How Christmas is celebrated in the Czech Republic - Prague and the provinces
Probably, if you go to the Czech Republic, then in the winter before Christmas. Or already in the summer, when it is warm and everything is green. For me, these are the 2 best periods for a trip. In the summer I will just go, but just before Christmas I was just recently. I'll try to tell you how it was, especially since I visited not only Prague, but also several other cities, including very small.
My trip took place in blog tour, where I and a few other people from other countries were officially invited from the Czech Ministry of Tourism. All the details on the link, a very interesting journey came out.
The content of the article
Christmas in Prague
Christmas in Prague is probably the most trivial thing that can happen to you when traveling to Europe. Well, you know, some travelers say «Ugh», when it comes to Prague. Like, too touristy, not real, and Christmas markets are not like German ones. There are even trips to Dresden from Prague, where everything should be more Christmas, more colorful, more «toy». I do not argue that Germany is like that, very often her towns are like from a casket. Nevertheless, many will like Prague too. Do not listen to others, go and check for yourself whether it will come to you or not. I think it's always worth checking everything on your own experience, otherwise you can listen to everyone, so in general you can stay at home.
I recommend going to Christmas Prague, however, like any other city, 3 weeks before Christmas. The city will already be decorated, the markets are all deployed, the New Year's atmosphere will be present, and there are not so many people yet. Alternatively, do not hang out in the very center on the central square, but choose the markets a little further away. But I noticed such a thing that if you walk in the center off the weekend, then in early and mid-December it is quite normal. Apparently on weekends, the locals themselves are chosen (or, for example, tourists from Germany come) and the people are dark.
Prague is pretty beautiful on New Year's holidays
The most popular food in the markets is meat in different variations
Famous trdelniks
Many cafes are decorated
Old Town Square - the main square in the city
There are Christmas trees and markets in all squares of the city
Christmas in Brno
Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. Less crowded, less touristy, more spacious, and deprived of the attention of Russian tourists (if it matters to anyone). But you know, to me personally, he seemed less elegant or something, and in general somehow simpler. The architecture is not as general as many would like to see. Either the old town is much smaller in size, or in general there are more buildings in the functionalist style instead of the Baroque.
Blanks from grandmother
Mulled wine is the most popular drink on the street
Various options for what to make mulled wine
Warms!
In every market around, something is fried, cooked ...
Christmas in Liberec
This city is even smaller than Brno. And therefore the old city can be walked around in 30 minutes. If you are not interested in sights, then 1-2 days will be enough for your eyes. But all small towns have their own charm. And in Liberec, I would recommend to climb at least Ještěd, this is a mountain with a tower, which houses a restaurant and a hotel for several rooms. From there, the views are good and the architecture of the tower is unusual. I will write about it separately later. A romantic hotel where it makes sense to spend the night at least one day.
Very beautiful when it snows
In Liberec, the square and the Christmas market are very small
And the assortment of food is the same
Christmas in Valasske Klobouki
And lovers of something authentic, calm, and not at all touristy should visit very small towns, almost villages. Valasske Klobouky has become such a city for me, until now I cannot pronounce the name without prompting. Only about 5,000 inhabitants live there. I don't think there are often tourists there, especially Russians. But on Christmas, many locals from the surrounding villages and towns gather there for a fair (essentially a Christmas market). There was not a single tourist. It seemed to me that there weren't even Czech tourists, but rather residents. But there were many people in the square.
Strifood, various souvenirs, a blacksmith shoeing a horse, devils in various funny costumes. Well, and, of course, everything is local, not pretentious. I personally really liked this trip, considering that we went there on a real steam locomotive from the museum. He walks this route once a year. I was told that there are also steam locomotives in other provinces, but no one knows how to find out the specifics and buy tickets.
You sit in a cafe and suddenly there are such visitors
In general, there are devils of all stripes
Special painted branches for Christmas
Granny makes great mead (almost mead)
P.S. Were on Christmas Eve in Europe?