This is only the third time that I have visited the Czech Republic, on this occasion it was Karlovy Vary or as the Germans call it Karlsbad. Previously I visited the towns of Marianske Lazne (Marienbad) and Cheb. The reason that the Germans still call these towns by different names, is that up until the end of the second world war, all of the towns mentioned were actually in Germany. But after the end of the war, they were given to the Czech's by the allied forces. So many Germans still call the towns by their original names.

Taking a stroll through the old town, following in the footsteps of  the rich and famous, who include - Goethe, Schiller, Beethoven, Chopin, and Karl Marx.

The views of the architecture lining the Tepla river.

Karlsbad was named after the Bohemian king and German and Holy Roman emperor Charles (Karl) IV who allegedly found the springs in 1358 during a hunting expedition.

The Grand Hotel Pupp, the 5* hotel where we had lunch.

Robert near the Hot Spring, which is inside the glass pyramide behind. The spring shoots through the ground and upto 40 feet in the air.

Robert & Korina with the historic Bohemian Spa in the background. There are over 60 hot springs in Karlsbad, ranging from 34'C to 73' C.

Korina in the town gardens and the river view.

All photographs were taken in Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) - Czech Republic on the 10th of September 2003.