Karlovy Vary, also known by its German name of Karlsbad, was founded in 1350 by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. The town is recapturing some of its former glory with its Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings being restored.

Karlovy Vary lies in a green valley of the river Tepla (meaning "Warm"). It is the largest spa town in the Czech Republic. The fame of Karlovy Vary has spread into the whole world thanks to its mineral springs. There are 12 healing springs rising in the spa. Their basic compositions are similar but they differ in temperature and the amount of carbon dioxide, and that is why their effects are different as well. The strongest is the spring Vridlo, rising from the depth of 3000 metres. The temperature reaches 73C. The temperature of the other springs is around 40C. The springs cure mainly metabolic disorders; they are also used for inhalations and baths.