A day trip to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic for sightseeing, glass making, warm water geyser tasting, and swimming makes for a great adventure!

I took a day trip to this Russian ski resort town from Prague on a snowy March afternoon. Karlovy Vary attracts locals as a great ski resort destination. However, the reason I took a trip to the city was to experience the sensation of swimming in an open air swimming pool in the middle of a snow storm.

We took a short bus trip to the small city with about 8 other people in the group. Only 3 of us would be brave enough to dare the elements and go swimming in sub-freezing temperatures. My mind was set in reaching that infamous pool by the end of the day.

The day started of with a trip to a glass making factory. There, tourists had the opportunity to bring home some of Czech Republics finest glass ornaments, dinnerware, and other glass based products. Unfortunately for me, my backpack does not allow me to carry any glass items.

Here’s an example of what I could of purchased.

I killed about 45 minutes looking at the glass factory, careful not to touch anything. Shortly there after, the bus loaded us all up and off to Karlovy Vary we went.

The weather was perfect for my swimming adventure, about 20 degrees F with strong snow flurries. I could not wait to get out of that bus and go directly to the pool.

Before I reached my ultimate destination, our guide directed us to Karlovy Vary’s thermal springs. The springs ranged in temperature, from moderately warm to scorching hot. Some were OK to drink while others should be avoided. I remember tasting a few of them. The water tasted bitter and a bit silty.

The minerals inside the water are supposed to heal various ailments. Thus, the city attracts an older crowd looking to stay young and healthy.

The geysers were incredible. Consistent jets of water shoot 50 feet high into the sky and sprays a warm down pour of water.

This is one of the more impressive ones I saw.

After viewing the geysers, we were finally afforded the opportunity to swim in the open air swimming pool. Myself and two guys from Kazakhstan eagerly began our hike up the hill to reach the pool.

We had about an hour window to enjoy swimming in the snow soaked pool.

I finally reached my goal of making it inside the warm open air pool. I have to admit the pool wasn’t as warm as I thought it would be. The jets at the bottom shot up the hot,fresh mineral water so I dove under numerous times to warm up in the deep end. The snow flakes refreshed my face as I came up for air.

I spent most of the time swimming laps and attempting to relax from my long trip. This was the closest I would get to a “day spa”.

I’m down here somewhere.

The experience was very much enjoyable. I could have stayed for hours had the water been a bit warmer. After 45 minutes I was ready to get out of the pool.

The bus was leaving shortly and I’ve had a long day. Karlovy Vary was a great choice to spend an afternoon.

Your mission:

Find your hotel without ANYONE knowing where it’s at!

That was my scenario today. In all fairness, I did have a street name, but had trouble beliveing that the street was the correct one, turns out it wasn’t.

My cab driver bascially robbed me. Overcharged then dropped me off a few miles from where I should be. (Travel note: When you can, always take buses and trams!) I would have been better off walking from the train station.

So there I am in the middle of the Prague city center with people as my only resource. I do have a street name and am told that it is near the Charles Bridge.

Step 1: Find Charles Bridge

After going through about 5 people I am able to get to the Charles Bridge. A bridge should be easy to find but it took me a good 30 minutes or so passing through narrow streets and turns.

Next I start looking for directions to my street. If I can find the street it will be easy to find the hotel.

Step 2: Find Malostranske Namesti

I’m informed that the street I seek is at the end of a city square, Namesti Square. Found it, no problem.

The last in final step SHOULD be the easiest. I mean once you have the street then the hotel is simple. NOT SO MUCH.

Step 3: Find Little Town Hotel

OMG! No one knows where its at. I ask 3 girls at starbucks, 2 cab drivers, 2 police officers, random people that work in Prague, and to top it off, I even paid a visit to the tourist information center. No one has heard of Little Town Hotel!

I spent a good hour walking up and down the street with 25 pounds of gear. I must have asked around a dozen people or so and not a soul could tell me where this hotel is at.

Just when all hope is lost, I spot a dimely lit sign that says “Little Town Hotel”, almost completly covered by buildings and architecture that dwarfs this little hotel. The hotel was just on the other side from where I was looking. Unbelievable as a taxi cab driver was right next to it and didn’t even know it was there! It’s not like this hotel was built overnight. It has been there for a while and has recieved one of the highest rated and one of the most rated hostels on Hostel World.

I have a hard time believeing that something like this will happen again. Getting lost, ya thats almost guranteed to happen tomorrow. Asking 20 people who live and work in Prague where a hotel is, you better believe someone will know!

Rant over, now lets go have some fun!