Karlovy VaryThis beautiful Czech Republic town reknowned for it's mineral spring waters !
On arriving in Karlovy Vary you should first purchase one of the special becher cups you will find being sold at stalls and shops, around the central spa area. They are very cheap with a huge range of styles and designs. They all have a drinking spout near the top of the cup, making them a unique souvenir. The spout is designed to stop your teeth discolouring from the minerals in the water. Equipped with your drinking mug you can then go for a wander through the Mlynska Kolonada, sampling the different spring waters from the taps which are constantly flowing. Each has a small explanation as to what is in the water and which complaints they will help. 
There are many spa towns in the area and each supposedly has mineral springs to “heal” different ailments and illnesses. Karlovy Vary is the place for digestive treatment. You are not drinking this water for its delicious flavour, but for its health giving properties! A traditional Karlsbad wafer, can help it go down. These wafers, originally produced by Karl Beyer in 1850 can be bought at many stalls and shops. The most popular is the original with a hazelnut and sugar filling, but there is a range of fillings to choose from.
Outline of a Walking TourA good place to start a walking tour is at the most powerful springVridlo, which shoots a 40 foot high geyser into the air inside its modern glass enclosure. This spring pours forth 2,500 gallons of water every hour.
From there, it is a pleasant walk through the Kolonada. If you are fortunate as we were, you can enjoy a free classical concert on the stage in the middle.
They have various packages, and for one set price you can soak in the different pools, try a steam room, have a massage, and generally enjoy a relaxing, health giving pick me up.
The Tepla river which runs through the town, is crisscrossed by bridges. A wander around this picturesque old city, takes you down the Stara Louka.
Boasting a range of expensive shops, many are filled with the famous Moser glass, and there is even a branch of Versace. Much of the town has been bought up by Russian immigrants, so there is a large Russian population living here, who own much of the retail area. It is worth exploring behind the main town center, where you will find enchanting fairytale houses. You will also find the St Peter and St Paul Russian Orthodox church, which stands out from its surrounds with its bright blue cupola’s and white walls, ornately touched up with glistening gold.
It is open to the public at the times shown on the board out front, but the outside is the best part. You can then wend your way back down through the gardens to the main centre.
Across the Tepla RiverCrossing the river there are more shops, which seem to be frequented by the locals more than the other side of the river. Here you should check out the Becherovka shop, where this traditional Czech liquor is manufactured. Made from nineteen different herbs and spices, it has a distinctive flavour, and is considered to be very good for your health.
If you plan on staying a few days there are numerous walks up in the forest clad hills above the town. A funicular runs from outside the Pupp Hotel up to Vysina Pratelstvi( Friendship Height), stopping in the middle at Jeleni Skok (Deer Jump). 
Or you can catch the cable car up to Diana's Lookout which gives you a magnificent view across the town. You then have the choice of returning the way you came or walking down the zigzag path, resting in the small rotundas placed at intervals down the track. If you time things well, you can be in Karlovy Vary for their annual Film Festival now in its 43nd year, held each August. We also thoroughly enjoyed an outdoor opera held at Loket Castle a short distance from Karlovy VarySeated on plank seats facing the castle, uplit giving a fairytale appearance, it was just magical as the voices soared in the night.
Easily reached from Prague, there are day trips and tours to Karlovy Vary arranged through tourist centre.
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