PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 26th November 2016- 6th January 2017
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN 19th November – 23rd December 2016
LUXURY LIVING TRAVEL u
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 26th November 2016- 6th January 2017
Christmas markets( Vanocni trh) are a key ingredient of the festive magic in the Czech Republic. And the Prague Christmas markets are most impressive, lighting up the city and bringing locals and tourists together to share in the spirit, in a true‘ winter wonderland’ setting.
The two best Vanocni trh are situated on the slopes of Wenceslas Square and in the Old Town Square. The markets consist of brightly decorated wooden huts selling traditional handcrafted products such as intricate glassware and jewellery, embroidered lace, wooden toys, metal-ware, ceramic plates and mugs, scented candles, beautifully dressed puppets and dolls, Christmas tree ornaments, and hats, gloves and scarves.
This picture perfect festive scene is complete with brightly decorated a wooden hut surrounding a giant glittering Christmas tree which is shipped in from the Krkonose Mountains in the North of the Czech Republic. It is erected at the Old Town Square and draped in a blaze of lights. The tree is switched on every night around 5pm. Set against Prague’ s dark gothic skyline this is truly a spectacular sight.
Finally the Prague Christmas markets wouldn’ t be complete without sampling the local gourmet cuisine delights with offerings of honeyed gingerbread, vánocvka( a braided pastry with raisins), and vosí hnízda( biscuits laiden with nuts and rum).
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN 19th November – 23rd December 2016
Christmas Markets or Advent markets in Sweden are extremely popular with locals and tourists alike and highlight many Swedish Christmas traditions, for example the consumption of glögg which is a hot spicy wine.
Warm yourself with a glass of spicy mulled wine( glögg) and browse over the most gorgeous handicrafts and Christmas decorations. You can sample typical Swedish Christmas delicacies at the markets too so look out for smoked sausage, reindeer meat and traditional Swedish Christmas sweets.
The Liseburg Christmas Market which takes place in Gothenburg is reputed to be the largest in Sweden with over 60 stalls and an open air ice rink nearby. Outdoor stalls sell Swedish Christmas sweets, smoked sausages, reindeer meat, glögg and a wide range of Swedish handicrafts and other gifts.
At least four Xmas Markets take place within the city area of Stockholm, namely Skansen on the park island of Djurgården, which has the world’ s oldest open-air museum where the Christmas market date back to 1903, Gamla Stan, commonly known as The Old Town just south of the Royal Palace, is, the oldest of the Swedish capital’ s four festive markets. Cobblestone streets, chiming church bells and a wonderful aroma of roasted chestnuts will make you feel like you’ ve walked on the set of A Christmas Carol.
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