For many of us, the time of year when we travel to Europe is as important as where we go. Visiting Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is especially gratifying during the month of December particularly for tourists seeking notable cultural travel experiences. Clearly, there is a difference between that and an ordinary visit. While the former requires a minimum of a week to stay at one metropolis and rewards visitors with a deeper understanding and appreciation of local history, culture, traditions, and customs; the latter involves a shallow cookie-cutter stay for two or three days and can be summarized by simply saying “yes, I was there.”
Actually, it is the Czech enthusiastic adherence to traditions and customs associated with preparations for Christmas combined with electrifying seasonal shopping that turns December into a very fascinating time of the year for both visitors and locals. Real time magic, endless excitement and unmatched delight are expressions people use to describe their wanders through the legendary Bohemian Christmas Markets and attractively adorned shops scattered along medieval squares and narrow streets of the Old and Lesser Town of Prague. Being delighted by an abundance of traditional and modern gift choices, charmed with holiday spirit, and enchanted with Prague’s already renowned magical appearance further enhanced by arrays of special designs formed by strings of lights, ornate Christmas trees, awesome nativity scenes, and other festive embellishments; it is no wonder that we may suddenly realized that the real winter wonderland does indeed exist.
Yet an extraordinary Czech winter holiday is not just about a chance to bring back home unique Christmas gifts; it is about taking the time to discover the finest that Prague and Bohemia have to offer veiled in a distinctive Christmas holiday allure.
Thus if a truly magical winter holiday experience is desired, a longer stay in Prague utilizing a personalized itinerary is a must. And for those who seek even more fulfilling, worry-free holiday with privately arranged visits to places seldom visited by regular tourists and a chance to savor traditional Czech Christmas dinner favorites and other seasonal culinary delights served at exclusive venues, a small group journey designed and escorted by a true destination specialist is an excellent option.
A native of Prague, Jirina Dragon, MBA, founded J D European Tours, LLC in 2005. Specializing in travel to Prague and selected notable places of interest in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria; Jirina in collaboration with various organization in the local arts community designs, develops, and escorts unique small group exploratory journeys and customizes personal travel itineraries for travelers who seek more rewarding European cultural experiences.
Jirina can be reached at jirina@jdeuropeantours.com
