Karlovy Vary, Pre-Christmas

The season of spa resorts is still ongoing. For this weekend I decided to stay in the nearby town of  Karlovy Vary, which I am visiting very often, and you can find my numerous stories about this cute city in my blog, for example, here or here. But usually I go there in Summer. And now I will test it in Winter time.

I go to Karlovy Vary by bus, from the Florence station, located in the centre of Prague. The trip is only 2 hours. There is also a connection by train, but buses are much more comfortable and they are running almost every hour. 

Usual ideal plan for me is having a night in some nice hotel in the centre of the town and visiting some spa place. And very often I go to the Thermal hotel where they have outdoor pool with hot mineral water and complex of saunas Saunia (which is quite popular and widespread brand in Prague).

Recently renovated hotel Rudolf II. They offered a nice price for staying in their hotel, maybe because they are attracting more people after reopening. It cost me 78 euro, with breakfast included.

I wondered, who is Rudolf II, after whom they called the hotel. Actually, he was the Holy Roman Emperor (1576–1612) and a prominent member of the House of Habsburg. It is not documented that he has ever visited Karlovy Vary, but he significantly promoted this town as a leading European spa town. He also granted Karlovy Vary the exclusive right to sell its thermal spring salt throughout the monarchy, which boosted the town's prosperity and fame.

The hotel looks like a museum, but at the same time, you feel that it is after a recent renovation. For example, in my room I still have the smell of fresh paint and new furniture. The room is small, but cozy.

Still, I am not going to stay at the hotel for a long time. Main purpose of my arrival to Karlovy Vary is the Thermal complex, which I can see across the street from my room window. If you look into the next photo, you will see the steam from the outdoor pool with mineral water. Actually, I am going to relax there very soon.

But before going to spa, I should make some steps around the city.

The city is already decorated for celebrating Christmas. They have the stalls with mulled wine, the fir tree and lots of festive mood. The only thing missing here is snow. According to the forecast we expect in Czechia White Christmas, and very soon we will see if the forecast is accurate.

In the city centre I could not but visit the famous mineral geyser, known as Vridlo, which  erupts to a height of up to 12 meters and has the temperature up to 73.4C.

While I was drinking my evening coffee in a local cafe, the dusk came to the town. And I hurried to the Thermal to enjoy the rest of the day in the hot bath.

Unfortunately, I did not make any photos in Thermal. But believe me, it is as good as always. With numerous saunas and mineral water in the outdoor pool. The new experience for me was swimming in the hot water while outside was only 0. The whole day admission price is around 40 euro (31 euro for 3 hours).

Before returning to the hotel I had a short walking around the night city. The city is already in a sleeping mode at 9pm.

Tomorrow I am going back to Prague. I would say, it was enough for my Karlovy Vary experience in Winter. Moreover, in two weeks I have already planned visiting of another spa resort. But it will be a different story.

Budapest, At Daylight

Every tourist in Budapest has to do at least three things: to have breakfast in a café with the luxurious interior, to see The Parliament and to visit some mineral Bath.

So, lets start in the proposed order.

For the breakfast I have stayed in the café right opposite the Opera House. Big mirrors, old furniture, high ceiling and glass chandeliers - all this make a grand atmosphere from the past.

Now I am full, in good mood and ready to continue observing the city.

My next stop is near The Parliament, located on the Pest side of the city.

The Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest was built in Neo-Gothic style and completed in 1904. Its symmetrical facade, soaring spires and central dome make it one of Europe’s most recognizable legislative buildings. Yesterday I saw it illuminated at night, from another bank. Both looks are very impressive.

Now I am on the way to another landmark, the Rudas Bath, located on the Buda side of Budapest, near the Elisabeth Bridge.

The Rudas Bath is one of Budapest’s most iconic Turkish baths, originally built during the Ottoman occupation in the 16th century. Its centerpiece is the traditional octagonal pool set beneath a large dome punctured with star-shaped multicolored skylights that cast atmospheric light onto the water.

The bath combines authentic Turkish architectural elements, thick stone walls, arches and dimly lit chambers, with modern wellness facilities such as saunas, steam rooms and therapeutic pools.

The Rudas is also known for its rooftop thermal pool, which offers panoramic views of the Danube and the city. I have tried it as well. To my taste, nothing special.

I have spent four hours in the bath. And honestly, it was more than enough. Still, the whole day ticket cost me around 37 euros. One piece of advice for visitors of this place - take a towel with you (and maybe the slippers). Otherwise, you would need to buy a towel there for 17 euro.

And now I am coming back to the city centre through the bridge, taking some amusing pictures on the way.

How could I forget about the fourth important thing while staying in Budapest. Of course, it is about trying Langos!

Langos is a Hungarian deep-fried flatbread, crispy outside, soft inside, usually topped with garlic, sour cream and cheese. It is made from a simple yeast dough, very similar to basic white bread dough, but a bit wetter and softer and fluffy. I have added extra toppings, which were beacon and onion.

It was quite a generous piece of food, and honestly that was enough for the entire dinner. To burn some calories I went for walking around the night Budapest.

Indeed, it was a very interesting and diverse trip to Budapest. My conclusion is that I should come back. And next time I would like to check some ruin bar, which I have not visited during this visit. A ruin bar (romkocsma in Hungarian) is a uniquely Budapest-style pub built inside some abandoned, run-down building, often old apartment blocks or factories. People say, it is completely exceptional and uncommon experience. So, next time!