Marianske Spa, The Misty Day

It was a good sleep indeed... Looking out of the window I have seen a wonderful mist over the neighboring roofs. It reminded me of another amazing morning in Italy, when I had very similar feelings of solitude and pacification...  Anyways, I should hurry to breakfast!

Luckily, at breakfast, contrary to the buffet-dinner, we have many kinds of drinks for free. Of course, I allowed myself eating as much as possible, because I am planning to walk a lot today and to skip lunch.

I am ready for hiking now. There are so many trails around Marianske Lazne, but I am not a professional hiker, so I go in the direction where the wind blows. It is very important in my case to have the smartphone fully charged!

By the way, in Czechia hiking is extremely popular, and there is an interesting system of trail markings all over the country. For example, on the trees/rocks/signposts you can see the different coloured lines - red, blue, green or yellow. Red colour is for main long-distance routes, often more challenging and demanding. Blue colour is for significant regional trails linking towns, landmarks or scenic areas. Green and yellow are for local short trails. Many Czech people are using mapy.cz, which can be very useful when walking in the forests.

Out of the blue I have discovered an interesting object, Hamelika lookout tower. Of course, I have climbed the numerous steps to the very top.

 

A very good view from the observation tower... It could be, if not the heavy mist around.

A very nice skiing from the slopes... It could be, if not the absence of snow at the moment. I wonder, if there will be any snow this year here. Still, I cannot complain about the weather, because it is very comfortable for enjoyable walking.

I have walked so long, that eventually I have reached the park of miniatures Boheminium, which I initially was not planning to visit due to its distant location from my hotel.

The park features detailed scale models (mostly 1:25) of famous Czech castles, chateaux and landmarks, all made with great architectural accuracy. I have understood that I had not seen most of the significant landmarks in Czechia, even though I am traveling quite often here.

It was a surprise to meet ponies and goats in the park. Moreover, due to the fact that it is located in the forest, you also can meet the wild birds and squirrels in big numbers.

So, park Boheminium includes over 70 detailed miniatures of important Czech monuments from all across the country - especially castles, chateaux, lookout towers, technical sites and rural heritage. And it is not just Western Bohemia as you may think first because of its name "Boheminium". The tricky thing is that Bohemia is a historical region in the western part of Czechia, but other regions are Moravia (east) and Silesia (northeast), so I have no idea why they called the park in such way.

On my way back, I did not want to make the same path, because it was quite slippery in some places, and with all these ups and downs I could easily fall, get hurt and get lost somewhere in the woods. So, I decided to walk along the road, even if it is longer.

There are several pavilions with the different springs in Marianske Lazne, but year-around, where you can drink mineral water, is Krizovy Pramen (Cross Spring) Pavilion, which looks like a church with neo-classical columns and a dom. The spring received its current name from the wooden cross erected at the site of its source. That cross also served as a guide for pilgrims who traveled in search of its unique healing power. These days two other surrounding springs, Karolinin and Rudolfuv, are brought to the pavilion of the Cross Spring, which can also be tasted here.

At the hotel, I headed to the spa. Obviously, I needed some relaxation and recharging my batteries. 

The same procedures: swimming in the Roman baths, saunas, jacuzzi, some short nap.. Several repeats. And it is already the dinner time. Such a wonderful life! Sometimes a little boring, but wonderful.

After food, of course, I was enjoying my solitude time in the deserted streets of the town.

To sum up my experience in Marianske Lazne, I have decided for myself to stay only in Ensana hotels next time, because I could see what I can get for the money spent. But I think, I am not the only one, who has such a good review about this resort, so in high season (i.e. in Summer) it must be fully booked.

Marianske Spa, The Roman Baths

Marianske Lazne, Marienbad or Marienbad-les-Bains is a nice historic spa resort in the western part of the Czech Republic, close to the German border (Bavaria), as a spa settlement was officially founded in the early 19th century. It is 40 kilometers south of Karlovy Vary, 170 kilometers west of Prague.

