Tag Archives: funicular

Hotel Spa Imperial, Karlovy Vary, Czechia

Czechia, Travel, , , , ,

Sep 29 – When we are on vacation, Jim usually books us into one place a week. He made an exception here in Karlovy Vary, where we moved to three place in the same week to compare different Karlovy Vary experiences.

When doing his research, Jim found a robust online debate about which was the finest hotel, the Grandhotel Pupp, or the Hotel Spa Imperial? Knowing that we will probably never get to experience a five star hotel in Paris or New York, Jim decided to give us two extravagant experiences in Karlovy Vary.

The Hotel Spa Imperial is way up in the hills, so we have a gorgeous view off our private balcony. It has fewer service people (we had to fetch our own coffee), but the breakfast buffet was equally sumptuous. The pool here is bigger, but the lounges are wooden, so a bit less comfortable.

But, the Hotel Spa Imperial has its own funicular, a glass elevator, a bidet, and its own indoor mineral spring! We declare the winner to be the Hotel Spa Imperial!

The Hotel Spa Imperial
Cool topiary gardens – we spoke with the gardener and thanked him for his lovely work
A mineral spring right inside the hotel
So convenient!
Odd statues on the front lawn reminded us of standing stones
A great glass elevator – just like Willy Wonka!
The Hotel Spa Imperial has its own funicular to ferry guests up and down the big hill
I just knew we were going to get a funicular ride in this town
The view from our balcony. You can see the Grandhotel Pupp way down below (with the green roof) and the Diana Tower atop the far hill…
…and we can see the sunset!
For our last hike, we climbed another excruciating hill to the Goethe Tower
The staircase inside boasted a large number of stuffed /dessicated local wildlife
As always, the view makes the climb worthwhile
Back down into town
…to stroll among the pastel buildings
…and waterways
…and quirky statues
…and wall art!
So long, Karlovy Vary. We had a grand time!

Excursion to Bom Jesus do Monte

Portugal, Travel, , , ,

9/29 – Our guidebook tells us that the most visited place in Portugal is the church of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, which is a one hour bus ride from where we are in Barcelos. As we don’t plan to be back here any time soon, we thought we’d better see it while we’re in the neighborhood.

First, let me confess that I’ve been calling this place Da Bomb Jesus – because it’s gotta be da bomb! So I had to ask for a lesson on proper pronunciation before we set out. As close as I can spell it phonetically, it is called Bon Jay-ZOOSH. The nice lady at the tourist office made me say it three times, and suggested that I open my mouth wider when I speak.

So we caught the 8am bus to Braga, which is the third largest city in Portugal, then caught a local bus to take us to Good Jesus of the Mount. Once there, we had the option of walking up the 400 feet of steps, or taking the only water driven funicular in Portugal, which has been in operation since 1888. We opted to ride up and then walk down.

The funicular consists of two trolley cars. The one at the top is weighted with water, which makes it head downhill, thereby pulling the other one uphill. That explanation was longer than the ride:

Here is the church, which includes a reliquary chapel and the displayed remains of Sao Clemente: image
The altar:
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Reliquary chapel, containing bones of saints:
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A beautiful Virgin:
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Sao Clemente – I can’t find any info on a Portuguese St. Clement, so not sure who this guy might be: image

Continuing up the hill beyond the church is a serenely beautiful park, allowing time for quiet reflection:

The view from the top, through the morning mist: image

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The leisurely walk down, which included fountains of the five senses:

Life size dioramas of the passion story:

And lots of statues and steps. Bom Jesus is a pilgrimage site, and penitents walk up the many flights of zig-zag steps on their knees, but we didn’t see any today: image

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A beautiful day!