Jetsettersblog

Buy your presents at fairs

The Christmas markets in Prague are considered the largest and most atmospheric in the Czech Republic. They will be open on Old Town Square from 26 November to 1 January. Stalls selling Christmas decorations, gift items, sweets, nativity sets and jewellery can be visited every day from 9 am till 7pm. On Saturday, 26 November at 5 pm don’t miss the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree. Other very popular Christmas market is located at Wenceslaus Square from 27 November to 1 January http://www.praha.eu/jnp/en/home/index.html

Brno – the second largest Czech city – has traditionally Christmas markets that spread throughout the city centre – Náměstí Svobody, Zelný trh and Radnická street – from 25 November to 23 December. Christmas gifts, decorations, fish, cheese, “trdelník” (sweet pastry made from rolled dough usually topped with sugar and walnuts), and roasted chestnuts will be sold from the stalls. Visitors would be attracted by traditional Christmas goods, Christmas concerts and demonstrations of traditional crafts. The Christmas tree in Brno will be ceremoniously lighted on Freedom Square in the early evening on 25 November http://www2.brno.cz/index.php?lan=en

Other Czech Christmas markets worth a visit:

- Rožnov pod Radhoštěm Christmas market at the foothills of the Beskids in Moravian Wallachia opens from 10 December. The town is famous for its open-air folklore museum and Christmas market is always special here thanks to traditionally crafted gifts and rich folklore programme http://www.roznov.cz/the-town-of-roznov-p-r

- Český Krumlov – cultural programme, Christmas concerts and demonstration of gingerbread decorating will certainly add to the atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Bohemia from 27 November to 6 January http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/kaktualita.xml

The Advent time will feature the communal lighting of the Christmas tree, carol singing, receiving gifts from St. Nicholas, and sending of letters to the Infant Jesus. The magical culmination of the pre-Christmas period is the live nativity scene in which the Biblical story will be acted out in singing, dancing and Christmas music. http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/atr176.xml

Christmas romance at castles and chateaux

Horšovský Týn
Straddling the banks of the Radbuza River in West Bohemia lies the town of Horšovský Týn. A true Old Bohemian Christmas fair and demonstration of a unique live nativity scene will be held here at the weekend of 18 December on the main square http://www.horsovskytyn.cz/

Hrubý Rohozec chateau in the North Bohemia will be again holding Christmas tours of its chambers this year. Enjoy noble Christmas atmosphere, experience how chateau owners celebrated Christmas in the old days, and see historical gifts. http://www.hruby-rohozec.eu/en/

Czech Christmas traditions and customs

The sweetest of Czech Christmas traditions is baking Christmas pastries. The special kinds called “beehives”, “bear paws”, Linzer cookies and vanilla crescents have all been baked in Czech households since long ago.

On Christmas Eve many people fast until the evening meal. Impatient children are promised to see a golden piglet if they manage to fast all day. Everyone gathers for family supper when the first star appears in the sky which is fortunately quite soon in December. Czech Christmas supper typically includes fish soup, potato salad and fried fish – carp. Several carp scales are traditionally placed under the plates to bring everyone wealth in the coming year. One extra plate is prepared on the table for a random guest. A popular custom is apple cutting. According to the pattern of the seeds inside the apple after cutting, we will learn of the health we will enjoy in the coming year. The shape of a star denotes good health, while a cross symbolises illness.

After the dinner all family meets in front of the Christmas tree where the presents were left by the Infant Jesus in the mean time. Everybody enjoys the festive evening with unwrapping the presents, enjoying Christmas pastries and company of their loved ones.

Welcome the New Year in the Czech Republic – fun in cities, relaxation in spas or mountains

On 31 December most Czech cities and towns prepare all-night programme either at the main squares or in clubs and restaurants culminating with large midnight fireworks.

If not fond of noise and many people head to Czech spas with their unforgettable charm. Savour the winter atmosphere of the last days in the year and find the renewed energy with the spa procedures http://www.czechtourism.com/holiday/Relaxation-holiday.aspx

Czech mountain resorts in Krkonoše (http://www.giant-mountains.info/).  Jizera (http://www.jizerky.cz/en/about-region/) , Šumava (http://www.sumava.cz/domu/ )  or Jeseníky (http://www.jeseniky.net/index.php?lang=en ) offer good value and quality accommodation and solid skiing or walking conditions. More and more foreign tourists spend the New Year’s Eve at picturesque mountain chalets and hotels.