Holidays in Prague

There is never a good excuse for feeling bored in Prague – particularly around the holidays. As 2014 comes to a close, the city is buzzing with seasonal cheer. Walk through Wenceslas Square and enjoy a steaming cup of hot wine or a taste of the traditional Czech pastry Trdelnik.

From traditional food to Christmas markets and special events, you will find that there is plenty to do on your visit to Prague.

The bigger Christmas markets are located in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square – did I mention that they offer hot wine? There are two main types that I’ve encountered: a lightly spiced red wine, and a sweeter honey wine. I recently tried honey wine flavored with almonds, which I would highly recommend. But, while I may spend my entire trip to the market sampling hot wine, there are of course other foods and goods to tempt the (mildly inebriated) visitor. Wooden toys, glass figurines, corn husk dolls, and elaborately decorated gingerbread cookies give you but a glimpse of the variety you’ll encounter at each market. Trust me – spend a few hours of your trip rubbing elbows with people from all around the world in the jovial magic of a Prague Christmas market,  and you’ll leave the city too spoiled to enjoy less exotic commercial undertakings.

Just as the Christmas markets offer products and an atmosphere unique to Prague, so there are many events coming up that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

On December 18, people from all over the city gather in Old Town Square to engage in the annual pillow fight (yes, really). For thirteen minutes, you can pound your opponents to your heart’s content in what is the biggest pillow fight I have ever heard of. Of course, if you’re in the mood for something a bit less physically demanding, there are plenty of shows and concerts where you can experience a more relaxed enjoyment of the holiday season. The Rudolfinum is putting on a Christmas concert of Bach’s “Magnificat” December 15-16. This neo-renaissance styled music auditorium is home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and a favorite venue of locals and visitors alike. If, however, you are looking for a more intimate musical setting, I would highly recommend the Spanish Synagogue. The acoustics in this at once cozy and beautiful venue are phenomenal. This month, they are featuring “Best of Gershwin,” “Bolero,” and “Best of World & Czech Music.” Certainly a must see!

And, finally, no holiday article would be complete without a mention of “The Nutcracker.” The Bolshoi Ballet is performing this year at the National Theatre. You’ll have to book your tickets quickly, though, as many of the performance days have already sold out! But, ultimately, whether you attend concerts, ballets, Christmas markets, or just drink hot wine, one thing is certain: the Prague holiday experience is unforgettable. For more information when planning your trip, I would certainly recommend visiting expats.cz and pragueexperience.com to get more information. And, of course, if you need any help or suggestions, our team here at Medical Travel Czech Republic is always available and happy to go above and beyond to ensure that you have a terrific time in Prague.