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.
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