the gardens, would be enough to fill the day. What elegance! It is a very popular destination for locals, Europeans, and Russians, etc. which makes for facinating people-watching. A ten minute walk from the center of town is the famous Grandhotel Pupp made famous by Queen Latifah in Last Holiday and James Bond in Casino Royal. It is opulence in a very tasteful manner almost the way you would imagine it should have been in the aristocratic olden days in previous centuries. This place, while not perfect, has a uniqueness not seen in many other places. No wonder Dvorak premiered the New World Symphony here!