My Tripster

Czechia

Prague

Prague, situated on the Bohemian Plain, has the river Vltava running through it and is considered one of the most fascinating European cities. The historic centre of the city, stands on both banks of the river and is divided into six parts, which in the past were considered six separate towns which became unified during the 17th century. The six zones include: Staré Mesto or Old Town, Josefov or Jewish Town (which now forms part of the Old Town), Nové Mesto or New Town, Male Strana or Small Part, Hradcany or Castle, and Vysehrad. The latter area houses the largest number of historic monuments, museums and works of art.

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary (also known as Karlsbad, its German name or Carlsbad, its English name) is a city in Bohemia, in the western Czech Republic.

Karlovy Vary, meaning “Charles’ Bath” was named after Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, who founded the city in 1370. It is famous for its hot springs and its colorful and whimsical architecture. For these reasons, it was a popular tourist destination in the 18th century with guests including, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Tsar Peter the Great, Emperor Franz Josef I, Beethoven, Wagner, Brahms, Tolstoy, and Marx. Tourist visitors ceased completely during World War I and the city never regained its former glory. After WWII, the largely German speaking city was cleared of its original inhabitants and replaced with Czech settlers. Czech remains the major language today but the signs of German culture and heritage are still very evident.