The most interesting reason to leave the spa area is to visit the Moser Glassworks and Museum (moser.com) around 4km to the west. Take bus 2 from the theater.
The Moser company opened its first workshop in Karlovy Vary in 1857, and by 1873 had established a large glassworks and become the official supplier to the imperial court of Franz Josef I. He obviously put in a good word with his English friend, King Edward VII, as Moser also became the official supplier of glass to British royalty in 1907. Throughout the 20th century, this exquisite glassware was used by governments and heads of state and remains one of the world's most exclusive brands for wealthy clients in the know.
A visit to the glassworks is one of the most memorable things you might do outside Prague. Guided tours begin with a description of the glassmaking process before you are shown into the workshop. Here you can watch the glassblowers taking molten glass out of the furnaces and blowing it into all manner of receptacles using wooden molds; you are allowed close enough to feel heat radiating from the orange-glowing glass.
After the glassworks, the museum traces the history of production in thousands of pieces of priceless glass. After that, head to the shop – prices will come as a shock. A single delicate wine glass will set you back around €100, a vase thousands.
