One Holiday - Five Countries
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PRAGUE
Mozart, Mahler, Wagner, Liszt and
Tchaikovsky experienced some of their
greatest successes in this music-loving
medieval city. This tradition continues,
and is enhanced by fine local food and
Christmas experiences.
Visitors are wowed by the medieval
architecture. The Prague Castle, touted
as the world’s largest castle, embraces
the Gothic Royal Palace, the Renaissance Summer Palace of Queen Anne,
a modern greenhouse in the Royal
Gardens and the St. Vitus Cathedral.
Besides boasting beautiful stainedglass windows, check out the tombs of
St. Wenceslas – the patron saint of the
Czech lands – and several emperors.
Crowds flock to watch the amazing 1410-Prague Astronomical Clock
– with figures of the Apostles -- strike
the hour at Old Town Square. It’s the
world’s oldest working astronomical
138 FOOD TRAVELER | WINTER 2013
clock, but it’s a brief exhibition. A huge
illuminated Christmas tree dominates
Old Town Square, where children
dressed in traditional costumes sing
carols. Another tree shines at Wencelas
Square.
Visitors strolling around Old Town
Square will find period- costumed
pages advertising classical musical programs. Guests then visit the
Neo-Renaissance State Opera hall or
various churches to hear concerts. For
instance, Christmas concerts are conducted at the gorgeous 16th-century
Klementium of Gothic and Baroque
architectural styles, and its St. Salvator
Church. Purchase tickets in advance.
Christmas Mass is celebrated in those
settings. There’s even an open-air
Christmas Mass in Old Town Square
on Christmas Eve.
The pedestrian-only 14th-century
stone Charles Bridge hosts 75 statues
(30 crucifixes), and is enlivened by artists and musicians.
Major Christmas markets
brighten Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, right near the tourist
attractions. At the decorated wooden
huts, you’ll be tempted by hand-made
glassware, wooden toys, lace and dolls.
There’s a Bethlehem stable and a petting zoo of sheep, goats and a donkey,
plus a puppet theater for the little
ones. Foods are made and sold on the
spot. Sample barbecued sausages,
roasted ham and trdelnik rolls – hot,
sugar-coatedpastries, and plenty of
Czech beer.
For an elegant meal, Alcron, recipient of Michelin stars in 2012 and 2013,
dates back to 1932. It maintains its Art
Deco style with a glamorous Manhattan mural. Try the fillet of sea b \