I have visited this small city (at the moment there are 14 thousand people) one year ago, and it was good enough, but at this time my main goal is to experience the real, traditional spa here.

As usual, my trip to Marianske Lazne starts at main railway station in Prague.

There is a direct connection with Prague. Two hours and thirty minutes by train. Usually train goes further, to Cheb, or even further, to Karlovy Vary.

It is about 2 kilometers from the station to the city centre/spa colonnade. I decided to walk, as usual though, but there is also a direct trolleybus there. I like more walking here, because the way is scenic, with trees and spa architecture, where dominants are Belle Epoque and Neo-Classical architectural styles.

For the "real spa" I have decided to stay in one of the best hotels in the town "Centralni Lazne". Actually, it is the oldest spa hotel in Marianske Lazne, located at Maria’s Spring, the birthplace of the town’s spa tradition.

The hotel is very nice inside, with spacious reception area and big lobby bar, and it is already decorated for meeting the Christmas.

The room is average size, but very cozy and it has classic style without grandiosity or fanciful modern details. They even have the bathrobe and special towel for spa here.

Centralni Lazne is a part of the big hotel complex from Ensana. There are several hotels connected in one network by the corridors. Hvezda, Imperial, Maria Spa, Centralni Lazne, Nove Lazne are all in one place.

Now I am heading to the Nove Lazne buiding, because there I can find the main spot of interest for me "Roman Baths".

Nove Lazne is considered to be a 5-star hotel, but visitors of Centralni Lazne have the access to all facilities there. So, this 5-star vibe is really felt even at the corridors. Luxurious.

On my way to the baths I have made a stop near the mineral source called Ambroziana. Exactly, we have an exclusive pipe to drink from the spring right in the hotel. Ambroziana is especially used for iron-related therapies, like anemia or blood circulation support.

Coming back to the Roman baths. It is one of the most elegant spa experiences in Marianske Lazne, inspired by ancient Roman bathing culture, which emphasizes hydrotherapy, relaxation and wellness. Initially it was designed in the early 1900s as a luxury spa with Roman-style architecture, including mosaics, columns, arches and vaulted ceilings. They say that in the main pools is used the mineral water from the nearby springs, which is rich in numerous minerals, such as bicarbonates, calcium, magnesium and iron.

They also have different types of saunas - Finnish sauna and Steam sauna - connected with the main column hall. You even can find here a special sauna which you can visit without underwear. And of course jacuzzi. 

All in all, it is the best spa hotel, which I have experienced so far.

It is almost the dinner time, and honestly I am starving, because I have not had the lunch today. Luckily, I have booked half-board, so the breakfasts and dinners are already included in the price.

I was searching for the restaurant at the hotel maybe 20 minutes, it is such a big territory here! Even the google maps did not help me. Eventually, my intuition helped me. 

So, the dinner here is in a buffet-style. You can pick the dishes which you like from many options and in many quantities. I would say, "Classics", for such spa hotels. I even have "my own" table for the period of my staying at the hotel - there is the card on the table with my name and the room number. Snow-white tablecloth and accommodating waiters in uniform, love it!

So, the quality of food I would rank as average (3.5 stars out of 5). You can find for your taste something, but it is quite simple. Disadvantage is that there are not many desserts here, I would say only one (the second was already gone). And another typical feature of such buffet-style dinners is that you additionally pay for the beverages. Still, clear tap water is available.

After a heavy dinner doctors recommend having at least 15 minutes walk. So, I went out to check the town's vibe at evening. It is dark at 7 pm already. Not many people outside. The Christmas market is closed. In one word, boring. But at least it is not freezing cold. I think if it is not summer, it is very important to stay in a nice hotel with all facilities included! So, I am very happy that I have chosen exactly my hotel.

Tomorrow I am planning to walk up and down the nearby hills. Indeed, relaxation is a good thing, but physical activities are also very important.