Gogol spent almost 12 years abroad, starting his long journey in 1836 with visits to Germany and Switzerland. Here he began actively working on the novella "Taras Bulba" and the novel "Dead Souls," the idea for which was suggested to him by Pushkin. Additionally, Gogol was treating his health in the thermal springs.

For treatment, he visited Baden-Baden, Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, and even the mineral waters in Ostend, Belgium. In the Czech Karlovy Vary, a memorial plaque in memory of the writer remains on the building of the Kolonada hotel, where he stayed. There is also a trail named after Gogol, starting right from the hotel. Walking along it, one can enjoy nature and the clean mountain air.

Gogol visited the Czech Republic multiple times, especially Karlovy Vary, where he was attracted by the silence and tranquility. At the resort, he was treated by the famous balneologist Leopold Fleckl, who also treated Karl Marx. The long stay at the resort gave Gogol time for creativity.

During his stay in Karlovy Vary, Gogol wrote six lengthy letters in which he described his health. He suffered from depression, liver pain, and circulation disorders, which did not allow him to be optimistic about his treatment.

In one letter to his mother, he wrote: "Whether the waters will help me or not, it is all in God's hands. You can only pray. But whenever I return to Russia, my ailments, unfortunately, only worsen."

Here, a large part of "Taras Bulba" was written. Gogol also had time for hobbies: he loved to knit, embroider, and sew. He was also an excellent cook and treated his doctor friends to dumplings and pelmeni. However, his most famous culinary invention was goat's milk boiled with rum, which he called "Gogol-mogol."

In addition to facts, legends have also survived, such as how Gogol used Karlovy water to protect himself from lethargic sleep.