This region became known
mainly due to its world-famous spa towns such as Karlovy Vary, Marianske
Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne. Patients from all over the world have
been coming here to take the waters to improve their weak health. The world
famous Czech beer Pilsner Urquell is brewed in Plzen. This town is the favourite
place of all beer lovers. All visitors to West Bohemia will be enchanted by
winsome colonnades and beautiful architecture of historical buildings in spa
town Karlovy Vary. Many important musical and film festivals take place
here, among others the popular Karlovy Vary Film Festival. There are many ways
to enjoy yourself in Karlovy Vary. You can decide whether to take a curative
treatment, do some sports or participate in cultural and social events. The
surroundings of Karlovy Vary became famous for the herbal liquor Becherovka,
china and also cut glass. Mariánské Lázne is the second largest spa
resort in the Czech republic. It was visited by many important artists,
scientists and politics such as Mark Twain, Henrik Ibsen, Richard Strauss,
Sigmund Freud, Thomas Alva Edison, Shah of Persia Mezzefir-Eddin, Bulgarian King
Ferdinand and Austrian Emperor Franz Josef I. More than 140 mineral springs spew there. They are used to treat kidney ailments, respiratory and urinary disorders. The Ambrosia, Cross, Rudolf, Marie, Forest, Carolina and Ferdinand spring are the famous ones in Mariánské Lázne. Besides spa cures and treatments
you can get to know the bustling social and cultural life in the town. If you
decide to visit West Bohemia do not forget to spend some time in the countryside
around spa towns. There are plenty of ancient castles and stately homes, e.g.
the Castle Loket, with its amazing collection of porcelain set in a
lovely town of the same name or the Premonstrate Monastery at Teplá.
Hiking lovers have plenty of well marked trails at their disposal e.g. in the
Krusne Hory in the north-west and in the south-west in Sumava Mountains.
There are also an excellent conditions for outdoor and indoor sports.