European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 2, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                % s the Ohre River carved a Valley that is now the site Oft Carioty  resort towns trying to shed years of communism by Ron Jensen staff writer a a the Earth has been Good to three towns in the Bohemian Region of the czech _. Republic _ and their unique geology has benefited their history and architecture. Franzen bad Marienbad and Karloy Vry Are spa towns. Not far beneath them the Earth is a Furnace. It heats the Mineral Rich ground water that passes there and sends it shooting upward where it has been used for centuries for Healing. The mud too is said to have curative Powers. Wearing it from head to toe for a Short period is said to. Do wonders. All three towns bulge with history and architecture from the years just before and after the end of the 18th Century a veritable who s who of Europe of the past two centuries left footprints Here from Beethoven and Chopin to Peter the great and Karl Marx. All three towns Are shaking off the effects of nearly a half Century of communism their neglected elegance Only now beginning to Shine again. My journey to the three towns begin Early one morning in the Nurnberg Region. In less than three hours i had negotiated the twisting roads of Eastern Bavaria weaved in and around dozens of hulking 18-wheelers at the Border and arrived in Franzen bad just a few minutes North of Cheb the first town of any size inside the czech Republic. Karloy vary a known in the German language As Karlsbad a is just another 40 minutes away. It is the Crown jewel of tire Bohemian Triangle the prettiest of the three and farthest along on the pos communist Trail. Marienbad is a 45-minute drive to the South of Karloy vary the highest of the three in the Region s mountains i stopped at Franzen bad on the Way to Karloy vary and stopped at Marienbad on the return trip to Germany. The first town is Worth two or three hours of poking around. The final town is Worth perhaps half a Day. Karloy vary s elegant grand hotel Pupp was my Home for two nights. Americans living in Europe come to this Region but not for cures. They come to buy Crystal and porcelain and to see a bit of the grand Europe that exists now Only in history books. That is a reasonable excuse for a visit. Following Are glimpses of these three once and future Bohemian jewels. A visit to them is highly recommended. V. December 2 1993 stripes Magazine 3