One of our stops on the way to Bratislava was at Karlovy Vary, aka Carlsbad. This has been a spa resort town since the 18th century. The legend is that the hot springs were originally discovered by a hunting hound who had the misfortune to fall into one. His owner, the Emperor Charles IV, was so pleased to have found these springs that he quickly recovered from the loss of his dog.
Karlovy Vary was always comsidered a glamorous resort and there are still lots of designer boutiques and shops full of beautiful Bohemian crystal, though I was rushed past them at high speed!. Surprisingly there are still many visitors from the Czech Republic,Germany and Russia who come to treat their ailments at the various hotels and spas. We were amazed to see numerous people strolling along the colonnades sipping from their spa mugs, special mugs with a spout so that the very hot water does not burn the mouth.
We were not tempted to try the “health giving” water and settled for some Tokay – pity about the glass it was served in!
There are little fountains like this all along the colonnades. There are 17 different springs, presumably each beneficial in its own way. Perhaps you start at one end for treatment for headaches and move through various parts of the body till you come to the ingrowing toenail spring at the far end. I did stick my finger into the water and can affirm that it is very hot.
Though we were not tempted to try any medicinal treatments, it was nice to know that a cherished colleague had already visited.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Thank you Sheona, lovely post.
I too would have had to hurry past that china shop. I’m afraid I find good china irresistible. Very attractive town.
You will notice, Christina, that there aren’t a lot of stalinist tower blocks to be seen. This was one of those towns where the Communists kept the decadent, bourgeois, elitist luxury so that the more equal could enjoy their massages and sip their Tokay here on behalf of the workers.
Wonderful pictures, Sheona. Thank you for posting them. Slovakia seems to be one of those
still largely undiscovered countries that has so much more than one would think.
CO: you’re not the only one. In San Francisco there is a Japanese china shop that I often went to. I have a number of pieces to bring back with me ot Minnesota, including a tea bowl.
Sheona, Backside asks if we get royalties from this special appearance abroad.
RE 3 sheona, I expect they will keep Harrogate in the same way after the denoument!
CO, I see there is a monument to your goodself in the park on Sheona’s city map.
Janus, tell Backside to brush up his Czech and write to the mayor. If he gets a fee, I will expect a commission.
Christopher, you’re right that Slovakia is still largely undiscovered tourist-wise. The river cruise boats do call in at Bratislava between Vienna and Budapest and the old town is invaded by tourist groups which then leave and sail on.
ERm, isn’t their langauge Slovak?
Janus, Karlovy Vary – as I mentioned – is in the Czech Republic, where the language. is Czech. Slovak, the language of Slovakia, is very similar, so I expect the mayor of KV would understand whichever Backside could manage. He would probably also understand German and Russian, depending on his age. Older people, who remember one sort of occupation, can manage German. Another generation who suffered a different occupation can speak Russian. Young people can speak English. Capisce?
Silly Backside.