Shopping

Crystal and porcelain are Karlovy Vary's other claims to fame. Dozens of shops throughout town sell everything from plates to chandeliers.

Ludvík Moser founded his first glassware shop in 1857 and became one of this country's foremost names in glass. You can visit and take a 30-minute tour of the Moser Factory, kapitána Jarose 19 (tel. 353-416-132; www.moser-glass.com; bus no. 1, 10, or 22), just west of the town center. Its glass museum is open daily 9am to 5pm, and tours run daily 9am to 3pm. There's also a Moser Store, on Trziste 7 (tel. 353-235-303), right in the heart of New Town; it's open daily from 10am to 7pm (Sat-Sun until 6pm). Dozens of other smaller shops also sell the famed glass and are as easy to find in the Old Town as spring water.

If you're looking for something a little cheaper, try a box of Oplatky, thin round wafer cookies on sale throughout the spa area. The fillings range from vanilla to chocolate to nut and occasionally coffee -- just don't try to wash them down with a mug of spa water!